iLife '09 takes step away from PowerPC compatibility
updated 09:55 pm EST, Tue February 3, 2009
iLife going Intel only
Although the iLife '09 suite offers a variety of new features and capabilities, PowerPC owners will be disappointed to learn that certain functions now require an Intel-based system, according to Ars Technica. The company has made an effort to develop recent software with support for both processor types, but one of the notable features in GarageBand '09 has proved to be an exception. Users wishing to view a Learn to Play music lesson from Sarah Mclaughlin or Sting will need to run the software on an Intel-based Mac with a dual-core processor or better.
The Learn to Play feature could prove an incentive for owners to switch to the latest Intel systems. Users that desire to learn an instrument can take advantage of a variety of lessons, with additional celebrity sessions available for $5 from the Lesson Store in GarageBand.
Aside from the GarageBand feature, other components have slowly ruled out particular PowerPC CPUs. The trend was present in the last iLife suite as well, as iMovie '08 can only be used with only with a Power Mac G5 dual 2.0GHz, iMac G5 1.9GHz or an Intel-based system, eliminating support for the G4 CPUs. Future versions of iLife will presumably follow the same trend.
Good
02/03, 10:50pm reply
The sooner Apple moves away from supporting the legacy PPC platform the better. Like your G5? Then like iLife '08.
dimmer
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2006
like iLife '08 ?
02/03, 11:31pm reply
iLife'06 was the big hit, scrolling like butter.
'08 and 09 ? meh!
waiting for 10.6 to buy an intel here.
gikku
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006
iLife
02/03, 11:43pm reply
It will take more than iLife '09 to convince me to buy an Intel Mac. I'm still very satisfied with my quad G5.
gate
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2004
re: iLife
02/04, 01:13am reply
I don't know that learn to play would be worth buying an Intel machine if you owned a quad G5, but it IS definitely worth the price of of the software-especially when combined with the addictive faces feature of iPhoto...
QualleyIV
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Sarah McLaughlin? Sting?
02/04, 03:01am reply
Yeah...it's going to take more than Sarah McLaughlin or Sting for me to give up my G5 Quad.
revco
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Artist Lessons do work
02/04, 07:40am reply
I was able to download the Sting lesson on my Intel Mac mini and then run it in GB on my Dual PPC G5 despite the system requirement claim. Of course I had to have an Intel Mac to purchase and download it.
mactarkus
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2008
playable
02/05, 03:10am reply
Yes all appear to work fine on the PPC if you open them manually http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8908372 it would appear that Apple did this on purpose to force upgrades.
rytc
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001