I’m just going to say it — this has been a fun one to write, so much so that I wrote far too much and have decided to split it over two posts. In this first post, we’ll be discussing legacy operating systems and hardware solutions.
I have an unmistakable love for older versions of OS X. I posit it’s due to nostalgia, but I instantly see a flaw in this argument: how can I feel nostalgia for a product that was launched when I was two years old?
Truth be told, Mac OS X (or OS) has gained few functionality changes in the past 10-15 years. Sure, you can exclaim they’ve made it easier for you to interact with people, browse the web, and write pieces of software, but has there really, indeed been, any fundamental changes to how you interact with the operating system? Here’s where I’m going with this. From an interaction perspective, you could go from using Big Sur to using Cheetah with no adjustment. Over 20 years, there is no material learning curve. This is the brilliance of Mac OS X: it’s UX was flawless, which enabled two decades of persistence.
But the goal of this blog post is not to baselessly throwout opinions; it’s to explore these legacy operating systems. Logically so, our first mission is to consider how we might access them. We have two options: emulation/virtualization or direct via hardware. Virtualization enables us to run legacy operating systems on top of a modern one. For this task, a tool such as Qemu is preferable. As for direct, it’s a hardware approach — buy a legacy piece of hardware and install legacy software. Both have their pros and cons. Virtualization is great if you want to quickly experience an old OS, while direct gives you a physical connection to it.
Well, a hardware approach is relatively easy. If you’re considering picking up an obsolete Mac, here are some helpful pointers:
1. Am I buying a PowerPC or Intel Mac? If you want to run OS X 10.0-10.3, you'll need a PowerPC.
2. What is my aesthetic? Do you want bright colors and matte finishes, or all white glossy plastics?
3. How will I write an installer to a DVD? Remember, with most old Macs, it's necessary to install an OS via DVD rather than USB.Over the years, I’ve acquired three legacy computers, which combined have cost me roughly $35. First, a friend of mine offered to give me his iMac G4 (my favorite of the three). Second, I picked up a $25 Mac Pro 1st Gen on Craigslist. I bought this from some company that was practically giving it away. Third, I purchased a G3 Clamshell MacBook in blue for $10, which I found at a yard sale. This was over the course of 5 or so years. These devices allow me to run from Mac OS X Developer Preview all the way up to Mac OS X Lion. As well, I get to experience a variety of different use-cases: portable, desktop, and server. From my testing and personal experiences, I’ve curated three operating system suggestions:
1. If you're seeking a blast from the past and a journey back to the early 2000s, install Jaguar (10.2).
2. If you want a truly wild experience, try out OS X Developer Preview Beta 3.
3. If you want to use the absolute pinnacle of operating systems — what is truly the best piece of software Apple has built — you're looking for Snow Leopard (10.6). Thanks as always,
Zane 👋