Interested in getting a PowerPC Mac

[hey_augie]

Hello Everyone - I am interested in getting a PPC Mac to learn/play with older software. Essentially as a hobby computer. Plenty of cheap options on ebay. That being said I am not sure what would make the most sense. Maybe one of the G4 minis or an older laptop. Would be cool to be able to boot OS9. Thoughts? Maybe it is jut a waste of time.

 

[AL1630]

What software do you have in mind? That might affect which machine would be the best.

 

[hey_augie]

What software do you have in mind? That might affect which machine would be the best.

To be frank I don't have anything super specific in mind. I have always been a vintage Mac fan and finally have the cash and space to play. It would be cool to run OS9 as it was before my time - I am only 28.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

To be frank I don't have anything super specific in mind. I have always been a vintage Mac fan and finally have the cash and space to play. It would be cool to run OS9 as it was before my time - I am only 28.

Well, if you have the appropriate hardware (keyboard, mouse, monitor), my best recommendation would be to get a Digital Audio Power Mac G4. A DA was my first PPC machine and it was amazing to start out with. It can run both OS 9 and OS X well, is decently powerful for most tasks that you'd feasibly want to do on a PPC machine, is easy to work on, and is rock-solid. The only issue is that some games dislike the G4 processor, but I've come across very few games that struggle with that.

 

[hey_augie]

Oh these look solid. I likely will have to get some older peripherals regardless of machine.

 

[eyoungren]

I am only 28.

Which means you were born sometime in 1992 or 1991. OS9 was released in 1999, which means you were 7 or 8 - hardly before your time.

That said, the DA as suggested is a good choice. If you're looking at a laptop, the G3 iBooks or Titanium PowerBook G4s also run OS9.

The only warning I can give you is that once you get started in this as a 'hobby' you're going to turn around at some point and ask yourself, "How the hell did I end up with all these old Macs?" It ends up turning into much more than just a hobby - especially once you realize that you can use these old Macs to do modern things, just by adding stuff.

 

[AL1630]

The only warning I can give you is that once you get started in this as a 'hobby' you're going to turn around at some point and ask yourself, "How the hell did I end up with all these old Macs?" It ends up turning into much more than just a hobby - especially once you realize that you can use these old Macs to do modern things, just by adding stuff.

Take this warning seriously! I got into this after getting an iMac G3 because they look cool, and a few years later, here I am with, well, look at my signature! And my collection is small compared to some!

I would also agree that a G4 tower is the way to go, they're easy to upgrade and will run most PPC era programs very well.

 

[timidpimpin]

IMO a late model Power Mac G4 is one of the best options. Cheap, but enough power for when that old software needs it. Specifically a Quicksilver or MDD.

 

[1042686]

Which means you were born sometime in 1992 or 1993. OS9 was released in 1999, which means you were 6 or 7 (or maybe 5) - hardly before your time.

That said, the DA as suggested is a good choice. If you're looking at a laptop, the G3 iBooks or Titanium PowerBook G4s also run OS9.

The only warning I can give you is that once you get started in this as a 'hobby' you're going to turn around at some point and ask yourself, "How the hell did I end up with all these old Macs?" It ends up turning into much more than just a hobby - especially once you realize that you can use these old Macs to do modern things, just by adding stuff.

Just one old Mac won't hurt I said.

BUT as there’s no turning back at this point for me, I agree a dual processor Quicksilver or Mirror Drive Door Powermac is a solid choice that will play well With both OSX & 9.

If you want a portable, a titanium powerbook like a 3,2 is cool but they’re getting pricey these days.

 

[eyoungren]

IMO a late model Power Mac G4 is one of the best options. Cheap, but enough power for when that old software needs it. Specifically a Quicksilver or MDD.

The options for OS9 on the MDD are limited to the FW400 model - assuming OP wants to actually boot OS9. I know that there are the patches out there to make OS9 run on the other MDDs but that may be more than OP wants to do at the moment.
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Just one old Mac won't hurt I said.

Next time you see an old QS thrown out, just drive right on by.

 

[for this]

While the MDD (with FireWire 400) models are the most powerful OS 9 bootable Macs. Their big fan is very loud in OS 9, quite annoying. The fan is regulated only in OS X. Just a reminder.

 

[timidpimpin]

The options for OS9 on the MDD are limited to the FW400 model - assuming OP wants to actually boot OS9. I know that there are the patches out there to make OS9 run on the other MDDs but that may be more than OP wants to do at the moment.

True. I didn't think to point that out. But that's the best MDD to get anyway. They were using a better PSU out of the factory then, and it was also a bit quieter. I'm speaking of the middle model before the FW 800.

But I guess the better option is a Quicksilver, since every model can run 9. And lets face it... A Quicksilver is a lot more sexy than an MDD. I like the mirror finish on the MDD, but those indents on the bottom are the equivalent of a fake exhaust pipe.

 

[hey_augie]

Wow lot of good and quick replies! Many thanks to everyone. Sounds like some sort of PowerMac G4 tower is the move. I'll see what I can find on eBay or craigslist.

 

[Alex_K]

I'd recommend the 15inch iMac G4 700Mhz. It looks great, comes with a screen, can run both OS9 and OSX without any hacks, and is not too expensive.

