Are iMacs 64-bit?

[Chris Kenny]

iMacs have 64-bit processors. All current Macs do.

Snow Leopard boots in 32-bit kernel mode by default on on most systems, but even in 32-bit mode can run 64-bit apps. On recent machines, including iMacs, you can also choose to boot in 64-bit kernel mode.

Folks report that Lion developer previews have switched to booting in 64-bit kernel mode by default on recent systems.

—
Digital Workflow/Colorist, Nice Dissolve.

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[Richard Herd]

Lion + FCPX = Sales for Apple.

Does that appear to be the right timing? June for both?

[Craig Seeman]

Any Mac Core2Duo forward is 64 bit. The CoreDuo was 32bit.
In Snow Leopard, if you’re in 32 bit, you can reboot holding the 6 and 4 key I believe and it’ll boot in 64bit kernal.

https://support.apple.com/kb/ht3696

The earliest Intel MacMinis are CoreDuo and it’s possible that was the case with the earliest Intel iMacs so unless your system is of that first generation of Intel Macs, it can boot into 64bit.

[Craig Seeman]

I suspect WWDC June 6-10 will be the time we learn a lot more details. Developers will learn a lot of details. I think that may be the time that much of the underlying Lion and FCPX will come to light.

[Alan Bezet]

You can also get a core 2Duo to boot in 64bit automatically with a little program called 32bit or 64bit Kernel Starup Selector.

Check it out here https://www.ahatfullofsky.comuv.com/English/Programs/S4M/S4M.html

I’m currently use this mode to boot in 64 bit automatically on some of our office computers. Since the current version of FCP is 32bit, I usually have to end up staying in 32 bit. But, as perviously mentioned, the 32bit mode will still run 64bit apps, like the Adobe CS5 programs.

Alan Bezet
Production Manager
Washington, D.C.
alan.bezet@gmail.com

[Arnie Schlissel]

As seems standard in this particular forum, there’s more misinformation than otherwise. Fortunately there’s an obscure website called APPLE.COM were you can find a lot of this stuff out.

Which Macs support, and do or don’t default to 64 bits:
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3770
How to change your default:
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3773

Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/

[Walter Biscardi]

[Arnie Schlissel] ” As seems standard in this particular forum, there’s more misinformation than otherwise. Fortunately there’s an obscure website called APPLE.COM were you can find a lot of this stuff out.”

Well Arnie, this is definitely not a standard forum. Until June, EVERYTHING in here is misinformation. 🙂

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author, Chef.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media

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[Kevin Monahan]

No one seems to be talking about the following:

If you’re working in a 64 bit editing app (like Adobe Premiere Pro CS5/CS5.5), you’ll probably want to throw 2GB of RAM per core at it. Therefore, you should be looking at iMac models that support 16GB RAM. Those that expect good performance with only 4GB RAM will be in for a world of hurt.

Kevin Monahan
Sr. Content and Community Lead
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Systems, Inc.
Follow Me on Twitter!

[Richard Herd]

Thanks! That’s good to know.