Those are dreadful options, tbh. The wretched GPU is just not fit for purpose to say nothing of the brittle plastics used in the construction of these CrackBooks. I think I would rather take my chances with one of the risky MacBook Pros.
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PowerBook G4 1.5 worth fixing
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Those are dreadful options, tbh. The wretched GPU is just not fit for purpose to say nothing of the brittle plastics used in the construction of these CrackBooks. I think I would rather take my chances with one of the risky MacBook Pros.
Also, PowerbookMedic has the DC-in board for the 1.5 GHz models for $3.45 (plus shipping) so if OP's can't be tightened up with a bit of solder, that's a very cheap fix.
https://www.powerbookmedic.com/DC-IN-Power-In-Board-Aluminum-15-p-16571-o-1325.html
https://www.powerbookmedic.com/DC-IN-Power-In-Board-Aluminum-15-p-16571-o-1325.html
My wife does owe exactly the same model. It's the fastest of it's kind. No problems so far.
Not a Retina book but the last one, that can be easily upgraded to really big SSDs.
Go!
The GPU is more than sufficient to meet the OPs requirements. Yes, they do tend to crack along the edges of the palm rests. If a minor thing like that is an annoyance to the OP then he should avoid them.
I thought he meant the GPU was unreliable, not that it was underpowered.
Meanwhile, I'm over here, getting by with a 32mb GeForece4 MX. - A lot of people could learn from me.
So....in brief, to check email and watch the occasional Youtube vid, it's either spend $10 on the Powerbook or $513 on a MBP....it's a close one 
You may be mistaking the MacBook Pro GPU issues for the MacBook. There are some models of MBP which have GPU issues. To my knowledge there are no reliability issues with the early MacBooks such as I've suggested.
My recommendation to the OP was to tweak his software configuration. I suggested the purchase of a MacBook if the OP were going to spend money on the PowerBook. IMO, given the low cost of early model Intel systems, the money spent on upgrading the PowerBook would be better spent on the purchase of an early model Intel laptop.
I realize this is a PPC forum but I don't get the impression the OP is a tinkerer. IMO recommending the someone like that throw money into a PPC system is unwise unless there is a compelling reason to do so. I love my PPC Macs but none are used for anything outside of being a hobby.
Thank you all for all your help... clarification......
Currently, I use 2 machines one for home use which is an IMac mid 2010 I-7 intell, 2.93GHz w/ 12GB ram that I have opened up and replaced the HDD with a 1TB SSD and I am very happy with the results (which I should not use for work because it is not a secured cleared machine per company protocol). The other is a big box windows 10 model I-7 Intell that I have updated the ASUS MB (that is cleared for work where I had to physically bring in the unit so they could update items to company spec.) I use for work due to the issues that Apple would not share certain protocols needed which I have been informed has been worked out now.
Therefore, I now have to re-think it maybe it's time to re-consider what use I will have for the MAC Laptop. People that that I work with say if I am going to spend money on a MAC LP it would be better to obtain a unit that I could use for work as well as other functions and get a unit that will do it all. So, if I use the Mac Laptop for work that MAC will have to perform all the necessary operations as remote server log-ons and word processing plus many more complicated programs that the MBG4 may not be able to handle. So now the the situation has changed somewhat as to the use of the MAC laptop. I would really love to dump the big box Windows unit and just work with a MAC Laptop.
At first, I thought the older Mac MBG4 would function as both but if the effort and cost of modifying the unit will not result in the necessary operations for work then I must go in a different direction. I like the MAC operating system as it offers less issues and seem to be more stable than the windows system. What I have noticed that the windows unit I-7 intell is way way faster than the I-7 intell 2010 Imac and they are both 2010 models. It’s just each OP System work differently and I experienced many compatibility issues with programs with the windows 10 where I have had to transfer data to the (home) Imac with no issues work on the data then transfer the data back to the window unit then send the completed work in. Each system has their strengths and weaknesses.
