I'm leaving the PPC Owners Club... maybe you can benefit? and can I still post here?

[Altemose]

I had a beaten-up but fully-functional TiBook. (667Mhz G4 & 1GB RAM). I loved the feel of that Mac. Someone I know sent it to me in the mail, which was very thoughtful. Sadly, I had it in my laptop bag at one point, and it woke up and stayed on... and fried itself to death. It does not boot and heats up rapidly. Everything else is fine, and I even use its HD for something. The 1GB of RAM it has is nice, and hopefully still works. It would be nice to sell it to someone who could use it, although it could come in handy if I ever get another TiBook. (seems like the chances are slim though).

Do you know what failed when the board overheated? It could be worse and look like this...

 

[bunnspecial]

Ouch! That could almost be a Dali painting!

 

[eyoungren]

The TiBook/400 I had I was given for Christmas 2001. The original purchaser was my sister's then boyfriend who had given it to my mom.

Did not really use it until I converted to Mac in mid-2003. From May of 2004 to February 2005 it saw production work doing what I still do every day (except weekends) hooked up to second display, keyboard and mouse. My then coworker was very impressed that a 400mhz Mac laptop was handling the work with professional tools well.

When we got the G5, my coworker (then) got the G4 I was using and I got my PowerBook back.

It survived until November 2009 when I replaced the logicboard. It was my wife's computer until my then three year old daughter sent it flying off the couch. That's when my wife got her 12" PowerBook G4.

This time around I didn't replace the logicboard though as by that point I had both of my 17" AlBooks. Kept it going though with giant binder clips applying pressure on specifc spots on the case.

My son got the LCD when I bought his rocket (1Ghz DVI). $25, all I had to do was replace the LCD. As the old TiBook's hinges were rock solid, I put that LCD in it and it's been doing fine for him ever since. That and the Airport card are one of the few parts from that TiBook that keep going. And going.

 

[Altemose]

The TiBook/400 I had I was given for Christmas 2001. The original purchaser was my sister's then boyfriend who had given it to my mom.

Did not really use it until I converted to Mac in mid-2003. From May of 2004 to February 2005 it saw production work doing what I still do every day (except weekends) hooked up to second display, keyboard and mouse. My then coworker was very impressed that a 400mhz Mac laptop was handling the work with professional tools well.

When we got the G5, my coworker (then) got the G4 I was using and I got my PowerBook back.

It survived until November 2009 when I replace the logicboard. It was my wife's computer until my then three year old daughter sent it flying off the couch. That's when my wife got her 12" PowerBook G4.

This time around I didn't replace the logicboard though as by that point I had both of my 17" AlBooks. Kept it going though with giant binder clips applying pressure on specifc spots on the case.

My son got the LCD when I bought his rocket (1Ghz DVI). $25, all I had to do was replace the LCD. As the old TiBook's hinges were rock solid, I put that LCD in it and it's been doing fine for him ever since. That and the Airport card are one of the few parts from that TiBook that keep going. And going.

The spirit lives on...

You always refer to it as a rocket. Would it "feel" faster than my 1.67 GHz PowerBook G4 despite the clock speed difference?

 

[eyoungren]

The spirit lives on...

You always refer to it as a rocket. Would it "feel" faster than my 1.67 GHz PowerBook G4 despite the clock speed difference?

Probably not. But for a 1Ghz machine it flies. It's got very fast boot times and the UI is very responsive.

And I have made no personal modifications on it for him to make Leopard "faster" on his Mac. It's just his Mac. Even with 1GB ram it's equal to or faster than my 1Ghz 17" PowerBook.

He slows down of course with Flash based stuff, but the Mac handles it pretty well.

His only issue is because it's an old LCD, the reed switch is in the wrong place to put the Mac to sleep when he closes the lid. He has to sleep the Mac first, otherwise it stays on with the lid closed.

 

[Altemose]

Probably not. But for a 1Ghz machine it flies. It's got very fast boot times and the UI is very responsive.

