Who uses their PPC mac as their main machine?

[Davy.Shalom]

Main machine is a PowerMac G5 dual core 2.3 with 16 GB of RAM. I have 2 TB of storage in there currently.

My main laptop is a PowerBook G4 1.33 12", upgraded w/ 250 GB storage and 1.25 GB RAM. I love the small form factor and its original superdrive is still operable.

 

[mrcliffsr]

Ppc g5

My only machine is a G5 (early 2005). I have upgraded the GPU and just added more RAM. Now has 7 GB. I use it with a Dell 27" monitor to edit a church one hour TV program every week. I use Final Cut Pro 5.04. Been waiting for a good update from Apple for a long time and have my money saved but will wait for another 6 months or so for a good update.
It is getting hard because most new software these days is not usable. Just waiting.

 

[Liquinn]

I ordered a Powermac G5 via eBay and the seller dispatched it via Yodel/parcel2go in the UK and I still haven't received it. Which sucks.

I guess I'll have to wait to get my 3rd Mac.

 

[Goftrey]

My main machine is a DP 1.8ghz G5, 1gb RAM (will upgrade to 4gb ASAP), 160gb HDD, GeForce FX5200 w/64mb (Again, will be upgrading ASAP)

My main portable is a 15" 1.67ghz PowerBook, 1gb RAM, 80gb HDD, Mob. Radeon 9700 w/128mb

I am so happy with my current setup, both are doing everything I need them to do with reliability & speed. My G5 will be seriously upgraded (4gb RAM, 9600XT) when I get the money and I am hoping I'll still be using for at least another 18 months - 2 years. My PowerBook is doing great and I'll definitely be taking him to college with me everyday in a year's time, so again, I'm hoping the PowerBook will be with me for another year or so.

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

My main machine is a DP 1.8ghz G5, 1gb RAM (will upgrade to 4gb ASAP), 160gb HDD, GeForce FX5200 w/64mb (Again, will be upgrading ASAP)

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My main portable is a 15" 1.67ghz PowerBook, 1gb RAM, 80gb HDD, Mob. Radeon 9700 w/128mb

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I am so happy with my current setup, both are doing everything I need them to do with reliability & speed. My G5 will be seriously upgraded (4gb RAM, 9600XT) when I get the money and I am hoping I'll still be using for at least another 18 months - 2 years. My PowerBook is doing great and I'll definitely be taking him to college with me everyday in a year's time, so again, I'm hoping the PowerBook will be with me for another year or
so.

Oh yeah, got the same G5... I stuck an ATI Fire GL X3 256MB and 4GB memory ASAP, this baby kicks ass, only problems it has as because a few lazy evelopers can't be ****ed compiling for PPC anymore. Even then, like Handbrake, I can compile from source and have it work.

And a tip: A FireGL X3/Radeon X800XT will cost only a little more than a radeon 9600XT, and if you can find both then the FireGL is worth the extra money, even if you still are CPU limited sometimes

 

[Giuly]

I used a 1.33GHz PowerMac G4 as my main machine last year, it's wasn't that bad actually, they're still pretty capable machines - unless you're into the latest software, but Leopard isn't that bad, either.

 

[macuser453787]

I used a 1.33GHz PowerMac G4 as my main machine last year, it's wasn't that bad actually, they're still pretty capable machines - unless you're into the latest software, but Leopard isn't that bad, either.

I agree that they are still capable machines for the most part. I currently use a Digital Audio G4 (processor upgraded to dual 1.67 gHz). RAM is maxed out to 1.5 GB. Three HDDs in it, and one is mounted in the previously occupied Zip drive bay because at the time I didn't see the third HDD mounting platter (I have since seen where the third HDD should go ). I run Leopard on mine and it does well. Only thing is difficulty with software upgrades these days (e.g. I keep getting a Flash player upgrade message in Firefox every time I go to a new page, but I can't upgrade it because the latest Flash player is Intel only).

HOWEVER, I very much look forward to upgrading to MP.

 

[jbarley]

I keep getting a Flash player upgrade message in Firefox every time I go to a new page, but I can't upgrade it because the latest Flash player is Intel only).

Here is a link to a very good Hack for TenFouFox, (might work with FireFox)
to satisfy the need for the new Flash version.
Works well and is invisible to the user.

 

[Starfighter]

Woah, we have almost the same setup Goftrey! I also have a PowerMac G5 and PowerBook G4 as my main computers these days (although my G5 is 2GHz/2TB HDD/5GB RAM).

But, god help me, I can't take my hands of the PowerBook. It's obviously having more problems getting by than the G5, but it's so... nice. I don't understand what's happening to me when I'm spending more time hunched over the 15" laptop than by the G5 with the 23" Apple Cinema Display.

