What is a "PowerPC"...?

Question

Level 1

19 points

What is a "PowerPC"...?

I'm trying to download a piece of software and it's giving me two versions to choose from:

0.8.6a.dmg

versus

0.8.6a-powerpc.dmg

I have no idea what "powerpc" means. Was that lingo for a specific generation of Macs?

I have a 400mHz Powerbook G4 Titanium. Which software should I be using?

PowerBook G4 running 10.4.10

Posted on Feb 3, 2009 3:36 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Feb 3, 2009 3:46 PM in response to Plenty7

Hi John,

You want the PPC version.

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Answer 2

Plenty7 Author

Level 1

19 points

Feb 3, 2009 3:54 PM in response to tjk

Great. I downloaded that one per your recommendation, TJK.

Are you able to tell me what a PowerPC is?

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Answer 3

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Feb 3, 2009 3:56 PM in response to Plenty7

It's the type of processor used just prior to the Intel processors (and following the 68xxx processors).

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Answer 4

eww

Level 9

53,028 points

Feb 4, 2009 6:44 AM in response to Plenty7

The PowerPC family of processors included the PPC 601, 603, 604, G3, G4 and G5 and all their minor variants, and were used in all Macs made from 1994 through the end of 2005, and maybe a couple of models that continued into 2006.

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