Re: Stop gap hardware recommendations ?
On Jul 29, 7:54 am, irrational John zjboyguard-ggro...@yahoo.com wrote: I may be wrong, but I doubt a newer system is going to make much difference in terms of Internet speeds. You may be right John, and my connection is relatively slow, viz. 1 Mbps But, to summaries this thread for anyone else in a similar consideration. That is, needing to get into the intel world without sacrificing PPC and with limited $$s Thanks for all the input and recommendations. I'm leaning toward a MacBook for the added mobility. It seems that these are the last models that will work. MacBook Pro (15-inch Glossy) A1175 MacBook Pro (17-inch) A1151 Mac mini (late 2006)A1176 iMac (Mid 2006 17-inch)iMac4.2 Maybe I shouldn't post them as it may drive the market up, which I'm hoping prices will drop considerably in the next few months Thanks again Cliff -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Stop gap hardware recommendations ?
Il giorno 28-07-2011 20:17, Cliff Rediger ha scritto: ** Assume a Mini is most affordable option IMHO, an iMac could be a better bargain. Lately I noticed that Minis are - comparateviley - more expesnive than iMacs... considering that with an iMac you get lot more things included for the price. Even on the used market, you'd likely find good bargains on iMacs vs Minis. So, my advice is considering used iMacs; unless you strongly prefer a Mini for some reason. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Stop gap hardware recommendations ?
At 6:00 PM -0700 7/28/2011, Cliff Rediger wrote: Are not the latest iPads 64 bit arch.? No. iPhone and iPad use Apple's custom version of an ARM processor. They are 32-bit. ARM is moving to 64-bit, but it's not done yet. - Dan. -- - Psychoceramic Emeritus; South Jersey, USA, Earth. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Stop gap hardware recommendations ?
On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 2:17 PM, Cliff Rediger redicl...@thecriticalcrab.net wrote: The main issues are CPU speed and the ever increasing number of cool 10.5+ only apps. There is a tendency for people who don't obsess about these things to tend to fixate on CPU speed. In fact, total system performance is actually a more complicated beast and depends on how a number of factors all interact. A fast CPU can easily be slowed by bottlenecks due to limited RAM or hard drive throughput or, depending on what app you are running, even video throughput. I've lived with the speed thing because my WiFi ISP speed has been limited. However, now they've increased their bandwidth, so I can get up to more commonly reasonable internet speeds. I may be wrong, but I doubt a newer system is going to make much difference in terms of Internet speeds. It might help the browser render faster, but if you are in the US your basic Internet throughput is unlikely to be noticeably improved. The Internet in the US is just not that fast. And that is unlikely to change over the next few years or possibly longer. I don't see that the companies which own the Internet plumbing have any reason at all to upgrade. They've got no competition that I know of. If you are going from 802.11g to 802.11n you may see a local throughput increase. But I wouldn't count on it making your socks go up down. And that would require that your (WiFi) router also supported 802.11n, not just the new(er) Mac. **Want to retain PPC apps for now, so need Rosetta and apparently can only max at 10.5 OS As mentioned earlier Snow Leopard, 10.6, still supports Rosetta. Apple did not drop Rosetta until the current release, Lion, 10.7. **Cannot afford to change/upgrade my HDs to GUID. Again, as already stated, the only reason you would want GUID partition tables (GPT) on your drives is if you want to boot an Intel Mac from that drive. Otherwise no change should be needed. If you do want to use GPT on a drive it would require backing up the data and reformatting and restoring, not necessarily replacing the drive. **Would like best video card/system possible That would argue against the 32-bit Intel systems, at least IMHO. IIRC, the 32-bit Intel Macs used Intel integrated graphics. The Intel GMA950 integrated graphics is less special. Unfortunately, Apple did not stop using GMA950 in their Mini line until the early 2009 version. (Macmini3,1 ???) ** Assume a Mini is most affordable option Best way to find out is to go browse the prices on the different used Macs available. It's hard to supply feedback on this without having a better idea about what you consider to be affordable. One thing I have noticed about the iMacs is that even broken ones seem to sell for a premium on eBay, especially if the LCD still functions. I have always assumed they are picked up by people who take them apart and sell the parts. They can usually get a very good price for the LCD. On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 2:35 PM, Bruce Johnson john...@pharmacy.arizona.edu wrote: While building your own frankenMac out of PC parts isn't the daunting challenge it used to be, it sure as heck isn't as simple as a real mac. While not trying to completely discourage against this, I would point out that generally a Hackintosh is a better fit with someone who wants to muck about with their computer at least as much, possibly more, than use their computer. The potential for fiddling and fixing is there every time you install an update. I did not get the impression you were looking for that sort of fun. -irrational john -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Stop gap hardware recommendations ?
