GigaOM Network: GigaOM | WebWorkerDaily | NewTeeVee | Earth2Tech | OStatic | jkOnTheRun | TheAppleBlog | NewTeeVee Live | Jobs | About | Advertise | Contact

Apple releasing Mac OS 9.0 for free

Written on April 01, 2005 by Rich Trouton and 22 people have commented

Following in the footsteps of the release of System 7.5.3 for free in January 1999, Apple has decided to give away Mac OS 9.0 operating system for free since it’s been replaced by Mac OS X, and not used by OS X’s Classic (Mac OS 9.2.2 is required for Classic.). Sources at Apple have said that since 9.0 runs on all PowerPC Macs and Mac OS 9.2.2 doesn’t, Apple has decided to release 9.0 to support its past customers who have Power Macintoshes that have PowerPC 601, 602, 603 or 604 processors. Mac OS 9 can be updated to 9.1 using a free updater available from Apple’s website.

Share This

Filed in: News and Software


Comments RSSComments

  1. #1 Tom says:

    Hell, you’re not kidding us! It’s April 1st man!

  2. #2 Will says:

    While there is precedent for this type of action in the past, it usually has to do with a court order rather than Apple’s generousity. While this would greatly simplify my efforts to support a PowerMac 7200, 4400 and an LC III with Apple II card that I still have to support, my gut instinct is that the story is false (being April Fool’s day) or there’s a much bigger story beneath the surface as to what has caused Apple to release 9.0 to the public.

  3. #3 wasabifan says:

    Or if you simply follow his link, you can see that OS 9 is NOT listed for download with System 7. Only the updates are available.

  4. #4 wasabifan says:

    Now what would be really nice if Palm would open up (source code…not just binaries) BeOS for everybody. Now that would bring new life to old Macs (and PCs for that matter).

  5. #5 response to will says:

    will - supporting your LCIII with 9.0 will be pretty difficult because the last OS to support the 68030 is 7.6

    Plus, this is an April Fools joke - if Apple were to make an OS a reference OS, it would have done it with 7.6, or 8, long before 9 (and the silly comment about 9.2 needed for OS X - 9.1 is needed, 9.2 is optimal, 9.x are free updates to 9, etc.)

  6. #6 wasabifan says:

    Though, it would make sense to do 9.1 over 9.2, as 9.2 will not boot a lot of old Macs (G3 or higher if I remember correctly…or was it USB…I guess I don’t remember). It would be nice if Apple would release 8.0 - 9.2.2, so I wouldn’t have to worry about keeping all of my CDs for them.

  7. #7 jeff says:

    I need 9.0 for my old mac G3 Blue and white I am running 8.6 can you help

  8. #8 Rich Trouton says:

    Jeff,

    If you need 9, you’ll need to buy it. It’s going for around $25 on eBay.

  9. #9 Quixotic says:

    I love classic OS for mac, specifically 9.0-9.2 & 8 is great ONLY USING X ON MY POWERBOOK

    HATE 2 THINK THAT CLASSIC ENVIRONMENT IS GONE FOR POWERMAC

  10. #10 Jennipooh says:

    I have an iMac OS X purchased in 2005. I have some games, both downloaded from my OS 9.6 and CD-ROMs that I can’t open because it says apparently I need Mac OS 9 installed on my OS X…What’s up with that???!!! What should I do? Is it a program I need to install and, if so, where to go…Will it interfere with my running the OS X?

    Thank you!
    Jennipooh in Ohio

  11. #11 nhan says:

    i want update my macintosh from mac os 8.6 to 0.9

  12. #12 ALEX KIROV says:

    I am trying to transfer files from a G3 to a G5. G3 has and OS 8.6 with a SCSI and the G5 OS X with firewire and USB ports. The Ethernet will not work between these two OS systems and the ports do not communicate. It is frustrating that Apple does not help us to use the equipment we have to their potential.

  13. #13 scott says:

    i bought an imac 0s10.4 tiger system for my disabled daughter for christmas , my problem is i cant run her favorite games she used to use on her perform 64. i get a message telling me ineed os9.2 classic to run theses games. i would greatly appreciate it if someone could send me a link to download this system. im told i can bbot up either os9 or osx on this computer . then she could enjoy her games. or if i could get a site to download some frre games , she likes one esp callled (thinking things) that would already be able to run on 0sx

  14. #14 HubmaN says:

    Right….
    Umm, why is everyone asking for help and a download? Asking for a download is w4r3z, and I doubt that any one of us can help. I mean, the answers and pretty obvious sometimes, and especially when you type haphazardly.

  15. #15 Larenzo says:

    I neeed this bad…

  16. #16 James says:

    If you guys are so desperate for Mac OS 9 Classic go to Torrent Sites and look for Mac OS 9, I downloaded a Retail Version of Mac OS 9 to run on my SheepShaver Emulator.

  17. #17 James says:

    edit of above:

    Also, There are Versions upthere that are designed to run on Mac OS X Classic.

  18. #18 james says:

    osx is cool but it won’t allow me to open certain programs because i need os 9.0 How can i get 9.0?

  19. #19 Alvaro says:

    hi, does anyone knows where I can download mac os 9 in spanish for a mac 9600/300? thanks

  20. #20 Beaa says:

    is there any type of program for downloading music besides limwire for Macs?

  21. #21 KarL says:

    Where can i get Mac OS 9?

  22. #22 Karli says:

    i got a camcorder and its a megxon V1200 and i need the software 9.1 mac …
    and when i try to install it ..its says something about the classic enviroment were do i go abouts with that??? please help im not very good with this stuff

Leave a reply

Avatars
If you'd like an avatar to appear next to your comment, simply signup for a Gravatar. It's free and takes all of about 2 minutes to setup.

Subscribe without commenting

Close
E-mail It