Give me the verdict on this Mac I bought?

Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
South Wales, UK
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook 2.0GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo - 1GB RAM - 10.6 SL & Powermac G4 - 1.8GHz Sonnet Dual Processor
Right,
I realise I have become a regular poster of OMG OMG HELP HELP threads, and believe me it's been a tedious, yet worthwhile learning curve understanding these beauties.

I wanted something reasonably priced, had to be a tower rather than a laptop etc, I wanted lots of inputs for usb etc, firewire, and a decent setup for using Logic or other recording programs, so I settled with a G4.

Now instantly you think I went for one of those 800GHz jobbies, not at all,
going to add more ram, going to add alot more HDD space, optical drives, better graphics even though AGP is quite restricting, and some nice firewire external sound interface :)

I went for a G4 1.8 Dual Processor Sonnet Conversion, but it's best you have a look for yourself.

Apple PowerMac G4 1.8Ghz Dual Processor fully loaded on eBay (end time 11-May-10 11:14:01 BST)

I only want something to do a bit of recording on, have a dabble, and learn a bit more about these machines, so I think it's all good.

Verdict?

Cheers for everyones help up to now, muchos appreciated.
Alex
 
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
707
Reaction score
13
Points
18
Frankly I would have spent my money elsewhere... It is a 6 + year computer that can't even run the latest version of OSx.

That being said, you will be able to learn on it and do what you stated you wanted to do so enjoy! ;)
 
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
4,554
Reaction score
146
Points
63
Location
Crawley, England
Your Mac's Specs
20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.
Hey, not a bad buy really, they were very expensive when new, and it will happily run Tiger speedily enough for sure, and Leopard at a push I guess.
Overall though, you will certainly get to know your way around a Mac with it, which means it's just what you wanted.
 
OP
T
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
South Wales, UK
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook 2.0GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo - 1GB RAM - 10.6 SL & Powermac G4 - 1.8GHz Sonnet Dual Processor
Cheers for the feedback guys!
Are there any specific upgrades I can do to get it running the best it can besides what I have mentioned?

It's running 10.5.8 Leopard at the moment, so should be ok, I assume it can run up to 2GB RAM?

Any suggestions for any cards to fit in spare slots or upgrading HDD's to SATA?

Sorry for all the stupid questions, my mind is literally exploding with them all right now.

Alex
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
I wanted something reasonably priced, had to be a tower rather than a laptop etc, I wanted lots of inputs for usb etc, firewire, and a decent setup for using Logic or other recording programs, so I settled with a G4.

I went for a G4 1.8 Dual Processor Sonnet Conversion, but it's best you have a look for yourself.

Verdict?

I think that you did pretty good!:) Those dual 1.8ghz upgrade cards are still pretty darn expensive if purchased new (and you can still get them new).

I know that computers in the UK are more expensive than here in the States...so £149.95 (US $224.75) is not too bad. Maybe for another £100-150 you could have gotten a dual 1.8ghz G5 Tower (which would have been a good bit faster due to better architecture & graphic card choices)...but then it sounded like you didn't have a big budget.

Nice purchase,

- Nick
 
OP
T
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
South Wales, UK
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook 2.0GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo - 1GB RAM - 10.6 SL & Powermac G4 - 1.8GHz Sonnet Dual Processor
Hey Nick,
Thank you very much for your feedback :)

Yeah i'm pretty chuffed right now with my purchase, just got to wait for a couple of days for the courier to sort out their asses!

I just fancied a G4 for some reason :[ I do like G5's but for what I want right now a G4 is great, especially with the processor upgrade.

Any idea's what spec Ram it takes? I have tried looking online, but sources constantly contradict themselves, and I really don't want to wait for bloody ages to see what type it is!

Any other upgrades/limitations as far as HDD/RAM/Graphics/RAM/Airport?

Thank you guys, your seriously the best!
Alex
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
Any idea's what spec Ram it takes?

Any other upgrades/limitations as far as HDD/RAM/Graphics/RAM/Airport?

The e-Bay auction description says that this Powermac G4 originally was a 450mhz model. It uses PC100 ram, and has a maximum ram capacity of 2 gigabyte.

The e-Bay description says that it currently has "at least 1 gig of ram"...which is a VERY strange way to describe a computer for sale...the seller really should have been a bit more exact! This computer has 4 ram slots...so until you get it...we will not know if all 4 slots are full. If all 4 slots are full (4 x 256meg sticks of ram)...if you want to upgrade the ram further...you will have remove some of the installed ram & purchase 512meg ram sticks.

If you want to do a ram upgrade...you need PC100 ram...you may be able to use PC133 as well. In either case...you will be surprised to find that this ram is NOT cheap! A 512meg stick of ram here in the States is close to $30 dollars.

