Questions about an Upgrade from a Mac Mini PPC G4

[webb95]

Hi all. I have some questions about the ability to use some disks and files from my 2006 mac mini PPC G4. I am interested in purchasing the 2014 mac mini. If you have real experience and can answer the questions, your response is greatly appreciated.

Old System Specs: PowerPC G4
Boot ROM Version: 4.8.9f4
System Version: Mac OS X 10.4.11
Kernel Version: Darwin 8.11.0

My questions are:
1. I have an external USB drive with files on it that I will want to use on the new mac mini. Specs are:
Partition Type: Apple_HFS
Journaled: Yes
Will I be able to plug this into the new mac mini and it mount for use?

2. I have some movie project files made with iMovie HD Version 5.0.2.
Will I be able to use these with the iMovie that comes with the new mac mini? Is there a migration path from my old version to the newest?

3. I have photo files from iPhoto Version 5.0.4. Will I be able to export/import the photos into Photos that comes with the new mac mini?
Is there a migration path from the old version to the newest?

Thanks ahead of time for the help.

 

[MultiFinder17]

1. Yes, no issue at all.

2. Should not be an issue. iMovie has always opened older iMovie files for me with no issue.

3. Yes, just point it to your iPhoto library and it will take care of the rest. It will take a few minutes to go through and upgrade the library file, but after that you'll be fine.

 

[Micky Do]

As above…. when the HDD failed on my 2005 G4 Mini original, I decided it was time to replace the whole computer. There was also a power supply problem. I was in the habit of backing up every month or two, and had done so a week before. One of the reasons for going new was that, with the advent of Time Machine, regular manual back-ups would no longer be necessary.

I bought a 2009 Mini, plugged in the USB back up, transferred the lot, photos and all, and carried on as before.

Although I use Time Machine, I still do some manual backing up. I back up work and other important files separately on an external HDD and a flash drive at the end of each term. I also use the external HDD to archive photos and other files I want to delete on the internal HDD. That way I know that when I replace the computer I can be up an running in short order, without having to go through the process of recovering files from the Time Machine HDD I am using now.

 

[webb95]

Thanks all for the responses. I received the Mini today and as you both said, everything is compatible. A major leap for sure from the older G4 to the Intel i5. Quite pleased with the choice.

 

[MultiFinder17]

Excellent, glad it all worked out for you. Enjoy your new mini!