How did you get into PowerPC Macs?

[eyoungren]

Speaking on division between generations…

My first serious computer, one that I actually devoted time to and used a lot, was the Commodore 64. I got it when I was 14, but it was only when I turned 15 that computers became a part of me. And that's where this generational divide thing came in to play.

I was 15, and I lived in the boonies. Gavin may understand this, but when the nearest mall or bookstore is 45 minutes away by car…well…anyway. My area did happen to have a local user group. It was simply a computer user group. Whatever computer you had the group met and talked about things and supported all computers. Including the Commodore 64. The group also had a BBS (Bulletin Board System).

This group had adults and teens and everyone helped each other. The BBS opened the world of communication to me and allowed me to leave the room I was in with my computer. At any point these adults in the group could have hacked us all down for knowing nothing and that might have been the end of it for me. But they supported all us teens, encouraged us and helped.

Later, I bought a 1200 baud Hayes modem from a friend running a local BBS in my area. This guy was 60 at the time. He also sold me my first PC. Encouraged the hell out of me and all the rest of the teens on his BBS. I'm forever grateful to him because, again, he could have cut all of us down.

So, these two experiences are why I try to encourage everyone else and help. Cutting down the younger generation slices your own self off at the knees. Who's there to carry on when you're gone? Pass on the knowlege, pass on the passion.

Just my take on this.

 

[nineteen73]

My earliest memories of Apple were right after the watching Tron (1982). I was in third grade and would run around the playground emulating a LightCycle, with pencil gripped horizontally in both hands, hunched over, making voooooom, whaaaaamp sound effects. We had a computer lab that we would visit every so often, when I first had my experience with anytime of computing whatsoever. The system was an Apple IIe. Ofcourse, in terms of gaming, we owned Pong and later, the Atari 2600 system. Then shortly after fourth grade, I never really saw another computer again, until one day, I went over to my aunt's house, and on her table was a Macintosh Plus.

However, my Apple days were over when my parents purchased a Tandy 1000 and later, a Commodore Vic 20, which I had saved up for with my allowance. From this point on, I had grown up solely on DOS and Win 3.1+ computers up until now, at Windows 8.1.

My run in with Mac and PPC didn't come till a few weeks ago when I bought a an iBook G4 (1.2ghz) for my son because his Acer laptop monitor no longer worked. At $50, I figured the iBook would be a quick and easy replacement for the mean time. Then one day my son mentioned that certain applications were missing like, Safari, iTunes, and System Preferences. So I decided to buy Leopard on eBay and so a clean install for him. Incidentally, ran into a killer deal while searching for the OS, and ended up also purchasing two more identical iBook G4s for daughter and myself, for only $60.

Since then, I've fallen in love with my lil PPC. I've been using it to web browse, pay bills, and retrieve emails. My son is also enamored with his iBook and seems really motivated to get through his senior year of high school with it.

As such, I've become a convert to Mac computing, and may even go so far and purchase my first iPhone next year. The jury still out, but I think they'll reach a verdict quickly.

 

[Intelligent]

Try an intel mac and you will love your mac 100x times more, it has better specs and modern software

 

[tampasteve]

I bought my first iBook G4 off of Amazon refurbished (it looked great, almost new) in the summer of 2012. That got me interested in PPC Macs and since then I have bought probably close to 50 to repair and sell on Ebay or Craigslist.

I have Intel Macs as well, we have a 2009 Mac Mini and iMac Core Duo at home and I work with a Mac Pro 1.1 as my main machine at work. However, the PPC machines just have something about them, something different. This, along with the low cost, keeps me coming back. Right now I am fixing up a couple of PowerBook G4 machines. I will keep one for fun, they are just still such solid and good looking computers.

 

[Altemose]

Try an intel mac and you will love your mac 100x times more, it has better specs and modern software

We know your viewpoint on PowerPC Macs so I do not understand why you continually post useless posts about how our machines are lesser than yours.

