Table of Contents
Apple/Bandai Pippin
Apple's attempt of making a “technology platform” akin to the 3DO, except based off of their own Macintosh technology. With the first American Pippin system releasing in June 1996, the Pippin ended up being a massive failure, due to it's inability to truly understand the consumer market + the return of Steve Jobs shortly after it's introduction. Specifications-wise, the Pippin systems all came with a PowerPC 603 CPU, 6MB of RAM (8MB for Katz Media EU model) which can be upgraded in various increments, and a video output of 640×480 at 8 or 16 bit color.
Operating Systems (PowerPC 603)
EGWORD Pure
simplified version of Ergo Soft's EGWORD application
A port of a common Japanese word processing program to the Pippin. EGWORD can also be found on the Sega Saturn.
Emulation Nest
This device runs an operating system which is known to emulate various devices with EOPs. See the Classic Mac OS page.
Macintosh on Pippin (psuedo-official 7.5.2)
CD-ROM that has been “Pippinized” to allow a consumer Pippin console to boot into Mac OS 7.5.2
Unlike other ports of full Macintosh to the Pippin, this appears to be a leak from Apple Computer or Bandai internal development, as it doesn't require any “hacks” or “developer” BIOSes, and possibly even the RAM upgrades. For this alone, this is probably the best way to run Macintosh on one's Pippin.
PEASE/PEASE Turbo
a CD-ROM-based shell which allows Pippin consoles to launch applications
Basically, a simplified Pippin-specific shell, serving a similar purpose to Finder. It can run a bunch of applications, provide certain utilities, print out things, and even run Finder as an “APPL” file. The “Turbo” version is superior overall, adding QuickTime and improving system networking.
Pippin Navigator
access to console data and setup
This is a simple tutorial CD, but it does have a few functionalities available to the user, such as access to console data. Bundled with Pippin systems in Japan.
Stock System 7.5.2 + Launch
On it's own, the stock 7.5.2 can't do much, due to how it's been changed for the console. The “Launch” app is a rudimentary selection interface for Pippin CD-ROMs that contain more than one program.
https://pippin.fandom.com/wiki/Pippin_Launch
http://www.macgeek.org/museum/pippin/downloads/PippinLaunch.pdf
TV Works
is a productivity suite on CD-ROM which was bundled
TV Works has word processing, a drawing program, file management, email, and a bunch of settings. Bundled with @WORLD systems.
https://pippin.fandom.com/wiki/TV_Works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCwu4JoBI8o
NOTE: All System X.X.X hacks MAY require a developer version of the Pippin, or at the least, https://bitbucket.org/blitter/pippin-kickstart/src/master. All will require (most likely) an 8MB RAM upgrade, or 16MB if possible/desired (known in Japan).
All OS listings after this point are impacted by this disclaimer.
“Hacked” BIOS/Full System 7.5.2
A robust and functional Mac system based on the Pippin system files is easily achieved
By swapping in a proper Finder 7.5.3, removing some Pippin-specific files, and installing a few Macintosh modules, the stock 7.5.2 on the Pippin can be turned into an actual Pippin-specific 7.5.2. For this section in the 1st link, go to “Enhanced Pippin System 7.5.2”
https://web.archive.org/web/20170817231339/http://www.vintagemacworld.com/pip1.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz4BQzOmZAY (presumably, shows OS from 0:50)
https://www.applenoir.com/?p=85 (7.5.2b)
https://www.applenoir.com/?p=68 (7.5.2b)
Mac OS 8.0
requires more effort than previous Mac systems and the results are not satisfactory
Here, one must build the installation files on a compatible Macintosh, add the “system enabler”, patch some files, delete some files, swap out the Finder, and much more. Despite all this, 8.0 on the Pippin doesn’t run very well, with display artifacts and glitches. For this section in the 1st link, go to “Mac OS 8.0”
https://web.archive.org/web/20170817231339/http://www.vintagemacworld.com/pip1.html
System 7.5.5/7.6/7.6.1
Once running Mac OS, the Pippin largely behaves like a normal Mac
Requires “judicious use of the Extensions Manager” to not hang, when paired with System Enabler files for Pippin. Can run things such as IE 4.0. 7.6/7.6.1 will install similarly, but run a bit worse while also experiencing display corruptions. For this section in the 1st link, go to “Mac System 7.5.5”
https://web.archive.org/web/20170817231339/http://www.vintagemacworld.com/pip1.html
Internet
Atmark Town
a virtual 3D “town” to access e-mail, chat, forums, games and news features
A sort of hub program supporting some internet connectivity. Despite starting as a GUI “world”, the 2nd version of this CD changed everything to simple menus, graphics, and text.
Franky Online
Users navigated in an RPG style to access online features
Quite similar to Atmark Town, but with a larger variety in it's functions, such as internet gateways and homepages.
Internet Kit
Coming in several versions, this rudimentary web browser was bundled with Pippin systems in Japan.
NetCruiser
This web browser originally ran on Windows, but it eventually got a Macintosh port. Then, of course, it got ported to the Pippin. Came bundled with ATMARK systems.
Pippin Network CD
A simple dial-up networking application for Japanese numbers that was similarly bundled with the system.
SurfEZ! Interface
web browser suite with e-mail client
This originated from other systems, but it eventually received this Pippin port, being sold by Katz Media.
SurfMonkey
web portal and custom browser for kids
Essentially a web browser + portal tailored for children, complete with harmful webpage filters.
WebViewer
Web browsing performance was advertised as being improved thru Microsoft Internet Explorer
Another Japanese bundle? This appears to be a web browser combined with the technologies of Internet Explorer.
@WORLD Browser
was bundled with Pippin @WORLD consoles sold in the United States
The only web browser that was bundled with Pippin systems in the United States. At the time, it also came with a 28.8k modem for the console.