Mac Mini - Upgrades

[whynot83706]

I am looking to buy Mac Mini, and I have few questions about:
G4 powerpc 1.25 Ghz
512 MB ram
40 GB hard drive
Superdrive

Will I be able to install Leopard, how hard is to upgrade memory and wireless?

 

[mheidt]

I have the same machine and upgraded mine as well for Leopard
Additional Wifi and 1GB RAM.

There are some instructions in the net.
You need a scraper to open up the box.

I use mine as media center.
The small disk and FastEthernet are the bottlenecks for me.

But it should be ok as a normal desktop.

 

[Jimmdean]

I would not recommend that machine except for a very small subset of specific uses.

The minimum Mini I would recommend is the 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo Model.
You can get this in the $400.00 range - refurb from Apple would be my choice.

You could do all the upgrading possible on that older Mini, but it would always
be a 1.25GHz G4. It has no longevity at this point.

 

[ziwi]

Yes - go for a refurb Intel mini - you will get much more life out of that puppy than the G4's.

 

[err404]

If you get an older Intel mini, try for a Core 2 Duo. They should have a similar cost, and are a bit more upgradeable due to the firmware supporting more RAM (3.3 vs 2)

 

[Lord Zedd]

The G4 is really old, I'd go for a C2D Mini.

 

[Wingnut330]

I have a C2D on the block if you are interested...

 

[SmirkingJack]

I am looking to buy Mac Mini, and I have few questions about:
G4 powerpc 1.25 Ghz
512 MB ram
40 GB hard drive
Superdrive

Will I be able to install Leopard, how hard is to upgrade memory and wireless?

How would you spend on that machine? For reference I spent $500 a week ago for a 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo/80GB hard drive/Combo drive from the Apple's refurb store which means it comes with Leopard (in the form of an upgrade disc, which is disappointing, but it is Leopard nonetheless) and a warranty.

 

[clyde2801]

what are your needs?

What will you be using the mini for? If it's to hook up to a TV for a low cost entertainment system, it should be fine. If it's for a desktop computer, my prediction is that it will be quickly downgraded to kids/second/spare computer status.

 

[gkarris]

I am looking to buy Mac Mini, and I have few questions about:
G4 powerpc 1.25 Ghz
512 MB ram
40 GB hard drive
Superdrive

Will I be able to install Leopard, how hard is to upgrade memory and wireless?

Memory is cheap - upgrade it to 1Gig. Leopard runs fine on a G4 that's 1GHz+

With a Mini update within weeks, you should be able to get this for around $250. Add Leopard ($129) and memory and you'll be fine...