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{{About|Apple's transition of its Mac computers from the PowerPC architecture to Intel processors|details on the architecture of Intel-based Apple computers|Apple–Intel architecture}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
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{{macOS sidebar}}
The '''Mac transition to Intel processors''' was the process of switching the [[central processing unit]]s (CPUs) of [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s line of [[Mac (computer)|Mac]] and [[Xserve]] computers from [[PowerPC]] processors over to [[Intel]]'s [[x86-64]] processors.{{efn|Initial models featured a [[IA-32|32-bit x86]] CPU, and were subsequently replaced with an [[x86-64]] CPU.}} The change was announced at the 2005 [[Worldwide Developers Conference]] (WWDC) by then-Apple CEO [[Steve Jobs]], who said Apple would gradually stop using PowerPC [[microprocessor]]s supplied by [[Freescale]] (formerly [[Motorola]]) and [[IBM]].<ref name="apple-pr-2005">{{cite web |title=Apple to Use Intel Microprocessors Beginning in 2006 |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2005/06/06Apple-to-Use-Intel-Microprocessors-Beginning-in-2006/ |website=[[Apple Inc.]] |access-date=23 June 2020 |date=6 June 2005 |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130185804/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2005/06/06Apple-to-Use-Intel-Microprocessors-Beginning-in-2006/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The transition was the second time Apple had switched the processor [[instruction set architecture]] of its personal computers. The first was in 1994, when Apple discarded the Mac's original [[Motorola 68000 series]] architecture in favor of the then-new PowerPC platform.<ref name="CNET1">{{cite news |last1=Shankland |first1=Stephen |title=Apple gives Macs a brain transplant with new Arm chips starting this year |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-gives-macs-a-brain-transplant-with-new-arm-chips/ |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=[[CNet]] |date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217001241/https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-gives-macs-a-brain-transplant-with-new-arm-chips/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Apple's initial press release originally outlined that the move would begin by June 2006, with completion slated by early 2008
The final version of [[Mac OS X]] that ran on PowerPC processors was [[Mac OS X Leopard|Leopard]], released in October 2007, with PowerPC binary translation support (using [[Rosetta (software)|Rosetta]]) persisting up through the following version, [[Mac OS X Snow Leopard|Snow Leopard]].<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2008/06/09Apple-Previews-Mac-OS-X-Snow-Leopard-to-Developers/ | title=Apple Previews Mac OS X Snow Leopard to Developers | publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] | date=June 9, 2008 | access-date=2017-12-04 | archive-date=November 1, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101112448/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2008/06/09Apple-Previews-Mac-OS-X-Snow-Leopard-to-Developers/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Support was later dropped in [[Mac OS X Lion|Lion]].
In 2020, Apple announced that it would [[Mac transition to Apple silicon|shift its Mac line to Apple silicon]], which are [[ARM architecture|ARM]]-based
==Background==
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==History==
===1980s===
Apple's efforts to move to Intel hardware began in 1985.
===1990s===
In the 1990s, Intel often took out ads in ''[[Macworld]]'' convincing Macintosh users to switch to PCs powered by Intel CPUs.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/MacWorld_9312_December_1993/page/n3/mode/2up | title=Intel advertisement |magazine=[[MacWorld]] | date=December 1993 }}</ref>
The first known attempt by Apple to move to Intel's platform was the [[Star Trek project]], a code name given to a secret project to run a port of [[Classic Mac OS]] [[System 7]] and its applications on an Intel-compatible personal computer.<ref name="LowEndMac1"/> The effort began on February 14, 1992, with the blessing of Intel's then-CEO [[Andy Grove]].<ref name="LowEndMac1"/>▼
▲The first known attempt by Apple to move to Intel's platform was the [[Star Trek project]], a code name given to a secret project to run a port of [[Classic Mac OS]] [[System 7]] and its applications on an Intel-compatible personal computer.
