View source for Mac OS 9

{{Short description|Ninth and last major release of the classic Mac OS (1999)}}
{{About|the ninth major release of the classic Mac OS|version 10.9 of macOS (formerly OS X)|OS X Mavericks}}
{{Infobox OS version
| name = Mac OS 9
| screenshot = Mac OS 9.0.4 emulated inside of the SheepShaver emulator.png
| family = [[Macintosh operating systems|Macintosh]]
| caption = Screenshot of Mac OS 9.0.4
| developer = [[Apple Computer]]
| version of = [[classic Mac OS]]
| logo = MacOS9.png
| logo size = 64px
| source_model = [[Closed source]]
| first_release_date = {{Start date and age|October 23, 1999}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=October 23, 1999: Mac OS 9 Released |url=http://www.applematters.com/article/october-23-1999-mac-os-9-released/ |access-date=2009-11-28 |publisher=AppleMatters}}</ref><ref name="October 23, 1999: Mac OS 9 Released [Archive] - Mac Forums">{{Cite web |title=October 23, 1999: Mac OS 9 Released [Archive] - Mac Forums |url=http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-244958.html |access-date=2009-11-28 |archive-date=2013-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019120624/http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-244958.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="October 23, 1999: Mac OS 9 Released - MacBytes.com">{{Cite web |title=October 23, 1999: Mac OS 9 Released MacBytes.com |url=http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=244958 |access-date=2009-11-28 |publisher=MacRumors.com |archive-date=2013-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019120626/http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=244958 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| working_state = Historic, unsupported
| release_version = 9.2.2
| release_date = {{Start date and age|2001|12|05}}
| release_url = https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1293?locale=en_US
| preceded_by = [[Mac OS 8]]
| succeeded_by = {{plainlist|
*[[Mac OS X 10.0]]
*[[Mac OS X Server 1.0]]}}
| supported platforms = [[PowerPC]]
| kernel_type = [[Nanokernel]]
| ui = [[Appearance Manager|Apple Platinum]]
| license = Proprietary
| website = {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001109004000/http://www.apple.com:80/macos/ |date=November 9, 2000 |title=Apple - Products - Mac OS 9}}
| tagline = Your Internet co-pilot.
| support_status = Historical, unsupported as of February 1, 2002<!-- approximate date of template insertion for dating hidden maintenance categories -->
}}{{classic Mac OS sidebar}}
'''Mac OS 9''' is the ninth and final major release of the [[classic Mac OS]] [[operating system]] for [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]] computers, made by [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]]. Introduced on October 23, 1999, it was promoted by Apple as "The Best Internet Operating System Ever",<ref name="October 23, 1999: Mac OS 9 Released">{{Cite web |title=October 23, 1999: Mac OS 9 Released |url=http://www.applematters.com/article/october-23-1999-mac-os-9-released/ |access-date=2009-11-28 |publisher=AppleMatters.com |archive-date=2009-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028093711/http://www.applematters.com/article/october-23-1999-mac-os-9-released/ |url-status=live }}</ref> highlighting [[Sherlock (software)|Sherlock 2]]’s Internet search capabilities, integration with Apple's free online services known as [[MobileMe#iTools|iTools]] and improved [[Open Transport]] networking.

While Mac OS 9 lacks [[protected memory]] and full [[pre-emptive multitasking]],<ref name="Pre-emptive Multitasking">{{Cite web |title=Re: newbie question: What is a Blue Task |url=http://lists.apple.com/archives/Mt-smp/2001/May/msg00007.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013225430/http://lists.apple.com/archives/Mt-smp/2001/May/msg00007.html |archive-date=2007-10-13 |access-date=2007-03-29 |publisher=Apple.com}}</ref> lasting improvements include the introduction of an automated [[Apple Software Update|Software Update]] engine and support for [[multi-user|multiple users]]. It was succeeded by [[Mac OS X 10.0]] in 2001, the first version of the [[MacOS|Mac OS X]] (now macOS) family of operating systems.

