iBook G4 1.4 ppc

Ramimac1 · Feb 10, 2011

I own a i3 27" iMac and was thinking about picking up a used G4 iBook and an every once in a while time use machine.

For my normal web surfing and such is they any reason I should not pick up the G4 1.4 ppc 14"?

pigoo3 · Feb 10, 2011

For the right price...I think that it's a great idea. The G4 iBook 1.42ghz is still a pretty peppy computer...and would certainly be great for almost all web surfing & e-mail.

Personally...I would prefer the 1.33ghz 12" iBook G4 model...since it's even lighter, smaller, and more portable. But the 14" display is very nice as well.

I say go for it...just don't over pay for it. If you pay too much...then you might as well get a used MacBook.

- Nick

Ramimac1 · Feb 10, 2011

yeah I agree on the price. I think 175 to 200 is my max.

Edit I take that back mac2sell lists the value at about $120.

pigoo3 · Feb 10, 2011

Ramimac1 said:
yeah I agree on the price. I think 175 to 200 is my max.

That's a pretty good price area. The lowest I've paid for a used MacBook was around $350...maybe even $300 (if you're lucky on a very early 1.83ghz Core Duo MacBook). So $175 to $200 would be a good area for a 14" 1.42 iBook G4.

If you have many to choose from...get one with OS 10.5 already installed.

Good luck,

- Nick

Ramimac1 · Feb 10, 2011

Yeah according to Wiki ibook 1.43 came pre loaded with 10.5.8

pigoo3 · Feb 10, 2011

Ramimac1 said:
Yeah according to Wiki ibook 1.43 came pre loaded with 10.5.8

Actually the iBook G4 1.42ghz originally shipped with OS 10.4.2. What you read on the Wiki probably was it's maximum or newest OS is 10.5.8.

But many folks may have upgraded it to a version of 10.5. Thus what I was referring to...if you have a choice between a number of these computers...and with everything else the same...buy one with OS 10.5 already installed on it.

- Nick

Ramimac1 · Feb 10, 2011

yeah I was thinking the same thing after heading to lunch that I read the max os line

G4 ibookboy · Feb 10, 2011

I just recentally got a 1.2 g4 ibook with 512 mb ram, it works nice the way it is but i will probably update the ram to 1.25gb soon just because. it is running 10.5.8 nicely the way it is. it is the 12 inch model as well

chas_m · Feb 10, 2011

While I am in no way trying to diss the G4 iBook idea, an iPad would be a much better idea in the long run for "couch computing" unless what you really want to do is play flash games.

Yes, the iPad will cost you (used) more than twice what the iBook G4 would ... but its a quantum order of magnitude more modern, and FANTASTIC for almost everything I would classify as "leisure computing" ... surfing, reading, email, voice chatting, games, videos, and other idle ventures.

MacDude121 · Feb 10, 2011

chas_m said:
While I am in no way trying to diss the G4 iBook idea, an iPad would be a much better idea in the long run for "couch computing" unless what you really want to do is play flash games.

Yes, the iPad will cost you (used) more than twice what the iBook G4 would ... but its a quantum order of magnitude more modern, and FANTASTIC for almost everything I would classify as "leisure computing" ... surfing, reading, email, voice chatting, games, videos, and other idle ventures.

If what they really want to do is play flash games, then an iBook probably wouldn't be a very good idea either. My iBook is chewed up, spit out, and ground into the dirt by flash. This is probably due to the little 32MB of VRAM that it has.

chas_m · Feb 10, 2011

Good point. And video is pretty much a no-go either.

MacDude121 · Feb 10, 2011

chas_m said:
Good point. And video is pretty much a no-go either.

Unless you enjoy watching youtube videos in 240p. ;D

pigoo3 · Feb 10, 2011

It all depends on what the OP's:

- plans are for the laptop
- how big their budget is
- and if they already own a laptop

$175-$200 for portable Mac (1.42ghz iBook) for basic/intermediate web surfing & e-mail is a pretty good low cost solution. I would certainly recommend a used MacBook or a refurbished iPad if there was a bigger budget.

- Nick

Ramimac1 · Feb 11, 2011

These are all things that I have been tossing around. This was more of a feeler for how you thought the Ibook was. and now that you bring up the video capabilities and such I will probably pass on the Ibook and work twords a used Macbook for the wife and since we would need two maybe just an iPad V2 when they come out for me.

stroked · Feb 18, 2011

I have an Intel imac 1.83 GHz with 2 Gig ram running SN, and a 1.33 GHz ibook with 1.5 gig ram running Leopard. The iBook works just as well as the imac on line, including youtube, after installing Flash 10. my 933 mhz Powermac with Leopard works very good on line too. my G3 imac with Tiger, well it just looks good sitting there.

iBook G4 1.4 ppc

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