Introduction
If you’re a Mac user, you’ve probably heard of partitioning your hard drive. It’s a process of dividing your hard drive into multiple sections, allowing you to install multiple operating systems or separate your data from your system files. But did you know that there are two types of partition maps available on macOS? In this article, we’ll be discussing the differences between GUID Partition Map and Apple Partition Map and which one you should use.
What is GUID Partition Map?
GUID Partition Map, also known as GPT, is the newer partition map type used on Intel-based Macs since 2006. It’s a modern partitioning scheme that supports larger volumes and can handle up to 128 partitions. GPT also includes a protective MBR (Master Boot Record) that prevents older systems from accidentally overwriting the partition map.
What is Apple Partition Map?
Apple Partition Map, also known as APM or MBR, is the older partition map type used on PowerPC Macs and some older Intel-based Macs. It’s a legacy partitioning scheme that only supports volumes up to 2 TB and can handle up to 16 partitions. APM doesn’t include a protective MBR, which means that older systems can accidentally overwrite the partition map.
What Are the Differences?
The main difference between GPT and APM is their maximum volume size and partition limit. GPT supports larger volumes and can handle more partitions, making it a better choice for modern Macs. GPT also includes a protective MBR, which means that it’s more secure than APM. Another difference is the way they handle booting. GPT uses EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) to boot, while APM uses BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). This means that if you’re using a newer Mac with GPT, you can’t install an older version of macOS that uses APM.
Which One Should You Use?
If you’re using a modern Mac with an Intel processor, it’s recommended to use GPT. It’s a better partition map type that supports larger volumes and can handle more partitions. GPT is also more secure and can’t be accidentally overwritten by older systems. However, if you’re using an older Mac with a PowerPC processor, you’ll need to use APM. This is because PowerPC Macs don’t support GPT and can only use APM. If you’re using an older Intel-based Mac that was released before 2006, you can use either APM or GPT, but it’s recommended to use APM for compatibility reasons.
FAQs
Q: Can I convert from APM to GPT?
A: Yes, you can convert from APM to GPT using Disk Utility. However, this process will erase all data on your hard drive, so make sure to back up your data before proceeding.
Q: Can I use GPT on a non-Intel Mac?
A: No, GPT is only supported on Intel-based Macs. If you’re using a non-Intel Mac, you’ll need to use APM.
Q: Can I use APM on a modern Mac with an Intel processor?
A: Yes, you can use APM on an Intel-based Mac, but it’s not recommended. APM only supports volumes up to 2 TB and can handle up to 16 partitions, which is not ideal for modern Macs.
