Make a PowerBook like new?

[iModFrenzy]

So after using my MacBook(Core Duo), I had to go back to my PowerBook G4 1.25ghz due to my MacBook having issues.

I am assuming the PowerBooks used to be lightning fast when they released so what I'm asking is...How could I make it like that?

Would Tiger be a better choice?

What web browser is the best? TenFourFox lags a lot on my G4 1.25ghz and the ram is maxed.

 

[eyoungren]

I am assuming the PowerBooks used to be lightning fast when they released so what I'm asking is...How could I make it like that?

Lightning fast in 2006? Yes.

Lightning fast now? No. Unless you have no plans to use your Mac beyond light use while staying stock, using only apps from that time period and avoiding the internet.

You can optimize Leopard. You can optimize TenFourFox. And there are serious improvements that this makes. But lightning fast? No.

Unless you are just meaning the system itself?

If so, that can be achieved without resorting to wiping everything and restoring to stock. Tools such as Onyx can clean caches, run the daily, weekly and monthly scripts and generally improve performance.

 

[bunnspecial]

Have you done Eyougren's TFF optimization? What about optimizing your Leopard install.

You might also try Leopard Webkit.

Personally, I'd consider Tiger a BIG step backward on that computer.

 

[eyoungren]

Personally, I'd consider Tiger a BIG step backward on that computer.

I second this. There are far less apps available for Tiger compared to Leopard.

 

[Dronecatcher]

So after using my MacBook(Core Duo), I had to go back to my PowerBook G4 1.25ghz due to my MacBook having issues.

I am assuming the PowerBooks used to be lightning fast when they released so what I'm asking is...How could I make it like that?

Would Tiger be a better choice?

What web browser is the best? TenFourFox lags a lot on my G4 1.25ghz and the ram is maxed.

I think "lightning fast" would be part of the Apple PR myth. I remember rushing home with a brand new 1Ghz Al Book when they first came out, fully anticipating powerhouse performance from the "supercomputer to go" - it was a massive disappointment. It seemed everything was compromised and performance was less than expected and all the web offered was the usual useful advice, such as, "you should have got the faster model," "need more ram," "get a faster hard drive" - not reassuring when you've just spent over a £1000 (a tidy sum back then) on what your thought was a high end laptop.
What you lost in sheer speed though was gained in reliability and software that integrated well plus useful things like bluetooth connectivity to phones etc.

I would say in some ways Powerbook/G4 specific software is better now than back then - there's been years of optimisation, however, any internet activity will really remind you you are using a vintage computer. If you want the same 2006 performance, you have to use the software that was around then or designed for that hardware set - which is largely what I do and is perfectly do-able.
Other than that, a clean OS install always makes things a little faster and although Tiger's interface appears more snappy, your 1.25 Ghz machine has a great graphics card that can handle Leopard easily and is the better option.

 

[2984839]

The PowerBook is just as fast now as it was when it was released. It's our idea of "fast" that keeps changing. If you stick with period software or heavily optimized software, it should be exactly the same as when new.

Now, if you're talking about web browsing, then the problem you may be seeing is that the internet is unequivocally worse now than it was 10 years ago. There's more Javascript, larger images, more stuff on one page to make things mobile device friendly, more videos replacing text, pages with 87 gifs on them for no reason, etc. Browsing today vs in 2005 might be slower, but not because the computer is any slower.

 

[redheeler]

The PowerBook is just as fast now as it was when it was released. It's our idea of "fast" that keeps changing. If you stick with period software or heavily optimized software, it should be exactly the same as when new.

Now, if you're talking about web browsing, then the problem you may be seeing is that the internet is unequivocally worse now than it was 10 years ago. There's more Javascript, larger images, more stuff on one page to make things mobile device friendly, more videos replacing text, pages with 87 gifs on them for no reason, etc. Browsing today vs in 2005 might be slower, but not because the computer is any slower.

Depending on the condition of the HDD and running stock software, yes, it will be just as fast as when it was new. It certainly wouldn't boot up Tiger or open apps as quick as a modern SSD-equiped rMBP, and nobody should expect that out of a computer that was "fast" in 2005.

OP, see about optimizing TenFourFox. I have yet to do so myself. Just don't expect browsing the modern internet to be as quick as browsing the 2005 one.

 

[flyrod]

Adding a SSD would probably be the most noticeable performance thing you can do for the powerbook.

 

[MacCubed]

Yeah I just ordered a ton of parts for my PowerBook and they should be here within the next week. mSATA SSD and adapter, Battery, DC-IN Board, 2 GB RAM (More economical, $13 for 2sticks of 1 GB vs. $9 for 1 stick of 1 GB), and a graphics card for my G5