Apple discontinued development of Mac OS 9 in late 2001, transitioning all future development to Mac OS X. The final updates to Mac OS 9 addressed compatibility issues with Mac OS X while running in the [[Classic Environment]] and compatibility with [[Carbon (API)|Carbon]] applications. At the 2002 [[Worldwide Developers Conference]], [[Steve Jobs]] began his [[keynote]] address by staging a mock funeral for OS&nbsp;9.<ref name="Apple WWDC 2002-The Death Of Mac OS 9">{{Cite web |title=Apple WWDC 2002-The Death Of Mac OS 9 | date=2 April 2006 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl7xQ8i3fc0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418212841/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl7xQ8i3fc0 |archive-date=2010-04-18 |access-date=2010-03-16 |publisher=YouTube.com}}</ref>

==Features==
Apple billed Mac OS 9 as including "50 new features" and heavily marketed its [[Sherlock (software)|Sherlock 2]] software, which introduced a "channels" feature for searching different online resources and introduced a [[QuickTime]]-like [[brushed metal (interface)|metallic]] appearance. Mac OS 9 also featured integrated support for Apple's suite of Internet services known as iTools (later re-branded as .Mac, then [[MobileMe]], which was replaced by [[iCloud]]) and included improved [[TCP/IP]] functionality with [[Open Transport]] 2.5.

Other features new to Mac OS 9 include:<ref name="Features 2">{{Cite web |title=MacHelp What's New in Mac OS 9 |url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50100 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013225329/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50100 |archive-date=2007-10-13 |access-date=2007-03-29 |publisher=Apple.com}}</ref>

*Integrated support for multiple user accounts without using [[At Ease]].
*Support for voice login through VoicePrint passwords.
*[[Keychain (software)|Keychain]], a feature allowing users to save passwords and textual data encrypted in protected keychains.
*A Software Update control panel for automatic download and installation of Apple system software updates.
*A redesigned Sound control panel and support for [[USB]] audio.
*Speakable Items 2.0, also known as [[PlainTalk]], featuring improved speech synthesis and recognition along with AppleScript integration.<ref name="Speakable Items">{{Cite web |title=Mac OS 9: What's New - Speakable Items |url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60519 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013225335/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60519 |archive-date=2007-10-13 |access-date=2007-03-29 |publisher=Apple.com}}</ref>
*Improved font management through FontSync.
*Remote Access Personal Server 3.5, including support for TCP/IP clients over [[Point-to-Point Protocol]] (PPP).
*An updated version of [[AppleScript]] with support for TCP/IP.
*Personal File Sharing over TCP/IP.
*USB Printer Sharing, a control panel allowing certain USB printers to be shared across a TCP/IP network.
*128-bit [[encryption|file encryption]] in the Finder.
*Support for files larger than 2 [[gigabyte|GB]].
*[[Unix]] volume support.
*CD Burning in the [[Finder (software)|Finder]] (introduced in Mac OS 9.1).
*Addition of a "Window" menu to the Finder (introduced in Mac OS 9.1)

==Mac OS 9 and the Classic Environment==
{{main|Classic Environment}}
[[PowerPC]] versions of [[macOS|Mac OS X]] prior to [[Mac OS X Leopard|10.5 Leopard]] include a compatibility layer called [[Classic Environment|Classic]], enabling users to run applications and hardware requiring Mac OS 9 from within OS X. This is achieved through running Mac OS 9 without access to its Finder inside OS X. This requires Mac OS 9 to be installed on the machine, even though most Macs that can run the Classic environment are not necessarily able to boot into Mac OS 9 natively. Some Mac OS 9 applications do not run well in Classic; they demonstrate screen redraw problems and lagging performance. In addition, some drivers and other software which directly interact with the hardware fail to work properly.

In May 2002, at Apple's [[Worldwide Developers Conference]] in [[San Jose, California]], [[Steve Jobs]], accompanied by a [[coffin]], held a mock [[funeral]]<ref name="Apple WWDC 2002-The Death Of Mac OS 9" /> to announce that Apple had stopped the development of Mac OS 9. The final version of Mac OS 9 and the "classic" Mac OS was Mac OS 9.2.2, released in December 2001.

In June 2005, Jobs announced that the Macintosh platform would be transitioning to [[Intel x86]] microprocessors. Developer documentation of the [[Rosetta (software)|Rosetta]] PowerPC emulation layer revealed that applications written for Mac OS 8 or 9 would not run on x86-based Macs. The Classic Environment remains in the PowerPC version of [[Mac OS X Tiger|10.4 Tiger]]; however, x86 versions of OS X and the PowerPC version of [[Mac OS X Leopard|10.5 Leopard]] do not support the Classic environment.

