OS 9: Don't even consider it. OS 9.1: Workable if you really need it. OS 8.6: Still the best, IMHO.
I picked up OS 9 when it first came out, and I have a 7300/200, 600+ RAM. Every time my monitor control panel was accessed (I change res and bit depth pretty frequently), the computer would hang for 5 seconds or so. Also, during startup, just before the Finder launched, there was a 20 second hang. The performance I got out of 9 wasn't even close to what I got from 8.6, so I still use it. Even made myself a T-shirt with "8.6" in the OS X blue lozenge design on front, with "No Carbon, No Unix, No Hassles...All Macintosh" on the reverse. OS 9.1 is what Apple brought out to assuage their guilt over people like me who complained and demanded their money back. (After all, the box claims that it is compatible with the 7300, and also claims to INCREASE performance.) 9.1 is about the equal of 8.6 in usability, but for some reason I just fdon't like it as much. Some of my programs in 8.6 don't run in 9, so I have both on my computer, but run 8.6 99% of the time. Hope this helps. -Mark > Daniel LeVangie-Stricklen wrote: > > > I recently requested an OS 9 disk on the swap list, > > after scouring the net for as much information as I > > could about whether or not it would work on a PowerMac > > 5400 / 180. Someone mentioned in their response that > > OS 9 putters along on older Macs. > > > > Anyone have any experience with this? > > <snip> Would OS 8.x be a better alternative than > > either? > > Due to the fact that OS 9.x loves RAM and because some of the older machines > do have RAM limitations I would suggest OS 8.6, unless you really need all > the features that 9.1 offers over 8.6 > -- > Alan Miller > Underwater Photographer > http://home.earthlink.net/~uwphoto/ > 9600/233 w/ G3/400 XLR8 ZIF, 1.5 G RAM > eBay ID uwphotoer > Live each day like it is your last because someday you'll be right. > > > > -- > PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... > > Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | > -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | > > Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> > > PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> > --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; > 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/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> > > Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com > -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; 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/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
