Mac OS: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:Operating Systems]]'''Mac OS''' is the [[:Category:Operating Systems|operating system]] used in [[Macintosh]] computers since their introduction in 1984. The current version is [[Mac OS X]], which |
[[Category:Operating Systems]]'''Mac OS''' is the [[:Category:Operating Systems|operating system]] used in [[Macintosh]] computers since their introduction in 1984. Some aplliances (most notably the [[wp:iPhone|iPhone]]) also run derivative versions of Mac OS. The current version is '''[[wp:Mac OS X|Mac OS X]]''' 10.6 (often refered to as simply '''OSX'''), which is derived from [[wp:NeXTSTEP|NeXTSTEP]], and has a Mach microkernel running a BSD compatibility layer. Most applications are written in [[Objective-C]] using the [[Cocoa]] framework. |
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'''Mac''' is a term which describes the broader class of Apple computer hardware and their Macintosh operating systems. |
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==Older versions== |
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| ⚫ | Pre-X versions of Mac OS were written in-house at Apple and were based in part on the slightly earlier [[wp:Apple Lisa|Lisa Office System]]. "Classic" Mac OS is still in use on many older Macs, especially 68k Macs (Macs with a [[wp:Motorola 68000 family|Motorola 680x0]] processor), which are unable to run versions newer than 8.1. (In fact, many older Macs can't even run [[wp:Mac OS 8|OS 8]] at all.) Depending on the specific model, [[wp:PowerPC|PowerPC]] Macs support anywhere from [[wp:System 7|System 7.1.2]] up to OS X 10.5. (OS X 10.6 dropped support for PowerPC Macs.) |
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Revision as of 15:27, 28 October 2009
Mac OS is the operating system used in Macintosh computers since their introduction in 1984. Some aplliances (most notably the iPhone) also run derivative versions of Mac OS. The current version is Mac OS X 10.6 (often refered to as simply OSX), which is derived from NeXTSTEP, and has a Mach microkernel running a BSD compatibility layer. Most applications are written in Objective-C using the Cocoa framework.
Mac is a term which describes the broader class of Apple computer hardware and their Macintosh operating systems.
Older versions
Pre-X versions of Mac OS were written in-house at Apple and were based in part on the slightly earlier Lisa Office System. "Classic" Mac OS is still in use on many older Macs, especially 68k Macs (Macs with a Motorola 680x0 processor), which are unable to run versions newer than 8.1. (In fact, many older Macs can't even run OS 8 at all.) Depending on the specific model, PowerPC Macs support anywhere from System 7.1.2 up to OS X 10.5. (OS X 10.6 dropped support for PowerPC Macs.)
For more information, see Wikipedia's Mac OS page.