 

[hey_augie]

I'd recommend the 15inch iMac G4 700Mhz. It looks great, comes with a screen, can run both OS9 and OSX without any hacks, and is not too expensive.

That is a great point - might be a good entry and it this becomes a bigger hobby maybe get a tower.

 

[timidpimpin]

I'd recommend the 15inch iMac G4 700Mhz. It looks great, comes with a screen, can run both OS9 and OSX without any hacks, and is not too expensive.

All they seem to want is a system to play around with, and an iMac G4 will be much more expensive than options mentioned above. A dual Quicksilver or MDD will not only be much cheaper, but it will also mop the floor with the iMac. These older Macs are slow enough already, even for just playing around with.

 

[1042686]

I'd recommend the 15inch iMac G4 700Mhz. It looks great, comes with a screen, can run both OS9 and OSX without any hacks, and is not too expensive.

Yanno I thought about an imac too. A G3 or G4 AIO will have both OSX and OS9 support. OP hit me like a "build it up and tinker" kind of user and a Powermac would be great for that approach.

Still, A classic slot loader imacG3 with maxed out ram would be a darn cool OS9/OSX machine perched up on an idock with a matching keyboard and puck mouse. Then again a emacG4 with their boss CRTs would be great too (always loved those) and heck, folks are practically giving those away these days.

 

[Alex_K]

All they seem to want is a system to play around with, and an iMac G4 will be much more expensive than options mentioned above. And dual Quicksilver or MDD will not only be much cheaper, but it will also mop the floor with the iMac. These older Macs are slow enough already, even for just playing around with.

I think it probably depends where you live. In the UK, I reckon you could get a 15inch iMac for under £50, and there is no need to purchase a screen for it. A couple of years ago, I bought a pristine condition 20inch iMac g4 with speakers and original mouse and keyboard on ebay for under £30 - I was a bit lucky though, as it was collection only in a remote part of the country where I live. OS9 also runs blindingly fast on pretty much any G4, so I don't think speed is an issue.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

Take this warning seriously! I got into this after getting an iMac G3 because they look cool, and a few years later, here I am with, well, look at my signature! And my collection is small compared to some!

I would also agree that a G4 tower is the way to go, they're easy to upgrade and will run most PPC era programs very well.

You just made me realize - almost three years into my collection and I have four machines already

Edit - five counting the MacBook I just bought

 

[eyoungren]

True. I didn't think to point that out. But that's the best MDD to get anyway. They were using a better PSU out of the factory then, and it was also a bit quieter. I'm speaking of the middle model before the FW 800.

But I guess the better option is a Quicksilver, since every model can run 9. And lets face it... A Quicksilver is a lot more sexy than an MDD. I like the mirror finish on the MDD, but those indents on the bottom are the equivalent of a fake exhaust pipe.

I've always loved the QS for it's design, but the reality is that it only allows 1.5GB of ram max. All the G4s prior to it can support a full 2GB. And as anyone who's heard about my own QS story can attest, the beauty of the QS is skin deep.

 

[Juicy Box]

Hello Everyone - I am interested in getting a PPC Mac to learn/play with older software.

I think a G4 tower, like the MDD would be a good option. I believe they can dual-boot too.

My favorite Apple product design ever is the iMac G4. If you are considering one of these, I would look for the 20", although they are kind of rare and still (relatively) pricey. The 17" one would be good too, I have one of these.

The only warning I can give you is that once you get started in this as a 'hobby' you're going to turn around at some point and ask yourself, "How the hell did I end up with all these old Macs?"

I started using Macs in the mid-90's and have collected so many over the years. I still have almost all of the ones listed in my signature and almost all of them still work, although, most are packed away in boxes.

My wife and I have plans to have a house built in the next few years, and I might have a room dedicated to all my old electronics, including my Macs.

 

[eyoungren]

You just made me realize - almost three years into my collection and I have four machines already

Edit - five counting the MacBook I just bought

And you are here as well.

See? Heed the warning!

 

[1042686]

You just made me realize - almost three years into my collection and I have four machines already

Edit - five counting the MacBook I just bought

You're just getting warmed up. On a serious note, just from a perspective of space savings, focusing ones collection on portables makes great sense to me. I love desk tops and early AIOs but man, the space thing is a bonafide pain in the buttocks not to mention what it can do to ones relationships.
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Next time you see an old QS thrown out, just drive right on by.

Now Erik, that's not even fair. You know I can't do that.

 

[eyoungren]

You're just getting warmed up. On a serious note, just from a perspective of space savings, focusing ones collection on portables makes great sense to me. I love desk tops and early AIOs but man, the space thing is a bonafide pain in the buttocks not to mention what it can do to ones relationships.
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Now Erik, that's not even fair. You know I can't do that.

Where do I connect the five other monitors on a laptop?!

 

[MultiFinder17]

Honestly, I would probably go for an iBook or PowerBook of some sort. Small, portable, easy to stick somewhere when you’re not using it, less likely to have the spouse/SO yell at you for it. That’s why I tend to focus most of my collecting on laptops! Plus then you don’t have to deal with external bits like monitors, keyboards, mice, etc, but they’re still options should you choose to use them