 

[repentix]

Try an intel mac and you will love your mac 100x times more, it has better specs and modern software

I have got an Intel hackintosh, and I prefer using my G5 because its got a soul. My Intel hack seems like its soul less

 

[Intelligent]

We know your viewpoint on PowerPC Macs so I do not understand why you continually post useless posts about how our machines are lesser than yours.

Lesser than mine? I already have a bunch of PowerPCs including TAM, iMacs, iBooks and PowerBooks. But yes, they are lesser than my intel computer because

1. It doesn't run a modern OS.
2. It has less and slower RAM, HD, Graphics, CPU etc.
3. It doesn't have modern connections like USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2.
4. It has less modern software
5. They are less supported, its hard to get your PPC fixed (i do it, actually)
6. They are old, they brake easier if they are not already broken.

Of course you're allowed to use a PowerPC if you want to, but claiming that you hate Apple because your PowerPC computer is slow is stupid, they are old and of course they are slow, just like any other computer from 1991-2006.

Some people that try Apple computers in 2014 start with PowerPC, and then claim that they hate Apple just because the computer was slow, didn't run modern software etc. Basically they are comparing a ancient piece of history to a modern computer, of course its going to be slower.

I have got an Intel hackintosh, and I prefer using my G5 because its got a soul. My Intel hack seems like its soul less

Try a Mac Pro from 2007-2012. It looks EXACTLY the same as a Powermac G5, you will notice no difference on the outside. If the Powermac G5 feels like its "got a "soul"" then a Mac Pro will too, because the only difference is another motherboard, cpu and better specs.

 

[Intell]

Try a Mac Pro from 2007-2012. It looks EXACTLY the same as a Powermac G5, you will notice no difference on the outside. If the Powermac G5 feels like its "got a "soul"" then a Mac Pro will too, because the only difference is another motherboard, cpu and better specs.

Mac Pros and G5's do have one very noticeable difference. G5's have one optical drive slot, Mac Pros have two and that's only on the front of the machine. The rear is very different. A much more identical pair of machines would be the iSight G5 iMac and the white Intell iMacs. Those are almost identical except for the video out port, mini-VGA and mini-DVI.

 

[Intelligent]

Mac Pros and G5's do have one very noticeable difference. G5's have one optical drive slot, Mac Pros have two and that's only on the front of the machine. The rear is very different. A much more identical pair of machines would be the iSight G5 iMac and the white Intell iMacs. Those are almost identical except for the video out port, mini-VGA and mini-DVI.

Yeah, but i don't think that the position of the Optical Drive gives it its "soul".

 

[Intell]

Yeah, but i don't think that the position of the Optical Drive gives it its "soul".

The G5 line up isn't really known for its designs as they are shared with early Intell machines. Primarily it's the G4 and G3 lineup that is known for their designs

 

[Altemose]

Lesser than mine? I already have a bunch of PowerPCs including TAM, iMacs, iBooks and PowerBooks. But yes, they are lesser than my intel computer because

1. It doesn't run a modern OS.
2. It has less and slower RAM, HD, Graphics, CPU etc.
3. It doesn't have modern connections like USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2.
4. It has less modern software
5. They are less supported, its hard to get your PPC fixed (i do it, actually)
6. They are old, they brake easier if they are not already broken.

Of course you're allowed to use a PowerPC if you want to, but claiming that you hate Apple because your PowerPC computer is slow is stupid, they are old and of course they are slow, just like any other computer from 1991-2006.

Some people that try Apple computers in 2014 start with PowerPC, and then claim that they hate Apple just because the computer was slow, didn't run modern software etc. Basically they are comparing a ancient piece of history to a modern computer, of course its going to be slower.



Try a Mac Pro from 2007-2012. It looks EXACTLY the same as a Powermac G5, you will notice no difference on the outside. If the Powermac G5 feels like its "got a "soul"" then a Mac Pro will too, because the only difference is another motherboard, cpu and better specs.

