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iMac G5 Q&A - Revised April 16, 2008
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What version of the MacOS is pre-installed on the iMac G5?
The first iMac G5 models -- the iMac G5/1.6 17-Inch, iMac G5/1.8 17-Inch and iMac G5/1.8 20-Inch -- shipped with MacOS X 10.3.5 "Panther". Subsequent iMac G5 systems shipped with a version of MacOS X 10.4 "Tiger".
For the specific version and build number of MacOS X installed on particular models, please refer to the particular specs page for the iMac G5 of interest.
Can the iMac G5 run MacOS 9/Classic applications?
None of the iMac G5 models are capable of booting MacOS 9, but all can run MacOS 9 applications within the MacOS X "Classic Environment" provided by MacOS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" and lower ("Classic" is not supported starting with MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard").
For more on MacOS 9, please refer to the MacOS 9/Classic Support Q&A.
The iMac G5 series is capable of running Windows through emulation using a program like Microsoft Virtual PC 7, but it cannot boot Windows or run Windows via virtualization like the Intel-based Macs.
If you need a system capable of running Windows, you would be best served with an Intel-based Mac or a Windows PC.
For more on running Windows on Intel-based Macs, please also check out the Windows on Mac Q&A.
Yes. Adelie Linux is supported on the iMac G5.
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