On Jul 28, 2011, at 11:17 AM, Cliff Rediger wrote: I've been monitoring discussions on Apple's OS progression and the changes in hardware requirements. Since I'm running a Mini G4, I feel I'm rapidly receding into antiquity. The main issues are CPU speed and the ever increasing number of cool 10.5+ only apps. I've lived with the speed thing because my WiFi ISP speed has been limited. However, now they've increased their bandwidth, so I can get up to more commonly reasonable internet speeds. Here's my OS/software criteria: **Accept that Classic is no longer an option (run separate machine if necessary) Or Sheepshaver, or keep the G4 mini around for this purpose. **Want to retain PPC apps for now, so need Rosetta and apparently can only max at 10.5 OS 10.6, actually, which is much better than 10.5 for an Intel-based mac. **Cannot afford to change/upgrade my HDs to GUID. Only the boot drive needs to do this. **Would like best video card/system possible This requirement is in minor conflict with... ** Assume a Mini is most affordable option ..this requirement. Within these constraints, the best option is the next-to current generation of Mini. They run 10.6. they've got the best performance of all of them. Any intel-based mini will blow the socks off your current G4, the one you get is determined by the size of your pocketbook... On the other hand, also look at early gen Intel Macbooks. Macbook Pros, and iMacs; the Core Duo versions will rapidly depreciate in value because they're incapable of running 10.7. Since your requirement to run Rosetta is in place, they'll do admirably, as all run 10.6.8 just fine, and will also be a dramatic improvemnt in performance over your G4. They also have better video than the Mini's do. On the gripping hand, a Hack is also a possibility, they can be quite inexpensive for a high-performanse system...at the cost of some to a lot of geekification working it out and getting it running, as in ording the parts and putting it together and shouting it's ALIIVE BWahahahahah! when it first boots up :-). While building your own frankemMac out of PC parts isn't the daunting challenge it used to be, it sure as heck isn't as simple as a real mac. -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Stop gap hardware recommendations ?
On Jul 28, 2011, at 11:17 AM, Cliff Rediger wrote: **Cannot afford to change/upgrade my HDs to GUID. Also this is a matter of reformatting the drive, not getting a new one or anything like that. -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Stop gap hardware recommendations ?
On Jul 28, 2011, at 11:17 AM, Cliff Rediger wrote: Here's my OS/software criteria: **Accept that Classic is no longer an option (run separate machine if necessary) **Want to retain PPC apps for now, so need Rosetta and apparently can only max at 10.5 OS **Cannot afford to change/upgrade my HDs to GUID. **Would like best video card/system possible ** Assume a Mini is most affordable option So, I'm hoping for some advise or direction on which generation of Mini would/could maximize my options. I understand that this might be a Mini forum topic, and happy to migrate if necessary. Since you are limiting your hardware consideration to the Mac minis, LEM operates a Mac mini Group with about four hundred members: http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/macmini.html The Apple Support Communities (old name Apple Discussions) include a much more active Mac mini Forum, with almost 21,000 discussions at last count: https://discussions.apple.com/community/desktop_computers/mac_mini Fabian -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Stop gap hardware recommendations ?
On Jul 28, 11:38 am, Bruce Johnson john...@pharmacy.arizona.edu wrote: **Cannot afford to change/upgrade my HDs to GUID. Also this is a matter of reformatting the drive, not getting a new one or anything like that. -- look at early gen Intel Macbooks. Macbook Pros, and iMacs Bruce, I like the idea of looking at the books. would provide some versatility and good point about the video. I'm presuming by early gen you mean 32 bit architecture. Which raises a question about compatibility with iPads etc. Are not the latest iPads 64 bit arch.? Of course, that's a future consideration. Also, to be clear, you're saying that 10.6.8 is compatible with Rosetta? and my external drives merely need reformating to GUID? Good lead to the Apple Discussion Fabian. I've been there and will consult them as well. But, this list seems so much like family that I always think here first. Cliff -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: Stop gap hardware recommendations ?
On Jul 28, 2011, at 6:00 PM, Cliff Rediger wrote: On Jul 28, 11:38 am, Bruce Johnson john...@pharmacy.arizona.edu wrote: **Cannot afford to change/upgrade my HDs to GUID. Also this is a matter of reformatting the drive, not getting a new one or anything like that. -- look at early gen Intel Macbooks. Macbook Pros, and iMacs Bruce, I like the idea of looking at the books. would provide some versatility and good point about the video. I'm presuming by early gen you mean 32 bit architecture. Yes. Which raises a question about compatibility with iPads etc. Are not the latest iPads 64 bit arch.? Of course, that's a future consideration. That's not material to iPad support. Also, to be clear, you're saying that 10.6.8 is compatible with Rosetta? Yes. Rosetta is part of 10.6 as well. and my external drives merely need reformating to GUID? Only if the intent is to have them be bootable. Data storage drives can be any format. This is an option when setting up the partition scheme. -- Bruce Johnson Wherever you go, there you are B. Banzai, PhD -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
