170 replies to this topic 1 votes

[startrek1997]

Hey guys,

I am looking into getting a imac g4 from ebay. I was wondering what you guys think about it? I don't need the newest for greatest computer. I like messing with old hardware and getting it to where It can be used to a day-to-day basis. do you think its work up-dating to leopard? Shud I update the Ram and Hard Drive?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks Matt,
P.S. Yes, this would be my first mac =D

[The_Decryptor]

I have an iMac G4 sitting on the desk next to me, it's about as useful as a paperweight.

At best you'll be 2 OS releases behind, and lots of internet facing software is either outdated or slow now (There's builds of Firefox, but they have no plugins, Safari is updated but is really slow, etc.)

Edit: Save up a bit more and get a C2D mac, it'll last you for a lot longer.

[startrek1997]

What do you think about the powermac g5? It has some better specs.

[.Neo]

startrek1997, on 01 May 2012 - 01:35, said:

What do you think about the powermac g5? It has some better specs.

Same story really. PPC Macs in general aren't worth investing in anymore.

[startrek1997]

Thanks your the imput but i am still looking into getting one. I just want one to have just to say i have a mac and to mess around with and learn how to upgrade and learn the guts of computers. And maybe some coding if i can get it to work.

[abecedarian paradoxious]

If you don't need any Mac software, contemplate running Linux on it?
I believe there are ports of recent Ubuntu sources for the PPC based Macs.

[nik louch]

Getting any PowerPC Mac is going to be pointless - just to say you have a mac. Really, it's not just a case of being a few generations behind, it's a wholly dropped architecture. The OS can't be updated to anything remotely useful, most apps no longer run, seriously - you seem hell bent on buying something you don't understand.

Coding? Coding what for what? Tell me what language you want to use, what you plan to deploy to, what environment you plan to code within? Sorry but whatever you say, you're likely to be hugely outdated.

[abecedarian paradoxious]

startrek1997, on 02 May 2012 - 16:32, said:

Thanks your the imput but i am still looking into getting one. I just want one to have just to say i have a mac and to mess around with and learn how to upgrade and learn the guts of computers. And maybe some coding if i can get it to work.

From what I understand, there's really not much upgrading you can do other than possibly ram and harddrive.
You won't be able to upgrade OSX to 10.6 or any later version so any coding you do will be restricted by that.

[startrek1997]

I have thought about that. I was just wondering tho. Is there a way to Duel-Boot?

[threetonesun]

startrek1997, on 02 May 2012 - 16:50, said:

I have thought about that. I was just wondering tho. Is there a way to Duel-Boot?

Like, boot two operating systems and have them fight to see which one loads? No.

Honestly, just get an old Dual Core or Core2Duo Pentium system, Mac or not, and run Linux on it. It's cheap, different, and you'll learn a lot, plus you can keep it current.

[Mr. Dee]

I would get it just for educational purposes, find out how to Mac works, especially OS X. Could be an interesting conversation piece.

[protocol7]

If you want to learn OS X a iMac might be OK. You can't go higher than 10.5 though (we're almost at 10.8 now). If you want to learn about the guts, forget it. iMacs are nothing more than laptops on a stand. RAM, wifi, hd, is about all you can upgrade on them. Guess it depends on how much you plan to pay for it. I never liked the lampshade iMac design, but it could make for a conversation piece alright.

As for G5's I'd run a mile from them. PowerPC's last desperate gasp for relevancy.

[startrek1997]

Mr. Dee, on 02 May 2012 - 17:10, said:

I would get it just for educational purposes, find out how to Mac works, especially OS X. Could be an interesting conversation piece.

Yes, That is what i am trying to say. I dont need the most up-to-date but i woulld like to find out how they work.

protocol7, on 02 May 2012 - 17:19, said:

If you want to learn OS X a iMac might be OK. You can't go higher than 10.5 though (we're almost at 10.8 now). If you want to learn about the guts, forget it. iMacs are nothing more than laptops on a stand. RAM, wifi, hd, is about all you can upgrade on them. Guess it depends on how much you plan to pay for it. I never liked the lampshade iMac design, but it could make for a conversation piece alright.

As for G5's I'd run a mile from them. PowerPC's last desperate gasp for relevancy.

I dont need the most up-to-date. Lol i like the lampshade Imac desgin, I like how the screen and the neck bend and swivle. I forgot how hard the components of the lampshade's are to get at. I mite just go for a 800 Mhz PowerMac G4.
What do you think about them?

[protocol7]

800Mhz will leave you at 10.4. 10.5 requires at least a 867 (it can be bypassed but you're still going to be running 10.5 on underpowered hardware).

I'd try to get at least a 1Ghz model (the last few G4 iMacs also came with USB 2.0). But again, it all depends on your needs and the cost. A cheaper, slower G4 with Tiger could do you just fine.

[+articuno1au]

Sorry, I'm going to jump in here and say this is a TERRIBLE idea.

You will be buying something that is grossly outdated, will only be update-able with second hand parts and isn't supported as an architecture any more.

Buy a first generation Core2 based machine if you want something out of date to fiddle with. At least that way you can run an OS worth talking about :\