Hosting and bandwidth provided by MacHost.
Q
& A:
Power
Mac G3 Q & A:
Software Compatibility
What version of the MacOS is
pre-installed?
The original Power Macintosh G3 series came with MacOS 8.0 pre-installed, and later had either MacOS 8.1, 8.5, or 8.5.1 pre-installed.
The Blue and White Power Macintosh G3 series, which includes the Power Macintosh G3/300 (Blue), G3/350 (Blue), G3/400 (Blue), and G3/450 (Blue) came with MacOS 8.5.1 or 8.6 pre-installed.
All models in both Power Macintosh G3 series are compatible with MacOS 9.
Will the Power Macintosh G3 run MacOS X?
Apple's current plans for MacOS X pledge that the operating system will be "optimized for G3-based systems". Because all models in both Power Macintosh G3 series feature PowerPC 750 (G3) processors, hence the "G3" in the title, all models should be fully supported by MacOS X.
For complete specifications and pricing information, see the Power Macintosh G3 specification pages.
Can the Power Macintosh G3 run Linux?
The original Power Macintosh G3 is fully supported by both versions 4.0 and 5.0 (1999), and the Blue and White Power Macintosh G3 series also is supported by version 5.0.
If you are interested in running Linux, you can order your copy of LinuxPPC Release 5.0 (1999) on CD-ROM from LinuxPPC.com.
Can the Power Macintosh G3 run Windows 98? Windows NT?
As shipped, the original series of the Power Macintosh G3 runs MacOS 8.1 through 9, and the Blue and White Power Macintosh G3 series runs MacOS 8.5.1 through 9. However, the Power Macintosh G3 models can run both Windows 98 and Windows NT through an inexpensive emulator program such as Connectix Virtual PC or Insignia SoftWindows 98 5.0 or by adding a more expensive, but better performing, OrangeMicro PC-compatibility card.
The performance using an emulator program should be around the level of a lower-end PC, and the performance using a PC-compatibility card is equal to or better than many PCs but may cost less than buying an actual PC.
For additional information on Macintosh and Windows compatibility, be sure to check out MacWindows.com.
Will software that requires a "dongle" work with the Blue and White G3 series?
Yes. The Blue and White Power Macintosh G3 series includes a standard ADB port that should be compatible with all existing ADB-based "dongles". This ADB port is also compatible with ColorSync controllers, keyboards, mice, graphic tables, and other "legacy" ADB-based input devices. Newer "dongles" which are USB-based are compatible with the USB ports provided by the Blue and White Power Macintosh G3 series.
Please share your experiences with dongles and the Blue and White Power Macintosh G3 series in the forums.
[Note: a "dongle" is a small cable that ships with some high-end, expensive software packages such as QuarkXPress and AutoCad. Upon starting the software, the computer searches for the dongle and makes sure that it is plugged into the applicable port on the back of the computer. If it is not found, then the software will not operate. Since hardware is considerably more difficult to copy and distribute than software, the dongle provides a fairly high-level of copy protection, discouraging casual software piracy.]
Are both Power Macintosh G3 series Y2K-compliant?
[02.21.2000 Update: Now that "Y2K" has come and gone with little impact, this answer is no longer relevant. Nevertheless, the original answer remains below for "historical" reference.]
Of course. The original Power Macintosh G3 series, the Blue and White Power Macintosh G3 series, the iMac and all other Macs are fully compatible with the year 2000 and far beyond. The original Macintosh (128k) and Macintosh 512k are compatible until 2040, and all other Macs are compatible until an astonishing 29,940. Check out Apple's MacOS and the Year 2000 page for additional information and testing that you can perform to ensure that all of your software is Y2K-compliant as well. To make sure that all of your software is up-to-date, check out VersionTracker.
Power Mac G3 Main | Power Mac G3 Q & A (Main) | Next Q & A Section
Home: Q & A: Apple: Power Mac G3 Q & A: Software Compatibility
EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.