Mac OS 9 can be emulated by using [[SheepShaver]], a PowerPC emulator available on multiple operating systems. It can be run on any machine with a supported CPU platform, including [[Intel-based Mac]]s. Initially, it required an actual PowerPC processor present in the machine it was running on similar to a [[hypervisor]], but support for x86 platforms was added at a later date. SheepShaver cannot run Mac OS versions newer than 9.0.4, however, as it does not have support for a [[memory management unit]]. The [[PearPC]] PowerPC emulator does not support Mac OS 9.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://pearpc.sourceforge.net/faq.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115202931/http://pearpc.sourceforge.net/faq.html |archive-date=2006-11-15 |access-date=2006-11-16 |publisher=PearPC Developers}}</ref> [[QEMU]] has experimental support for running Mac OS 9 using PowerPC G4 emulation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-07 |title=Emulate Mac OS 9 With QEMU |url=https://www.jamesbadger.ca/2018/11/07/emulate-mac-os-9-with-qemu/ |access-date=2021-03-08 |website=James Badger |language=en |archive-date=2020-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108130604/https://www.jamesbadger.ca/2018/11/07/emulate-mac-os-9-with-qemu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Mac OS 9 and other Mac computers ==

Beginning in January 2002, Mac OS X has been set as the default operating system for all Macs produced from that point forward beginning with [[Mac OS X 10.1#Release history|10.1.2]], displacing Mac OS 9.<ref name=macosxdefault>{{cite press release|title=Apple Makes Mac OS X the Default Operating System on All Macs|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/01/07Apple-Makes-Mac-OS-X-the-Default-Operating-System-on-All-Macs|date=January 7, 2002|publisher=[[Apple Inc.]]|access-date=April 9, 2025|archive-date=September 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919180048/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/01/07Apple-Makes-Mac-OS-X-the-Default-Operating-System-on-All-Macs/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, Mac OS 9 continued to be preinstalled on some Macs (especially for Macs equipped with a PowerPC G4 processor) even as late as 2004, despite having its development stopped in late 2001. These Macs, despite coming with Mac OS X by default, also had Mac OS 9 preinstalled alongside the former to allow one to boot into Mac OS 9 natively if the user chooses to do so,<ref name=macosxdefault /> and allows the ability to run Classic Mac OS applications natively without resorting to the [[Classic environment]] in Mac OS X. This is especially important for applications that can directly access the computer's hardware, as well as for some applications that may have issues when running on the Classic environment. Most G4 Macs made prior to 2003 had both operating systems preinstalled alongside each other in a [[dual-boot]] configuration (with Mac OS X being selected as the default option), where they can be accessed via a boot menu accessible upon startup.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

Some Macs that were released with higher CPU clock speeds (i.e. 1&nbsp;GHz or higher) are also capable of running Mac OS 9. This includes the 867&nbsp;MHz—1.25&nbsp;GHz ''Mirrored Drive Doors'' [[Power Mac G4]] and the 867&nbsp;MHz—1&nbsp;GHz ''Antimony'' titanium [[PowerBook G4]] ("TiBook"), which were released in August 2002 and November 2002 respectively. The ''Antimony'' PowerBook G4s in particular were the last PowerBook model that came with Mac OS 9 preinstalled alongside Mac OS X, as later models only came with Mac OS X. Despite having G4 processors with faster clock speeds of up to 1.25&nbsp;GHz and 1&nbsp;GHz respectively on some models (with some Power Mac G4 models even having dual G4 processors as well), they were able to run Mac OS 9 without any issues.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

The majority of Macs released in 2003 onwards only came preinstalled with Mac OS X and are incapable of booting into Mac OS 9. Most G4 Macs released during this period that have a 1&nbsp;GHz or higher processor never had their "Mac OS ROM" boot files updated to allow those Macs to officially boot into Mac OS 9 natively outside of the Classic environment. Macs equipped with a PowerPC G5 processor are unable to boot into Mac OS 9 natively because support for PowerPC G5 processors is absent on Mac OS 9 (Mac OS 9 only supports G3 and G4 processors as of Mac OS 9.2.2). The only options for running Mac OS 9 (and therefore Classic Mac OS applications) on G5 Macs is the Classic environment in Mac OS X as well as other emulation software such as SheepShaver.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

