Provider Information: Mac OS

Important note: this document is designed for Local Support Providers (LSPs). The user-level Mac OS document is here and includes general availability, configuration, documentation, and support information.

As planned and detailed in the Mac OS Operating System Life Cycles document, the University will retire support of Mac OS 10.2.x on June 30, 2006. Information Systems & Computing (ISC) currently supports and recommends Mac OS 10.3.x and Mac OS 10.4.x, while recognizing that Mac OS 10.4.x is the only version of the Mac OS currently available with new Macintoshes.

Most local support providers support the following hardware and peripherals for Mac OS 10.2.8 and above.

• Apple Macintosh desktop/laptop computers 600 MHz PowerPC G3 or 533 MHz PowerPC G4 and above
• Apple, Dell, Sony, & Viewsonic CRT monitors
• Apple, Dell, Sony, & Viewsonic LCD displays
• Printers:
• Hewlett-Packard LaserJet laser printers
• Hewlett-Packard DeskJet inkjet printers
• Epson Stylus inkjet printers
• Ethernet cards:
• Apple internal Ethernet
• Modems:
• Apple internal modems
• Apple USB modems

The following products are no longer supported as of FY 2006.

• Macintosh hardware below a 600 MHz PowerPC G3 or 533 MHz PowerPC G4 processor
• Apple LaserWriter laser printers
• Lexmark Optra E310 and Optra E312 laser printers
• U.S. Robotics Sportster v.90 (external)

When purchasing a Macintosh system, please review the annually updated Desktop Computing Recommendations for Penn. Macintosh computers can be purchased from the Computer Connection at an educational discount.

ISC's Provider Notes wiki has an article on University-Centric Intel-Based Mac Compatibility.

The Penn MacNet site also contains useful information for local support providers.

PPP for Mac OS instructions remain as basic user-level documentation for setting up a dial-up connection.

Please refer to ISC's Mac OS System Specifications to find out which versions of the Mac OS are recommended for Macintosh computers.

There are many web sites that specialize in Macintosh information. One of the most accurate and up-to-date is Ric Ford's MacInTouch. VersionTracker is indispensable for finding the latest updates. Don't overlook Apple's web site when searching for information or the terrific TidBITS e-zine.