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Shaun.P

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 14, 2003
1,601
24
Omicron Persei 8
Hey guys,

A bit of an odd request, but I am looking to buy an old Mac for the sole purpose of word processing.

  • I would like the machine to run OS 9.2.2 or lower,
  • It must be capable of running ClarisWorks/AppleWorks (my favourite piece of software ever),
  • I need to be able to print the documents I create (perhaps I could hook up an old LaserWriter with cheap replaceable consumables still available)? Or perhaps I transfer the files to my MBP to print from my modern printer?
  • The main task on this machine would be word processing. Any other bonuses would be nice.

Why don't I just word process on my MacBook Pro like everyone else?

I like the idea of using an old computer for one basic task.

I loved ClarisWorks/AppleWorks. Such a powerful, easy to use piece of software. I am a maths teacher - drawing maths related diagrams is relatively easy in the drawing package and items can be easily dropped into the word processing package. Moreover, Pages stil opens ClarisWorks/AppleWorks files.

I would also find that such a machine would be so limited by today's standard, meaning I will be more inclined to get my work done instead of browsing online!

I specifically remember using an all-in-one beige Performa that had a floppy disk drive and CD-ROM drive than ran OS 8.6. Memories!

Please recommend machines and potentially the quirkiest, best Macintosh OS. It would be a bonus to be able to pick up plenty of software cheap from eBay.

Shaun.
 

Jessica Lares

macrumors G3
Oct 31, 2009
9,612
1,055
Near Dallas, Texas, USA
Here are a list of OS 9 compatible machines:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_9

There are some specific models of G4s that will run OS 9, the iMac G4 would be the quirkiest. :) But you have to find the right model.

The keyboards on the laptops are great. I would highly recommend one vs a desktop. I don't know if you still have CRT screens hanging around in your house, but I don't. So my beige desktop is just sitting here. The display connection is different to the studio displays Apple had for the G4 and G5 (well, I couldn't get mine to fit in there anyway :eek:).
 

Shaun.P

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 14, 2003
1,601
24
Omicron Persei 8
Here are a list of OS 9 compatible machines:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_9

There are some specific models of G4s that will run OS 9, the iMac G4 would be the quirkiest. :) But you have to find the right model.

The keyboards on the laptops are great. I would highly recommend one vs a desktop. I don't know if you still have CRT screens hanging around in your house, but I don't. So my beige desktop is just sitting here. The display connection is different to the studio displays Apple had for the G4 and G5 (well, I couldn't get mine to fit in there anyway :eek:).

Thanks for the advice! I don't even think that I want something as new as an iMac G4 (or even G3). I want something that reminds me of the mid-nineties.

Although I do love the look of the iMac G4 and it must run OS 9 extremely quickly...! Hmm!
 

smokeyrabbit

macrumors 6502
May 19, 2005
327
0
Escape from New England
Mid-90's is going to give you something like a tiny 640x480 display, no ethernet, 14.4k modem, no USB, boring beige cases. I remember using those "blazing fast" 75 Mhz PowerPC 603 machines and the one thing that stands out is that it was great to move up to the G3 and G4 because they were just so much faster especially with MacOS 9 and could connect to the outside world so much better.

If you're going to be printing, I would go with something like from a Blue & White G3 up to maybe the Gigabit G4 and get a nice ADC display. You can connect to your modern network by ethernet and possibly have a chance at printing right from your machine without the dance of exporting your file so that your newer machine can print it.

I can't imagine that any supplies, if available, for old LaserWriters are at all reasonably priced.
 

Shaun.P

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 14, 2003
1,601
24
Omicron Persei 8
Mid-90's is going to give you something like a tiny 640x480 display, no ethernet, 14.4k modem, no USB, boring beige cases. I remember using those "blazing fast" 75 Mhz PowerPC 603 machines and the one thing that stands out is that it was great to move up to the G3 and G4 because they were just so much faster especially with MacOS 9 and could connect to the outside world so much better.

If you're going to be printing, I would go with something like from a Blue & White G3 up to maybe the Gigabit G4 and get a nice ADC display. You can connect to your modern network by ethernet and possibly have a chance at printing right from your machine without the dance of exporting your file so that your newer machine can print it.

I can't imagine that any supplies, if available, for old LaserWriters are at all reasonably priced.

Thanks for all your useful advice. I can see you have some old Macs!

See the way I'm looking at this is that I only need the most basic machine as I am only going to use it for one task. I was thinking that for printer - using a floppy disk and connecting to my MBP via an external USB floppy disk drive (quite cheap to buy!). I am looking for a rustic experience here!
 

smokeyrabbit

macrumors 6502
May 19, 2005
327
0
Escape from New England
Thanks for all your useful advice. I can see you have some old Macs!