 

[Goftrey]

Woah, we have almost the same setup Goftrey! I also have a PowerMac G5 and PowerBook G4 as my main computers these days (although my G5 is 2GHz/2TB HDD/5GB RAM).

But, god help me, I can't take my hands of the PowerBook. It's obviously having more problems getting by than the G5, but it's so... nice. I don't understand what's happening to me when I'm spending more time hunched over the 15" laptop than by the G5 with the 23" Apple Cinema Display.

I agree, there's something special about those PowerBooks, that (IMO) Apple haven't been able to 100% pull off ever since...

...Don't get me wrong, I love my G5, and I agree with you, it's much, much quicker, but I also have been spending a lot more time doing work on the PowerBook than I have the G5.

By the way - I think you're site is awesome!

 

[DrakkenWar]

Lol! Right there with ya!

I agree, there's something special about those PowerBooks, that (IMO) Apple haven't been able to 100% pull off ever since...

...Don't get me wrong, I love my G5, and I agree with you, it's much, much quicker, but I also have been spending a lot more time doing work on the PowerBook than I have the G5.

By the way - I think you're site is awesome!

This is just funny. Pretty much sums me up as well. I have the mini in my sig, hooked up to a set of really nice monitors and what not. Yet 85% of my computing time is spent on my PB in my sig. I agree they are sexy little beasts. There is something unique about them that adds to the experience. I am actually trying to safe for a C2D MB so I can keep the same form factor and amazing keyboard. Though I don't ever really see myself parting with my PB.

 

[davidg4781]

I agree, there's something special about those PowerBooks, that (IMO) Apple haven't been able to 100% pull off ever since...

...Don't get me wrong, I love my G5, and I agree with you, it's much, much quicker, but I also have been spending a lot more time doing work on the PowerBook than I have the G5.

By the way - I think you're site is awesome!

Just curious... Never having used a PowerBook, and not really being around Apple during that time, what's so special about them? Not to sound like a jerk though. Is it the hardware? The blend of hardware and software? The performance?

I've been wanting to get a PowerPC for a couple of months now but wasn't able to find anything I really really liked. Then I had car problems so the PowerPC hobby may be put on hold for a bit. I've really just been interested in desktops since I have a MBP, so I never really looked into the PBs.

 

[Nameci]

Just curious... Never having used a PowerBook, and not really being around Apple during that time, what's so special about them? Not to sound like a jerk though. Is it the hardware? The blend of hardware and software? The performance?

I've been wanting to get a PowerPC for a couple of months now but wasn't able to find anything I really really liked. Then I had car problems so the PowerPC hobby may be put on hold for a bit. I've really just been interested in desktops since I have a MBP, so I never really looked into the PBs.

I cannot really categorically state what is it that is special about it. For me, they are warm even though they are aluminum as well. On my 15" Powerbook, the keyboard is just "perfect". The newer MBP unibody aluminum is just cold and not appealing to me, and besides the PB has a matte screen. All except one of my screens are matte. I have a macbook 13" and the screen is glossy, and it just hurts my eye after a couple of hours staring at it.

It terms of performance, it is a pretty decent web browsing notebook, I can get most of my documents done without a sweat. It is running cooler than my macbook and its fans barely turn on. While the macbook idles at 1800rpm.

 

[Starfighter]

By the way - I think you're site is awesome!

Thank you! I'm thinking about writing a bit about the PPC-life and news in it on the side of documenting my collection, but MyMacCollection, PPC Luddite and Mac PowerPC already does that so well. Maybe some day!

 

[Goftrey]

Just curious... Never having used a PowerBook, and not really being around Apple during that time, what's so special about them? Not to sound like a jerk though. Is it the hardware? The blend of hardware and software? The performance?

I've been wanting to get a PowerPC for a couple of months now but wasn't able to find anything I really really liked. Then I had car problems so the PowerPC hobby may be put on hold for a bit. I've really just been interested in desktops since I have a MBP, so I never really looked into the PBs.

I agree with Nameci, there isn't a particular thing about them that is special, everything all just comes together & works brilliantly. The keyboard is the best keyboard I have ever used, the screen (especially the 1440x900's) are just gorgeous, the revolutionary (at the time) backlit keyboard and multi touch trackpads. And as Nameci said, they feel 'warm' and friendly, which is something I've never experienced from a lump of metal before. The performance is decent, my 1.67ghz is leaps and bounds quicker than my Dad's Toshiba atom netbook. But the performance doesn't really come in to the scenario because they're just a pleasure to work with.

