Mac Mini Intel Core Duo and Mac OSX 10.4.11 Tiger

[giambattista]

Hi, are the early models of Mac Mini Intel Core 2 Duo made in 2006 and 2007 (for instance, Core Duo 1.66 GHz, or 1.83 GHz, or 2.0 GHz, with 2GB RAM) compatible with Mac OSX 10.4.11 Tiger?
Can I run Mac OSX Classic environment on a Mac Mini Core 2 made in 2007?
Notice that I am not talking about New Intel Core 2 made in 2009 (with FireWire 800 port and Mini-DVI port).
Thanks.

 

[ADent]

Yes.

Be aware it can be hard to find the right OS 10.4 installer and Classic disks if the machine you buy does not come with them.

 

[KeriJane]

Yes, the Mac Mini 2.1 (Core2Duo, GMA950) can run Tiger and in many cases was shipped with it.

I believe the cheaper model was shipped with Tiger and the more expensive one with a faster CPU, 2GB ram and a SuperDrive was shipped with Leopard.

I happen to have the cheaper model bought new in 2009. (old stock) This installation discs are Tiger.

Oddly, the system was rated for "up to 2GB ram" but 4GB seems to work just fine. Leopard and Snow Leopard reports the full 4GB and it works fine. If I recall correctly, Tiger only reported 2.1 or 3.0GB ram.

Have Fun,
Keri

 

[ADent]

Yes, the Mac Mini 2.1 (Core2Duo, GMA950) can run Tiger and in many cases was shipped with it.

My 1.8 C2D shipped with it.

I believe the cheaper model was shipped with Tiger and the more expensive one with a faster CPU, 2GB ram and a SuperDrive was shipped with Leopard.

Not true. Until 10/2007 minis shipped with 10.4. Then they dropped in 10.5 upgrade disks. Later they all shipped with Leopard installed. My 2.0 C2D bought in 2/2008 came with 10.5 installed. I had to use the disks from the 1.8 to install 10.4 due to bugs in 10.5.0.

I happen to have the cheaper model bought new in 2009. (old stock) This installation discs are Tiger.

That is OLD stock.

Oddly, the system was rated for "up to 2GB ram" but 4GB seems to work just fine. Leopard and Snow Leopard reports the full 4GB and it works fine. If I recall correctly, Tiger only reported 2.1 or 3.0GB ram.

The system sees all 4GB, but the OS can only use 3.x GB due to the chipset.
Units shipped with CD (not C2D) can only see, use, and boot with 2GB (or less). C2D machines can see 4GB (and use 3.xGB).

 

[KeriJane]

Thank you ADent.

I was wondering about why some of the 2.1 Minis came with Tiger and others Leopard.


Looks like you really know where your towel is!

Have Fun,
Keri

 

[Darth.Titan]

...
Can I run Mac OSX Classic environment on a Mac Mini Core 2 made in 2007?
...

You can't run Classic on an Intel Mac. You'd have to use a third party emulator like Sheepshaver.

 

[ADent]

You can't run Classic on an Intel Mac. You'd have to use a third party emulator like Sheepshaver.

That's right. Classic requires 10.4 (or less) and PPC - so of course no Classic disks with intel machines.


Keri - I just happened to buy a couple of minis around the time 10.5 came out.