Compatibility is an indication that a product meets some or all of the specifications for a particular standard. For example, if a program is IBM compatible, it can run on any Dell, IBM, Hewlett Packard, or other computer with that same set of Windows-compliant components. Apple computers that utilize the macOS X operating systems are not IBM compatible.

If hardware is incompatible with your computer, you can still connect or install it, but may damage the computer. However, it is most likely the computer won’t work until the incompatible hardware is removed. For example, if you install memory in your motherboard that’s incompatible, your computer won’t boot or displays an error as it boots.

Although macOS is not IBM compatible, Bootcamp can be installed to make it run on many IBM (Windows-based) computers.

Computer software that’s incompatible with a computer (does not meet the system requirements) cannot run on a computer, generate errors, or runs slow.

Backward compatible, Compliant, Component, Forwards compatible, Hardware terms, Runs on, Software terms

  • How to determine the amount of memory a program requires.
  • How to find hardware and other computer specifications.
  • How to install software.
  • How to find what hardware is installed in the computer.