Apple leaders set an October 31 deadline to create a working prototype. The team met that deadline, and had a functional demo ready by December. [[John Sculley]]'s departure during the Star Trek project was a factor in the project's termination. [[Michael Spindler]], who took over as Apple's CEO, devoted most of Apple's resources to moving to PowerPC instead,<ref name="LowEndMac1"/> thus initiating Apple's first processor transition.▼
▲Apple leaders set an October 31 deadline to create a working prototype. The team met that deadline, and had a functional demo ready by December. [[John Sculley]]'s departure during the Star Trek project was a factor in the project's termination. [[Michael Spindler]], who took over as Apple's CEO, instead devoted most of Apple's resources to
After Apple's 1997 acquisition of [[NeXT]], Apple began to rework their [[NeXTSTEP]] operating system into a successor to the classic Mac OS, codenamed [[Rhapsody (operating system)|Rhapsody]]. Jobs (who rejoined Apple upon the purchase) demonstrated an Intel-compatible build of Rhapsody to [[Dell]] founder and namesake [[Michael Dell]]. Jobs offered to license the new OS to Dell for its PCs, so that users could choose between it and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]. However, Dell declined when Jobs insisted that the company license the operating system for every PC it ships, regardless of whether or not the user wanted to use Mac OS.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Guglielmo|first=Connie|title=The Apple-Dell deal that could have changed history|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/the-steve-jobs-deal-with-dell-that-could-have-changed-apple-and-tech-history/|access-date=2021-10-29|website=CNET|language=en|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029173341/https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/the-steve-jobs-deal-with-dell-that-could-have-changed-apple-and-tech-history/|url-status=live}}</ref>
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It was noted in 2003 by IBM in an article published to its [[intranet]] that Apple felt a transition to Intel would present massive software changes that it wanted to avoid.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Arnold |title=IBM on Apple/Intel and the G5 |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2003/09/12/ibm-on-apple-intel-and-the-g5/ |access-date=24 June 2020 |work=[[MacRumors]] |date=12 September 2003 |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020005737/https://www.macrumors.com/2003/09/12/ibm-on-apple-intel-and-the-g5/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, rumors of an impending announcement of a transition to Intel cropped up in 2000 and 2003.<ref name="MacRumors1">{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Arnold |title='Intel Based Mac' Rumor Roundup... [Updated x2] |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2005/06/05/intel-based-mac-rumor-roundup/ |access-date=25 June 2020 |work=[[MacRumors]] |date=4 June 2005 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031220502/https://www.macrumors.com/2005/06/05/intel-based-mac-rumor-roundup/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Sculley said in 2003 that not choosing Intel for Apple was "probably one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made". Apple did not foresee Intel's ability to improve x86's [[complex instruction set computing|CISC]] architecture to match [[RISC]], and did not have access to commodity x86 components to compete on price with rivals like [[Dell]], he said.<ref name="forbes20031009">{{Cite magazine |date=2003-10-09 |title=Ex-Apple CEO Regrets Nixing Intel |url=https://www.forbes.com/2003/10/09/1009intelpinnacor.html |access-date=2025-06-28 |magazine=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
===2005===
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Some observers expressed surprise that Apple made a deal with Intel instead of with [[AMD]].<ref name="MacWorld1">{{cite news |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Laurianne |title=Analysis: Why Apple picked Intel over AMD |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1046961/intelvsamd.html |access-date=24 June 2020 |work=[[MacWorld]] |date=14 September 2005 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024040545/https://www.macworld.com/article/1046961/intelvsamd.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2005, AMD had become popular with gamers and the budget conscious,<ref name="MacWorld1"/> but some analysts believed AMD's lack of low-power designs at the time was behind Apple's decision to go with Intel.<ref name="MacWorld1"/>
In 2011, Apple investigated using AMD's low power [[AMD Fusion#Llano .2832.C2.A0nm.29 2|Llano APU]] for the [[MacBook Air]], but eventually opted for Intel due to AMD's potential inability to supply enough Llano processors to meet demand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.semiaccurate.com/2011/11/17/apple-macbook-air-with-amd-processor-dead/ |title=Exclusive: Apple MacBook Air with AMD processor dead |date=2011-11-17 |publisher=[[SemiAccurate]] |access-date=December 31, 2012 |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131005152/http://www.semiaccurate.com/2011/11/17/apple-macbook-air-with-amd-processor-dead/#.UQnAMC_P32c |url-status=live }}</ref>
