What is your PowerPC Mac used for now?

[tampasteve]

I use my iBooks as basic notebooks and the PowerMac G4 is used for basic computing. Nothing fancy, but as basic computers one cannot beat the combination of price and functionality, not to mention style.

[ftored]

Originally Posted by aajeevlin

Thanks. I have been thinking to put 10.4.11 back into that machine. I would like to use it for paper writing (Tex) and reading. I glad dropbox is there. Maybe I will put Tiger back into it. Besides that, I have to find a used fan to put into the machine, as the fan on my Powerbook is extremely loud.

Funny you should mention the fan thing. I posted 3 days ago about the fact that i broke the fan connector off the motherboard and i need somehow to solder it back. Or find some other method for cooling it sufficiently.

I can't remember if the dropbox updates or which version runs, as i had it installed a long time ago, but i know that it syncs correctly. with tiger the performance is great and can't really tell that is a ten year old machine

[aajeevlin]

Originally Posted by ftored

Funny you should mention the fan thing. I posted 3 days ago about the fact that i broke the fan connector off the motherboard and i need somehow to solder it back. Or find some other method for cooling it sufficiently.

I can't remember if the dropbox updates or which version runs, as i had it installed a long time ago, but i know that it syncs correctly. with tiger the performance is great and can't really tell that is a ten year old machine

The fan has been the biggest issue so far (other then the dented corner). Just purchased a used replacement, we'll see how that works out.

[JaguarGod]

Well, I am saddened to say that the only PPC Macs I have left are my upgraded G4 Sawtooth and my G5 Quad. But both of them now are in storage. I cannot seem to get rid of the G4 because I love the way it looks. The color scheme and the tower along with the matching 15" LCD just look great together. As far as the G5, I want to use it for something, but what?

[SimonUK5]

I have a PowerBook G3 Lombard which i'm still kinda half waiting to get a hard drive cable for. Once i have that, i'll probably sell it or keep it around incase i ever need something just to get some writing done on.

I have a 400Mhz PowerMac G4 underneath my desk as well, which i'm keeping incase i run into any older studio hardware that i can't run with my MacbookPro.

Simon

[powermi]

ill post my setup to give a example.
My loved 12" ibook is docked to my TV and my HiFi speakers, as my media Streamer.
the powerbook 15" is my main surft machine with Linux inside.
a powemac g4 is my media server, and timemachine backup for the rest of computers.
another powermac is my prefered computer for photo editing.

i also have two more powermacs for spares, another ibook 14" and two x86 computers, one for gaming.

i dont mind if my x86 conmputers are faster, i prefer to work with POWERPC computers. and i still invest money in them. i know that they are tanks and will live forever.

[SaberBlock]

I've just got back into using a 2.3Ghz G5 as my main machine (felt like a change after a few years of Windows 7) - with the exception of video streaming there's nothing it seems to have any problems with (and even then it's down to being unsupported as oppose to having a lack of horsepower).

Will probably upgrade to 4GB of RAM (it's only £30 after all) and then wait until we get a Haswell Mini... then finally transition over to Intel (yeah, yeah I know... that'll probably be in 18 months!)

With the exception of online banking (I get worried about lack of security updates - not sure if this is founded or not?!) and video streaming (Netflix, YouTube, iPlayer etc..) I have no need for anything else. I keep the iPad next to the second monitor for anything the PPC doesn't like (or anything I don't like the PPC doing!) so don't feel like I'm missing out on anything!

[powermi]

the problem with the security matters is just with osx 10.5 and early, my advice: put another HDD in your machine and install Lubuntu, Mint or Debian. and keep Osx for non internet activity.

[ihuman:D]

Originally Posted by powermi

the problem with the security matters is just with osx 10.5 and early, my advice: put another HDD in your machine and install Lubuntu, Mint or Debian. and keep Osx for non internet activity.

If your not doing anything serious (e.g. banking) then you could just use the newest WebKit with Safari or other WebKit browsers that just embed WebKit and rely on the system installed version or use TenFourFox or AuroraFox.

[MisterKeeks]

Originally Posted by SaberBlock

I've just got back into using a 2.3Ghz G5 as my main machine (felt like a change after a few years of Windows 7) - with the exception of video streaming there's nothing it seems to have any problems with (and even then it's down to being unsupported as oppose to having a lack of horsepower).

Will probably upgrade to 4GB of RAM (it's only £30 after all) and then wait until we get a Haswell Mini... then finally transition over to Intel (yeah, yeah I know... that'll probably be in 18 months!)

With the exception of online banking (I get worried about lack of security updates - not sure if this is founded or not?!) and video streaming (Netflix, YouTube, iPlayer etc..) I have no need for anything else. I keep the iPad next to the second monitor for anything the PPC doesn't like (or anything I don't like the PPC doing!) so don't feel like I'm missing out on anything!

