I completely agree with John! My MDD DP 1GHZ is fantastic! I wouldn't go with a G3 ibook any newer than the clamshell. After that they had bad video chips and all sorts of stuff that will go wrong. I've had two G3 iBooks go bad: a G3/700MHZ 14" and a G3/800 12". Both went with Motherboard and video issues, and eventually DEATH.
-Jonas On Fri, Jan 1, 2010 at 9:40 PM, JOHN CARMONNE <carmo...@aol.com> wrote: > > On Jan 1, 2010, at 9:24 PM, Kasey Smith wrote: > > > > > On Jan 1, 2010, at 9:59 PM, kimtoufectis wrote: > > > >> I'd like help in choosing an older Mac. I entered Macdom six months > >> ago via an original blueberry clamshell iBook G3. Beyond an iconic > >> product design, I've appreciated the simplicity and reliability of > >> freedom from Micro$oft (I use a PC at work). I've enjoyed stretching > >> it about as far as a 300 MHz processor can go (maxed out RAM and > >> upgraded to OS X 10.2.8) but I'd like to be able to streaming low-fi > >> video and use current web browser features; seems like time for > >> something more. > >> > >> A bit about my computer usage: I am fairly non-tech; when my work > >> Wintel machine fails an expert comes to fix it. At home I'm on my > >> own; I like simple. My iBook serves mainly as a netbook: I use > >> Gmail, > >> Google Docs, and Google Reader for productivity and news, and > >> Pandora, > >> GrooveShark, LaLa, and Playlist to stream music. I don't make much > >> use of social media, and real-time isn't a trend I have not had much > >> interest in or need for (so far). I've tried Chrome with extensions > >> on a Windows machine and think it could meet virtually all my routine > >> computing needs. I even contemplate getting a netbook and > >> migrating it > >> to ChromeOS as a next step (maybe using JoliCloud and EyeOS until > >> that's easy to do). > >> > >> Searching online showed me that for the $250-500 cost of a netbook I > >> could step well forward in power with a used iMac (functioning > >> MacBooks seem out of that pricerange). The architect in me > >> appreciates the compact, elegant designs of both the G4 and G5 iMacs, > >> and depending on age and screen size I find both in a tolerable > >> $250-500 price range. Whatever I buy, I'd like to use it for a long, > >> long time (this iBook turned 10 recently, and as a complement to a > >> more capable desktop I want to continue to use it for light browsing > >> for more years). > >> > >> With that as background: > >> > >> (1) What should I expect as the performance delta between the G4 and > >> G5 in light usage, and does it justify the extra cost? Is the G4 > >> advanced enough to serve me for several years, or will I soon need to > >> step up again soon to keep up with internet trends? > >> > >> (2) I find OS X 10.4 on most G4s and 10.5 on more G5s; any > >> guidance on > >> which OS is most useable with each processor? > >> > >> (3) I'll need wifi but it isn't always installed; is it hard for a > >> non- > >> technical end user to install? Is a USB wifi router worth > >> considering > >> instead? > >> > >> (4) Given that I'm mostly okay with the 12 inch iBook screen, a 17 > >> inch screen seems adequate; any great reason to go larger? > >> > >> (5) Wikipedia tells me there's variation in processor speed and > >> features even within the G4 and G5 lines; faster and newer generally > >> cost more. How important are the upgrades (700 v. 800 v. 1250 v. > >> 1600 v 1800 v 2000 MHz? webcam? ambient light sensor? iSight?) and > >> are they significant in choosing a machine I can use for the next > >> several years? > >> > >> (6) Are there other Macs I should consider, (I don't want a CRT eMac, > >> but maybe a Mini?) and if so why? > >> > >> I'm eager for your feedback-- > > > > I recommend an iMac G4 or a Mac Mini. I wouldnt go with an iMac G5 > > because of how inefficient the G5 chip is. A G3 900MHz iBook > > wouldn't be too bad either if you can find one for a good price. My > > first Mac was a 333MHz iMac G3 (a little older then your iBook > > actually.) > > > I own about one of every model made and if I could only have one it > would be my G4 MDD dual 1.0 2GB 10.4.11 with a Cinema display and > iSight cam. And for a PowerBook my MBP 2.4 4GB 10.5.8 > but that's just me. > > John wtmm > > -- > 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 > -- 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
