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Who uses their PPC mac as their main machine?

Nameci said:
Old apps still work and they work well and more than enough than I need for the most part.
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Very true indeed. There is very rarely a time when I wish my PowerPC Macs could run an Intel only program. The only reason I even need Windows is my university's requirement of Windows for a test taking program. This is alleviated with the use of Windows 2000/XP booted inside Virtual PC 7 on my PowerPC Macs. The only programs I wish were PowerPC compatible are Chrome and Google Drive. Luckily, I have plenty of browser alternatives (Leopard Webkit, TenFourFox, Camino) and Dropbox is PowerPC compatible and still an excellent service.

Nameci said:
I really don't have that love for the intel machines. They are so mainstream.
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I agree. My only exception to this is my Mac Pro because it's a power-house and it looks so much like my PowerMac G5.
 

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Although I don't use my Powermac G4 for main machine (in university I need some windows programs and some portability) I tried being with the powermac only for this weekend.
The worst part is web browsing, you need about 2-3 browsers to manage to do everything "speedy" (maybe in more powerfull macs it doesn't happen), and when it comes to flash sites...well it's a matter of luck.
The rest of the tasks are ok, you just need to do the right choices in terms of software =)
 
Power Macintosh said:
The MacBooks and the iMac and the Mac Pro are more than just a PC with an Apple logo on it. You sound just like a Mac hater.

Multi-touch gestures. I haven't heard of a PPC with those. It's a wonderful experience.

Backlit Keyboard (MacBook Air and Pro only). Helps you see in the dark. Very helpful in my case.

Fast. Obviously, the newer Macs are faster than PPC ones.

Compatibility. You can put Windows on it.

Applications. Barely anyone develops for PPC these days.

OS X Snow Leopard/Lion/Mountain Lion. See the features you've been missing.

It's a wonderful Intel world.
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Missed the point entirely. Yes, new Macs have features the PPCs don't. Still doesn't change the fact that 90% of the hardware is what every other PC maker uses.
 
coldmack said:
If anything a Mac hater is a person who hates on Apple Mac(Intel, and PPC). I on the other hand have a dislike for x86 PCs, and as previously stated Intel Macs are just glorified PC with an Apple logo on it.
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Yeah, I hate x86 PCs too. Good thing current Intel Macs are x64.
 
Today I loaded CleanMyMac, The Hit List (the final PPC version), and Times (which is now known as Pulp) on my G5. I also stuck that Lion for Leopard skin. I'm thinking about maybe upgrading from CS3 to 4 on it too. I might even look to even adding Bluetooth so I can use a Mighty Mouse I have laying around with it. There is no way I'm retiring that thing anytime soon before I add more RAM and goodies. I have too much fun using it.
 
skinniezinho said:
Although I don't use my Powermac G4 for main machine (in university I need some windows programs and some portability) I tried being with the powermac only for this weekend.
The worst part is web browsing, you need about 2-3 browsers to manage to do everything "speedy" (maybe in more powerfull macs it doesn't happen), and when it comes to flash sites...well it's a matter of luck.
The rest of the tasks are ok, you just need to do the right choices in terms of software =)
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Maybe it's because I use the iPad regularly, but it's made me used to avoiding sites with any kind of Flash, and I apply that habit right back to my PB :p

And boy, what a good habit that is! Quiet laptop, little battery issue, slight issue with the backlight, but oh well. The iPad may be fast, but I still think the PB's keyboard is worth dying for.
 
Cassie said:
Missed the point entirely. Yes, new Macs have features the PPCs don't. Still doesn't change the fact that 90% of the hardware is what every other PC maker uses.
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I agree. This is why I'm expecting a Powermac G5 anytime soon :3 xD
 
For almost a year I have been useing a 13 macbook air. Yesterday I got an iMac G5 for $100 and I have falln in love with it. I just need to max the ram and figure out how to get my hard drive to work with it.
 
wrinkster22 said:
For almost a year I have been useing a 13 macbook air. Yesterday I got an iMac G5 for $100 and I have falln in love with it. I just need to max the ram and figure out how to get my hard drive to work with it.
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Ahh nice :p the poster who said that current Macs that use Intel processors are just PCs; whereas a Powermac G5 is the last workstation real Mac Apple made before the Mac Pros :( A damn shame. I can't way to get my hands on this.

Glad your enjoying it :)
 
I run my Alienware for the majority of my tasks (Runs Lion in VM quite well)

But I use the Powerbook in my sig most days when I want battery life.
The GPU in this thing overclocks like a BEAST. Runs halo at a consistent 30-40FPS


Power Macintosh said:
Yeah, I hate x86 PCs too. Good thing current Intel Macs are x64.
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I loled at this, Apple uses off the shelf Intel chips and they are X86-X64 chips.
Basically they are the same regardless of any way you try to twist it, AMD is the exceptions, being it is more x64 dominant that an intel chip. But they both run the same code the same way.
 
I'm excited about getting a Powermac G5 on Friday. Is there something wrong with me? It's an old computer by todays standards lol
 
Liquinn said:
I'm excited about getting a Powermac G5 on Friday. Is there something wrong with me? It's an old computer by todays standards lol
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Looking at your signature, don't be expecting the kind of performance you get from those Macs. (Unless you bought a top of the line, maxed-out G5.) Don't get me wrong, it shouldn't be "slow" by most any standards; but it probably won't feel like a "pro" machine anymore either.