See the way I'm looking at this is that I only need the most basic machine as I am only going to use it for one task. I was thinking that for printer - using a floppy disk and connecting to my MBP via an external USB floppy disk drive (quite cheap to buy!). I am looking for a rustic experience here!

Oh, I don't have the really old ones anymore. I kept the Mac IIvx around in the closet but I don't know what ever became of it.

BTW Pages, Keynote, and Numbers will apparently open Appleworks files without too much fuss, so the USB floppy drive would be a quick way to print, assuming you have the iWork apps.
 

fortysomegeek

macrumors regular
Oct 9, 2012
248
1
how about emulation?

I run OS9 on a 2012 27" iMac through SheepShaver.

Yep, OS 9 on a 2560x1440 monitor.

I have networking and the printer saves out PDF files which is stored on a desktop folder of my OSX. You can set up shared folders easily.

Screen+Shot+2012-11-15+at+6.46.49+PM.png


iMacphoto.JPG


Screen+Shot+2012-11-15+at+6.19.33+PM.png
 

Shaun.P

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 14, 2003
1,601
24
Omicron Persei 8
how about emulation?

I run OS9 on a 2012 27" iMac through SheepShaver.

Yep, OS 9 on a 2560x1440 monitor.

I have networking and the printer saves out PDF files which is stored on a desktop folder of my OSX. You can set up shared folders easily.

Image

I did not know about this... I'll investigate it!
 

splitpea

macrumors 65816
Oct 21, 2009
1,133
395
Among the starlings
Mid-90's is going to give you something like a tiny 640x480 display, no ethernet, 14.4k modem, no USB, boring beige cases. I remember using those "blazing fast" 75 Mhz PowerPC 603 machines and the one thing that stands out is that it was great to move up to the G3 and G4 because they were just so much faster especially with MacOS 9 and could connect to the outside world so much better.

Actually, that's not necessarily true. I remember working on Macs in my high school desktop publishing lab in the mid-90's that had *tremendous* CRTs -- I think 21" 4x3 running at, if I had to guess, 1600x1200. That's more than enough for word processing.

That said, finding a compatible monitor for something that old could be a chore, and LCD is much easier on the eyes for extended periods.

If you're going to be printing, I would go with something like from a Blue & White G3 up to maybe the Gigabit G4 and get a nice ADC display. You can connect to your modern network by ethernet and possibly have a chance at printing right from your machine without the dance of exporting your file so that your newer machine can print it.

I agree. The blue and white's have plenty of cachet. Another option would be those colorful clamshell iBooks from that period.
 

Lil Chillbil

macrumors 65816
Jan 30, 2012
1,322
98
California
you can't get much more mid ninety's than a performa 6400/200 and even that machine with its big tower is bested by the slowest ibook g3,
 

LorenK

macrumors 6502
Dec 26, 2007
391
153
Illinois
I actually have a 6115 sitting in my closet with the monitor and keyboard, as well as a printer, though not sure the printer still works, the printer cartridges are likely old. I haven't booted it up in years, so I'd actually give it to you if you could figure out how I'd get it to you, I hate the idea of technology just getting trash canned.
 

JCsHands2

macrumors member
May 2, 2013
67
89
Maybe fastforward to the year 2000 and go with the Pismo? I still have the desire to buy one, max the RAM and buy a 500 Mhz Sonnet CPU upgrade.

I told my wife about this, just last week, she shook her head at me.
 

Shaun.P

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 14, 2003
1,601
24
Omicron Persei 8
Actually, that's not necessarily true. I remember working on Macs in my high school desktop publishing lab in the mid-90's that had *tremendous* CRTs -- I think 21" 4x3 running at, if I had to guess, 1600x1200. That's more than enough for word processing.

That said, finding a compatible monitor for something that old could be a chore, and LCD is much easier on the eyes for extended periods.



I agree. The blue and white's have plenty of cachet. Another option would be those colorful clamshell iBooks from that period.

You're the second person in this thread (and the third person in total) to recommend a Blue & White G3. I think I was hoping for more of a seamless setup rather than having to connect an external monitor.

you can't get much more mid ninety's than a performa 6400/200 and even that machine with its big tower is bested by the slowest ibook g3,

The speed isn't important to me as it will be just for word processing. A colleague of mine uses an Acorn Archimedes A3020 for a similar task!

I actually have a 6115 sitting in my closet with the monitor and keyboard, as well as a printer, though not sure the printer still works, the printer cartridges are likely old. I haven't booted it up in years, so I'd actually give it to you if you could figure out how I'd get it to you, I hate the idea of technology just getting trash canned.

That's very generous of you. However it is a long way to Omicron Persei 8 (Scotland)!