Are we telling people to go out and buy a PPC as their first Mac? No! We help those who are in this community with their existing Macs and other Macs and give honest opinions on the matter. We do not need every other post of yours saying "Go Get An Intel Mac!". It is pointless and is not the point of this forum.

I have both Intels and PPC and I love them both. Is the Intel faster? Absolutely, but the PPC have their purposes. To address your list I will run it down.

1. Duh! They are at the very least eight years old...
2. Duh! They are at the very least eight years old...
3. Duh! They are at the very least eight years old...
4. Duh! They are at the very least eight years old...
5. Duh! They are at the very least eight years old... parts are cheap though!
6. They are well built machines and you spell "brake" as break.

There are many outside differences between a Pro and G5. G5s have one optical slot where as the Pro has two. The Pro has two USB and two FireWire on the front while G5s only have one USB and one FireWire. There is one large exhaust fan on a Pro compared to two on a G5. The PSU is also in a different location.

I get the impression that (if you are even 18 yet) you would trade in a 1996 Lincoln Town Car for a 2014 Corolla just because it is "new".

 

[Intelligent]

The G5 line up isn't really known for its designs as they are shared with early Intell machines. Primarily it's the G4 and G3 lineup that is known for their designs

Yep, i like the both of their designs, and the "special" G4 Cube. It has a very Intelligent (lol) design

I get the impression that (if you are even 18 yet) you would trade in a 1996 Lincoln Town Car for a 2014 Corolla just because it is "new".

I really dont know much about cars, so i don't know if i would, BUT theres a bigger difference between cars and computers. The roads are designed for almost any car, but the software/parts are designed for a computer from at least 2008-2014.

 

[gavinstubbs09]

In the attempt to keep the PowerPC platform out there and continue to keep people on these machines is the reason I have a few projects I work on such as the PowerPC Archive and PowerPC Centré. To be honest what I use my G5 for is Photoshop CS4 and LineIn. 720p plays fine on my G5, and my internet is too ****ty to stream anything better than 720p so if I wanted to play 1080p I could but I would need to wait a long ass time to buffer and even when I use my MBP everything is still 720p so what's the big difference.

For our age group it's typical to find people gaming on consoles rather than computers and for what we need a computer for a PPC is fine. Very few 16/17 year olds require the power a Mac Pro pushes out to be a facebook machine. My iBook can be a facebook machine without an issue. Hardly any difference between CS4 and CS6, just a darker design. Functionality is damn near the same.

Please explain why Intel is a base requirement these days for something a PowerPC machine can do just fine

 

[2984839]

Lesser than mine? I already have a bunch of PowerPCs including TAM, iMacs, iBooks and PowerBooks. But yes, they are lesser than my intel computer because

1. It doesn't run a modern OS. My PowerBook's OS was released this morning
2. It has less and slower RAM, HD, Graphics, CPU etc. Still enough to do what I ask of it
3. It doesn't have modern connections like USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2. Don't care, I never use them
4. It has less modern softwareBut it has all the software I need
5. They are less supported, its hard to get your PPC fixed (i do it, actually) As you said, you can do this yourself
6. They are old, they brake easier if they are not already broken. Meh, I have never had anything break and they are so cheap I could just buy another one if I had to

Of course you're allowed to use a PowerPC if you want to, but claiming that you hate Apple because your PowerPC computer is slow is stupid, they are old and of course they are slow, just like any other computer from 1991-2006.

Some people that try Apple computers in 2014 start with PowerPC, and then claim that they hate Apple just because the computer was slow, didn't run modern software etc. Basically they are comparing a ancient piece of history to a modern computer, of course its going to be slower.



Try a Mac Pro from 2007-2012. It looks EXACTLY the same as a Powermac G5, you will notice no difference on the outside. If the Powermac G5 feels like its "got a "soul"" then a Mac Pro will too, because the only difference is another motherboard, cpu and better specs.

Usage matters. The PowerBook is fine for my usage, and it is still my main computer despite having an Intel MBP.

 

[Intelligent]

Very few 16/17 year olds require the power a Mac Pro pushes out to be a facebook machine.