If anyone can suggest a MAC LapTop Unit that will satisfy my needs would be greatly appreciated. I just would like to work with a smaller unit that's portable where the windows unit is a boat anchor, and if I can get portability and work without compatibility issues it would make life easier.
Currently, I use 2 machines one for home use which is an IMac mid 2010 I-7 intell, 2.93GHz w/ 12GB ram that I have opened up and replaced the HDD with a 1TB SSD and I am very happy with the results (which I should not use for work because it is not a secured cleared machine per company protocol). The other is a big box windows 10 model I-7 Intell that I have updated the ASUS MB (that is cleared for work where I had to physically bring in the unit so they could update items to company spec.) I use for work due to the issues that Apple would not share certain protocols needed which I have been informed has been worked out now.
Therefore, I now have to re-think it maybe it's time to re-consider what use I will have for the MAC Laptop. People that that I work with say if I am going to spend money on a MAC LP it would be better to obtain a unit that I could use for work as well as other functions and get a unit that will do it all. So, if I use the Mac Laptop for work that MAC will have to perform all the necessary operations as remote server log-ons and word processing plus many more complicated programs that the MBG4 may not be able to handle. So now the the situation has changed somewhat as to the use of the MAC laptop. I would really love to dump the big box Windows unit and just work with a MAC Laptop.
At first, I thought the older Mac MBG4 would function as both but if the effort and cost of modifying the unit will not result in the necessary operations for work then I must go in a different direction. I like the MAC operating system as it offers less issues and seem to be more stable than the windows system. What I have noticed that the windows unit I-7 intell is way way faster than the I-7 intell 2010 Imac and they are both 2010 models. It’s just each OP System work differently and I experienced many compatibility issues with programs with the windows 10 where I have had to transfer data to the (home) Imac with no issues work on the data then transfer the data back to the window unit then send the completed work in. Each system has their strengths and weaknesses.
If anyone can suggest a MAC LapTop Unit that will satisfy my needs would be greatly appreciated. I just would like to work with a smaller unit that's portable where the windows unit is a boat anchor, and if I can get portability and work without compatibility issues it would make life easier.
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yes, around $1500.00 if possible. I'm thinking a possible up-gradable 2014, for a SSD, I-7 unit i don't think an I-5 unit will cut it for work in the long run. Work is what work is and I will not get reimbursed it's all on me.
The goal at this point is to dump the windows unit, get a MAC unit to connect an USB full size keyboard & mouse (that I already have) and use the large size samsung monitor from the windows unit with the MAC.
They don't care at all. All they want is the work completed. if there are problems they are my problems.
The goal at this point is to dump the windows unit, get a MAC unit to connect an USB full size keyboard & mouse (that I already have) and use the large size samsung monitor from the windows unit with the MAC.
They don't care at all. All they want is the work completed. if there are problems they are my problems.
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Are you thinking of a 2014 MacBook Pro? If so, that will be a Retina model which means only the SSD can be replaced (but finding one may be difficult as it uses a non-standard form factor). RAM is soldered on. Also, the 13-inch models all have dual-core CPUs regardless of the i5/i7 designation, the i7 just has a higher clock speed. If you want a quad-core (which is recommended if you're running heavy workloads), you need to get a 15-inch model.
The 2012 non-Retina MacBook Pro is the last one that allows for RAM, hard drive and optical drive to be upgraded. The CPUs are, again, dual-core for 13-inch, quad-core for 15-inch.
Specifically what is the workload you'll need to run on this system? Your original post doesn't indicate anything which requires any significant compute power.
You should search local professional advise from someone within your company about how and what Mac does fit your needs.
Do not consider a G4-Mac for those tasks you're talking about.
An early 2008 15" MacBookPro might fit your needs ...
Any c2duo 15" after mid-2009 will be a sturdy fellow.
The latest series of i5/7 15" non-retina MBPs are the fastest, most reliable and upgradable devices.