And I have made no personal modifications on it for him to make Leopard "faster" on his Mac. It's just his Mac. Even with 1GB ram it's equal to or faster than my 1Ghz 17" PowerBook.

He slows down of course with Flash based stuff, but the Mac handles it pretty well.

His only issue is because it's an old LCD, the reed switch is in the wrong place to put the Mac to sleep when he closes the lid. He has to sleep the Mac first, otherwise it stays on with the lid closed.

That was quite resourceful using that LCD assembly off the older model. It must be quite a nice machine. I am not sure how old your son is but I am sure he appreciates growing up on Macs and not Windows 98 SE, ME, and XP like I did.

 

[bunnspecial]

I've always felt like the L3 Cache in the TiBooks definitely makes a real world difference in how fast they "feel."

Probably the closest comparison I can make is to my 1.25ghz iMac, which has the same amount of RAM as my TiBook(although at 167mhz vs 133mhz) and a 7200rpm desktop hard drive vs. the stock 4400 rpm drive in the TiBook. The iMac of course has no L3. I feel like my TiBook is at least most of the time as fast as the iMac.

My 1.67ghz Powerbook is no comparison, however-it's easily the fastest G4 I've ever used, although admittedly I've never used one of the later, high end MDDs(like the dual 1.42).

 

[Altemose]

I've always felt like the L3 Cache in the TiBooks definitely makes a real world difference in how fast they "feel."

Probably the closest comparison I can make is to my 1.25ghz iMac, which has the same amount of RAM as my TiBook(although at 167mhz vs 133mhz) and a 7200rpm desktop hard drive vs. the stock 4400 rpm drive in the TiBook. The iMac of course has no L3. I feel like my TiBook is at least most of the time as fast as the iMac.

My 1.67ghz Powerbook is no comparison, however-it's easily the fastest G4 I've ever used, although admittedly I've never used one of the later, high end MDDs(like the dual 1.42).

Compared to my G5, anything PPC feels slow. I really wish Apple would have done a dual CPU or dual core PowerBook as I constantly max out the measly single core CPU doing nothing much!

 

[grockk]

Compared to my G5, anything PPC feels slow. I really wish Apple would have done a dual CPU or dual core PowerBook as I constantly max out the measly single core CPU doing nothing much!

That's s big factor for me moving on. Seems any secondary task would grind to a halt. Dropbox syncing is notorious for maxing out CPU. Even downloading using iTunes Match to keep all my music would max outand slowdown browsing.

I remember seeing the dual G4 PowerBook prototype rumors and all. Would have been an amazing machine. Or crap battery.

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

My TiBook was a Craigslist purchase made on a whim...I think I paid $40 for it, and the guy didn't seem to know a huge amount about it. He told me that the hard drive was bad, and had just given up on it as he didn't see it as being worth fixing.

It turned out to be a bad hard drive cable, and has been running fine since replacing that.

Mines an 867mhz, which means that it can officially run Leopard.

Mine is a little bit worse for wear, but the hinges are fine and overall it doesn't look too bad.

It also makes me smile when I'm watching an early 2000s movie and see a TiBook sitting on someone's desk or in their lap. It was definitely the computer to have in those days!

Yeah, there is actually picture of a TiBook on the first page of my math textbook. xD (it's common for such companies to show their website running on some computer). The hinged on mine were fine, but the palm rests were terrible. I ended up touching them up with enamel paint, which looked OKAY.

I actually saw a behind-the-scenes video for the 2003 movie 'Finding Nemo', and the people working there all had TiBooks. xD I even spotted a tangerine (slot-loader) iMacquarium. I know this kid whose dad worked on Finding Nemo (voice actor), and I saw a TiBook at his house, which possibly could have been from the making of the movie. However, I am not sure if they would have distributed those to actors. (unless it was purchased). It had a screen issue though. However, I actually purchased the 2004 PowerBook G4 he had.

----------

Do you know what failed when the board overheated? It could be worse and look like this... Image

Oh man, that is obscene. I am not sure what failed, but something tells me it's the motherboard. It shows classic signs of failure that would result from such a thing. That happened to our 2006 MacBook, and it only works if you put pressure from underneath the right side of the machine.

