Imac G4

[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 Veteran]

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At best you'll be 2 OS releases behind, and lots of internet facing software is either outdated or slow now (There's builds of Firefox, but they have no plugins, Safari is updated but is really slow, etc.)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

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 Subscriber²]

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 Sorry but whatever you say, you're likely to be hugely outdated.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]

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]

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]

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.

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 :\

[startrek1997]

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.

I have about $100 to spend. (Its all in ebay cards =/) But i have been looking in to some on ebay.Hopefully i will have one by the start of next week.

[startrek1997]

Well, its done. Thanks to every ones input i whent for the iMac g4 Off of ebay for $80. Even if i dont use it much i can still have it siting around and looking cool. :rofl:

[protocol7]

I'm sure you'll have fun with your "new" toy :) It'll be a bit weak with some internet stuff like Flash, but you can still load it up with older software for music, graphics, productivity etc.

And a few games of course.

[startrek1997]

Lol. thanks. Hopefully i wont get "Riped-off" but ya.....any sugestions on softwhere i could load into it what does that stuff? Any feedback would be appreciated and yes this is my first mac :D

[123456789A]

I use my PowerBook G4 as a decoy laptop, so if a burglar ever came in, they'd think they're getting some hot new Apple product but in reality they're just getting a paperweight.

[startrek1997]

wow...lol

[Karl L.]

I just wanted to comment that I have a 1.5 GHz PowerBook G4 that runs Debian Squeeze quite nicely.

In fact, I'm also using the latest Firefox release (12.0) with the same bookmarks and addons as my AMD64 system. However, I couldn't find any up-to-date Firefox (Iceweasel) builds packaged for Squeeze (if you want to run the Debian Wheezy, the current testing release, you can get it) so I compile them myself from the debianized source.

Despite having up-to-date software, however, flash runs poorly (it pushes the processor to max which causes most stuff to not run). Also, VLC will not play HD (>480p) content. MPlayer will play 720p, but it requires hard frame dropping.

[Rigby]

I still have a Powerbook 1400c from 1996 that I use occasionally, mostly for word processing, reading ebooks or playing old games. It is pretty heavy by today's standards but it has a great keyboard. Old computers can still be useful for many things, even if just for the enjoyment of having one.

[THolman Veteran]

Sheesh... you guys are all talking about how old and useless the machine is, yet I've got an Apple II hooked up in the basement ;)

[Mr. Dee]

I would get one if I know it was so cheap, $80. I would try getting OS 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 partition it up and load them. You can also get copies of some old OS X apps like Office X, Office 2004 and older versions of Photoshop like version 6 and CS and load them up. I actually liked the icons and the UI from that era.