There is a good amount of fear, uncertainty, doubt, and in some corners of the Mac universe, outright panic over Apple’s move to Intel chips and the x86 hardware platform. I’d like to take the next few minutes and cut through some misconceptions, clarify some things, and try to calm some nerves.

Why did Apple go Intel?
According to Apple, the move to Intel was spurred by a less-than-favorable roadmap on the PowerPC side. Basically, the PowerPC manufacturers Freescale and IBM had no chip planned that fully fit what Apple has in mind.

But I like the PowerPC! :’(
Me too.

Apple is stupid! Should I dump the Mac altogether?
It’s ultimately up to you to decide. But if you enjoy using Mac OS X, I suggest you stay Mac. The Mac OS’s ease-of-use is something that will not change.

What about Mac OS X?
Mac OS X is already running happily on Intel. Apple has been developing an Intel version of Mac OS X for the last five years, just in case the PowerPC failed to deliver. Evidently it did.

When will Apple make the switch?
Apple will begin switching some time next year and be done in 2007.

Will my applications run fine?
Yes and no. Most applications will run reasonably well (or so Apple claims) using an emulation technology called “Rosetta.” Rosetta basically makes the applications coded for a PowerPC-based Mac think they’re still running on a PowerPC Mac, even though it is an Intel-based Mac. There are some limitations, though. Software that requires a G4 or G5 chip will not run (usually pro apps). Software that adds a System Preferences pane will not run. Files called “kernel extensions” made for PowerPC Macs, and applications that require them, will not run. Mac OS 9 software will not run. Also, Rosetta does not run as fast as the computer is fully capable of running.

Will all software run like this?
No. Developers will eventually tweak their software to run on Intel Macs without Rosetta.

What’s this “universal binary” I keep heearing about?
Universal binaries are applications that will run natively--that is, they won’t need to use Rosetta--on both PowerPC and Intel Macs.

Can my Mac get Windows viruses because of Intel chips?
No, not unless you were to install Windows on your Intel Mac.

I could run Windows on my Mac?
Sort of. Apple says they’re not going to stop people from installing Windows, but say that they won’t support Windows on a Mac. Also, there may be some technical details that would cause Windows to not behave right on an Intel Mac.

Will Mac OS X run on any PC, like my Dell?
No, not without serious hacking. In other words, unless you’re a total geek, it’s nothing you should try.

Should I buy a Mac now or wait?
If you need a Mac now, go ahead. Apple will support PowerPC Macs for several more years. By the time Apple stops supporting the PowerPC, you’ll probably be ready for a new computer anyway. If you need a new Mac, I’d say go ahead and buy now. If your current hardware still runs fine, you might as well wait a little longer.

But why would I want to buy a slower Mac now?
The situation is no different than it was before in this regard. There will always be something better or faster in the future. This has always been the case.

Will this mean cheaper Macs in the future?
It’s hard to say. Apple has not said anything about pricing.

Is there anything else I should know?
Don’t panic. I don’t like the announcement, but I refuse to jump ship over this. Stay the course, Mac users.