The last Macs released that had Mac OS 9 preinstalled was a rerelease of the 2002 ''Mirrored Drive Doors'' Power Mac G4 in June 2003, which was launched around the same time as the [[Power Mac G5]] due to a perceived demand for Mac OS 9 machines. This model ended up as being one of the last Mac models overall to officially boot into Mac OS 9, making the Power Mac G4 series the last Macintosh computer to come preinstalled with Mac OS 9 after the introduction of Mac OS X. Production of this model (as well as the original version of the Power Mac G5 from 2003) was discontinued in June 2004, a year after its rerelease, which was three years after Mac OS 9 stopped development in late 2001 and two years after Mac OS X displaced Mac OS 9 as the default operating system in early 2002.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

In recent years, unofficial patches have been made for Mac OS 9 and the "Mac OS ROM" to allow unsupported G4 Macs to boot into Mac OS 9 natively; this practice is not officially supported by Apple.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mac OS 9 booting on: Previously Unspported G4 Models (Summary "Current state") |url=http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,4366.0.html |access-date=2021-06-11 |archive-date=2021-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611035726/http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,4366.0.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Other uses==
{{Main|Classic Mac OS#PowerPC emulation|List of computer system emulators#Apple Macintosh with PowerPC CPU}}

Aside from Apple-branded hardware which can be maintained and operated, Mac OS 9 can also be operated in other environments such as [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and [[Unix]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=E-Maculation wiki |url=http://www.emaculation.com/doku.php/mac_emulation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117033614/http://www.emaculation.com/doku.php/mac_emulation |archive-date=17 January 2013 |access-date=24 December 2012}}</ref> This includes emulation software such as the aforementioned [[SheepShaver]]. While it does provide PowerPC processor support, especially on Intel-based Macs, it can only run up to Mac OS 9.0.4 because it does not emulate a memory management unit. QEMU is another piece of software that has PowerPC emulation and is able to run all versions of Mac OS 9 up to Mac OS 9.2.2.

==Version history==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%"

|- style="background: #ececec"
! Version
! Release date
! Changes
! Codename
! Computer
! Price

|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20041113095034/https://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1176.html 9.0]
| October 23, 1999
|
* Initial release
| Sonata
| iMac G3
| US$99

|-
| 9.0.2
| February 2000
(Shipped with Macs)
| rowspan="2" |
* Bug fixes
| rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
| PowerBook (FireWire)
| rowspan="2" | Only shipped with referred Macs

|-
| 9.0.3
| March 2000
(Shipped with Macs)
| iMac/iMac DV/iMac DV SE

|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20041012000629/https://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1194.html 9.0.4]
| April 4, 2000
|
* Improved USB and FireWire support
* Other bug fixes
| Minuet
| iMac G3 (slot loading)
| rowspan="2" | Free Update

|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20041011070919/https://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn2010.html 9.1]
| January 9, 2001
|
* Integrated Disc Burning within Finder
* Implementation of Finder 'Window' menu
* Memory management unit required
* Improved stability
| Fortissimo
| iBook 14&nbsp;inch and 12&nbsp;inch

|-
| 9.2
| July 18, 2001
(Shipped with Macs)
|
* G3 processor as minimum system requirement
* Improved speed
*Improved Classic Environment support
| Moonlight
| Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver)
| Only shipped with referred Macs

|-
| 9.2.1
| August 21, 2001
|
* Minor bug fixes
| Limelight
| iBook (Late 2001), PowerBook G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
| rowspan="2" | Free Update

|-
| 9.2.2
| December 5, 2001
|
* Bug fixes relating to Classic Environment
| LU1
| eMac

|-

|}

Updates to Mac OS 9 include 9.0.4, 9.1, 9.2.1, and 9.2.2. Mac OS 9.0.4 was a collection of bug fixes primarily relating to USB and FireWire support. Mac OS 9.1 included integrated CD burning support in the [[Macintosh Finder]] and added a new Window menu in the Finder for switching between open windows. Mac OS 9.2 increased performance noticeably and improved Classic Environment support.