 

[Altemose]

Oh man, that is obscene. I am not sure what failed, but something tells me it's the motherboard. It shows classic signs of failure that would result from such a thing. That happened to our 2006 MacBook, and it only works if you put pressure from underneath the right side of the machine.

That sounds like solder joints failing. It is possible that the board got hot enough to weaken the solder (it may be leaded in a machine of that age) and thereby lose contact with a critical part on the board. You could try doing a classic reflow in an oven.

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

That sounds like solder joints failing. It is possible that the board got hot enough to weaken the solder (it may be leaded in a machine of that age) and thereby lose contact with a critical part on the board. You could try doing a classic reflow in an oven.

Whereby I stick the motherboard in my oven for a given amount of time? I guess that's worth a shot.

----------

I've always felt like the L3 Cache in the TiBooks definitely makes a real world difference in how fast they "feel."

Probably the closest comparison I can make is to my 1.25ghz iMac, which has the same amount of RAM as my TiBook(although at 167mhz vs 133mhz) and a 7200rpm desktop hard drive vs. the stock 4400 rpm drive in the TiBook. The iMac of course has no L3. I feel like my TiBook is at least most of the time as fast as the iMac.

My 1.67ghz Powerbook is no comparison, however-it's easily the fastest G4 I've ever used, although admittedly I've never used one of the later, high end MDDs(like the dual 1.42).

I have never used the very latest MDD, but I do own a Dual 1.25Ghz MDD, and it runs very nicely. I run Leopard on it, with 2GB of RAM. It seems to be more responsive than my iMac G5, which is a 2.1Ghz model with 1GB of RAM. (although, to be fair, the iMac is struggling in Leopard with only 1GB of RAM; so, soon I'm planning on purchasing a 2GB stick for it, to bring it up to a max of 2.5GB of RAM).

 

[roadbloc]

I've had Intel Macs before and I do not wish to go back to them days anytime soon. They're just not as well thought out as the PPC models. And don't even get me started on Yosemite.

 

[MagicBoy]

I've had Intel Macs before and I do not wish to go back to them days anytime soon. They're just not as well thought out as the PPC models. And don't even get me started on Yosemite.

That's one hell of a statement. Please elaborate.

 

[Altemose]

Whereby I stick the motherboard in my oven for a given amount of time? I guess that's worth a shot.

I personally do 385 F for 7.5 minutes. That is providing that this is your problem.

 

[roadbloc]

That's one hell of a statement. Please elaborate.

My experience may be anecdotal, but my PowerPC Macs are still fighting strong (especially my iMac G4, that thing has never let me down in the 11, nearly 12 years I've owned it). Meanwhile my 2008 MacBook, 2011 MBA and 2010 iMac have all since died on me. I have a new MBA, but I don't have high hopes for it and tbh, I'm tempted to sell it now I've seen the future of OS X.

I feel OS X has been getting progressively worse post Snow Leopard and the hardware just isn't as good as it used to be in the PowerPC era.

 

[MagicBoy]

I can see your point as regards build quality. Issues with current machines are likely a combination of low-price Chinese manufacturing, GPU manufacturers making substandard products and Apple pushing the thermal envelopes in the pursuit of "thinness". Is that even a word? They just happened to coincide with the architecture swap. I've no issues with the architecture or hardware, the Intel swap was the correct path to take.

Anecdotally, my 2006 MBP, and 2008 uMB are still going strong with their second owners. My 2011 MBP was an excellent machine, right until it suffered Radeongate after 2.5 years. See all three points above!

I've no real issues with Yosemite, aside from the flaky DNS/WiFi issue. I'm used to the flat UI now. I've always got the TiBook to get my Aqua fix.

 

[redheeler]

My experience may be anecdotal, but my PowerPC Macs are still fighting strong (especially my iMac G4, that thing has never let me down in the 11, nearly 12 years I've owned it). Meanwhile my 2008 MacBook, 2011 MBA and 2010 iMac have all since died on me. I have a new MBA, but I don't have high hopes for it and tbh, I'm tempted to sell it now I've seen the future of OS X.

