Do Mac OS X applications written for the PowerPC processor really not work with Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion"? How can I tell if a Mac OS X application is written for PowerPC or Intel processors?

Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion" does not support Mac OS X applications written for PowerPC processors as the operating system is not compatible with the "Rosetta" translation engine. Rosetta makes it possible for Mac OS X applications written for a PowerPC processor to run on Intel processors.

Rosetta does not support vintage Mac OS 9/Classic applications (which have not been supported by operating systems more recent than Mac OS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" running on PowerPC-based Macs).

Identifying One Application

To tell whether or not a single application is written for a PowerPC or Intel processor, you can highlight the individual application and select "Get Info" under the File menu (Command-I). Under the "General" information category, the "Kind" should be listed as an application and further noted in parenthesis as Intel, Universal, PowerPC or Classic:

Image Credit: EveryMac.com (Left - PowerPC, Right - Intel)

Identifying All Applications

However, the easiest way to get a full list of applications on your Mac with the relevant compatibility information is to select "About This Mac" under the Apple menu and click "More Info" (or alternately hold down the option key and select "System Profiler..." under the Apple menu).

From within System Profiler, click "Applications" under "Software" in the left hand "Contents" list:

Image Credit: EveryMac.com

Applications listed as Intel or Universal (compiled to work on both Intel and PowerPC processors) -- likely, but not necessarily -- will run on Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion" whereas PowerPC and Classic (Mac OS 9) applications definitely will not. You may find it useful to click the "Kind" heading to categorize the applications as well.

Conclusion

If you have Mac OS X applications that only will run on Intel Macs via Rosetta, you either will need to stick with Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" (or an earlier version of the operating system), upgrade these applications to Intel compatible versions, or find alternate Intel-native applications to perform the same or similar tasks.

Also see: What applications are not compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion"? What upgrade or substitute options are available for common incompatible applications?

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