I am the same. I think it's nice to find a use for old technology.

Maybe fastforward to the year 2000 and go with the Pismo? I still have the desire to buy one, max the RAM and buy a 500 Mhz Sonnet CPU upgrade.

I told my wife about this, just last week, she shook her head at me.

I think I'd prefer a desktop - but thank you for the recommendation.


Is anyone here a ClarisWorks/AppleWorks fan? I truly think it's the best word processor I've ever used. So simple, yet with so much functionality. I find using it so much fun. I wished Apple just updated it. It has a lot more class than Pages / Numbers.

I am potentially considering an iMac G4, but unsure if it'll run OS 9.

What about this from 1993? Or this (what I used at school).
 

OLDCODGER

macrumors 6502a
Jul 27, 2011
959
399
Lucky Country
Is anyone here a ClarisWorks/AppleWorks fan? I truly think it's the best word processor I've ever used. So simple, yet with so much functionality. I find using it so much fun. I wished Apple just updated it. It has a lot more class than Pages / Numbers.

Yes, I am. Although I've updated to Bean, I still like to use my original WP files in Sheepshaver. As you say, simple, yet complete.
 

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
28,241
12,388
"I run OS9 on a 2012 27" iMac through SheepShaver.
Yep, OS 9 on a 2560x1440 monitor."

Could you point the way to a site(s) that explains how to do this?
That is, where to get the needed software, and how to install it?

The time I tried using Sheepshaver, it was "a bear" to set up.

A set of "layman's instructions" would help….
 

Shaun.P

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 14, 2003
1,601
24
Omicron Persei 8
I think it'll start collecting dust after a week or two. The old Macs are just a pain, use SheepShaver and work out your nostalgia bug (they don't last long).

Hey there,

Looked into SheepShaver but found it far too complicated to understand.

Think I'll use it quite a bit. If not, I've not wasted too much money!!!

Are these quite upgradable? Thinking of adding an additional 512MB of RAM for £10. Graphics worth updating?
 

fortysomegeek

macrumors regular
Oct 9, 2012
248
1
"I run OS9 on a 2012 27" iMac through SheepShaver.
Yep, OS 9 on a 2560x1440 monitor."

Could you point the way to a site(s) that explains how to do this?
That is, where to get the needed software, and how to install it?

The time I tried using Sheepshaver, it was "a bear" to set up.

A set of "layman's instructions" would help….

E-maculation.

http://emaculation.com/doku.php/sheepshaver
http://emaculation.com/doku.php/sheepshaver_mac_os_x_setup

There is a forum and some third party utility that allows you to make a VM with point-n-click as same as if you were doing VirtualBox.
In the prefs, the UNIX root is the shared folder. For example, I share my OSX desktop to drop files back and forth. There is also examples of how to get printing working.
 

Anonymous Freak

macrumors 603
Dec 12, 2002
5,559
1,246
Cascadia
For quite a while, even up to about 2007, I used a PowerBook 100 for word processing. Running off a RAM disk, the battery lasted about 8 hours, and was dead silent.

I also used a PowerBook Duo 2300c for time tracking, quote and receipt printing for my on-site business (with a Color StyleWriter 2200 to print.)


If you want the ultimate "type on an old Mac in style" computer, find a Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh. It was the height of late '90s chic.

If you don't want an LCD, then you want to make sure to get a CRT with a high refresh rate. Old CRTs are hard on the eyes at lower refresh rates. Of course, a large one with a high refresh rate will be a power hog, too.

If you want REALLY retro, find an old Apple Portrait Display. Nice vertical (portrait) orientation, purely grayscale (so even an old one won't have any color separation issues, and grayscale is plenty for word processing,) and a decent 75 Hz refresh rate.
 

mammakeegs

macrumors newbie
May 8, 2013
1
0
got an old mac

hate to give up old macs myself, got an blue and white in the closet
interested? email me
Carol
 

D*I*S_Frontman

macrumors 6502
May 20, 2002
461
28
Appleton,WI
+1 for the Pismo.

That was a fantastic machine. Two swappable bays for double the battery life if you didn't need the optical drive, sexiest laptop shape ever ("BatMan's Laptop"), decent screen. Expandable to a gig of RAM, could run OS X just fine, and I often used mine with an external monitor. It was the pinnacle of Apple's pre-aluminum laptop design.

If only they had MagSafe connectors for their adapters! A clumsy swing of my black lab's tail sent mine crashing to the hardwood floor of my kitchen, destroying the display. Sold it on eBay for parts and the guy who bought it had a screen and fixed it--probably still in use right now. I know I'd be using it for writing today if it hadn't been smashed.

If you want great retro Mac vibe with enduring productivity, take another close look at the Pismo. Sexiest laptop ever.
 
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