SONNET BRINGS OS X SOLUTION TO UNSUPPORTED PLATFORMS
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA April 23, 2001. Sonnet Technologies, the worldwide
market share leader in processor upgrade cards for Apple Macintosh
computers, announces OS X compatibility for an extended number of
configurations. Apple Computer’s official release of OS X on March 24, 2001
was said to support only “native” G3 and G4 systems. Sonnet’s announcement
covers a much wider array of upgraded Macintosh and compatible models, plus
a program to support customers of Newer Technology’s processor upgrades.
Effective immediately, the Sonnet Encore/ZIF and Encore/ST G3/G4 processor
upgrade product lines are completely OS X compatible in all Power Macintosh
G3 and G4 desktops and Minitowers. Those who are running a Sonnet Encore G4
upgrade in a beige Power Macintosh G3 will need a software update, now
available at no cost at http://www.sonnettech.com/downloads/.
In those same Power Macintosh G3 and G4s, users of Newer Technology’s
MaxPower G3 and G4 ZIF products will also have a complete OS X solution
from Sonnet. Newer Tech left thousands of users without future OS support
when the company closed its doors in December 2000. MaxPower ZIF users will
require a software update to attain full compatibility and performance with
OS X. Sonnet is developing these MaxPower OS X solutions, and expects to
have them posted by the end of May 2001. The MaxPower ZIF software will
carry a download fee of $29.95.
Sonnet will also offer OS X compatibility solutions for Macintosh platforms
that Apple is not officially supporting. By the end of May 2001, Sonnet
Crescendo/PCI G3 and G4 owners will be able to download an installer to run
OS X on any of the following models: Power Macintosh 7300, 7500, 7600,
8500, 8600, 9500, 9600, PowerTower Pro, Power Wave, UMAX J700, S900. OS X’s
compatibility in these machines will match that in Power Macintosh G3
computers. This breakthrough solution will soon be accessible from the
Sonnet web site for a download fee of $29.95.
For this same set of PCI Power Macintoshes, Sonnet is very pleased to
announce an equivalent OS X compatibility solution for users of Newer
Technology’s MaxPower G3 and G4 PCI upgrade cards. Scheduled for June 2001
release, the MaxPower PCI compatibility package will have a download fee of
$69.95.This solution will allow former Newer Tech customers using Power
Macintosh 7300, 7500, 7600, 8500, 8600, 9500, 9600, PowerTower Pro,
PowerWave, UMAX J700, or S900 systems to gain the same full OS X
compatibility developed for Sonnet’s own installed base. “For years, Newer
Tech sold reliable processor upgrade products. By investing the resources
to open the OS X door to former Newer Tech customers, Sonnet invites them
to become our customers,” explained Robert Farnsworth, Sonnet president and
CEO.
Sonnet completes OS X support by announcing compatibility for all Tempo ATA
and Tango Firewire/USB cards. Tempo RAID and Tango cards do not require any
updates. Tempo Ultra ATA66 requires firmware version 3.08 or greater, which
can be checked with the Sonnet Tempo ATA66 ROM Update utility found at
http://www.sonnettech.com/downloads.
For Sonnet’s complete OS X Statement, please refer to the Sonnet web page
at http://www.sonnettech.com/news/macosx_update.html.
About Sonnet Technologies, Inc.
Sonnet Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Irvine, California, is the
worldwide market share leader in processor upgrade cards, ATA disk
controller cards, and other enhancement products for Apple Macintosh
computers. After Apple Computer, Inc., Sonnet is the largest producer of
PowerPC processor-based products in the computer industry. Founded in
1986, Sonnet offers processor upgrades for more Macintosh models than any
other company. To locate an authorized reseller or purchase product, visit
the Sonnet Technologies web site at (http://www.sonnettech.com), or call
the company at 1-800-786-6260 (USA and Canada) or 1-949-587-3500.