Despite being a relic of the past, Windows XP continues to find its way into modern technology. According to recent data from Statcounter, this venerable operating system still commands a modest 0.27 percent of the Windows market share, surpassing even the more recent Windows 8 and 8.1 versions.
For those yearning for a nostalgic experience without the risks associated with an unsupported OS, a Linux variant of Windows XP is available. The adaptability of XP has become a topic of interest, especially in the realm of creative computing. Notably, it has been successfully run on Apple’s Vision Pro, and now, with a touch of ingenuity, it has also been ported to the original Apple TV.
Technical Feats with Legacy Hardware
However, it’s important to note that this feat is not achievable on every Apple TV model. The original Apple TV, equipped with an Intel Pentium M processor and 256 MB of RAM, is the only version capable of supporting Windows XP. This hardware configuration provides just enough power to run the operating system effectively.
The process was meticulously documented by Nobel Tech in a video, showcasing the innovative efforts of DistroHopper39B, who managed to port Windows XP to the original Apple TV using ReactOS. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given that the Apple TV lacks a built-in Legacy BIOS module, which is typically necessary for such operations.
The original Apple TV used in this experiment was generously provided by the Australian Computer Museum Society (ACMS). Viewers can observe in the video that Windows XP operates as anticipated, with the notable exception of graphics acceleration, which remains unsupported.
