Save My Mother's Power Book G4!

[Keeper O]

I'm attempting to save my mother's Power Book G4. If no Power Book for her, then no computer. So, stakes are high.

She's got a 1Ghz with 512 MB. She's running OS 10.4.11.

All she'd really like to do is browse the web and write emails.

Safari and Firefox can really only load Google. Opera can't load anything.

Is there any way to enhance security to improve web browsing? Could I have opinions on the possibility of actually succeeding trying to restore? Also, specific suggestions on what to try next?

Thank you,

Keeper O

 

[MacPro2006VBox]

I'm attempting to save my mother's Power Book G4. If no Power Book for her, then no computer. So, stakes are high.

She's got a 1Ghz with 512 MB. She's running OS 10.4.11.

All she'd really like to do is browse the web and write emails.

Safari and Firefox can really only load Google. Opera can't load anything.

Is there any way to enhance security to improve web browsing? Could I have opinions on the possibility of actually succeeding trying to restore? Also, specific suggestions on what to try next?

Thank you,

Keeper O

How old is it? The final iteration of the last generation Powerbook G4’s take DDR2.

 

[PhoenixDown]

Honestly, spend the money on a cheap ipad.

 

[bsamcash]

Sorry but the 1Ghz G4 is nothing more than a project or collector piece these days. It's just not going to be possible to make it useable. Not even with a Linux distro. As PhoenixDown mentioned, get the cheapest iPad.

 

[wicknix]

What are you guys smoking? For basic web browsing and emailing a 1ghz G4 will do fine. I'd max out the ram and install either tenfourfox or interweb for relatively secure web browsing. As for the Linux comment, i beg to differ. See video below. 720p video playback, decent browsing speed, youtube and twitch streaming, etc. Sure it's not blazing fast, but it's quite usable.
Mac Mini G4 with Ubuntu Linux Remix in 2020 - YouTube
Or check out @Dronecatcher 's G3 doing everything you say it can't.
What Can a G3 iBook Do In 2021? - YouTube

 

[bsamcash]

What are you guys smoking? For basic web browsing and emailing a 1ghz G4 will do fine. I'd max out the ram and install either tenfourfox or interweb for relatively secure web browsing. As for the Linux comment, i beg to differ. See video below. 720p video playback, decent browsing speed, youtube and twitch streaming, etc. Sure it's not blazing fast, but it's quite usable.
Mac Mini G4 with Ubuntu Linux Remix in 2020 - YouTube
Or check out @Dronecatcher 's G3 doing everything you say it can't.
What Can a G3 iBook Do In 2021? - YouTube

I'm pretty sure the max RAM for the 1Ghz G4 is either 768MB or 1GB. This is not adequate for HD video, let alone modern web browsing. The fans will be full blast and the laptop will burn her lap.

 

[wicknix]

I have a 1.3ghz powerbook G4 with 768mb ram and the fans hardly ever spin up when browsing the web. The mini G4 in the video i posted has 1gb ram and has no problem with 720p.

 

[bsamcash]

I have a 1.3ghz powerbook G4 with 768mb ram and the fans hardly ever spin up when browsing the web. The mini G4 in the video i posted has 1gb ram and has no problem with 720p.

I have the 1.67Ghz high res. The fastest Powerbook ever made. I have the RAM maxed out with 2GB and an SSD. I have Linux Mint installed as well. I promise you that OPs mom will not be about to handle modern web browsing or HD Youtube.

 

[wicknix]

I also have a 1.67ghz powerbook. It handles 95% of the modern web just fine with Linux and youtube. Seen here: PowerBook G4 running Linux playing YouTube in 2020 - YouTube

 

[bsamcash]

I also have a 1.67ghz powerbook. It handles 95% of the modern web just fine with Linux and 480p youtube. Seen here: PowerBook G4 running Linux playing YouTube in 2020 - YouTube

What you don't seem to get is that there's a difference between the expectations and experience for tinkering tech nerds, such as you and I, and the experience the average user is expecting. a 1Ghz Powerbook will not work to the average user's expectations. Please stop giving OP bad advice.

 

[wicknix]

Please stop giving OP bad advice.

Then you do the same. The OP wanted more secure web browsing and emailing than outdated firefox and safari offer. A G4 will do that. For those basic needs it will work. Just install tenfourfox or interweb.

