WIndows Guru goes Mac but needs help!

[lazerweb]

Hi everyone. I am scared. As a computer technician for windows I have been given a mac. I can build a windows machine from the ground up, but I don't even understand how to use a mouse with Mac! Can I please ask some silly newbie questions?

The Mac I'm being given is called G4 466. Is this a reasonably fast/new Mac?
Someone else is also giving me an operating system called Mac Os X 10.4.6. WIll this op system work with the G4 466?

Extra question but not as important!
I have also been using LInux (suse suite) for a year and have XP running inside Suse using vmware. Would it be possible to put mac OS inside linux through VMWARE?

 

[zeppelin]

I'm a long time Windows users myself and got my first Mac exactly one week ago.

The Mac I'm being given is called G4 466. Is this a reasonably fast/new Mac?

The G4 is based on IBM's PowerPC processor. All current Macs are running on Intel processors following Apple's switch from IBM to Intel. As for speed, that's kinda hard to compare because of the different architectures, but if I were you I'd google for some independent benchmark results.

Someone else is also giving me an operating system called Mac Os X 10.4.6. WIll this op system work with the G4 466?

OS X 10.4 (aka Tiger) is the most current incarnation of OS X. The latest version is 10.4.8, but it's pretty straightforward to update your version through the builtin software update option (works much like Windows Update). I can't say for sure, but I think it will work on your G4.

I have also been using LInux (suse suite) for a year and have XP running inside Suse using vmware. Would it be possible to put mac OS inside linux through VMWARE?

No, OS X is specifically designed to work on Apple hardware only. There are hacks floating around on the internet, but I wouldn't recommend going that route. You can run Linux inside a virtual machine on the Mac though. If I'm not mistaken, you'll need VirtualPC for that because you're on a PowerPC-based Mac. On the newer Intel Macs, you can use a product called Parallels which will run Intel-based guest OS's (such as Windows and Linux) at near native speed.

 

[lazerweb]

Thanks so much for all that info. My greatest fear was that I could not use this op system (OSX 10) with the G4 466. Is there an issue with the fact that a friend is giving me the op system on a DVD that he bought? Do they ask that you authenticate the software online (as with XP)? I am not trying to do anything illegal - I simply don't know!
Again - Thanks for your help.

 

[dtravis7]

To back up what Zeppelin said, Tiger will work fine on that G4 466. That machine is code named Digital Audio. I have one but upgraded the CPU to a G4 1.8Ghz. Like Zeppelin stated, it's hard to compare different architectures but stock I would say maybe like a PIII 700 or so. At least that is how if felt to me overall when I first got mine. One thing I would do though is boost the RAM as far as you can afford. The Digital Audio takes PC133 SDRAM. It has 3 slots and each one with take a 512Meg PC133 DIMM. That would give you 1.5GB. Even 1GB would work quite well with Tiger. Just don't expect with the 466 for it to run like a P4 2.5Ghz but it's not bad and useable for a lot of applications.

Zeppelin answered your other questions. Hope this helps a bit anyway.

Edit; Usually the 466 Macs don't have a DVD drive but some did. Check and see when you get it. If not you can get a DVD Drive from say New Egg and put it in place of whatever comes stock. Mine had a CDR/W in it. I installed a 16X Sony dVD drive and it works great.

 

[MacHeadCase]

Welcome to Mac-Forums, lazerweb! Don't be scared, we're here to help if you have problems and we'll do our best!

To reply to the question if it is a new system: not terribly recent, I'm afraid. It was introduced in 2001 so 6 years ago. Check the link the specs are listed for the shipped model.

Just to give you an idea, the 466MHz was in the beginning of the G4 generation of CPUs and faster versions were released in various enclosures very close apart. Then Apple went to the next generation of CPUs with the G5s. Then a little over a year ago, Apple went with the Intel processor.

So to sum it up, this G4 processor you have is in the very early stages of that generation of chips, then the G5s came along, then the complete overhaul of the hardware architecture with the move to Intel.


Hope this helps. :girl:

 

[lazerweb]

thanks dtravis7,

Sorry if this sounds like a really naieve question, but I assume a windows DVD drive won't fit into a mac?

Regarding the speed, I'm not too fussed. I really want this as a learning machine. I have 7 computers in my house, running mostly MS windows, but also Suse LInux. I really just want to learn the mac, but don't want to spend money on it just yet - hence free computer I have been offered. Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[mac57]

Welcome lazerweb!

A DVD drive is a DVD drive is a DVD drive. They are not Windows or Mac specific, so it should work just fine.

Since you have used SuSE, you might want to check out my Linux to Mac Switcher's Guide. You will find lots of valuable Linux centric switching information, as well as lots of generally useful information like a recommended set of critical apps to get, how to maintain your Mac to keep it running optimally and so on. See:

http://www.campbell-tx.net/MacOSX/Linux2Mac/linux2mac.html

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

 

[dtravis7]

thanks dtravis7,

Sorry if this sounds like a really naieve question, but I assume a windows DVD drive won't fit into a mac?

Regarding the speed, I'm not too fussed. I really want this as a learning machine. I have 7 computers in my house, running mostly MS windows, but also Suse LInux. I really just want to learn the mac, but don't want to spend money on it just yet - hence free computer I have been offered. Your help is greatly appreciated.

The only thing I have ran into is some drives are not always recognized by the i applications in OSX like say iDVD. I have never had an issue with a Sony DVD drive. Just the stock Sonys that New Egg sells.

You can also get an upgrade CPU if you need a bit more speed down the line. The built in hard drive controller on that machine like older PC's has a 120GB limit per hard drive but if you needed a larger drive you get an OSX compatible PCI IDE controller. If you need any other help just ask away!!!