I feel OS X has been getting progressively worse post Snow Leopard and the hardware just isn't as good as it used to be in the PowerPC era.

My 2010 iMac and Mac mini are still going strong. Yosemite has been quite stable for me, and looks a bit better/more modern. It's a refreshing change from the Lucida Grande font and gloss of all previous versions of OS X.

I can see your point as regards build quality. Issues with current machines are likely a combination of low-price Chinese manufacturing, GPU manufacturers making substandard products and Apple pushing the thermal envelopes in the pursuit of "thinness". Is that even a word? They just happened to coincide with the architecture swap. I've no issues with the architecture or hardware, the Intel swap was the correct path to take.

Anecdotally, my 2006 MBP, and 2008 uMB are still going strong with their second owners. My 2011 MBP was an excellent machine, right until it suffered Radeongate after 2.5 years. See all three points above!

I've no real issues with Yosemite, aside from the flaky DNS/WiFi issue. I'm used to the flat UI now. I've always got the TiBook to get my Aqua fix.

That's luckier than most, still in the Applecare period. You did have Applecare, right?

Aqua was at its best in Snow Leopard. Lion crippled it and Yosemite killed it.

 

[MagicBoy]

That's luckier than most, still in the Applecare period. You did have Applecare, right?

Nope. I had the UK Sale of Goods Act, and a polite but firm manner.

Local Apple Store backed down from the £500 quote and offered a no-cost repair as a consumer law claim. Unfortunately the refurbished logic boards kept failing within a few weeks. After the third failure Apple offered to replace the MBP, due to "not receiving a satisfactory customer experience". Their words, not mine.

I can't praise the Genius staff enough. Not their fault the quad-core 2011's have design and manufacturing issues, and they're not allowed to admit it!

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

My 2010 iMac and Mac mini are still going strong. Yosemite has been quite stable for me, and looks a bit better/more modern. It's a refreshing change from the Lucida Grande font and gloss of all previous versions of OS X.



That's luckier than most, still in the Applecare period. You did have Applecare, right?

Aqua was at its best in Snow Leopard. Lion crippled it and Yosemite killed it.

I'd say that anything was okay before Yosemite. However, it's true that aqua faded after Snow Leopard. It's sad to see that Snow Leopard is falling out of support now... in fact, it has been out of support )in some ways) for some time now. As nice as it would be to have new computer, I really don't feel too excited about purchasing a new Mac. I currently run Snow Leopard on my best Mac (2.26Ghz 2009 MBP w/4GB RAM), and it is just fine. It's sort of capable of running Mountain Lion (one of the last good Mac OSX versions), but it is a little slow. If I ever want a newer experience, I am gonna install Mavericks on my Dell.

 

[MagicBoy]

I'm running Mavericks on the Mini, which is used mainly as an HTPC now. Mountain Lion is the highest I'd go with a mechanical card drive, Mavericks and Yosemite work best on an SSD equipped Mac in my experience. It was beachballing a lot on the original drive, when that started developing bad sectors I installed a 60GB Intel SSD (in that was on bargain clearance offer) and it's transformed the performance.

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

I'm running Mavericks on the Mini, which is used mainly as an HTPC now. Mountain Lion is the highest I'd go with a mechanical card drive, Mavericks and Yosemite work best on an SSD equipped Mac in my experience. It was beachballing a lot on the original drive, when that started developing bad sectors I installed a 60GB Intel SSD (in that was on bargain clearance offer) and it's transformed the performance.

We got Mavericks working on this Dell, which had been given to me, but we ran into a slight problem, which will be worked on during break. Mavericks was running so nicely on that Dell---much faster than stupid Windows 7. I was surprised, considering it's a dinky Dell desktop with a 2.93Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo and 4GB of RAM. It technically has a better processor and GPU than my 2009 MacBook Pro, so it isn't bad in that way, but it's definitely a dinky box. An Intel Core 2 Duo is also an older processor, obviously. I can't imagine the performance with an SSD, so maybe I ought to get one for it.