==Compatibility==

{| border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 85%; border: gray solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;" class="wikitable"

|-
! style="background: #ececec" | Macintosh Model
! style="background: #ececec" | 9.0<ref name="versionmatrix">{{Cite web |title=Mac OS 8 and 9 compatibility with Macintosh computers |url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304164253/http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835 |archive-date=2009-03-04 |access-date=2009-02-28 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.]]}}</ref>
! style="background: #ececec" | 9.1<ref name="versionmatrix" />
! style="background: #ececec" | 9.2.1<ref name="versionmatrix" />
! style="background: #ececec" | 9.2.2<ref name="versionmatrix" />

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 6100]]
| rowspan="26" {{yes}}
| rowspan="3" {{yes}}: Must install from CD
| rowspan="25" colspan="2" {{no}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 7100]]

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 8100]]

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook Duo|PowerBook 2300]]
| rowspan="3" {{yes}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook 2400c]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook 5300]]

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook 1400]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}
| {{partial}}: Password Security unsupported

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook 3400]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}
| {{yes}}: Hard disk driver must not be updated

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 5200 LC]]
| rowspan="19" {{yes}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 5300 LC]]

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 5500]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 4400]]

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 6200]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 6300]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 6400]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 6500]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 7200]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 7300]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 7500]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 8500]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 7600]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 8600]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh 9600]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh]]{{Ref label|C|C|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G3]]

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G3]] Series
| rowspan="3" {{yes}}
| rowspan="4" {{yes}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook]] (FireWire)
| {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]]{{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| rowspan="13" {{no}}
| {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (Gigabit Ethernet){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (DVI){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| rowspan="11" colspan="2" {{no}}
| rowspan="2" {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (1&nbsp;GHz/867&nbsp;MHz){{Ref label|A|A|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (12-inch){{Ref label|B|B|1}}
| rowspan="9" {{partial}}: [[Classic Environment]] only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (17-inch){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (12-inch DVI){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (12-inch 1.33&nbsp;GHz){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (12-inch 1.5&nbsp;GHz){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (15-inch FW 800){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (15-inch 1.5/1.33&nbsp;GHz){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (17-inch 1.33&nbsp;GHz){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[PowerBook G4]] (17-inch 1.5&nbsp;GHz){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] 
| {{yes}}
| rowspan="2" {{yes}}
| rowspan="4" {{yes}}
| rowspan="9" {{yes}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] (FireWire) 
| {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] (Dual USB){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| rowspan="11" {{no}}
| rowspan="2" {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] (Late 2001){{Ref label|A|A|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] (14.1 LCD){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| rowspan="9" colspan="1" {{no}}
| rowspan="9" {{partial}}: [[Classic Environment]] only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] (16 VRAM){{Ref label|A|A|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] (Opaque 16 VRAM){{Ref label|A|A|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] (32 VRAM){{Ref label|A|A|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM){{Ref label|A|A|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] (Early 2003){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] G4{{Ref label|B|B|1}}
| rowspan="3" {{partial}}: [[Classic Environment]] only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] G4 (14-inch){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iBook]] G4 (Early 2004){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh G3]] All-In-One
| rowspan="6" colspan="4" {{yes}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh G3]]

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Macintosh G3 (Blue & White)|Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)]]

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G3]]

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G3]] (266&nbsp;MHz, 333&nbsp;MHz)

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G3]] (Slot Loading)

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G3]] (Summer 2000)
| {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only
| {{yes}}
| rowspan="3" colspan="2" {{yes}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G3]] (Early 2001){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| rowspan="2" {{no}}
| rowspan="2" {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G3]] (Summer 2001){{Ref label|A|A|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G4]]{{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| rowspan="13" colspan="3" {{no}}
| {{yes}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G4]] (February 2003){{Ref label|B|B|1}}
| rowspan="6" {{partial}}: [[Classic Environment]] only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G4]] (17-inch 1&nbsp;GHz){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G4]] (USB 2.0){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G5]]{{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G5]] (Ambient Light Sensor){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[iMac G5]] (iSight){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[eMac]]{{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| {{yes}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[eMac]] (ATI Graphics CD-ROM drive){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| rowspan="2" {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[eMac]] (ATI Graphics Combo drive){{Ref label|A|A|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[eMac]] (ATI Graphics SuperDrive){{Ref label|B|B|1}}
| rowspan="3" {{partial}}: [[Classic Environment]] only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[eMac]] (USB 2.0){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[eMac]] (2005){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G4]] (PCI Graphics)
| rowspan="2" {{yes}}
| rowspan="4" colspan="3" {{yes}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G4]] (AGP Graphics)