===32-bit regression===
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At the time the transition was announced, it was noted that a degree of enmity towards Intel exists amongst some fans of Apple products, due to Intel's close identification with Microsoft.<ref name="SanJoseMercuryNews1">{{cite news |last1=Chmielewski |first1=Dawn |title=2005: Changing Apple"s core — Jobs says Intel chips will replace IBM in Macintosh beginning next summer |url=https://www.montereyherald.com/2015/03/04/2005-changing-apples-core-jobs-says-intel-chips-will-replace-ibm-in-macintosh-beginning-next-summer/ |access-date=24 June 2020 |work=[[The Mercury News|San Jose Mercury News]] (via [[The Monterey County Herald|Monterey Herald]]) |date=7 June 2005 |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110001518/https://www.montereyherald.com/2015/03/04/2005-changing-apples-core-jobs-says-intel-chips-will-replace-ibm-in-macintosh-beginning-next-summer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, It was noted by Intel's then CEO, [[Paul Otellini]], that Apple and Intel's relationship was strained at times, especially due to Apple's commission of an ad that shows Intel processors being outperformed by PowerPC processors.<ref name="SanJoseMercuryNews1"/>
While there were questions over whether Apple would put the [[Intel Inside]] stickers on its products, Jobs dispelled such a possibility, saying it is redundant when Apple's use of Intel processors is well-known.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pot |first1=Justin |title=Why Don't Macs Have "Intel Inside" Stickers? |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/318892/why-dont-macs-have-intel-inside-stickers/ |website=How-To Geek |access-date=23 June 2020 |date=24 July 2017 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127001940/https://www.howtogeek.com/318892/why-dont-macs-have-intel-inside-stickers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "Intel Inside" stickers have never been included on any Apple product.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2007/08/apple-fan-frenz/ | magazine=Wired | first=Charlie | last=Sorrel | title=Apple Fan Frenzy: Stickergate | date=August 13, 2007 | access-date=March 5, 2017 | archive-date=March 3, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303092956/http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2007/08/apple-fan-frenz/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
===Osborne effect===
There was concern that an early announcement of the change would cause an [[Osborne effect]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andrew |first1=Orlowski |title=The Osborne Effect spooks Apple |url=https://www.theregister.com/2005/06/08/apple_osborne_effect/ |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=[[The Register]] |date=8 June 2005 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124174343/https://www.theregister.com/2005/06/08/apple_osborne_effect/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Charles |title=Apple and the "Osborne Effect" |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-and-the-osborne-effect/ |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=[[CNet]] |date=14 July 2005 |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625113437/https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-and-the-osborne-effect/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but it
Analysis of financial data suggests that the Osborne Effect did not materialize, with sales for Macs growing by 19% and 37% in the two quarters following March 2006.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gassée |first1=Jean-Louis |title=Osborning The Mac. Or Not. |url=https://mondaynote.com/osborning-the-mac-or-not-f0bbf4c319f0 |website=Monday Note |access-date=23 June 2020 |date=14 June 2020 |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614220541/https://mondaynote.com/osborning-the-mac-or-not-f0bbf4c319f0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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The [[Classic environment]], the [[Mac OS 9]] virtualization measure for Mac OS X, was not ported to the x86 architecture,<ref>{{cite web |title=Why doesn't Apple support MacOS 9/Classic on Intel-based Macs? |url=https://everymac.com/mac-answers/mac-os-9-classic-support-faq/why-did-apple-abandon-macos-9-classic.html |website=EveryMac.com |access-date=23 June 2020 |date=12 July 2006 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403193212/https://everymac.com/mac-answers/mac-os-9-classic-support-faq/why-did-apple-abandon-macos-9-classic.html |url-status=live }}</ref> leaving the new Intel-powered Macs incompatible with [[classic Mac OS]] applications without a proper third-party PowerPC emulator.