Have you tried the modified flash plugin or XBMC for I player, clicktoplugin for general browsing.

[Christine1234]

The PowerPC G5 is my main computer. The grape iMac G3 is my backup and occasionally used for watching DVD's. The slot loading Bondi G3 gets used once in a while for fun. The eMac G4 is sitting waiting for me to change out a capacitor. The 7600/132 runs OS 8 and is used as a stand-alone for documents and OS 8 educational software. I like it that way and don't plan to put a newer OS on it. I'm trying to fix a Flower Power iMac G3, and the SE runs System 6 and gets used for documents.

The Windows laptop gets used for a doorstop.

[Nameci]

Originally Posted by Christine1234

The PowerPC G5 is my main computer. The grape iMac G3 is my backup and occasionally used for watching DVD's. The slot loading Bondi G3 gets used once in a while for fun. The eMac G4 is sitting waiting for me to change out a capacitor. The 7600/132 runs OS 8 and is used as a stand-alone for documents and OS 8 educational software. I like it that way and don't plan to put a newer OS on it. I'm trying to fix a Flower Power iMac G3, and the SE runs System 6 and gets used for documents.

The Windows laptop gets used for a doorstop.

Pretty nice use for your windows laptop right there.

[roadbloc]

I still use my iMac G4 for writing and music playing. And frying eggs upon in the morning.

[gr8tfly]

Still running a B&W PM G3 as a mail and web server (OS X Server 10.2). It's been running virtually 24/7 for the last 10 years.

I also have a PM G4 933 GHz running Leopard Server that I will eventually use in place of the G3.

[tigerintank]

Right now I use my imac g5 mainly to play music and occasionally music videos. Sitting at a desk is a bit of a problem due to a leg injury, so I cant use the imac for anything else just now.

Use my intel macbook for all other stuff - internet/mail/work/docs etc

[mrchinchilla]

With me having been away from them consistently for the past three years, they do nothing but gather dust.

[SkyBell]

My eMac has definitely taken on less of a daily role since I purchased a MacBook, but it still gets a good bit of use for nearly everything I do. Right now, I am listening to iTunes, chatting on AIM and creating this post on it.

[snarfquest]

My father is still using my old 8100/100 to run his HO Model train layout.

[MacMadness]

Using 3 PowerMac G5's (Dual 1.8ghz and 2 Dual 2.0ghz(8Gbs of ram in each) and a 2003 1.25ghz 20" imac (2Gb ram) all running OS X10.5.8/itunes 10.1/Puremusic with 4TB external HD's serving up aiff files in various listening rooms around the house.

Music files range from 44.100khz CD rips to 24/192khz pristine vinyl rips.

Typical set up is Mac>>M2Tech Hiface>>Monarchy 24/96 Dip>>Monarchy 48/96 upsampler>>DAC>> tube buffer>>out to amps.

They all perform flawlessly and the music is audiophile quality. And I still get to enjoy my old Power PPC's which I hope to never part with.

[powermi]

WOW! nice setup. for what do you use the G5? for storage/server?
the imac g4 is a great option if you need a silent machine on your studio.

[ihuman:D]

I wish I had a 20", I have a 17".

[MacMadness]

Originally Posted by powermi

WOW! nice setup. for what do you use the G5? for storage/server?
the imac g4 is a great option if you need a silent machine on your studio.

Thanks for the kind comments.
The G5's (and imac run OSX/itunes/and the Puremusic software which attaches itself and overides itunes as the digital source software. The music sounds much smoother with a larger soundstage and better detail
compared with itunes.

It stores each track in memory during playback and requires a minimum of 2 GB of ram (but runs much better with 4-8GB) especially when processing 24/192Khz files. It really does an amazing job at capturing nuances in the music that are lacking in itunes.

There are are other software programs such as Audirvana Plus and Amarra which are arguably a notch above Pure Music but require 2008 and newer Intel Macs to run.

The beauty of PureMusic is I can use it seamlessly between 10.5.8 (PPC or Intel) and 10.6.8 (Intel) and it works equally as well on both platforms with itunes 10.1 as the server.

It took about 2 years to collect, convert and compile all the metadata and album art for 3.6GB of music that resides on the 4TB external drives. Of course none of it its compatible with the newer crappy, bloated IOS infested horror show that poses as itunes these days, so I will be sticking with the current hardware/software configuration for the foreseeable future.

It all works so well, so there's no reason go tearing it all apart.

Here's a couple more pics of Computer based stereo porn. (a couple of the rooms utilize ipods for 44.100 Khz playback though wadia docks but that's a story for a different thread....