How do I get a Powerbook G4 up to speed?

[Eric S.]

Eh, I'd still go with Tiger. I know the OP's PowerBook is faster then my old 1.33 GHz iBook G4, but when I ran Leopard on that thing even with maxed out RAM, it just wasn't satisfactory.

How much RAM did you have, maxed out? His PB also has a slightly faster system bus than your iBook, but I can say that on my PowerMac G4 (see sig for details) even with a slower CPU and system bus I cannot see any performance difference between Tiger and Leopard.

There is one reason to choose Tiger over Leopard, and that is if you need to run Classic mode for anything.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Not a bad idea.

I think my PB will only take pc2700 ram. But correct me if I'm wrong. I like saving money.

Yes. But PC3200 400mhz will work too. I got a 1gb pc3200 in mine. They are also usually cheaper so you will save money there too . Just look around as they usually have rebates attached to them. Expect to pay $25-$40 for a good name-brand1gb stick.

I've ran Leopard on my 1gb iBooks and it ran no better than Tiger did. I even dual booted both OS's and never had any problems with either. Leopard is just more compatible with everything and is much prettier .

 

[Dizzler]

New HDD

I would recommend maxing out the RAM and getting a faster HDD while at it (which in that case would probably be ATA).

My old 2005 PowerBook is wonderful except that it still has the factory 80 Gb drive in it. I'd love to install a larger drive, but I was under the impression that there was a maximum size that I could use for this machine. Or was it the limitations of the OS? Running 10.4.11 and not planning to go higher with this machine.

 

[Gabriel GR]

My old 2005 PowerBook is wonderful except that it still has the factory 80 Gb drive in it. I'd love to install a larger drive, but I was under the impression that there was a maximum size that I could use for this machine. Or was it the limitations of the OS? Running 10.4.11 and not planning to go higher with this machine.

I think that you are limited only by the availability of IDE drives these days since Apple started using SATA with the Macbook line. Search about HDD upgrades in your laptop. If the limit doesn't exist, I know that WD makes a 320GB one that will be a huge upgrade over yours.

 

[powerbook911]

My old 2005 PowerBook is wonderful except that it still has the factory 80 Gb drive in it. I'd love to install a larger drive, but I was under the impression that there was a maximum size that I could use for this machine. Or was it the limitations of the OS? Running 10.4.11 and not planning to go higher with this machine.

The real difficulty is it's just a difficult process to open it up on the old machines.

 

[gnr319]

I am running a 1.42 GHz iBook G4.

I have 1.5gb of ram and running tiger (greatest mac os ever?)

I love it.

 

[Dizzler]

Replacing and old HD on PowerBook G4

Well, I just looked on the ifixit.com website for the instructions for doing this and all I have to say is fuggetaboutit. You have to remove like 40 screws in a certain order, take off the keyboard and other stuff. Too complicated for me: even with my small fingers I'd probably trash something.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Well, I just looked on the ifixit.com website for the instructions for doing this and all I have to say is fuggetaboutit. You have to remove like 40 screws in a certain order, take off the keyboard and other stuff. Too complicated for me: even with my small fingers I'd probably trash something.

I can do it for you if you like. Just pay to ship your PB and new hard drive and also pay for return shipping. I'd even clone your existing drive over to the new one for you so you get everything back the way you left... just with a lot more space .

Just PM me for details.