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Intel-based Macs to include 'Rosetta' for legacy apps

updated 07:55 am EDT, Tue June 7, 2005

Rosetta for legacy apps


Apple yesterday announced that its Intel-based Macs will include Rosetta, a technology that will allow them to run PowerPC applications. The technology allows the thousands of applications already available for PowerPC-based Macs to run on the new Intel architecture. In his with Rosetta, including those that have "intense computing needs" such as 3D modelling or ray tracing applications.

"Not all OS X applications will run under Rosetta and some will run better than others. Applications that have a lot of user interaction and low computational needs, such as a word processor, are quite compatible. Those that have a moderate amount of user interaction and some high computational needs or that use OpenGL are, in most cases, also quite compatible. Those that have intense computing needs aren't compatible. This includes applications that need to repeatedly compute fast Fourier transforms (FFTs), that compute complex models for 3-D modelling, or compute ray tracing."


by MacNN Staff

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  1. james9490

    troll

    Joined: May 2005

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    06/07, 08:42am | report spam | Reply |

    No high end computing

    Pay close attention to this part: "Those that have intense computing needs aren't compatible."

    This further confirms that the Mac platform is doomed for real. It means Apple's primary target, which requires intense computing needs, won't be covered at all. We are going to see a huge flow of graphic professionals switching to Windows platform. And there is AMD: those pros need AMD's processing power, and it is available only on Windows.

    This is the saddest day for all Mac users. Apple has been ditching all good technologies for the last 5 years in favor of picking up inferior technologies, and we thought the loss of customizable Apple Menu and Application Menu/switcher was bad enough. DELL is looking very attractive now.....

  1. Tdassel

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2004

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    06/07, 08:43am | report spam | Reply |

    Only supports G3 software

    http://developer.apple.com/documentation/MacOSX/Conceptual/universal_binary/universal_binary_exec_a/chapter_7_section_1.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40002217-CH210

    Tells you a lot about it:

    Rosetta does not run the following:

    Applications built for Mac OS 8 or 9

    Code written specifically for AltiVec

    Code that inserts preferences in the System Preferences pane

    Applications that require a G4 or G5 processor

    Applications that depend on one or more kernel extensions

    Kernel extensions

    Bundled Java applications or Java applications with JNI libraries that can’t be translated

    Doesn't sound too promising or am I wrong here ? Altivec optimized Photoshop filters won't work, so the presentation at WWDC was pretty useless IMHO.

    Thomas

  1. Jablabla

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2000

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    06/07, 08:49am | report spam | Reply |

    opengl

    It would nice for Apple to support openGL shading language. aka OpenGL 2.0 . Everyone else seems to have it at this point. Maybe someone is having a conitption fit because its like RenderMan?

  1. rtamesis

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Jan 2000

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    06/07, 08:56am | report spam | Reply |

    What's in it for Intel

    Intel's CEO was blunt about saying that Apple will just be a drop in the bucket with regards to Intel's sales. What Intel really gets out of this is a computer maker willing to use its newest technologies first in its computers and not have to deal with the inertia found in other companies and in Microsoft. For example, Apple was the first to actively promote the use of Intel's USB technologies in its computers even though that havd been available to PC makers for a long time, which insisted on staying with parallel and serial ports. Apple will probably be the first to incorporate Wimax into its Intel-based Macs and whatever new products or chips Intel comes out.

  1. Stecchino

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Jan 2005

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    06/07, 09:08am | report spam | Reply |

    Gaming...

    I am not a huge gamer, but I enjoy my few favorites...sounds like "Rosetta" won't handle it as most first person 3D games are rather intensive.

  1. bobolicious

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2002

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    06/07, 09:35am | report spam | Reply |

    It could be a reason...

    ...to ask us to all have to go out & spend money on upgrades, and may answer the inevitable 'so what do we do now?' that happens when software is basically finished...

  1. kerryb

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

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    06/07, 09:36am | report spam | Reply |

    The complete picture

    It doesn't seem that a complete picture of what these new machines will be compatible with has emerged but one tell take sign is the announcement that the low or entry level Macs will be the first with Intel inside. This makes sense when you think of the typical apps used on these machines and the typical user of such hardware. My guess is an Intel version of Tiger will first appear early next year and Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5) will be released with the high end pro machines. Leopard will give Apple the time it needs to really get Mac OS screaming fast on the new Intel chips. Having been an early adopter of the first PowerPC chips believe me this will not be a bumpy ride.

  1. james9490

    troll

    Joined: May 2005

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    06/07, 09:37am | report spam | Reply |

    Photoshop version

    Tdassel: You are right about the Rosetta requirement. Anything that requires G4 or G5 won't run under Rosetta. I think what they did was to actually tweak the "About This Mac" panel so it would say it's using Pentium 4 processor but the machine itself was actually G5. There was no way they could prove that what we saw in the WWDC demo was Pentium Mac. Either that, or the version of Photoshop they ran was older than CS, and they just replaced the boot panel to make it look like it was the CS.

    Don't hold your breath. It is going to be one h*** of a painful transition, and I don't think Apple will survive it. They are doomed. Switch to Windows before it's too late.

  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

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    06/07, 09:56am | report spam | Reply |

    Re: Photoshop version

    Tdassel: You are right about the Rosetta requirement. Anything that requires G4 or G5 won't run under Rosetta. I think what they did was to actually tweak the "About This Mac" panel so it would say it's using Pentium 4 processor but the machine itself was actually G5. There was no way they could prove that what we saw in the WWDC demo was Pentium Mac. Either that, or the version of Photoshop they ran was older than CS, and they just replaced the boot panel to make it look like it was the CS.

    Actually, most of the Altivec stuff in Photoshop was done through plug-ins. Without the plug-ins, they'd be done in software (i.e. slower). There's nothing to say they weren't running photoshop on intel, just without the plug-ins. (Of course, they probably just showed the easy stuff, and then say "Look at how fast it is!").

  1. tgray

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jun 2005

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    06/07, 10:22am | report spam | Reply |

    OMFG, WTF, SOS

    Sweet Jesus can we all just STOP with the Chicken Little "The Sky is Falling" Apocalyptic visions?!

    This happens every single time Apple switches technologies. Everyone gets their panties in a bunch and vows the world will end and any Mac users left will have grown horns and tails. And has this ever happened? NO.

    First thing is this was just announced. The ink hasn't dried yet. Slow down, check your pulses, and loosen the belts, please. Take a deep breath, and relax.

    1) Apple is merely releasing this to the developers to "finish it". This means lots could change in the next two years; namely, Apple will undoubtedly clarify a few key concerns over legacy support, and will likely address issues it receives from its developer community.

    2) Sure Apple could have had a regular G5 running underneath Steve's demo desk at the WWDC keynote.....but why? This isn't Apple's first foray into the PC world, lest we have forgotten iTunes for Windows? Plus, why would he lie to the developer community, a group whom upon Apple relies heavily for continued support of the Mac platform?

    3) To james9490: It is time to move out of your mother's basement, put the D&D games away and grow up buddy. Either you are a teenage PC user who get off on riling up Mac users, or you are an Classic loving hermit who hasn't liked anything Apple has done since the introduction of OSX. Time's are a changin' james, and best you either hop on board or get caught in its wake.

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