iBook G4 upgrade

americano

Hi! I have an iBook G4 that I haven't done anything to other than sporadically upgrade the OSX. It is now at 10.3.9 and won't go any higher. This was OK for a while but now so many sites are saying that I need to upgrade software that needs 10.4 or higher. Is this possible, & is it actually worth doing this, or would I be better off buying a new computer (which doesn't sit well with me)? From the bit of looking around that I've done I believe that I will have to increase the memory (mine only has 256 MB) & I believe that I am somewhat hampered by having only 800 MHz 0f whatever it is.

prowla

The heart of a computer is the processor (or CPU); the G4 was the last of the "PowerPC" processors that Apple used, but they have now moved to Intel CPUs just like are in most PCs. Every year processors get more and more powerful and faster, and if a PC supplier wants to stay in the game then they have to keep up; the G4 wasn't being updated fast enough, so Apple moved to Intel, and now G4 systems are "legacy" (ie. there will be no new ones).
The G4 and Intel CPUs are completely different and are not compatible.
Snow Leopard is only for the Intel-based Macs; if you need that then you'll need a new Mac.
If you need newer versions of apps that need Snow Leopard, then you will need to upgrade.
If you are happy with the software you've got and don't need more speed then you do not have to upgrade.

almillar

256 mb isn't really much use for modern computing, so you'd definitely want a RAM upgrade, upgrade it to the max your computer can take. Lookup www.crucial.com to get an idea of what you can put in and how much it will cost. 800mhz also isn't great these days (but is far better in a G4 than an 800mhz Pentium 3 for example), but depending on how you use your computer, it might be fine. THEN you can find a copy of OSX 10.4 (would need to be really cheap) or 10.5 (Leopard, the last that will support your processor) which I would prefer. Have a look round on eBay.
After finding out the cost of upgrading, have a look round eBay at some second hand iBooks and PowerBooks, and see if it would be better value to just change over. You'll get a bit back for your own iBook remember.

prowla

Beware when buying Mac OS disks; some are tied to a particular model of Mac, so if you bought one for a Mac Mini it will refuse to install on a MacBook.

zagubov

almillar wrote: »

THEN you can find a copy of OSX 10.4 (would need to be really cheap) or 10.5 (Leopard, the last that will support your processor) which I would prefer.

I'd agree more memory would be good but even without, you may be able to get Tiger to run and there's supposed to be speed advantages over x.3 .
If your equipment doesn't say it can accept Tiger, download xpostfacto and it should help you load it. I'd back up your important stuff first!
Be wary of Leopard - loads of old software won't run on it and you may find you're spending a lot on new versions of programmes. Not sure what advantages it would give you over what you have.

diable

upgrade the ram then os snow leopard should install ok

tweeter

Erm, before the thread patrollers come with dire warnings ...


http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:LHOICAM4ERwJ:thepiratebay.org/torrent/3960279/Mac_OS_X_10.4_Tiger_DVD_%28PPC%29_+OSX+10.4+piratebay&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&client=ubuntu

prowla

diable wrote: »

upgrade the ram then os snow leopard should install ok

Snow Leopard doesn't run on a G4.

zagubov

prowla wrote: »

Snow Leopard doesn't run on a G4.

We're going round in circles a bit here.
You need to take some time to weigh up your needs before emabrking on expensive and in some cases awkward and frustrating changes. X.3's a bit obsolete; you should be able to run Tiger (up to X.4.11)- some new printers etc. still work with that.
You can run Leopard on a G4 (I'm using it now) but the next version, Snow Leopard won't run on a G4 or even a G5 but needs an Intel Mac. Even G5s are pricey enough on ebay but Intel macs can cost a good part of a thousand quid.
If you've old software you can run on Classic, don't go above Tiger. If you want Leopard you need to use fiddly software like Basilisk to run your old programmes and it's good but not perfect.
More so with Snow Leopard - loss of old software plus very pricey new hardware for what benefit, exactly?
Think carefully because OS upgrades are very difficult to undo. What does your Mac need to do it's not doing now?

23n1th

If I was you I'd do one of two things, install linux on it that way you have an up-to-date OS (which is free), or buy a new laptop ie not a mac (which will be a lot cheaper than buying a new macbook).

Just what I'd do mind.