Recommendations for Setting up Mac Mini G4

[Cal J Harris]

Hi so bit of small background. I'm a techy, I like messing. I know I'm not buying a Super Powered System with a G4. I have a gaming pc and a MacBook Pro 2015, I owned an iBook G4 Calmshell in the past and did it up, sold it on. I like to keep some Legacy system for fun mostly but also you never know. Currently I have a ThinkPad T42 which is probably the best laptop in terms of specs for Windows 98 with full suppprt., I also have XP and Debian 10 on it.

Got a G4 Mac Mini on the way. Snagged it for only £26! Obviously OS X is something that I will be installing, never got to use it but I know Tiger is goal posted as one of best OS X versions, maybe Leopard too. I do have a few questions about what else I can do OS wise.

Mac OS 9 is something I'd like to use and I have caught wind that you can run it even though it's not supported, is this case? If so could anybody link me to doing this on a Mini G4, does it have to be done before an OS X install?

Secondly Linux, what is recommended for an up-to-date Linux? My home network is mostly Windows 10, I basically Phased out SMB 1, on my T42 I can access and copy files from my shares through Debian which obviously supports SMB 2/3. As far is I know and assume Tiger only supports 1 and I'm not sure for Leopard does it support 2? Either way Linux is something I'd like to mess with on the G4 also to have some more up to date facilities too.

Finally I'm not expecting much I know G4s have limitations, I'm not interested in Internet video playback atleast not in a browser though it would be cool to see what software is available to try and watch some videos or even Twitch for the lols. Also I know the Mac Mini is not a massive gamer but I would be interested in giving games like the Sims 2 a go because it's all time favourite of mine! I have the 1.33ghz Mini coming would it play Sims 2? Like not expecting HD but will it play?

Anyway sorry for questions galor! I'm just pretty techy and getting to mess with a limited Legacy platform and see what I can get away with is fun to me. That and along side my T42 this will be another legacy system espically if I can get Mac OS 9 working. Thanks for putting up and reading!

 

[RogerWilco6502]

Hi so bit of small background. I'm a techy, I like messing. I know I'm not buying a Super Powered System with a G4. I have a gaming pc and a MacBook Pro 2015, I owned an iBook G4 Calmshell in the past and did it up, sold it on. I like to keep some Legacy system for fun mostly but also you never know. Currently I have a ThinkPad T42 which is probably the best laptop in terms of specs for Windows 98 with full suppprt., I also have XP and Debian 10 on it.

Got a G4 Mac Mini on the way. Snagged it for only £26! Obviously OS X is something that I will be installing, never got to use it but I know Tiger is goal posted as one of best OS X versions, maybe Leopard too. I do have a few questions about what else I can do OS wise.

Mac OS 9 is something I'd like to use and I have caught wind that you can run it even though it's not supported, is this case? If so could anybody link me to doing this on a Mini G4, does it have to be done before an OS X install?

Secondly Linux, what is recommended for an up-to-date Linux? My home network is mostly Windows 10, I basically Phased out SMB 1, on my T42 I can access and copy files from my shares through Debian which obviously supports SMB 2/3. As far is I know and assume Tiger only supports 1 and I'm not sure for Leopard does it support 2? Either way Linux is something I'd like to mess with on the G4 also to have some more up to date facilities too.

Finally I'm not expecting much I know G4s have limitations, I'm not interested in Internet video playback atleast not in a browser though it would be cool to see what software is available to try and watch some videos or even Twitch for the lols. Also I know the Mac Mini is not a massive gamer but I would be interested in giving games like the Sims 2 a go because it's all time favourite of mine! I have the 1.33ghz Mini coming would it play Sims 2? Like not expecting HD but will it play?

Anyway sorry for questions galor! I'm just pretty techy and getting to mess with a limited Legacy platform and see what I can get away with is fun to me. That and along side my T42 this will be another legacy system espically if I can get Mac OS 9 working. Thanks for putting up and reading!

Ok, I have a Mac Mini G4. I have Leopard installed on mine but Tiger would do just as well. I love Tiger, but Leopard is slightly better than Tiger in terms of things such as SMB implementation. So given you have a Windows 10 network, it might be ideal to use Leopard. I don't know if it supports 2, so I can't help you there sadly.

The folks over at Mac OS 9 Lives have a great resource for installing Mac OS 9 on a Mac Mini G4.

As for Linux, we have a rich PPC Linux community here, you can check out my response here for more info on where to start with Linux.

As for internet and gaming, there are some good resources for that too. TenFourFox, FoxPEP, and PPCMC are all great ways to enjoy the internet and while I don't know about The Sims 2, I'm sure if you compared the minimum requirements for The Sims 2 with your Mini's specs you should be able to find if it'll work.

I get ya, I'm also a tinkerer and I have a 1.42GHz Mini that I use pretty regularly. Best of luck and have fun!

Bonus: The Macintosh Garden is a great place to get software of all sorts.

 

[Cal J Harris]

Ok, I have a Mac Mini G4. I have Leopard installed on mine but Tiger would do just as well. I love Tiger, but Leopard is slightly better than Tiger in terms of things such as SMB implementation. So given you have a Windows 10 network, it might be ideal to use Leopard. I don't know if it supports 2, so I can't help you there sadly.

The folks over at Mac OS 9 Lives have a great resource for installing Mac OS 9 on a Mac Mini G4.

As for Linux, we have a rich PPC Linux community here, you can check out my response here for more info on where to start with Linux.

