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Cylinder Mac Pro Q&A - Updated May 1, 2017
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What version of the OS X is pre-installed on the Cylinder Mac Pro models? What is the maximum version of OS X supported? Is it possible to run earlier versions of OS X?
The Cylinder Mac Pro models first shipped with OS X Mavericks 10.9.1 (build number 13B4116) and now ship with the current version of macOS Sierra (10.12).
However, unlike the "Mid-2012" Mac Pro models that the Cylinder Mac Pro line replaced, the Cylinder Mac Pro cannot run earlier versions of OS X. Oddly, the "Mid-2012" Mac Pro models first shipped with OS X Lion (10.7), but are capable of booting Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6).
Can the Cylinder Mac Pro run OS X applications written for 32-Bit Intel Macs, PowerPC-based Macs, or Mac OS 9?
The Cylinder Mac Pro models can run all OS X applications that OS X Mavericks (10.9) and later versions of the Mac operating system support. Although OS X Mavericks is a 64-bit operating system, it still can run some 32-bit applications. Other 32-bit applications, particularly those that require hardware interaction -- like drivers for printers and other peripherals -- are unlikely to work.
It also is possible to run many applications in 32-bit mode by single clicking on an application icon and selecting "Get Info" under the "File" menu. Applications with this capability will have a checkbox offering to "Open in 32-bit mode." This often can be useful to run 64-bit software like Adobe Photoshop with older 32-bit plug-ins.
The Cylinder Mac Pro models cannot run Mac OS X software written for the PowerPC processor. Running Mac OS X software written for the PowerPC processor requires the "Rosetta Universal Binary Translator" which is not supported by OS X 10.7 "Lion" or subsequent versions of the operating system (like Mavericks). Mac OS 9 applications are not supported by Mavericks, either.
If support for older software is important to you, you likely would prefer to purchase a used Mac Pro capable of running Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard." This version of the operating system is capable of running the vast majority of Mac OS X software written for the PowerPC processor as well as a substantial amount of Mac software written for Intel-based Macs.
Also see:
- Which Macs can run Snow Leopard (10.6), Lion (10.7) and Mountain Lion (10.8)/Mavericks (10.9)?
- What is Rosetta? What does it support?
- Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?
How do you restore the operating system on the Cylinder Mac Pro models?
Apple does not include a physical restoration method -- like a DVD-ROM or a flash drive -- for the Cylinder Mac Pro.
Instead, the operating system has a hidden "restore" partition containing an "OS X Utilities" application that only is accessible upon startup by holding down Command-R. Additional details about "OS X Recovery" is available on the Apple Support Site.
Can the Cylinder Mac Pro run Windows or Linux?
Yes. Like all other Intel-powered Macs, the Cylinder Mac Pro is fully capable of running Windows, Linux, and other operating systems via Apple Boot Camp or by using "virtualization" software.
Specifically, it also is worth noting that Apple's Boot Camp 5 formally supports the 64-bit version of Windows 8 on the Cylinder Mac Pro. It originally supported the 64-bit version of Windows 7, as well, but Apple quietly dropped support for it on March 5, 2014. Boot Camp does not support earlier versions of Windows on these models.
Boot Camp 6 supports the 64-bit version of Windows 10 on the Cylinder Mac Pro. Earlier versions of Windows are not supported.
For more information regarding Windows on the Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's extensive Windows on Mac Q&A.
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