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Power Macintosh G3 Q&A - Updated February 19, 2010
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What version of the MacOS is pre-installed on the Power Mac G3 models? What versions of the MacOS do the Power Mac G3 models support? Can they all boot MacOS 9? What is the maximum supported version of MacOS X?
All Power Mac G3 models are capable of booting MacOS 9 and a version of MacOS X.
The "Platinum" (Beige) Power Mac G3 models are supported running a maximum of MacOS X 10.2.8 and the "Blue & White" Power Mac G3 models are supported running a maximum of MacOS X 10.4.11. All Power Mac G3 models are capable of running MacOS 9 applications within these versions of MacOS X in "Classic Mode" as well.
It also is worth noting that many consider revision 2 motherboards in "Blue & White" Power Mac G3 models to be preferable to revision 1 motherboards for running MacOS X.
The version of the MacOS pre-installed as well as the maximum supported version of MacOS X is provided on the specs page for each system.
However, this information also is provided in this chart for your convenience:
Power Mac G3 | Pre-Installed | Max MacOS |
8.0 | X 10.2.8* | |
8.0 | X 10.2.8* | |
8.0 | X 10.2.8* | |
8.0 | X 10.2.8* | |
8.0 | X 10.2.8* | |
8.0 | X 10.2.8* | |
8.1 | X 10.2.8* | |
8.0 | X 10.2.8* | |
8.0 | X 10.2.8* | |
8.5.1 | X 10.4.11 | |
8.5.1, 8.6† | X 10.4.11 | |
8.5.1, 8.6† | X 10.4.11 | |
8.6 | X 10.4.11 |
* Please note that the AV "Personality" cards that are provided by these models are not supported running any version of MacOS X.
† The original configuration shipped with MacOS 8.5.1 pre-installed, later configurations had MacOS 8.6 pre-installed.
For more on MacOS 9, please refer to the MacOS 9/Classic Support Q&A.
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