Possibilities of an Intel based Mac?

[operator]

Hi,
I was thinking to start casual games programming for Mac computers but I'm not sure what kind of machine I should buy.
I want my games to be playable in 6/7 years old computers as in new ones, from Mac Os X 10.3 to the newest one.
If I get a new Intel-based mac, could I still be coding and compiling applications that work on a 6 year old PPC? Or should I need a PPC anyway?

My Idea is to use carbon/c++, OpenGL, OpenAL and, if possible, to compile universal binaries although I'm not very familiar with all these terms since I never had contact with a Mac.

I didn't find this info on previous threads, I'm sorry if so.

Thanks in advance!

[OneSadCookie]

Yes, you can develop games for that target hardware on a new Intel-based Mac. Obviously, you'll need a minimum-spec machine to test on, but you can either pick up a cheap 400MHz iMac second-hand, or ask for testers around here -- there are plenty of people who still have ancient machines lying around.

[operator]

Thanks!
So I'm start looking forward to having one.

[operator]

Ok, the looking is still in progress :lol:
... It's not funny really. I haven't had the money :cry:

One more question:
Can I install WindowsXP in an external drive and use it as a IBM clone PC too?

I would love to have a MAC!
But my computer is getting old too and I can't buy two computers.

Thanks again!

[sealfin]

Can I install WindowsXP in an external drive and use it as a IBM clone PC too?

Boot Camp (beta) (http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/) or Parallels (http://www.parallels.com/); caveat: I don't know whether either of those will work with an external drive, as I haven't used either of them - I run one of those six-seven year old Macs you talked about targeting games for in your first post :p

[Joseph Duchesne]

You can definately install Mac OS on an external drive though, so you could just do it the other way. And of course parallels should work on an external drive. I can't imagine it not. But Bootcamp is what I generally use (AutoCad, Solid Edge and other Windows only programs that I must use once in a while)

[operator]

Thanks so much!

[leRiCl]

My parallels runs fine on my iPod, so it shouldn't be any problems.