I don't think there's anything wrong with you, these older Macs are something special and therefore owning one should make you feel special. :)
 
Cassie said:
Looking at your signature, don't be expecting the kind of performance you get from those Macs. (Unless you bought a top of the line, maxed-out G5.) Don't get me wrong, it shouldn't be "slow" by most any standards; but it probably won't feel like a "pro" machine anymore either.

I don't think there's anything wrong with you, these older Macs are something special and therefore owning one should make you feel special. :)
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True, it's a real Mac. Not an Intel machine with an Apple logo on it.

I can't wait for it :)
 
Power Macintosh said:
Yeah, I hate x86 PCs too. Good thing current Intel Macs are x64.
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Seems like you missed the point. As Cassie pointed out.

Cassie said:
Missed the point entirely. Yes, new Macs have features the PPCs don't. Still doesn't change the fact that 90% of the hardware is what every other PC maker uses.
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Exactly, and that makes Apple a Wintel PC maker. Only difference is they created software that requires their logo to use(which still doesn't stop the folks from putting OSX on their garbage box netbook or Dell).
 
Cassie said:
Looking at your signature, don't be expecting the kind of performance you get from those Macs. (Unless you bought a top of the line, maxed-out G5.) Don't get me wrong, it shouldn't be "slow" by most any standards; but it probably won't feel like a "pro" machine anymore either.

I don't think there's anything wrong with you, these older Macs are something special and therefore owning one should make you feel special. :)
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Another quick question: Is there anything I should know about owning a PPC Mac or anything I need to be aware of? I love the G5 design.

Thanks! :)
 
Liquinn said:
Another quick question: Is there anything I should know about owning a PPC Mac or anything I need to be aware of? I love the G5 design.

Thanks! :)
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Well, assuming it's your first PPC, I'll give a few basics. You cannot run any apps that are Intel-only, which sadly, is quite a few these days. However, there are also a lot of apps that are "Universal", meaning they run on both Intel and PPC. These will be your best chance at the most up-to-date software.

Flash is horrible on Macs period, but recently it's become almost too much for a lot of PPC's. If you're a YouTube user, MacTubes is the best way to go about watching those things, though I cannot say I have any first hand experience with that app. (I don't use YouTube, period.) It'd be wise to try and avoid anything Flash based altogether for the best performance.

Leopard would most likely run wonderfully on your G5, and it's not a bad OS by any means. But if for any reason you find yourself running Tiger, be sure to check out TenFourFox, it's probably the best web browser out there (IMO) for PPC Macs right now, and is one of the very few left still being updated. In fact, check it out anyway, I think they have a Leopard version as well.

Last but not least, take everything I say with a grain of salt. I'm not citing any real references, I'm just going off of personal experience and what I think I know. :p Enjoy your G5, they're still quite powerful and useful machines. :)
 
Cassie said:
Well, assuming it's your first PPC, I'll give a few basics. You cannot run any apps that are Intel-only, which sadly, is quite a few these days. However, there are also a lot of apps that are "Universal", meaning they run on both Intel and PPC. These will be your best chance at the most up-to-date software.

Flash is horrible on Macs period, but recently it's become almost too much for a lot of PPC's. If you're a YouTube user, MacTubes is the best way to go about watching those things, though I cannot say I have any first hand experience with that app. (I don't use YouTube, period.) It'd be wise to try and avoid anything Flash based altogether for the best performance.

Leopard would most likely run wonderfully on your G5, and it's not a bad OS by any means. But if for any reason you find yourself running Tiger, be sure to check out TenFourFox, it's probably the best web browser out there (IMO) for PPC Macs right now, and is one of the very few left still being updated. In fact, check it out anyway, I think they have a Leopard version as well.

Last but not least, take everything I say with a grain of salt. I'm not citing any real references, I'm just going off of personal experience and what I think I know. :p Enjoy your G5, they're still quite powerful and useful machines. :)
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Yeah thanks for the advice. I still think about getting a PowerbookG4 which is crazy even though they're years old now. I'll take your advice on board; I guess I'm hoping to put some files on there that I do not want on my Mini or Macbook Pro; so it should be a good file server.

I decided to get the PowerMac as I wanted a Powermac which was only around £200 or so which comes with a Mac Pro box xD. So at-least I get a box out of it.

How long can I expect my Powermac G5 to last? Will it last 10-20 years? I know this is an unrealistic expectation lol. But Macs do last a while I think ;'D

Cheers
 
Liquinn said:
Yeah thanks for the advice. I still think about getting a PowerbookG4 which is crazy even though they're years old now. I'll take your advice on board; I guess I'm hoping to put some files on there that I do not want on my Mini or Macbook Pro; so it should be a good file server.
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My main machine is a 1.42 GHz G4 eMac. It's still got enough power for me to complete my required tasks without much trouble, your G5 will be even better. :)

How long can I expect my Powermac G5 to last? Will it last 10-20 years? I know this is an unrealistic expectation lol. But Macs do last a while I think ;'D

Cheers
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Physically, it's pretty likely. I've got a 26 year old Apple IIc in perfect working condition. Also a 22 year old Mac Classic, flawless. (Well, except the floppy drive but I broke that on my own. :eek:) But as a useful machine? I'd say if your needs are fairly basic, it should last a good 5 years. I wouldn't go as far as 10, I think we'll be dealing with a very different computing world that even your G5 won't be able to keep up with by then.
 
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