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Is anyone worried that Apple's transition to their own CPUs will render these x86 machines obsolete very fast? How long did it take for the pre-x86 Macs to fall behind when the software started focusing on x86 instead?


Apple waited for 5 years to release a version of OSX that couldn’t run PPC apps on x86 Macs.

Last PPC Mac: 2005

First x86 Macs: 2006, PPC apps work on x86 Macs

Adobe CS3 (first native x86 version): 2007

OSX 10.5, last OSX version released for PPC Macs: 2007

--

OSX 10.6 (x86 only, PPC apps still work): 2009

Adobe CS5 (x86 only): 2010

OSX 10.7, PPC apps no longer work: 2011


I remember when they went to x86, but I think the landscape is different now. I was working in graphic design at the time, and I didn't know a single person outside of that field who used a mac. Now, I'm surprised when someone's laptop isn't a Mac. So, I imagine there's a lot more critical software that needs ported.

One area I can speak to now, which I'm heavily invested in, is audio applications. It's the main reason I still run a Mac. Upgrades are usually slow and cautious in this domain. I'm still on 10.12.6, and have no plan on upgrading anytime soon.

I, for one, am quite concerned. It used to be in regards to performance, but now it's all the applications and plugins that will need ported. There's a very real chance I'll go to Windows if it looks like a nightmare. Would love to see a Ubuntu variant come out of the ashes of such a thing, but that's probably a pipe dream.


Yep, it's time for my to change the laptop at work, I currently have an old i5 Macbook Pro and it held for +5 years. Even my personal macbook air is from late 2010 (reddit + spotify machine) I doubt that any mac today would held for another 6 or 7 years.




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