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Aluminum iMac Q&A - Updated November 1, 2009
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What version of MacOS X is pre-installed on the Aluminum iMac models?
The original Aluminum iMac models initially shipped with MacOS X 10.4.10 (8R4031) "Tiger", the "Early 2008/Penryn" models initially shipped with MacOS X 10.5.2 (9C2028) "Leopard", the "Early 2009" models initially shipped with MacOS X 10.5.6 (9G2030) "Leopard", and the "Late 2009" models ship with MacOS X X 10.6.1 (10A2155) "Snow Leopard".
For more on particular build numbers, please refer to "MacOS: Builds Included with Intel Macs" from the Apple Support Site.
For the maximum supported version of MacOS X for all "recent" -- G3 and later -- Macs, please refer to the Maximum Supported MacOS listing.
Can the Aluminum iMac models run MacOS 9/Classic applications?
No. Apple provides no support for running MacOS 9 or the "Classic Environment" on Intel-based Macs like the Aluminum iMac models. Intel-based Macs rely on the "Rosetta Universal Binary Translator" to run software for MacOS X for PowerPC, and this emulator cannot run "Classic/MacOS 9" applications.
Additionally, MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard" and MacOS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" also provide no support for "MacOS 9/Classic" applications.
If you have a mission critical application that only runs on MacOS 9, you likely would be best served by maintaining a PowerPC-based Mac. However, you may also be interested in reading "Are there any third-party programs to run MacOS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?" from the MacOS 9/Classic Support Q&A.
Site sponsor Operator Headgap Systems specializes in refurbished, and often heavily upgraded, systems capable of booting in both MacOS X and MacOS 9. Site sponsor PowerMax also sells systems capable of running MacOS 9/Classic.
Can the Aluminum iMac models run Windows?
Yes. For those unfortunate ones condemned to use Windows, the Windows on Mac Q&A provides answers for just about everything you need to know about running Windows on the Aluminum iMac models or any other Intel-based Mac.
Can the Aluminum iMac models run Linux?
Yes. All Intel-based iMac models are capable of running a number of Intel-based distributions of Linux through Apple Boot Camp or by using "virtualization".
For more on Boot Camp and Virtualization, please refer to the Windows on Mac Q&A.
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