Upgrading a G3 to a G4...

Let's see depending what model of G3 imac you have your machine could currently be worth at least $250-$500. Seeing how you could sell your machine for say $300 and apply that $300 you would have spent for this upgrade you will be left with $600 for a new computer if you decide to sell this machine. You can get a brand new 1.25Ghz emac for $799 that's just $200 more, however you get 750 more Mhz plus a faster Graphics chipset with two to four times the amount of VRAM, bigger monitor, probably bigger internal HD plus Combo drive, USB 2.0 etc etc. I suggest you dump your machine and get an emac. Spending $300 on an obsolete imac to make it slightly less obsolete is a waste when you can get a brand new machine for just a couple hundred bucks more. Upgrading PowerMacs can make sense sometimes however upgrading an imac is really not worth it beyond adding more RAM and airport Card.

Little Endian said:

You can get a brand new 1.25Ghz emac for $799 that's just $200 more, however you get 750 more Mhz plus a faster Graphics chipset with two to four times the amount of VRAM, bigger monitor, probably bigger internal HD plus Combo drive, USB 2.0 etc etc.

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and refurb ones are a hundred bucks less than that. I agree, upgrading an iMac is rarely worth while. Either it does what you need already (my 233 mhz iMac does what I need just fine thank you), or you want a new computer.

That's a lot of money to go from 400mhz to 500mhz. I don't think you'll even notice the difference. And it will do bugger all to help your installation troubles. Upgrade processors often cause install problems themselves.

If you want to install OS X on that iMac but are having troubles then post about what the troubles are and we'll get it sorted out. That machine ought to run it beautifully.

If this was a plug and play upgrade, I would say it could help you a lot. Alti-Vec does help with many OS X functions. However, in many things it does not, and you would only gain 100 mhz.

I concur with the others that your best bet it to sell the current machine, pick up a refurb or used eMac. You get a nicer screen, better optical drive, better video, faster chip for slightly more money.

The idea of a hack job upgrade is never a great idea. I am sure it works fine, but you are in a bind if it does not. I did a similar update to an old Mac Plus back in the day and it was a nightmare.

www.smalldog.com and many others have a good inventory of used eMacs and check the Apple store under specials.

shmengie said:

hi.

i'm thinking of doing this upgrade so i can upgrade to osx. anyone have any experience with this company or input on whether it's even worth it? (i know i can run osx on a g3, but i've been having problems installing.)

thx.

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