Tiger On an iBook G3?

[Frankf300]

Yes, yes...I know; I tried the search function already, I tried google, but still couldn't find the info I was looking for. Anyway, I have a G3 iBook (specs listed in sig) and was wondering how you guys felt about running Tiger on it. I've read about a lot of iBooks running Tiger including clamshells, but none of my processor speed or RAM. So, does anyone have experience with running Tiger on a set up like mine or very similar to mine? For that model obviously you guys know everything is at the max...fastest iBook model available for the G3 and maxed ram at 640mb. Only thing left I could do is throw in a bigger hard drive, which by the way...what's your take on that, worth it?

Everything runs real smooth under Panther and as far as I'm concerned it's a tried and true OS X, but considering I can get Tiger straight from Apple for less than $70 with student discount I've been seriously considering it. Is Panther the peak OS for this iBook? Or will Tiger be faster and more stable on this system? I hear Leopard will most likely be dropping G3 support so that's why I'm curious as to how you guys think my iBook will handle Tiger.

For now I can't see myself going for a new system. I'll most likely wait until my iBook dies and than pick up either an iMac or Macbook, if there still around when it dies . For now the G3 is more than enough for me, basically only Safari, iTunes, Mail, Viewing Photos and videos, and writing papers. Will things be OK in Tiger running these types of Apps? Being one of the many Windows switchers I just love using OS X since it's so smooth and stable, I don't even pay attention when it lags a little because I know my Windows would have exploded . So, with what I have...what do you think, is it worth getting Tiger? I wouldn't mind some widgets .

 

[GimmeSlack12]

You searched the forums and couldn't find anything? Dude, there is a thread on "Will this Mac run Tiger OK?" every week or so.... anyway.

Yes it will run just fine. G3's are still fully supported by Tiger. So go nutz!

 

[sturigdson]

had a 500mhz G3 [the first white model] ibook for almost 3 years. I had been running Tiger on it since at least a year ago. the HD died on it earlier this year, but that's not software related.

I will tell you that I had less RAM and a slower processor, and I was very surprised by tiger. You want to do a custom install- get rid of unwanted printer and language files, etc, and you definitely need the RAM you've got in it, but it was quite zippy for a 5 year old laptop. I miss my ibook, really.

The other thing I'd say is that your typical uses will dictate a lot of how the system feels- do you use RAM intensive programs? Do you just surf and write, etc? Do you do heavy photoshopping, or multitasking? the more work, the slower the OS became, in my experience. It's an obvious comment, but you can really feel it become bogged down in the older machines.

 

[Frankf300]

The only thing that I'm a little worried about is the fact that I don't have the original Panther discs that came with the computer. So, if I found that Tiger didn't go as I wanted, I'd have to go and spend the money tracking down a retail copy of Panther. For me, it basically is only browsing, e-mail, and writing, but iTunes is also one of the first icons I click on. I was considering doing some light iPhoto or iMovie work in the future,but I may hold off until this dies and I get a better setup. Also, how well does Dashboard and Spotlight run?

 

[Frankf300]

Didn't mean to bring this topic back up, but I didn't think it was right to start a new thread. I thought of a few more questions after I left the Apple store today and spoke with a Mac Specialist. I got the itch to get Tiger after seeing that awesome little box with that silver X lol. From the things I've read it seems that Tiger will run just fine for what I would use it for, including Widgets, Expose, and Spotlight. After playing around with Tiger on an iMac at the Apple Store I realized there are a bit of differences between Panther and Tiger. My biggest concern is that fact that I don't have the Panther disks for my iBook. Is there any possible way to somehow preserve Panther so that if I find Tiger is not so smooth, I can go back to Panther? This is mainly the only thing that is holding me back from going to Tiger. Or should I just trust in Tiger and know that it will run smoothly on my iBook? I've actually read in some places that people claimed that Tiger ran just as good if not better than Panther while doing simple tasks including having Dashboard running.

My other question...what would be the best way to install Tiger on my iBook? I know there are a few different ways, but being new to OS X I'm not sure what would be the best way to go about it. I'd like to preserve all my files if possible. Considering I've only been using the iBook for about 6 months I don't think there can be that many lingering preference files, etc. These 2 factors are what's holding me back right now, help me clear them up lol. Thanks!

 

[FJ218700]

Personally I would wait two months Leopard (but I don't know if we are 100% sure that G3's will be supported). Even then, it sounds like Leopard may be overkill for your particular needs (or computer).

Second, I prefer clean installs, but I always first sync exisiting systems with an external FW drive booted into a partition containing the system mirroring the particular computer I am updating. However, in the few cases that I have merely updated without a clean install, I have not once had a problem with losing any data or personalized settings that I can recall.

 

[zap2]

Yes, as said people all ready said in this thread will run fine...as for waiting for 10.5, I wouldn't. My bet is if G3 are supported with 10.5, it will be really be taxing the poor thing.

Atleast that what it looks like from the previews. Also G3 support was talked about on Apple's site, saying somethng along the lines of "Every thing from G3 to Intel(maybe Core Duo, not sure), but it was removed. Leading me to believe G3 support might not be there.

10.4 or even 10.3 are your best bets for speed and features.

 

[Shoeguy]

Yup

I had one of these. Gave it to my daughter, but upgraded it to X4.9 and it works great.
Nice rugged little machine.