BeOS for Intel Q & A

This document answers questions regarding the BeOS for Intel Architecture. It is early yet in the development cycle of the BeOS for Intel, and so many of the specific technical questions, and even questions regarding availability, pricing, etc., are difficult or impossible to answer at this time.

Other questions about the BeOS, which are not specific to Intel hardware, can be found in the other FAQ pages we have created. Do check those out, too.

If after reading this collection of frequently asked questions you still find your question(s) unanswered, send us a message letting us know what questions and answers you'd like to see added to the page. Direct these questions to webmaster@be.com. And then keep checking back!

Other resources you may find useful in your quest for information about the BeOS for Intel:

Be's Intel Systems List
The BeOS for Intel Information Signup Form

This page was last updated on February 9, 1998.

General

1. Is Be developing the BeOS for Intel Architecture? Updated! (2/9/98)
2. Why is Be developing the BeOS for Intel Architecture? Updated! (2/10/98)
3. Does this mean that Be is no longer supporting the BeOS on PowerPC? Updated! (2/9/98)
4. Which does Be recommend for running the BeOS, Intel or PowerPC?
5. When will the BeOS for Intel Architecture be available? Updated! (2/4/98)
6. When will the BeOS for Intel Architecture be available for BeOS developers, or beta testers? Updated! (2/4/98)
7. How much will the BeOS for Intel Architecture cost?
8. Will there be a free downloadable version of the BeOS for Intel? Updated! (2/3/98)
9. If I buy the BeOS for PowerPC today, will I get the BeOS for Intel?
10. Can I be a beta tester for the BeOS for Intel Architecture?
11. Will software run on both the BeOS for Intel and BeOS for PowerPC? Updated! (2/3/98)

    Hardware Requirements

12. On what hardware will the BeOS for Intel Architecture run? Updated! (2/3/98)
13. What Intel Architecture processors will run the BeOS? Updated! (2/3/98)
14. Will the BeOS support MMX technologies? New!
15. Will the BeOS run on the "Merced" processor? Updated! (2/3/98)
16. Will the BeOS for Intel run on 486 systems? Updated! (2/4/98)
17. Will the BeOS run on 386 (or lower) systems? Updated! (2/3/98)
18. What logic boards will the BeOS for Intel support? Updated! (2/3/98)
19. What core logic chip sets will the BeOS for Intel support? Updated! (2/10/98)
20. What graphics cards will the BeOS for Intel support? Updated! (2/6/98)
21. Will the BeOS for Intel support AGP graphics cards? Updated! (2/3/98)
22. Will the BeOS for Intel support the 3dfx Voodoo II card? New!
23. What sound cards will the BeOS for Intel support? Updated! (2/6/98)
24. What support for SCSI will the BeOS for Intel have? Updated! (2/6/98)
25. What network interface cards will the BeOS for Intel support? Updated! (2/6/98)
26. Will the BeOS support internal modem cards? New!
27. Will the BeOS for Intel support Ultra DMA? Updated! (2/3/98)
28. Will the BeOS for Intel support the Universal Serial Bus (USB)?
29. Will the BeOS for Intel support FireWire (IEEE-1394)? New!
30. Will the BeOS for Intel support DVD? New!
31. Will the BeOS for Intel Architecture run on my laptop? Updated! (2/3/98)
32. Will the BeOS for Intel Architecture run on VirtualPC? Updated! (2/3/98)
33. Will the BeOS for Intel Architecture run on a DOS Compatibility card? New!
34. How do I install the BeOS? On a dedicated hard drive, or hard drive partition? Updated! (2/6/98)

    Developer Questions

35. Will I be able to develop for the BeOS on an Intel Architecture system? Updated! (2/3/98)
36. What will the development environment be? CodeWarrior for BeOS? Updated! (2/6/98)
37. Can I cross-compile from PowerPC to Intel? From Intel to PowerPC?
38. How easy is it to port BeOS software from one hardware platform to another? Updated! (2/9/98)
39. What about those pesky endianess issues? Updated! (2/10/98)
40. Are the APIs the same for the BeOS for Intel and for PowerPC?

    Windows Compatibility

41. Can the BeOS for Intel Architecture run Windows programs? Updated! (2/3/98)
42. Will the BeOS for Intel Architecture be able to mount NTFS (or other) file systems? Updated! (2/9/98)