There were also concerns over third-party software support, with reaction to the change being mixed amongst the software developer community, due to a need to recompile software for compatibility on Intel-based Macs.<ref name="SanJoseMercuryNews1"/> In early 2006, it was reported that a number of software companies, such as [[Adobe Inc.|Adobe]], [[Aspyr]] and [[Microsoft]], were not ready to release [[universal binary]] versions of their software offerings.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shimpi |first1=Shimpi |title=Apple Makes the Switch: iMac G5 vs. iMac Core Duo |url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/1936 |access-date=24 June 2020 |work=AnandTech |date=30 January 2006 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726071220/https://www.anandtech.com/show/1936 |url-status=
===Technical issues===
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===Ongoing support for PowerPC following transition===
[[Mac OS X Snow Leopard|Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6)]], released in August 2009, was the first version of Mac OS X (later [[macOS]]) to require a Mac with an Intel processor, ending operating system support for
Apple has a policy of placing products that have not been sold for more than five years, but less than seven years, as "vintage", meaning hardware services from Apple Stores and service providers are subject to availability of inventory, or as required by law. After a product has not been sold for more than seven years, it is considered "obsolete", meaning it is not eligible for hardware support.<ref name="AppleVintageObsolete">{{cite web |title=Vintage and obsolete products |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624 |website=[[Apple Inc.]] |access-date=25 June 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116063147/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624 |url-status=live }}</ref> All PowerPC-based Macs were obsolete by 2013.
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* August 28, 2009: Apple shipped Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" exclusively for Intel Macs. PowerPC Macs cannot boot this OS as the backwards compatibility with them have been removed. This is also the final release with Rosetta, allowing PowerPC software to run on an Intel Mac.
* March 1, 2011: The beta version of the then-upcoming [[Mac OS X Lion]] removed "Rosetta" and lost the ability to run PowerPC based software.<ref>{{cite web|website=[[MacWorld]]|date=March 1, 2011|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/669343/no-java-rosetta-or-front-row-in-lion.html|title=No Java, Rosetta, or Front Row in Lion|first=Ashleigh|last=Macro|access-date=August 22, 2022|archive-date=August 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822062008/https://www.macworld.com/article/669343/no-java-rosetta-or-front-row-in-lion.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* June 23, 2011: Support for Mac OS 10.5 Leopard came to a end, formally ending Apple's support of PowerPC hardware on Mac OS X.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9244852/Apple_signals_end_to_OS_X_Snow_Leopard_support|title=Apple signals end to OS X Snow Leopard support|quote=Apple provided the final update to Leopard in June 2011|first=Gregg |last=Keizer|date=December 17, 2013|website=[[Computerworld]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407021432/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9244852/Apple_signals_end_to_OS_X_Snow_Leopard_support|archive-date=April 7, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9246609/Apple_retires_Snow_Leopard_from_support_leaves_1_in_5_Macs_vulnerable_to_attacks |title=Apple retires Snow Leopard from support, leaves 1 in 5 Macs vulnerable to attacks |first=Gregg |last=Keizer |date= February 26, 2014 |website=[[Computerworld]] |access-date=2014-05-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528150522/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9246609/Apple_retires_Snow_Leopard_from_support_leaves_1_in_5_Macs_vulnerable_to_attacks |archive-date=May 28, 2014 |df=mdy-all }} See the graph picture on the web</ref>
* July 20, 2011: The release of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion formally ended Apple's
* August 7, 2011: PowerPC hardware reached "vintage" status having been discontinued five years prior, ending most of Apple's service and parts support for PowerPC hardware.
* June 11, 2012: Apple released iTunes 10.6.3, their last application with support for PowerPC processors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1575?locale=en_US|title=iTunes 10.6.3|website=support.apple.com|access-date=November 20, 2019|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125061255/https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1575?locale=en_US|url-status=live}}</ref>
* August 7, 2013: PowerPC hardware reached "obsolete" status having been discontinued seven years prior, ending all of Apple's service and parts support for PowerPC hardware.
* February 25, 2014: Support for Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard was dropped, formally ending Apple's support of PowerPC-based software.
==See also==
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* [[Star Trek project]]
* [[Universal binary]]
* [[Mac transition to PowerPC processors]]
* [[Mac transition to Apple silicon]]
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== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090301215628/http://developer.apple.com:80/documentation/MacOSX/Conceptual/universal_binary/ Apple Universal Binary Programming Guidelines]
* [
* [https://www.apple.com/macosx/compatibility/ Boot Camp, Apple's solution to running Windows operating systems via a dual-boot method]
{{Intel}}
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