As for internet and gaming, there are some good resources for that too. TenFourFox, FoxPEP, and PPCMC are all great ways to enjoy the internet and while I don't know about The Sims 2, I'm sure if you compared the minimum requirements for The Sims 2 with your Mini's specs you should be able to find if it'll work.

I get ya, I'm also a tinkerer and I have a 1.42GHz Mini that I use pretty regularly. Best of luck and have fun!

Bonus: The Macintosh Garden is a great place to get software of all sorts.

Thanks for the recommendations! Will be sure to look into this all when it arrives!

 

[timidpimpin]

Tiger will run a lot better on the 1GB RAM limit in the G4 mini's.

 

[Cal J Harris]

Tiger will run a lot better on the 1GB RAM limit in the G4 mini's.

Yup mine is apparently coming with 512mb, probably going to upgrade that to 1gb. Owner said might be issues with Superdrive but not sure 100% so that's gonna be my priority first.

 

[Amethyst1]

Yup mine is apparently coming with 512mb, probably going to upgrade that to 1gb

OS X on 512MB isn't fun.

 

[timidpimpin]

Yup mine is apparently coming with 512mb, probably going to upgrade that to 1gb. Owner said might be issues with Suoerdrive but not sure 100% so that's gonna be my priority first.

Tiger will run half way decent on 512MB, but even with 1GB Leopard can be quite limited. In my experience Leopard uses about 300-350MB just to boot the OS, and before you have launched a single app. Tiger is around 150MB after boot up.

 

[Cal J Harris]

Tiger will run half way decent on 512MB, but even with 1GB Leopard can be quite limited. In my experience Leopard uses about 300-350MB just to boot the OS, and before you have launched a single app. Tiger is around 150MB after boot up.

Cool, is that hard to get into the Mini for the Ram. I know you have to try open the bottem, is it pretty sturdy? I don't want to end up breaking the bass. For all I know this is a 15 year old machine that has never been opened.

 

[timidpimpin]

Cool, is that hard to get into the Mini for the Ram. I know you have to try open the botten, is it pretty sturdy? I don't want to end up breaking the bass. For all I know this is a 15 year old machine that has never been opened.

The G4 mini's are actually the easiest to install RAM into of all the mini's ever made. You can easily do it without even removing the inner cage. All you would need is a putty knife and a 1GB stick of PC2700. Also, it takes standard desktop dimms, not so-dimms like every mini after.

The top is pretty sturdy. Aluminum sides and a plastic top. It's easy to open with a putty knife, but it's also possible to use an old credit card or ID or two flat head screwdrivers like this video, but if you have access to a putty knife use that.

 

[r6mile]

Are you based in the UK? If so I may have a 1GB stick of DDR1 ram (leftover from a PowerMac G4) you could have, if you are happy to pay for P&P.

 

[wicknix]

Since you mentioned twitch....
Mac mini g4 w/Linux (Ubuntu 12.04 remix)

Cheers

 

[Cal J Harris]

Since you mentioned twitch....
Mac mini g4 w/Linux (Ubuntu 12.04 remix)

Cheers

Would you recommend going to an older Version of Ubuntu over Debian? I know is Debian is not official anymore on PPC but that Ubuntu/Lubuntu and so on are only supported till April next year. I know there is MintPPC I think the thing that puts me off a little is the fact it's using Debian Sid.

 

[Cal J Harris]

Would you recommend going to an older Version of Ubuntu over Debian? I know is Debian is not official anymore on PPC but that Ubuntu/Lubuntu and so on are only supported till April next year. I know there is MintPPC I think the thing that puts me off a little is the fact it's using Debian Sid.

Also found this Adeline Linux https://www.adelielinux.org which supports PPC.

 

[Amethyst1]

Would you recommend going to an older Version of Ubuntu over Debian? I know is Debian is not official anymore on PPC but that Ubuntu/Lubuntu and so on are only supported till April next year. I know there is MintPPC I think the thing that puts me off a little is the fact it's using Debian Sid.

If you want speed, Lubuntu 12.04 Remix is the ticket.

 

[Cal J Harris]

Are you based in the UK? If so I may have a 1GB stick of DDR1 ram (leftover from a PowerMac G4) you could have, if you are happy to pay for P&P.

I am based in the UK! I'd be happy too as long as your ok with it, that's very generous thank you. I can shoot you over message of you like?

 

[Cal J Harris]

If you want speed, Lubuntu 12.04 Remix is the ticket.

Also just found the PPC Void Linux but also just read the thread by wicknix with the 16.04 and 12.04 Remix. Remix looks pretty good espically since it comes with updated software. I'm guess newer Kernel Versions while cool and all are more of a strain.

 

[wicknix]

Newer kernels break suspend/resume also. I'm partial to the remixes because I made them, but all the others are nice as well. The older stuff is lighter and faster though IMO. Try them all and see what you like best, or works best with your hardware. Both void and Ubuntu are live CD/DVD installers, so you can try them before installing.

Cheers

 

[Cal J Harris]

Newer kernels break suspend/resume also. I'm partial to the remixes because I made them, but all the others are nice as well. The older stuff is lighter and faster though IMO. Try them all and see what you like best, or works best with your hardware. Both void and Ubuntu are live CD/DVD installers, so you can try them before installing.

Cheers

Awesome will do, thanks for the great guide on the Remixes you posted, will be sure to give them a go.

 

[Amethyst1]

The older stuff is lighter and faster though IMO.

Perhaps another remix based on 6.06 is something to consider then LOL.