As much as I love putting old Macs to work and seeing what's possible with 15 year old hardware, I have to agree with @bobesch on this one. No matter how many upgrades you throw at a G4, it just can't perform at the same level as pretty much any Intel MacBook, even a 10 year old one. If you want a Mac laptop without spending lots of money, an early or mid 2009 White MacBook is the best value IMO. It can run Sierra or High Sierra with basic software modification, and is easily found for under $100. It can still do anything most users want to do, despite still having a Core 2 Duo. (Which is no i7, but is considerably more powerful than a PowerPC G4.)
Does the early 2008 15" MBP suffer the same graphics problem as the late 2008 model?
IMO if the OP wants to keep the purchase under $1,500 that opens up a world of options for him. Here's a 2013 15" rMBP Core i7@2.4GHz, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD for BIN $590:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MacBook-Pr...477604&hash=item33f537ac5e:g:ghsAAOSwBNdbpipO
MODS: Not my auction.
That's less than half of his target price. Bumping it up even more options become available.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MacBook-Pr...477604&hash=item33f537ac5e:g:ghsAAOSwBNdbpipO
MODS: Not my auction.
That's less than half of his target price. Bumping it up even more options become available.
I like how the PowerPC community is still knowledgeable about other, newer versions of Macs and software, and is easily able to point people to the right directions when necessary.
I don't think you'd be able to say the same for something like the iPhone community, for instance...
I don't think you'd be able to say the same for something like the iPhone community, for instance...
Two of the IT guys said get the fastest I-7 unit that can be upgraded in regards to RAM because as time goes on that will be needed to access programs that will be placed on the server and implemented in the future. They suggested if I go with a MAC minimum system requirements a Macbook Pro 15" with 2.8, quad core, I-7, 512 Minimum SSD, 16 Gig RAM that can be both SSD & RAM can be upgraded. They also suggested to get the unit from a company that refurbishes like OWC or similar.
If not a MAC then go with a PC unit with the same hardware and they can install LINUX which they can customize for me. They said forget about windows, which is surprising as our work system is windows.
The only issue I have with LINUX is I never used it before.
If not a MAC then go with a PC unit with the same hardware and they can install LINUX which they can customize for me. They said forget about windows, which is surprising as our work system is windows.
The only issue I have with LINUX is I never used it before.
The auction I linked to met the majority of those requirements. The differences being a 2.4GHz processor versus the 2.8GHz requirement and 256GB SSD versus 512GB SSD requirement. Oh, and neither can be upgraded. Unfortunately with the requirements you've provided there aren't many, if any, options which meet those requirements and are upgradable. Especially the memory requirement as only the current generation of MBP can accept more than 16GB of memory.
Here's one that almost meets all your requirements (it has a 2.5GHz processor versus 2.8GHz requirement but it'll probably work just fine) and it's not upgradable (which is to be expected for the later models) for BIN $899:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-MacBook-Pro-15-4-i7-256-Ghz-16GB-512-GB-Retina-Display-Laptop-Mid-2014/132795646948?epid=219495762&hash=item1eeb3cc3e4:g:Fz0AAOSwK65bqtEI&LH_BIN=1
MODS: Not my auction.
By all means, get what you need for work, especially if they're paying.
But to your original question, I still say the G4 is worth fixing and upgrading for yourself. For work, I'm supplied with (currently) a 2013 Macbook Pro with 2.8 GHz i7 and 16Gb of RAM, but my personal laptop is a 1.67 GHz Powerbook G4.
I find that with most companies' IT policies, it is beneficial to keep the work computer mostly free of personal files and activities. That's not to say I don't browse on it while I work, but I definitely wouldn't use it to store any personal photos, documents, etc.
But to your original question, I still say the G4 is worth fixing and upgrading for yourself.
For work, I'm supplied with (currently) a 2013 Macbook Pro with 2.8 GHz i7 and 16Gb of RAM, but my personal laptop is a 1.67 GHz Powerbook G4.I find that with most companies' IT policies, it is beneficial to keep the work computer mostly free of personal files and activities. That's not to say I don't browse on it while I work, but I definitely wouldn't use it to store any personal photos, documents, etc.