06-23-2009, 09:22 PM

Hi. I'm currently running 10.3.9 on a 1.8 Ghz Power PC G5. I use it mainly for internet on a daily basis, but also run design apps....photoshop, InDesign, Quark...I don't keep up to date with the latest mac updates, but I'm wondering if it's time for an update. The internet has been running slow lately and I notice that Firefox is taking 200M to run with only two windows open. That seems high. I don't know what the benefits will be of updating my system--speed would be the highest priority. Also, having never upgraded my system...it's painless, right...you don't have to worry about backing up data or anything?
2) I also have a MacBook 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Due Running 10.4.11. I know that with a lot of software, the license includes a second computer (i.e. a desktop and a laptop). Does this apply to system software as well? If so, is there a significant advantage in just updating the desktop to the 10.4 i already have (if the software for desktop and laptop are even the same), or would it still be worth the big upgrade for both? Money is a little tight, so I've been living with the status quo. Thanks a lot.

06-24-2009, 06:17 AM

I think that updating to Tiger would be beneficial for sure, but also, depending how much you have, adding RAM wouldn't hurt. Firefox and newer browsers are designed to run on later software like Tiger and Leopard.
When you do upgrade just make sure you archive and install and it will preserve important settings etc.
You won't be able to use the discs from the Macbook though, they will be machine specific and won't work. You will need a retail version of Tiger to do the upgrade.

06-24-2009, 03:33 PM

Whoa, definitely time to upgrade! Nothing runs on Panther anymore. Your G5 should have enough horsepower for Leopard. Firefox 2.0 had a lot of memory leaks. I'm running the latest 3.5 RC on Leopard and with 8 tabs open, it's using around 160MB.