 

[AQUADock]

I cannot really categorically state what is it that is special about it. For me, they are warm even though they are aluminum as well. On my 15" Powerbook, the keyboard is just "perfect". The newer MBP unibody aluminum is just cold and not appealing to me, and besides the PB has a matte screen. All of my screens are matte. I have a macbook 13" and the screen is glossy, and it just hurts my eye after a couple of hours staring at it.

It terms of performance, it is a pretty decent web browsing notebook, I can get most of my documents done without a sweat. It is running cooler than my macbook and its fans barely turn on. While the macbook idles at 1800rpm.

That's one of the things i love about the Powerbooks, their fans stay until off until they are really needed unlike intel Macs.

 

[alexreich]

Ever since I received my G5 (single) 1.8GHz it's been my main machine for light browsing, email, and PPC games..

Originally it was 1.8GHz/160GB HDD/1GB RAM/Radeon 9600XT.

I have added/changed a few things, so this is the current setup.

1.8GHz/160GB HDD+1.5TB HDD/2GB RAM/Radeon 9600XT.

I plan on upgrading the graphics card, and maxing out to the full 4GB RAM.

 

[Liquinn]

I posted here a few weeks back about the fact I was going to be buying a Powermac G5 off eBay and I did. I ordered it, confirmation e-mail/tracking came.

The seller used Yodel/Parcel2go (companies in the UK). The order never arrived. Though the seller did refund me, I wonder where my G5 is

I guess I'll be buying a retina Macbook Pro next year, which is much faster anyway. Though it's a shame, I did like the G5 case.

 

[DrakkenWar]

I never noticed it before but Namci is right

I never thought about fan noise before today with my PB, but Namci is right! My wife and I were at the kitchen table tonight finishing up some loose ends and her C2D Macbook was humming away from about the time she opened the lid for pretty basic use. While my PB sat silent as a I was working on nearly the same tasks. Listening to the clickity-clack of her chicklet keyboard.

As the sun started to go down, the backlight on my keyboard came on and of course grew brighter while I worked away, only to find my wife looking over at me asking why she couldn't have such a nice keyboard on her laptop. She ended up finishing her work on my PB, while I finished dinner for the kiddos. I thought that was kinda a cool, a nod for all the PPC ludites out there..

 

[utahman130]

10.5.8 iMac G5, 250 GB HD, 4 GB RAM. Sadly, I can't afford a new iMac, so I'm stuck with this one. Still works fine, bu can't download much trot it anymore. Apple screwed up when they chose PowerPC over Intel early on.

 

[GermanyChris]

so the Hackintosh is on its way out..

I traded an overclocked i7 lots of drive bays and less power consumption for my G5.

It's like being back home.

 

[Lil Chillbil]

even though I have my g5 tower now until the upgrades are finished with it at the end of summer I still use my g4 tower that I got for free as my main machine. I rubbed the paint off both sides and painted it black with a gold apple logo. I also ramped up the cooling with a new clear gaming fan that glows with 8 blue leds that make the entire case look like its emitting radiation.The fan spins way faster than it was intended to and plus the 2 7200rpm hard drives we have started to get noise complaints from the neighbors. I also put a red led in place of the green power led so the power button turns red. The specs are
400mhz PowerPC G4
2gb Ram
duel 160gb hard drives
radeon 9700 video card
10.3.9

 

[Jessica Lares]

Don't even get me started on fan noise. My new MBP makes a LOT of noise! I can't wait until my Apple Care is up so I can open it up and rip one of the fans out. My late 2006 model (also Intel) is so, so, so, so much enjoyable to use now that it only has one fan (long story). Might not be that great for it, especially since it only has 1GB of RAM and is running Lion, but wow the dead silence is great.

The G4 iMac we have is probably the quietest of our PPCs. G5 the loudest.

 

[Buffsteria]

so the Hackintosh is on its way out..

I traded an overclocked i7 lots of drive bays and less power consumption for my G5.

It's like being back home.

I would do the same if I weren't a VFX artist. I need fast renders. But I do miss the G5.

 

[Lancer]

My first Mac, well it was a family computer, our first when I was in school was the Mac Plus, such a nice little Mac.

Personally I've owned 2 PPC over the years, but my first new Mac was a 68k back in the mid 90's, the LC 630 from memory. A few years later I got a 2nd hand 6400, my first tower. Then in mid 2000 I got a new G4 400 PowerMac, which served me well with many upgrade before getting a used 2005 G5 on eBay in 2007. Loved them all, a nice progression in speed and spec over the years.

But now it's time for another new Mac, just waiting on Apple to update their iMac range. It will be my first non tower in many years but undoubtedly my fastest Mac and my first Intel.