Mac G4

[oldhifi]

I am looking at a G4 733Mhz on craigslist, is this Quicksilver model? Can I use a USB wi fi doggle on it? Or do I have to buy a PCI card? (The person does not know if it has airport on it)

It has OSX Version 10.3.9 installed

Thanks

 

[jrsx]

There is both a 733 MHz Quicksilver model and a 733 MHz Digital Audio model. It could be either one.
However, the fronts on the Macs look different. Perhaps this will help:
This is a Digital Audio:

This is a QuickSilver:

Yes, USB wifi will work, please refer to the PowerPC FAQ for more info. PCI-e wifi will also work, and will take less power from the CPU, but are also more expensive.

 

[Intell]

There is both a 733 MHz Quicksilver model and a 733 MHz MDD model.

There never was a 733Mhz MDD. The two machines it could be is a Digital Audio or a Quicksilver. They have the same basic logicboard and the only notably difference between them is the case. The Digital Audio is blue and the Quicksilver is grey. You can use a USB WiFi dongle, but you will be limited by the machine's USB 1.1 bus.

 

[oldhifi]

There is both a 733 MHz Quicksilver model and a 733 MHz MDD model. It could be either one.
However, the fronts on the Macs look different. Perhaps this will help:
This is an MDD: Image

This is a QuickSilver:Image


Yes, USB wifi will work, please refer to the PowerPC FAQ for more info. PCI-e wifi will also work, and will take less power from the CPU, but are also more expensive.

by looking at the photo's (bottom one) it a Quicksilver, thanks!!!

 

[jrsx]

There never was a 733Mhz MDD. The two machines it could be is a Digital Audio or a Quicksilver. They have the same basic logicboard and the only notably difference between them is the case. The Digital Audio is blue and the Quicksilver is grey. You can use a USB WiFi dongle, but you will be limited by the machine's USB 1.1 bus.

Oh, my bad. I meant Digital Audio.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac_g4/index-powermac-g4.html

by looking at the photo's (bottom one) it a Quicksilver, thanks!!!

No problem.

 

[oldhifi]

There never was a 733Mhz MDD. The two machines it could be is a Digital Audio or a Quicksilver. They have the same basic logicboard and the only notably difference between them is the case. The Digital Audio is blue and the Quicksilver is grey. You can use a USB WiFi dongle, but you will be limited by the machine's USB 1.1 bus.

I am trying to find a Old Mac for my Mother-in-law, she just sends email, Facebook, and sometimes does shopping on Amazon..

 

[Intell]

I am trying to find a Old Mac for my Mother-in-law, she just sends email, Facebook, and sometimes does shopping on Amazon..

That should be a good one as long as she is patient. It may struggle a bit with Facebook though.

 

[jrsx]

I am trying to find a Old Mac for my Mother-in-law, she just sends email, Facebook, and sometimes does shopping on Amazon..

If that's all that it will be needed for, than I might upgrade the OS to Tiger, as Panther is completely unsupported by everything, and it's under the system requirements for Leopard. At least Tiger can run TenFourFox and an older version of Webkit. But Panther will be fine for most things, if you don't want to spend the money on Tiger.

 

[RedCroissant]

I am trying to find a Old Mac for my Mother-in-law, she just sends email, Facebook, and sometimes does shopping on Amazon..

If those are the only things that she's going to be doing, then I would think the PM G4 would not be the best choice. Facebook is very not awesome on a PPC machine. Why not a tablet? You can find older iPads for good prices these days, or even refurbished newer ones that would do those tasks (at least FB) much better than the QS.

 

[Dustman]

Get her an old mac… but not that old.

Intel Core Solo mini? That would be light years better. FB on a 733Mhz G4 with a USB 1.1 Wifi Adapter? Bad time.

 

[oldhifi]

If those are the only things that she's going to be doing, then I would think the PM G4 would not be the best choice. Facebook is very not awesome on a PPC machine. Why not a tablet? You can find older iPads for good prices these days, or even refurbished newer ones that would do those tasks (at least FB) much better than the QS.

I have her on my Linux laptop now but she wants to go back to the 22 inch Monitor she had before. She does not like tablets or laptops..(LOL)..

