On Sunday, April 28, 2002, at 02:58 PM, Sean <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I'm running OS 9.0.4 on my G3 rev.B MiniTower. I haven't sprung the > $200 Cdn to > upgrade to OS X. Is it worth it? > For me it has been worth it. I have a 450 MHz G4 Cube with 512 MB RAM installed. It has been worth it for the experience of learning the new OS's behaviors and functionality, and for the sheer novelty of not crashing. I installed OS X (from scratch with Mac OS 9.2.1) on November 19, 2001 and I haven't crashed since then. I have updated both OSes now to their current versions (10.1.4 and 9.2.2 respectively) without a hitch. Also, 3D games like "Giants" and "Alice" look a lot nicer in OS X and play better. Maybe it's just me, but I think the graphics are rendered better in OS X than in OS 9. Plus, you don't get stupid "out of memory" alerts and the crashes that follow them. > How much RAM would you (not Apple) recommend? I have 448MB physical RAM. That sounds like plenty of RAM. When I first installed it, I had 320 MB and it ran very well. I've since replaced one of the memory modules (64 MB) with a 256 MB for my clean 512 MB. > > Is there a speed hit with OS X on a 300MHz G3? Is it noticeable? Does > the > sexiness of OS X outweigh the slowdown? I would assume that there is. OS X was optimized for the G4's AltiVec subsystem. I've only seen it in G3s higher than 500 MHz, and it doesn't seem slow. However, when you see it running one of the new G4s (800 MHz and up), you can see how Apple intended the OS to run. Even so, my Cube handles very well with OS X, and I don't mind the very minor slowdowns when redrawing windows and such. > Which of your favorite applications or utilities don't have OS X > versions yet? > Do they still run in classic mode? I miss OutLook Express, but I've learned to like OS X's "Mail" app. It's clean and simple. I would like a native (Carbonized) version of the new RealONE Player and maybe some of my older games. I don't have enough cash to replace my design and layout programs (read Adobe and Macromedia apps and QuarkXPress), but they run very well in the Classic environment. In fact, it seems to me they launch faster in Classic than when I boot in OS 9 and launch them there. The secret is to optimize Classic so that it doesn't load unnecessary extensions. Also, Apple needs to port their Indeo codecs for QuickTime in OS X. That's just stupid that they haven't done it yet. If I had the cash to upgrade my design apps, I probably wouldn't use Classic at all except to view RealMedia content (until that gets updated). > > I don't think Epson will write OS X drivers for my Epson Photo 700 > printer. Is > it a pain to prepare stuff in OS X and then go back to classic OS 9 to > print? Like other people said, check with Epson for updated drivers. Printing from Classic apps is as transparent as other Classic functions on top of OS X. I haven't had problems ... but, then I have an old Apple LaserWriter 16/600 connected via Ethernet, which is fully supported by OS X. > > Any thing else I should consider? I hope other people who have G3s and have tried OS X can give you more advice. Maybe I haven't had any significant issues because I use a G4 Cube. Even so, I recommend OS X. Mario -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>
