diary : entry

Mac Mini

24th October 2005 at 09:48
Here's a question for all you Apple-lovers out there.

When I initially mentioned I was thinking about getting an apple mac mini for development purposes, people suggested I wait until it goes to intel architecture. That's sensible, I can see the theory behind waiting so that I won't have to upgrade in the future - I don't particularly want one mac, let alone two. But here's a question - when I have my new intel-based mac mini, how can I be sure that what I develop will work on pre-intel macs?

I don't know anything about how to develop on macs, but I think I may well be producing executables. If I create them on new intel hardware, how backwards compatible will they be? Does anyone know any details of how Apple are going to ensure new software works on old hardware?

Comments

  1. Hardware shouldn't make a difference. In theory. But hey, this is Apple, who knows what they'll do.
    The Other Andrew24th October 2005 at 21:49
  2. I read somewhere today that Apple are talking about executables that contain code for both, so thats nice.
    radiac24th October 2005 at 22:57
  3. Hardware shouldn't make a difference?

    Hmm, exe's with code for both sounds like the best solution. Running a vm doesn't sound like such a great idea.
    Mark (Swannie)25th October 2005 at 19:28
  4. Surely hardware would make a difference? They are different chips with different instructions, code compiled for one will not run on the other, hence the exes containing code for both processors.

    VMs aren't all bad - sure, they won't give native performance, but if it's a VM on the new processor to run old software, and if it's done right, the speed increase will make them run faster.
    radiac25th October 2005 at 21:52

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