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

I've had Intel Macs before and I do not wish to go back to them days anytime soon. They're just not as well thought out as the PPC models. And don't even get me started on Yosemite.

I know companies don't take the kind of pride in their products that customers often do, but I hate how Apple doesn't value their past one bit. I bet Tim Cook doesn't care how great PowerPC Macs were, and has no intention of even recognizing it. He's very devoted to Apple, but probably cares more about the money he makes. It wouldn't surprise me if he couldn't tell a tray-loading iMac G3 from a slot-loading iMac G3.

I know Apple's (stupid) policy is to "never look back", but I wish they could AT LEAST commemorate their past and show a little respect for those who still love their old computers. How cold and shameful of them. Hmm, I wonder where they got the idea for the 'new' 2-D dock! I feel like the over-simplification of Yosemite's UI suggests that Apple is going with older design elements, yet disregarding the fact that their previous, Mac OSX (PPC) versions had those clean features. It's a gouge in the eyes of their customers, and a slap in the face of PowerPC Macs/older versions of Mac OSX. Don't go re-introducing something you had 10 years ago, not recognize its original greatness, and then brand it as 'new' and 'fresh'. @$$h0l3s. And lastly, I hate how software developers make something look slim, light, and efficient, when a UI from 2007, which looks much more elaborate, is actually WAY lighter and uses way less RAM/CPU. (Leopard, for example).

Sorry about the rant...

 

[bunnspecial]

I'm typing this post from a late 2007 2.2 ghz C2D Black Macbook running 10.7. Even with only 2gb of RAM(but an SSD) it flies and remains very useable.

I actually like Mavericks quite a bit, but am not a fan of Yosemite. I'm running Yosemite on my white Macbook(2.13ghz C2D, 4gb of RAM). It was a pig until I installed an SSD, but the SSD perked it up really nicely.

For my main computer, however-a Macbook Pro(my first Mac, and the only one I've bought new) I'm sticking with Mavericks for as long as I can. It runs very well with 8gb of RAM but the stock hard drive. Once Applecare is out(in April of next year) I will probably buy a BIG SSD for it.

I was using my DLSD Powerbook last night, and was reminded of how nice of a machine it is. It's even still useable on the internet. I don't do Facebook, but it handles Youtube and most other websites okay.

 

[Ariii]

After 8 years with my 12" PowerBook G4, I love this thing. But it just doesn't get used like it used to. So I'm selling it. You can see my listing in the marketplace here https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1826427/ or on eBay here http://www.ebay.com/itm/121509065433. If you want to ask any questions or whatever and maybe "keep it in the family" by selling to one of you here. If you want to buy it try to post in the Marketplace listing or message me on eBay. I'm starting this one to talk emotions of leaving PPC.

I loved the PowerPC era and that even the 12" model was so easy to work on compared to the modern Macs or iPads. This was my first mac and I won't forget all the good times. She's never faltered except for a strange 1 pixel line on the screen appearing about 3 years ago. But through all the tear downs and reassemblies she's been there. For example putting in the SSD in where it was never meant to be done. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1633108/. Or software hacking the old apps to use LeopardWebkit https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1640068/. and the feelings of dread as parts become less available https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1754887/

Definitely mixed emotions listing it for sale. Any others on here gone through the transition? Can I still lurk in this sub forum if I don't have PPC anymore?

I've done something similar lately, I've been meaning to upgrade my PowerBook but it never happened . I have a recent Win8 PC and I seriously hate it. I already found Windows crappy in general, but even getting used to it, there's still a lot of issues I have with it. I'm going back to my PowerBook once I can get a new hard-drive/RAM.

Even mobile websites are becoming more bloated, so web browsing is harder, sort of.

PowerPC Macs really just have a different feel, and recent Apple OS's have gone in a direction that isn't great IMO.... Linux is still around and functional, but still doesn't have the same choices as a maintream OS. Personally I'd love to see something modern that's similar to PPC's/older Mac OS X versions, even if it's not from Apple, but that's really unlikely .