iBook with Tiger -> Leopard?

[SavviVague]

If I purchase a used iBook with Mac OS X Tiger installed, can I purchase a Leopard disc and install it on the iBook?

 

[spinnerlys]

If it is a retail copy, then yes. But depending on what iBook you have, Leopard might be too resource hogging. Tiger is the better choice for many G4 Macs.

 

[SavviVague]

If it is a retail copy, then yes. But depending on what iBook you have, Leopard might be too resource hogging. Tiger is the better choice for many G4 Macs.

I was thinking on purchasing one with this description:

Condition: Used Processor Type: PowerPC G3
Product Family: iBook Processor Speed (per Core): 600 MHz
Screen Size: 14 inch Processor Configuration: Single Core
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4, Tiger Memory (RAM): 256 MB
Primary Drive: CD-RW/DVD Combo Hard Drive Capacity: 20 GB


I think it has too low of specs to use Leopard... am I right?

 

[spinnerlys]

Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) wants a G4 CPU with 867MHz at minimum, but some have managed to get Leopard running on lower specs. In my experience, I would advise against running Leopard and sticking with Tiger. It's a good OS (the best in my eyes regarding stability) so the only thing missing is Spaces and QuickLook. (And other things of course.)

 

[SavviVague]

Thanks for your replies. 🙂

I've used a PC all my life and am not very mac-savvy. I just recently used a mac for the first time and fell in love with it and am looking to buy one of my own.

I'm wondering, How customizable is the desktop? Can I change the color or style of the dock? Can I change the background wallpaper? etc.

Thanks again for all your time

 

[robbier]

Mac laptops are great, especially iBooks. I recently bought an iBook and it is working wonderfully. One word of caution, though: If you plan on watching youtube videos on the machine, I would recommend getting the 1.33GHz G4 iBook, as that is the first iBook that supports Core Image (That is a technology that, if supported, allows Flash Player to run faster).