 

[reddrag0n]

if the op is talking about a g4 Ti, then i can relate to him. i have 10.5.8 on mine with a full 1gb ram and an ssd. sure it's not the speediest thing on the planet but for simple email or a quick browse on the net, then tenfourfox or interweb will do. i use mine nightly with a pcmcia wifi-g card to run itunes streams and it does it pretty well. mine is just an 867 but still waiting for the 1ghz board to come in the mail (was majorly back-ordered). unless the person that is going to use it plans on running the latest programs or anything like that, i'm sure there are variants out there that will come close.

 

[jchap]

As PhoenixDown mentioned, get the cheapest iPad.

Why would an iPad be equivalent to a computer with a physical keyboard? What about all the e-mails and files she may have saved over the years on her local hard drive? While exporting and reimporting that to an iPadOS device may be possible with certain caveats, it might not be what the doctor ordered.

Naturally, using older technology means running the risk of losing everything once an obsolete part goes out of whack. On the flip side, a lot of older people who are less adventurous with technology may not have an easy time adjusting to touch screen keyboards. She could try, of course, and see what she thinks, but why force it upon her?

I would say that if she wants what she's already got, and there are relatively simple ways to allow her to browse the Web and send/receive e-mails safely, then she should stick with what she has, unless she's quite excited about using touch screens, tablets and the latest technologies out there.

 

[Project Alice]

I assume this is either a TiBook or a first gen Aluminum. Either will work just fine. TFF or Interweb and it can browse the web just fine. A little slowly, but for someones mother I imagine it would be fine. Idk about you guys but the only thing my mom knows how to do is google things sometimes and find recipes. I do things like that on my PPCs all the time. On Leopard usually. She’ll have no problem using Tiger on that thing for those purposes. I’m pretty sure you can still use the built in mail app with certain emails if you set it up manually.

OP: if it is a titanium PowerBook, upgrade the ram to 1GB. 2GB if it’s an Aluminum model. Regardless of OS, TenFourFox and derivatives will function a lot faster with more ram. Ram is cheap for these laptops as well.

 

[Dronecatcher]

I'm pretty sure the max RAM for the 1Ghz G4 is either 768MB or 1GB. This is not adequate for HD video, let alone modern web browsing. The fans will be full blast and the laptop will burn her lap.

The OP made no mention of HD video (which a 1Ghz Powerbook can do with Coreplayer and certainly with 512Mb.)

Also the OP didn't specify that this must be achieved with little effort - and effort is all that is needed to streamline the online experience, yes it will be slow but he did say there's no alternative machine for her.

So to the OP, learn about script blocking, useragents, TenFourFoxBoxes and Links2.

 

[m1maverick]

The OP made no mention of HD video (which a 1Ghz Powerbook can do with Coreplayer and certainly with 512Mb.)

Also the OP didn't specify that this must be achieved with little effort - and effort is all that is needed to streamline the online experience, yes it will be slow but he did say there's no alternative machine for her.

So to the OP, learn about script blocking, useragents, TenFourFoxBoxes and Links2.

I think it's reasonable to assume little effort is preferable to considerable effort.

I bought my mother an iPad Air 2 (this was years ago) and she has no problem browsing the web and writing e-mails. A $40 case / keyboard and she has all she needs. I still use an iPad 2 to watch YouTube videos without problem.

If the OP is going to invest money into upgrading the G4 then I would recommend investing that money into an iPad (there are many iPad 2's with asking prices around $50.00 on eBay) instead.

 

[Dronecatcher]

If the OP is going to invest money into upgrading the G4 then I would recommend investing that money into an iPad (there are many iPad 2's with asking prices around $50.00 on eBay) instead.

Like playing HD video this is another inference that the OP hasn't made.
Absolutely there are better alternatives at low cost but the OP did say, "If no Power Book for her, then no computer."

 

[eyoungren]

I get a sense that the "…then no computer" part might stem from OP's mother not wanting to use anything other than the G4 she's accustomed to using. OP didn't say anything about the history of the situation and my gut has been wrong lots of times, but that's my take here.

Some people get set in their ways and are accustomed to using or doing things certain ways and if they can no longer do that they will abandon the practice.

Unfortunately, OP has yet to weigh in, other than the first post. Lots of good ideas here, but ultimately will OP's mother have the desire (or capacity) to implement them?

We need OP's further input I think.

 

[m1maverick]

Like playing HD video this is another inference that the OP hasn't made.
Absolutely there are better alternatives at low cost but the OP did say, "If no Power Book for her, then no computer."

I haven't seen anyone recommend a different computer. What I have seen is a number of people recommend a low cost iPad. If there are funds available to upgrade this computer there should be funds available to buy a low cost iPad.