 

[RedCroissant]

I have her on my Linux laptop now but she wants to go back to the 22 inch Monitor she had before. She does not like tablets or laptops..(LOL)..

Fair enough. Then I would go with Dustman on the Mac Mini idea. It'll be about the same cost, be able to run updated version of Flash..etc. It will also draw less power, still be compatible with the current monitor setup, and will take up less space.

Wait, is that 22in monitor still around or was that gotten rid of?

 

[oldhifi]

This setup G4, keyboard, mouse and Dell monitor is only $125, so I though it would be a good deal.

 

[RedCroissant]

Get her an old mac… but not that old.

Intel Core Solo mini? That would be light years better. FB on a 733Mhz G4 with a USB 1.1 Wifi Adapter? Bad time.

Yes, a very bad time. Disappearing logo out menu, poor animation support, and otherwise not a fun experience. I even disliked it on my PM G5 quad with 16GB RAM (when I had it).

 

[oldhifi]

Fair enough. Then I would go with Dustman on the Mac Mini idea. It'll be about the same cost, be able to run updated version of Flash..etc. It will also draw less power, still be compatible with the current monitor setup, and will take up less space.

Wait, is that 22in monitor still around or was that gotten rid of?

The monitor still works..

 

[RedCroissant]

This setup G4, keyboard, mouse and Dell monitor is only $125, so I though it would be a good deal.

It is a semi good deal. the only problem is that you'll run into things that don't work as well and will make that $125 almost a waste of money.

 

[oldhifi]

It is a semi good deal. the only problem is that you'll run into things that don't work as well and will make that $125 almost a waste of money.

oh, thanks for the info

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

$25 is better than $125 which is too much IMO.

 

[RedCroissant]

Mac minis are available at good prices.

In my area (Phoenix), Mac Minis are available. It might be the same for you.

I just checked CraigsList and came up with these:

1.83GHz C2D with 2 GB RAM, 80GB HDD with a wireless mighty mouse for $250

1.66GHZ Core Duo with 512MB RAM, 60GB HDD with the original DVI-VGA adapter, original installation discs and box for $199

2.0GHZ C2D with 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD and a new external optical drive(because the Mac Mini's failed). This one also includes the DVI-VGA adapter and a remote control for $245.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

I wouldn't buy a mini before 2009 model.

 

[Dustman]

I wouldn't buy a mini before 2009 model.

When your usage is just for FB?

Why not?

OP: Don't pay more than $150 for a 1.5Ghz Core Solo, unless it comes with extras (Display, ext). I'd really recommend a 1.83Ghz Core Duo/Core2Duo if you can find one for ~200. If not, the Core Solo with Snow Leopard and Chrome to replace that aging version of Safari.

 

[RedCroissant]

When your usage is just for FB?

Why not?

Exactly. Not to mention those are still very stable machines and the fact that it won't be overtasked will make that a very reasonable purchase.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

When your usage is just for FB?

Why not?

OP: Don't pay more than $150 for a 1.5Ghz Core Solo, unless it comes with extras (Display, ext). I'd really recommend a 1.83Ghz Core Duo/Core2Duo if you can find one for ~200. If not, the Core Solo with Snow Leopard and Chrome to replace that aging version of Safari.

I think the 9400m and 256mb of VRAM and 8gb of memory would be more benifitual. I think the previous mini would only go up to 6gb and have intel gma graphics.

 

[RedCroissant]

I think the 9400m and 256mb of VRAM and 8gb of memory would be more benifitual. I think the previous mini would only go up to 6gb and have intel gma graphics.

True, but we're talking about very basic usage here that doesn't demand super high specs (even by Mac mini standards). The things that his M-I-L will be doing with it could be done on a much less powerful machine, so a basic MM with good RAM and a moderately sized HDD would be more than enough.

 

[Dustman]

I think the 9400m and 256mb of VRAM and 8gb of memory would be more benifitual. I think the previous mini would only go up to 6gb and have intel gma graphics.

For Facebook and finding a steal on Amazon?

You're suggesting a machine matching your needs, not the OP's.

Does your mother-in-law need 8GB of ram to browse Facebook and google a recipe? Or 6GB for that matter? … or anything more than 2?