The Compatibility of Photoshop 5 With an iMac Intel

Adobe Systems introduced Photoshop 5 in May 1998 when Mac OS 8.1 was the current version of the Macintosh operating system. Photoshop 5 can be installed on a Macintosh computer running the Classic Environment, but Intel iMacs can't run Classic.

Classic Environment

Before the advent of Macintosh computers based on Intel processors, Apple provided support for applications that wouldn't run on Mac OS X by way of the Classic Environment. This emulation created a virtual machine running Mac OS 9 under Mac OS X.

Install SheepShaver

This free open-source PowerPC emulator enables current Intel Macs to run Mac OS 8.5 through OS 9.0.4 and Photoshop 5. Setting up SheepShaver requires patience, a Macintosh ROM image and a retail copy of the appropriate version of the Mac OS. Step-by-step online tutorials simplify installation.

Find Compatible Hardware

Since Photoshop 5 won't run natively on an Intel iMac, look for a used Macintosh computer with a G4 processor so you can use your Adobe software under the Classic Environment. Try to find a system you can test before you buy it.

Obtain Compatible Software

Photoshop 5 doesn't qualify for an upgrade to recent versions of Photoshop. The current version, Adobe Photoshop CS5, will run natively on an Intel iMac.

References

• TidBITS: SheepShaver Brings Classic Mac OS to Snow Leopard
• E-Maculation: Setting Up SheepShaver for Mac OS X
• Photoshop News: Photoshop Splash Screens
• Adobe Photoshop CS5 Upgrage