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G4]] (Gigabit Ethernet)
| rowspan="2" {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G4 Cube]]

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G4]] (Digital Audio){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| rowspan="2" {{no}}
| {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" {{yes}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G4]] (QuickSilver){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| {{no}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G4]] (QuickSilver 2002){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| rowspan="10" colspan="3" {{no}}
| rowspan="2" {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G4]] (Mirrored Drive Doors){{Ref label|A|A|1}}

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G4]] (FW 800){{Ref label|B|B|1}}
| {{partial}}: [[Classic Environment]] only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G4]] (Mirrored Drive Doors 2003){{Ref label|A|A|1}}
| {{yes}}: Machine-specific version only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G5]]
| rowspan="6" {{partial}}: [[Classic Environment]] only

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G5]] (June 2004)

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G5]] (Late 2004)

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G5]] (Early 2005)

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Power Mac G5]] (Late 2005)

|-
! style="background: #ececec; text-align: left" | [[Mac Mini]] (G4){{Ref label|B|B|1}}

|-

|}
# {{note label|A|A|1|Some newest [[Power Mac G3|G3]] and most [[Power Mac G4|G4]] Macs can only run at least Mac OS 9.1, and some only run at least Mac OS 9.2. This is because the late development of G3 Macs and the mid-development of G4 Macs was during the development of Mac OS 9 and only the versions the G4 Macs support were designed to be compatible with those G4 Macs.}}
# {{note label|B|B|1|Some newest [[Power Mac G4|G4]] and all [[Power Mac G5|G5]] Macs can only run at least Mac OS 9.2, and can only run its compatible versions of Mac OS 9 in [[macOS|OS X]]'s [[Classic Environment]] because the "Mac OS ROM" was never updated to allow those Macs, which were developed during the [[macOS|OS X]] era, to directly boot it (but probably continued to run in userspace, with the restriction that it would only run at least Mac OS 9.2, so it was still supported in the [[Classic Environment]]).}}
# {{note label|C|C|1|Although Mac OS 9.2 to 9.2.2 officially requires a G3 processor as a minimum, certain second generation Power Macs can be made to run it using a third party program called "OS9 Helper", which allows for such benefits like support for the latest [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] classic Mac OS drivers, full [[iPod]] compatibility, and the ability to run [[DVD Studio Pro]] 1.5 or 1.2.1 and [[Final Cut Pro]] 3, among other things.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Other World Computing: OS 9 Forever |url=https://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter/OS9Helper/Framework.cfm?topic=32 |website=eshop.macsales.com |access-date=2022-01-16 |archive-date=2022-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182911/https://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter/OS9Helper/Framework.cfm?topic=32 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120204045426/http://www.os9forever.com/Compatibility.html OS 9 Forever Compatibility]</ref>}}

==See also==
* [[List of Apple operating systems]]
{{Timeline of Macintosh operating systems}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330202327/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1176.html|date=March 30, 2009|title=Mac OS 9 - Technical Note TN1176}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040223032942/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1194.html|date=February 23, 2004|title=Mac OS 9.0.4 - Technical Note TN1194}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040404100228/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn2010.html|date=April 4, 2004|title=Mac OS 9.1 - Technical Note TN2010}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303150734/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75130|date=March 3, 2008|title=iMac Firmware Update}} from [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]

{{S-start}}	
{{Succession box
 | title = Mac OS 9
 | years =1999
 | before = [[Mac OS 8]]
 | after = [[Mac OS X 10.0|Mac OS X 10.0 (Cheetah)]]
}}
{{S-end}}

{{Mac OS}}
{{Apple Inc. operating systems}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mac Os 9}}
[[Category:1999 software]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS]]
[[Category:PowerPC operating systems]]
[[Category:Microkernel-based operating systems]]
[[Category:Microkernels]]