Macintosh



"The computer for the rest of us."

The Macintosh is a computer line produced by Apple. It is best known for three things: 1, bringing the graphical user interface to the mainstream. 2, remaining commercially viable in the '90s while Microsoft massacred everyone else (Amiga, OS/2, BeOS, and so on). And 3, being horribly overpriced, but wonderfully stylish and user-friendly. The Mac's history is divided in two big eras: the "classic" System, or Mac OS (about which this article is), which ran from 1984 to 2000 with roughly the same underpinnings, and OS X, which replaced it in 2001 with a more reliable Unix-like system.

Emulation

 * The "Classic mode" was a function of early versions of OS X that allowed one to run pre-OS X applications. This function was removed with Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" in 2007.
 * PCE.js puts a Macintosh Plus running System 7 in your web browser.
 * Mini vMac is a multiplatform virtual Macintosh Plus, and can run System from 1.1 to 7.5.5. It's great for games with black-and-white graphics.
 * SheepShaver is a Windows/Linux/OSX emulator that works as a virtual PowerPC, and it runs Mac OS from 7.5.2 to 9.0.4. This is probably the best replacement for Classic mode. (If you do own a modern Mac, look for "Chubby Bunny", a pirate release of the OS X version that comes preconfigured with Mac OS 9. Very handy.)
 * Basilisk II is a Windows/Linux/OSX emulator that works as a virtual 68k Mac, and it runs runs Mac OS from 7.x to 8.1. Good for earlier Mac games that were in color.
 * SoftMac is a windows-only emulator of 68xxx based Macintoshes. It used to be a commercial product, but it is now a free download. It is no longer actively developed.
 * Executor is a Windows/Linux emulator for 68xxx Macintoshes. It used to be a commercial product, but was later made a free download, then open-source. Regardless, it's no longer actively developed.
 * Most of these emulators require a ROM image and a copy of Mac OS. Only Executor does not require a ROM image.