Edit: Here's an iPad Air (first generation) for $70.00 with free shipping:

Apple iPad Air 1st Gen. 16GB - Wi-Fi, 9.7 in MC979LL/A White | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iPad Air 1st Gen. 16GB - Wi-Fi, 9.7 in MC979LL/A White at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

MODS: Not my auction. This will give a much better browsing experience than any PowerPC based system.

 

[Amethyst1]

I haven't seen anyone recommend a different computer. What I have seen is a number of people recommend a low cost iPad.

Doesn't that boil down to the same thing though? Spending money on a new machine the OP's mother needs to become familiar with?

 

[m1maverick]

Doesn't that boil down to the same thing though? Spending money on a new machine the OP's mother needs to become familiar with?

Not in my opinion. My mother would never use a computer. She's fine with an iPad.

 

[iluvmacs99]

I'm attempting to save my mother's Power Book G4. If no Power Book for her, then no computer. So, stakes are high.

She's got a 1Ghz with 512 MB. She's running OS 10.4.11.

All she'd really like to do is browse the web and write emails.

Safari and Firefox can really only load Google. Opera can't load anything.

Is there any way to enhance security to improve web browsing? Could I have opinions on the possibility of actually succeeding trying to restore? Also, specific suggestions on what to try next?

Thank you,

Keeper O

Keeper O,

There's not a whole lot of information here to give you based on what you gave about your mother to improve your mother's situation. What do I mean by that? Well, you are asking us to provide advice to improve the web experience and email experience with her current PowerBook G4. But what you had provided is very ambiguous at best, because the words you used such as "she'd really like to do is browse the web and write emails" is open to many interpretations and can point to many potential experiences. What sort of web and email experience she is looking to improve?

Is she looking to improve the web and email experience exactly equivalent to today's modern iPad, modern Chromebook as of 2021 or macOS Big Sur? What sort of websites is she trying to log into and failed to log on to?

Having said that, the PowerBook G4 your mother uses will limit her greatly, because many modern websites had gone to a 1 year SSL/TLS security certificates format and if you don't have the latest SSL/TLS certs, then the webpages won't load. You need to either have the up-to-date modern browser and or an up-to-date modern OS that still receives security updates to log into.

So again, what is your mother looking for web and email experience wise. If she's looking to have the same web and email experience as a modern OS and browser do while still receiving security updates, then she needs to let go of the PowerBook G4 and transition towards something like a ChromeBook or an iPad which are both pretty simple to use.

So give us some lists of websites, specific websites that she wants to have that full browsing and email experience and then we can offer some practical constructive advice moving forward.

 

[PhoenixDown]

Why would an iPad be equivalent to a computer with a physical keyboard? What about all the e-mails and files she may have saved over the years on her local hard drive? While exporting and reimporting that to an iPadOS device may be possible with certain caveats, it might not be what the doctor ordered.

There are keyboard covers for the ipad that would increase her comfort level. You can even pair a mouse I believe with many ipad's too. As for the files, the OP hasn't mentioned anything specific that would -prevent- an ipad from being a viable option. The ipad supports email and the internet out of the box.

I would say that if she wants what she's already got, and there are relatively simple ways to allow her to browse the Web and send/receive e-mails safely, then she should stick with what she has, unless she's quite excited about using touch screens, tablets and the latest technologies out there.

With all respect to the OP, they don't have the experience to care for the myriad of intriciacies involved with making the G1 secure and run even in an even semi-suitable fashion or they wouldn't be here asking in the first place. Even with that kind of experience - who really wants to invest the time and energy into such a task? iPad may not be perfect but its a set it and forget it experience and even us more tech savy enthuisats understand and appreciate that or we wouldn't own Apple products in the first place.

That said, the OP's mom seems to care for email and web surfing.
All this discussion is making a simple matter extremely complicated for no real reason.

---

In terms of learning curve, maybe the OP's mom will enjoy newer features like Face Time and even existing features that are more accessible in an iPad than in an older G1.

 

[z970]

A minor observation from a thread outsider ...

@eyoungren made a great point of there being a lack of required information from @Keeper O regarding their preferences and situation in post #18, and as I understand it, that we should wait for them to provide further input before proceeding with a proposed route of action.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

1.) Use Wicknix's fix in post #5. Its free and will keep her PB and OS experience consistent which is perfect for older people.
2.) If that performance is too slow for her, take Phoenix Down's advice in post #2 and purchase a low cost Ipad. My Mom (she's 69) loves her ipad.