What version of the MacOS is pre-installed on the Power Mac G4? Which Power Mac G4 models can boot MacOS 9? Run MacOS 9 applications in the "Classic" Environment?: EveryMac.com

Power Macintosh G4 Q&A - Updated April 21, 2009

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What version of the MacOS is pre-installed on the Power Mac G4? Which Power Mac G4 models can boot MacOS 9? Which Power Mac G4 models can only run MacOS 9 applications in the "Classic" Environment?

Except for the "Firewire 800" models -- which only can boot MacOS X 10.2.3 and higher -- all other Power Macintosh G4 models are capable of booting MacOS 9.

All Power Mac G4 models can run MacOS 9 applications when booting MacOS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" and lower (Some models support MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard", and this version of the operating system does not support MacOS 9 at all). The version of the MacOS pre-installed, as well as the degree of MacOS 9 compatibility is provided on the specs page for each system.

However, this information also is provided in this chart for your convenience:

Power Mac G4	Pre-Installed	MacOS 9 Support
400 (PCI)	8.6	Boot/Classic Mode
450 (AGP)	8.6	Boot/Classic Mode
500 (AGP)	8.6	Boot/Classic Mode
350 (PCI)	8.6	Boot/Classic Mode
400 (AGP)	8.6	Boot/Classic Mode
350 (AGP)	8.6	Boot/Classic Mode
400 (Gigabit)	9.0.4	Boot/Classic Mode
450 DP (Gigabit)	9.0.4	Boot/Classic Mode
500 DP (Gigabit)	9.0.4	Boot/Classic Mode
466 (Digital Audio)	9.1	Boot/Classic Mode
533 (Digital Audio)	9.1	Boot/Classic Mode
667 (Digital Audio)	9.1	Boot/Classic Mode
733 (Digital Audio)	9.1, X 10.0.3*	Boot/Classic Mode
733 (Quicksilver)	9.2, X 10.0.4	Boot/Classic Mode
867 (Quicksilver)	9.2, X 10.0.4	Boot/Classic Mode†
800 DP (Quicksilver)	9.2, X 10.0.4	Boot/Classic Mode
800 (QS 2002)	9.2.2, X 10.1.2	Boot/Classic Mode
933 (QS 2002)	9.2.2, X 10.1.2	Boot/Classic Mode†
1.0 DP (QS 2002)	9.2.2, X 10.1.2	Boot/Classic Mode†
867 DP (MDD)	9.2.2, X 10.2	Boot/Classic Mode†
1.0 DP (MDD)	9.2.2, X 10.2	Boot/Classic Mode†
1.25 DP (MDD)	9.2.2, X 10.2	Boot/Classic Mode†
1.0 (FW 800)	X 10.2.3	Classic Mode Only†
1.25 DP (FW 800)	X 10.2.3	Classic Mode Only†
1.42 DP (FW 800)	X 10.2.3	Classic Mode Only†
1.25 (MDD 2003)	9.2.2, X 10.2	Boot/Classic Mode†

* The original configuration shipped with MacOS 9.1 pre-installed, later configurations had MacOS X 10.0.3 installed as well.

† These models are officially supported running MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard" but do not support MacOS 9 applications, even in "Classic Mode", when booting this version of MacOS X.

For more on MacOS 9, please refer to the MacOS 9/Classic Support Q&A.

Also see: Is there a "hack" to make MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard" run on unsupported Power Mac G4 models?

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