Also...even though this computer has a nice 1.8ghz dual processor upgrade...you may still run into some limitations when it comes to it's video/graphics abilities. That fast processor will really help...but until you get it...be cautious what you expect from it graphically/video speaking. When you get it, go to You-Tube...and see how the videos play (smooth vs. choppy).

There's not much else you need to upgrade. Even the OS is the most up to date OS this computer can run (OS 10.5.8). The seller in the e-Bay says that the spring on the DVD drive door is no good...so you could replace that if you want.

Hopefully the computer arrives soon...and you will have a new "toy" to play with!:)

- Nick
 
OP
T
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
South Wales, UK
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook 2.0GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo - 1GB RAM - 10.6 SL & Powermac G4 - 1.8GHz Sonnet Dual Processor
Hey Nick,

Muchos appreciated for your in-depth help there dude :)

Does the 133 ram have much of an advantage over 100 as far as speed?
I have quite a few mates with mac spares so hoping they may have some nice 512MB sticks lying around ;)

As far as hard drive's go, apparently this model can only recognise 120gb (I assume per HDD, rather than overall) I would be interested in adding a bigger secondary for backup/storage, does it have the option for a 3rd HDD to be added?
Or to do a complete fresh installation with a SATA conversion kit?

I do realise I'm getting what I paid for, but I am rather excited about getting it in the next few days to have a play with, and just want to know everything I can before it gets here!
Cheers
Alex
 
OP
T
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
South Wales, UK
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook 2.0GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo - 1GB RAM - 10.6 SL & Powermac G4 - 1.8GHz Sonnet Dual Processor
Sorry, one more question :(...

Been looking at firewire audio interfaces, obviously the 800's are better, but as my new toy only has firewire 400 ports, would it be worth installing a firewire 800 card?

Sorry for all the questions, you sir, are a gentleman, and a scholar!
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
Does the 133 ram have much of an advantage over 100 as far as speed?

I have quite a few mates with mac spares so hoping they may have some nice 512MB sticks lying around ;)

As far as hard drive's go, apparently this model can only recognise 120gb (I assume per HDD, rather than overall) I would be interested in adding a bigger secondary for backup/storage, does it have the option for a 3rd HDD to be added?

Or to do a complete fresh installation with a SATA conversion kit?

Regarding the PC100 vs. PC133. The system bus on this Powermac G4 is 100mhz...so you probably won't see a speed increase with the PC133. The biggest advantage if PC 133 works...is flexibility in sourcing ram for your computer (either PC100 or PC133).

From the e-Bay description this computer already has 2 hard drives (120gig & 40 gig). I think that you can install a 3rd internal drive...but you need a PCI expansion card to do it. You could also consider an external firewire or USB hard drive. I'm not sure if the 128gig hard drive limit applies to external drives.

Remember...if you start going CRAZY upgrading this computer (ram, video cards, hard drives, etc.)...you're going to get real close to what it would have cost you to purchase a used Powermac G5.

Quit while you are ahead.:) You got a pretty good deal on this computer...and it even came with OS 10.5.8 installed on it. Personally the only upgrade I would pursue (if this was my computer)...is a ram upgrade.

Hope this helps,

- Nick

Edit: Just saw your Firewire 800 question. Do you currently have or plan to purchase firewire 800 devices? Again...unless you can get a firewire 800 card really cheap...your just throwing more good money at an old computer. All this "upgrade" money could have been put towards a much faster & capable G5. Stop while you are ahead!;)
 
OP
T
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
South Wales, UK
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook 2.0GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo - 1GB RAM - 10.6 SL & Powermac G4 - 1.8GHz Sonnet Dual Processor
Good call ;)

I'm just going to go down the route of RAM I think for now, and possibly a generic firewire 800 card!

You shall be hearing from me, via this thread on how it turns out to be when I eventually have it delivered :D

I have a spare DVD +-RW Drive lying around, same fitment as PC?
Cheers
Alex
 
OP
T
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
South Wales, UK
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook 2.0GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo - 1GB RAM - 10.6 SL & Powermac G4 - 1.8GHz Sonnet Dual Processor
Just saw your edit!

I don't currently own any firewire 800 sound interfaces, but I have constant access to borrow them for long periods of time, I just wondered if there was a definitive difference between 400 & 800 as far as quality of recording?

I would like to install logic on my new 'toy' to record into, and only ideally need 2-4 input channels in the interface for recording.

Whatdoyareckon?

Ta
Alex
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
Just saw your edit!

I don't currently own any firewire 800 sound interfaces, but I have constant access to borrow them for long periods of time, I just wondered if there was a definitive difference between 400 & 800 as far as quality of recording?

I would like to install logic on my new 'toy' to record into, and only ideally need 2-4 input channels in the interface for recording.

Whatdoyareckon?

