Garmin Updater - Incompatible Architecture - Now What? (PowerPC Mac)

I have the same problem with my PowerBook. I may borrow a Windows laptop from one of my sisters to do it before heading home in a week.

I have a 2 yo iMac at home that will do the job.

Thought I wouldn't be alone.

I considered popping over to a friend to borrow his new Mac but then would be left with getting the map from his machine onto mine. I am not sure writing the file to a disc and walking it over would work given unlock codes and other clag.

I'd be hesitant about using your Sister's Window laptop. Not only would you have the physical transfer issue but also a translation issue of a Windows map onto a Mac. I do know that Garmin does have a Support Article about that but I find their tech help somewhat confusing. They seem to assume a lot of prior knowledge on how Garmin s/w works.

Cheers

Bob

Well, I got an answer but it is not good news for me.

Quoting the reply

"The error you are receiving is due to the map updater no longer supporting PowerPC processors. You will need to either use a Intel Based Mac or a Windows Machine running Winxp SP3 or higher. I am sorry if this has caused any inconviences. "

I followed up with a question on why they dropped the platform and how I would get maps / lock files from another Mac onto my older machine.

They answered with this

"I am sorry but we are starting to only support the latest MAC operating systems and architectures. We would need you on a newer computer and unfortunately this means that you will not be able to use this MAC for the latest mapping. We apologize for this inconvenience. We understand that many customers will be affected by this but we need to make sure that all new operating systems and hardware are made compliant and this sometimes means that some computers will not be supported."

No answer on how to transfer files properly so I resent the question this evening.

Cheers
Bob

Time for a class-action suit against these clowns. "Lifetime map updates" means just that. Not "lifetime map updates if you have the right computer." Deceptive advertising, we paid for a service that we didn't receive. Any lawyers out there?

would be you and the other 3 people still using the PPC?

Or what?

Technology advances. Companies advance products and change what is supported every day. That you've opted to maintain a hardware platform that Garmin has grown away from is not Garmin's fault.

I'd be willing to bet that

1. There was some fine print that went along with the "lifetime" offer, and
2. You didn't read it.

When the OP posted this, it had been about 5 years after Apple replaced PowerPC's with Intel Processors. Not knowing how old the PowerPC was (could have been from 2003 when they were introduced) doesn't really matter that much for the sake of argument.

Five years: This isn't really too bad for a standard product lifecycle plan.

Microsoft, for instance, currently supports products for seven years after product is out of production.

Apple considers the "newest" PowerMac G5 that was discontinued in August 2006 in "Vintage" support status.

At the time of the OP comment, the "newest" powerMac possible would have just gone into "Vintage" status a few months prior.

Apple's Definition: Vintage products are those that were discontinued more than five years and less than seven years ago. Apple has discontinued hardware service for vintage products with the following exception: (short version - products purchased in California could still get service and parts from Apple Service Providers within the state of California or from Apple Retail Stores in the state of CA, or contacting Apple Care from CA).

All that said; if the manufacturer of the computer considers it obsolete, it would seem reasonable for a manufacturer of accessories, peripherals, or software to also consider it obsolete and not support it any longer.

Also, something to consider with thinking about purchasing Lifetime updates - Garmin's Definition states "Useful" Life:

If you purchase a nüMaps Lifetime subscription (sold separately or bundled together with certain GPS models), you will receive up to 4 map data updates per year, when and as such updates are made available on Garmin’s website, for 1 compatible Garmin product until your product’s useful life expires or Garmin no longer receives map data from its third party supplier, whichever is shorter. A product’s “useful life” means the period during which the product (a) has sufficient memory capacity and other required technical capabilities to utilize current map data and (b) is capable of operating as intended without major repairs. A product will be deemed to be out of service and its useful life to be ended if no updates have been downloaded for such product for a period of 24 months or more. Unless otherwise stated, the updates you receive under the subscription will be updates to the same geographic map data originally included with your Garmin product when originally purchased. In some instances, your Garmin product might not have sufficient memory remaining for you to load an update to the map data, in which case you will need to either (a) select reduced map data coverage for your updates, or (b) purchase separately a microSD™/SD™ card (if and as applicable to your Garmin product) and load all or a portion of the map data coverage for your updates to the card and insert the card into the microSD/SD card slot contained in your Garmin product. If neither of the measures in (a) or (b) can be used to address your product’s lack of sufficient remaining memory, then Garmin may conclude that the “useful life” of your product has expired. Garmin may terminate your nüMaps Lifetime subscription at any time if you violate any of the terms of this agreement or your subscription. Your nüMaps Lifetime subscription may not be transferred to another Garmin product.

²FREE lifetime traffic updates may not be transferred to another person or another Garmin product. Lifetime traffic extends for the useful life of your Garmin traffic receiver (as long as you own a compatible Garmin GPS) or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier, whichever is shorter. A traffic receiver’s “useful life” means the period during which the receiver (a) has the required technical capabilities to utilize current traffic data service and (b) is capable of operating as intended without major repairs. Traffic content not available for all areas. See traffic coverage areas.