Mac Pro isn't the only intel machine.

Usage matters. The PowerBook is fine for my usage, and it is still my main computer despite having an Intel MBP.

I never said that YOU MUST USE THEM! I simply explained why they are lesser than an intel! because someone said that they weren't so i responded.

 

[eyoungren]

I simply explained why they are lesser than an intel! because someone said that they weren't so i responded.

Just curious why something is "lesser" to you if it isn't modern?

Do you equate better with modern or current?

I can think of a lot of things that are modern but are considerably "lesser" than other things.
I can think of a lot of things that are modern but cannot do at all what I need or want them to do.

If something does what you need it to do (or want it to do), but is not modern, is it then by your standard "lesser" even if a modern thing can't do what the "lesser" thing can?

 

[128keaton]

Just curious why something is "lesser" to you if it isn't modern?

Do you equate better with modern or current?

I can think of a lot of things that are modern but are considerably "lesser" than other things.
I can think of a lot of things that are modern but cannot do at all what I need or want them to do.

If something does what you need it to do (or want it to do), but is not modern, is it then by your standard "lesser" even if a modern thing can't do what the "lesser" thing can?

Heck yes! I drive my '53 Chevrolet because, due to its lack of power brakes (not breaks lol) and power steering, i feel like I have a better connection to the road. You can definitely compare some cars to computers! My trucks parts are cheap, but parts from modern Chevrolet's don't fit/work. Its no where near as fast/efficient as a modern machine, but guess what, its easy as hell to fix. Need a ring job? Pull the valve cover, intakes, exaust, carburetors, valve covers, push rods, and remove the heads. Bam, access to the pistons. The head gets cracked? New head is cheap as dirt.

 

[gavinstubbs09]

Mac Pro isn't the only intel machine.



I never said that YOU MUST USE THEM! I simply explained why they are lesser than an intel! because someone said that they weren't so i responded.

Please don't come to the PowerPC sub forum spreading the word about intel

 

[2984839]

Mac Pro isn't the only intel machine.



I never said that YOU MUST USE THEM! I simply explained why they are lesser than an intel! because someone said that they weren't so i responded.

My point is that usage still makes a big difference as to whether a PPC is a lesser computer or not. If a computer gives me exactly what I want, then it's hard to see how it's lesser than anything else.

 

[Altemose]

My point is that usage still makes a big difference as to whether a PPC is a lesser computer or not. If a computer gives me exactly what I want, then it's hard to see how it's lesser than anything else.

My iMac G3 style Apple keyboard does what I want. Does that make it lesser than an aluminum wireless keyboard?

I totally agree with your point.

 

[jrsx]

My point is that usage still makes a big difference as to whether a PPC is a lesser computer or not. If a computer gives me exactly what I want, then it's hard to see how it's lesser than anything else.

Totally agree with your point. My PowerBook is my main driver, although there are several more powerful PCs in my house.

 

[roadbloc]

My point is that usage still makes a big difference as to whether a PPC is a lesser computer or not. If a computer gives me exactly what I want, then it's hard to see how it's lesser than anything else.

Agreed. I can still use my iMac G4 for all of my Office and web browsing stuff. But for gaming, I use my PC.

 

[Intelligent]

Now this thread turned into an anti-me thread. I just said to a guy that a Mac Pro has better specs than a PowerMac G5. Im leaving this thread and this is my last post in this thread.

 

[Altemose]

Now this thread turned into an anti-me thread. I just said to a guy that a Mac Pro has better specs than a PowerMac G5. Im leaving this thread and this is my last post in this thread.

It does not take much to figure out that a machine at least two years newer has better specs than the old one...

 

[gavinstubbs09]

Now this thread turned into an anti-me thread. I just said to a guy that a Mac Pro has better specs than a PowerMac G5. Im leaving this thread and this is my last post in this thread.

Appreciate it. Thanks man! Don't say intel is 100x better in a place where we discuss PowerPC.