Ta
Alex

You shall be hearing from me, via this thread on how it turns out to be when I eventually have it delivered :D

I have a spare DVD +-RW Drive lying around, same fitment as PC?
Cheers
Alex

As far as the DVD drive you have laying around. The 450mhz Powermac G4 only has one 5.25" optical drive bay...so you would have to swap the drive that's already in the computer for the one you have laying around. As far as compatibility...plug it in & see if it works!;)

I happen to have a Powermac G4 500mhz (basically exactly the same as your new computer)...and I took a look inside...and it looks like you can install up to four internal hard drives (4 areas to mount a 3.5" hard drive)...the problem is you need the PCI expansion card to have the extra data "cabling" needed to get them running.

Regarding the Firewire 800 card. I think the main difference between firewire 400 & 800 is data throughput. So if the recording you're going to be doing involves a lot of data transfer...then maybe the firewire 800 would be better. But I would think trying out the Firewire 400 first would be best.

By the way...what version of "Logic" are you thinking of running? Just asking since you should make sure it will run on this computer (processor speed, ram amount, OS version, hard drive space). Never hurts to check!:)

Most definitely please post an update when you finally receive this computer...and have a chance to "play" with it!:)

- Nick
 
OP
T
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
South Wales, UK
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook 2.0GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo - 1GB RAM - 10.6 SL & Powermac G4 - 1.8GHz Sonnet Dual Processor
As far as the DVD drive you have laying around. The 450mhz Powermac G4 only has one 5.25" optical drive bay...so you would have to swap the drive that's already in the computer for the one you have laying around. As far as compatibility...plug it in & see if it works!;)

I happen to have a Powermac G4 500mhz (basically exactly the same as your new computer)...and I took a look inside...and it looks like you can install up to four internal hard drives (4 areas to mount a 3.5" hard drive)...the problem is you need the PCI expansion card to have the extra data "cabling" needed to get them running.

Regarding the Firewire 800 card. I think the main difference between firewire 400 & 800 is data throughput. So if the recording you're going to be doing involves a lot of data transfer...then maybe the firewire 800 would be better. But I would think trying out the Firewire 400 first would be best.

By the way...what version of "Logic" are you thinking of running? Just asking since you should make sure it will run on this computer (processor speed, ram amount, OS version, hard drive space). Never hurts to check!:)

Most definitely please post an update when you finally receive this computer...and have a chance to "play" with it!:)

- Nick

Excellent, thanks for your info on the HDD situation, will look into the PCI expansion card :)
Which version would be best taking into account I will be running 2GB Ram ;) and Firewire 800 Card (£6 from my local supplier)

Cheers
Alex
 
OP
T
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
South Wales, UK
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook 2.0GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo - 1GB RAM - 10.6 SL & Powermac G4 - 1.8GHz Sonnet Dual Processor
Hey sorry, one more question :[

You said about PCI expansion card, what particular type of card/format would I need, after I read what you wrote I realised it could mean any type :eek:

Cheers
Alex
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
Which version would be best taking into account I will be running 2GB Ram ;) and Firewire 800 Card (£6 from my local supplier)

Cheers
Alex

What version of what...Logic? I would run the newest version possible that will run on your computer.

Logic is up to version 9.1:

Logic Pro - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Logic is currently a $499 (US) program)...but you can't use the newest version on your computer...because the newest version needs a Macintosh with an Intel processor. So you would have to check out older versions until you get to a version you can run on your Powermac G4.

HTH,

- Nick
 
OP
T
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
South Wales, UK
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook 2.0GHz - Intel Core 2 Duo - 1GB RAM - 10.6 SL & Powermac G4 - 1.8GHz Sonnet Dual Processor
Cheers Nick,
I am doing some research into the most suitable version of logic, in the mean time, is Toast a worth while program for burning/mounting (more so than Disk Utility)?

Cheers
Alex
 
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
4,554
Reaction score
146
Points
63
Location
Crawley, England
Your Mac's Specs
20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.
Toast is brilliant, and I'd say worth the money. I'm on my 3rd version in 8 years now.
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
Cheers Nick,
I am doing some research into the most suitable version of logic, in the mean time, is Toast a worth while program for burning/mounting (more so than Disk Utility)?

Cheers
Alex

I've used Toast in the past...and found it to be fine for burning CD's/DVD's. I actually have not used Disk Utility for burning.

You could try starting a new thread asking about what the best burning program is...but you may get as many opinions as responses...leaving you confused!:(

- Nick
 

dtravis7


Retired Staff
Joined
Jan 4, 2005
Messages
30,133
Reaction score
703
Points
113
Location
Modesto, Ca.
Your Mac's Specs
MacMini M-1 MacOS Monterey, iMac 2010 27"Quad I7 , MBPLate2011, iPad Pro10.5", iPhoneSE
To me Toast is the best burning application out there for OSX. There is a free application called Burn which for the basics works fine, but most of that you can do in Disk Utility.

If you want the best, get Toast.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top