Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How long until our G4s become obsolete?
- Thread starter WillMak
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It'll be obsolete around the latter half of this year, but should be able to keep up with Apple's software for at least another 1.5-2 years.
Daveway said:
Well, I am hoping that they keep up with Apple's software for something like three years, since that is how long my Applecare warranties will run.
What about our computers will be obsolete? Like how OS9 is obsolete?
I think it will be a long time 5+ years before the G4 becomes obsolete. I know people that are still running old G3 iMacs. Granted it is far from the latest and greatest but it still works fine. (Running OSX 10.3) When I was at my parents my brother and I had a laugh using his 8 yr old PC. (that my father uses daily)
I am still blown away by the number of people still running windose 2000. I think that the G4 still has a lot of legs, preformance will always increase. There are still a number of things that an "old" computer can do for you.
I am still blown away by the number of people still running windose 2000. I think that the G4 still has a lot of legs, preformance will always increase. There are still a number of things that an "old" computer can do for you.
I would say about 1-2 years before all PowerPC machines are obsolete as far as future software support from Apple is concerned. Sure they will ship new versions of the OS, iLife and other apps. that might be "dual platform" but you will find that most features will only work if you have an Intel processor.
5+ years for G4 support is a dream, maybe even for the G5, I hate to break your heart. This will be a quick transition and the G4 is an already dated chip.
The time to obsolescence is going to be completely different for every user. In my case PowerPC machines won't be obsolete for a loooooong time because there are a few old Classic programs I want to keep around. Macintel will matter only when a new program (or version) comes out with features I really want, that doesn't run on a PowerPC. There's no predicting when that will happen; it's not going to be when the first Intel-only program appears, unless that happens to be something I want to use.WillMak said:
I know I'm going to end up with pairs of machines to run old and new stuff, just like the last time they did this
Kirbdog said:
Definitely agree. I'm using an old Power Mac G3 (233 MHz) as a file/Ventrilo server and it works fine.
Kirbdog said:
Windows 2000 was not a bad OS, in fact I prefer it to XP. 98 on the other hand...
In terms of software i think we g4 people have a good 1-1.5 years, but think of it this way. Whatever software you have right now and runs will always run. It is a bit disapointing, but o well i guess, i do not buy that much software to begin with. I really kind of do wish that i had just bought a windows laptop, just because i am not sure how apple handles these types of transitions.
I second this motion. Yeah, scary.i4k20c said:
Anyways, I have a Quicksilver 2002 (933 Mhz) at work as my primary computer. It's just used for terminal grunt work, application testing, and the occasional MacWorld Keynote.
Yeah, it's going on 4 years old already but it does that I want it to do. The only issue I have is the Radeon 9000 in it. Unless you need the bleeding edge you'll be fine for 3-4 more years.
Hell I'm fine using my Power Mac 8500/150. That thing is going 10 years old. I have Office, Photoshop, and Mac OS 8.6 on it. It's fine for what it does. Even if it is pokey it's great to use.
The same goes for my Power Mac G3 450.
The current OS is still G3-compatible, so I'd expect the next one to still support the G4.
What was the last G3 system? The April 2003 iBook? Contrast that with the last G4 system, which they're still selling, and I'd say that G4 support will exist in OS X until at least 2009.
What was the last G3 system? The April 2003 iBook? Contrast that with the last G4 system, which they're still selling, and I'd say that G4 support will exist in OS X until at least 2009.
No. Apple will stop selling G4/5's by the end of the year, and immediately after that all new software will only run on the Intel chips. All other users will be left in the cold unless they buy a new Mac.WillMak said:
Seriously though, you'll be fine for awhile. Leopard will be PowerPC compatible thanks to Universal Binaries. Apple would be shooting themselves in the foot if it wasn't because most of their users will still have G4s or G5s. At the least, I'd say 2-3 years from now. More likely it will be 4-5, since the version after Leopard will probably be compatible with older Macs as well. Some future software may not, especially the high end stuff, but I suspect the G4 still has a few years to go before it's "obsolete". The G5 even more probably.
LethalWolfe said:
I'm in complete agreement. There is a big difference between technological and practical obsolesence. If a user's needs are relatively straightforward and the computer being utilized still allows that person to do what has to be done and enjoy the process, then it hardly pays to focus on or fret over the latest releases.
Deepdale said:
Throw another vote in for these sentiments. Sure I'd love the latest and greatest but I don't need it. I'm a home user (not a pro). Do I really care if something takes a few seconds longer to do? Probably not, the only time I really notice my Rev A Powerbook hanging a little is when I'm encoding video. Since I do that less than once a month, it's no skin off my nose to do it when I'm going to be out or overnight.
Applespider said:
It is often embarrassing to be within hearing distance of these conversations, but I regrettably have listened to owners of different systems argue and debate over the so-called bragging rights and significance of having an application open in 5 seconds vs. 8 seconds, and how a music CD was burned in 7 minutes as opposed to 8:30.
We all like to think our time is so terribly valuable, but a considerable number of people need a major reality check. Compared to many who regularly post on MR, my typical daily usage would be deemed simplistic and laughable, but my G3 iMac still gets the basics done.
I am getting closer to a buying decision on a laptop and want to have something to last five years, but no one should consider their systems as obsolete since new products are the lifeblood of all industries ... as for the need for speed, I am with Applespider. If something is much more demanding, do it in the overnight hours. And, besides, time spent sleeping will take away from time spent worrying.
It will be a long while before your G4 is useless if apple keeps stripping features from their intel line.
Couldn't be all that that valuable, especially considering where we all are. I, for one, waste most of my time. To be far though, at the moment my time is pretty worthless. But I'm also impatient with computers, so it all evens out.Deepdale said:
Odd, because I'm pretty patient with almost anything else. Even kids. Most of the time.