What can I do? 2

[merlinczar]

I have a MAC with dual G5 processors and no OS (have to get a SATA). Are these processors Intel, Can I put Snow Lepard OS X 10.6 in this machine.
I am looking to get into the MAC and away from Microsoft. This is a big step, and I am looking to do this as inexpensive as possible.

 

[drlex]

Alas, Snow Leopard will not run on G4s or G5s - both are IBM processors, not Intel - see

http://www.apple.com/macosx/specs.html

You'll need to get a copy of Leopard 10.5 (although Tiger 10.4 & Panther 10.3 will work), either the retail version or the version specific to your G5 Mac (it's marked on the Disk). Popular routes are asking colleagues for their old disks, computer fairs, internet auction sites and torrent sites.

soi là, soi carré

 

[SYQUEST]

The G3, G4, & G5 PowerPC™ processors were a collaboration of Apple, IBM, and Motorola. Except, that Motorola sold its semiconductor business in 2004, and the new company is called Freescale Semiconductor. The 64 bit G5 processors came from IBM in 2003. No, these are not Intel.

Unfortunately, there is NO OS support past 10.5 for the G3, G4, & G5 PowerPC™ processors from Apple Computer. For a history about the PowerPC™ read here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerPC

I, myself, have always preferred the PowerPC™ chip over Intel bloatware, and don't plan on changing any time soon. With Apple's odd sense of direction, they don't seem to be paying much attention to computers these days! The current line does not impress me @ all...

OS 10.4 Tiger and 10.5 Leopard should work just fine on the G processors.

Hope this helps!

....JIM....

 

[drlex]

JIM,
I agree that the success of the iPhone has split Apple's resources, but fortunately for Apple, they must be doing something right, as they are selling record numbers of computers (over 3M last month) and the new 27" iMac (which in i7 guise is impressive IMO) might help them break that figure again this quarter.

soi là, soi carré

 

[manhunter2826]

Interesting thread. I've always been a Windows person myself too but I am really disappointed at the amount of rubbish out there with regards to quality of laptops. So, I am tempted to make the move to Apple and Snow Leopard. The aesthetic quality of a laptop does matter to me given the huge amount of time I spend on one.

 

[drlex]

manhunter2826,
Hopefully without sounding too much like an "Apple fanboi", the resale value of Apple kit remains high, so even if it doesn't work out, you won't have lost too much money.
The Apple refurb(ished) store (accessible via the regular Apple store) is a great source of reduced-price kit with warranty, plus the option of Applecare. Certain models (e.g. Mac Mini) appear to retain logic-defying value and when present on the refurb. page, last barely an hour.

(merlinczar - apologies for taking your thread off-topic, but in my defence, your question has been answered.)

soi là, soi carré

 

[manhunter2826]

Thanks drlex.

 

[drlex]

You're welcome.
If it's of assistance, I believe Apple offer a returns policy on new computers whereby if returned within X days; a refund is given (less a Y% restock). Speak to the store (bricks'n'mortar or online) and find the values of X & Y appropriate to what you have in mind. It might also apply to refurbished items.

soi là, soi carré

 

[spamjim]

the resale value of Apple kit remains high

I don't know if this is quantifiable but it certainly isn't as quantifiable as it has been previously. How is any value retained when Apple is moving so quickly with new processors and operating systems? Developers are mostly done with PPC Macs. Many of us on Macs use Adobe software. Adobe Creative Suite 5 will not run on PPC Macs. Older Macs are heading to landfills like everything else.

While that G5 still has some kick to it, I'd make sure you have the apps you need to run on it before investing money and time. If you're looking to leave Windows, why only look to Mac?

...Not Mac bashing - - I'm still running a G4 to run Final Cut but finding plenty of contentment running Ubuntu on more modern (and much less expensive) systems.

 

[manhunter2826]

Thanks spam, have a star also! Just to point out, I am not leaving Windows at all - I have a Windows Sony ME laptop which I love and an XP Fujistu-Siemens laptop which I love. The build quality and aesthetics of a laptop does matter to me and I seem to be noticing a lot of rubbish when it comes to Windows laptops at the moment. Not all, of course not, I think Lenovo, Asus and some of the Dells are quite nice.

I am wanting to purchase a brand new W7 laptop and therein lies my dilemma - as described above. The build quality of a 17 inch Macbook Pro, for example, is exemplary. I am more than happy to negotiate OS's and become versed in Snow Leopard.

 

[drlex]

spamjim,
I understand what you say, and indeed Gn processor-based kit has less appeal than Intel ones. However, my answer was addressed to manhunter286, who I took to be interested in new machines; the refurb. store hasn't listed non-Intel items for a looong time.

As far as merlinczar's original post, without knowing what (s)he plans other than being "as inexpensive as possible", surely an HDD and a 2nd hand copy of Leopard/Tiger/Panther is cheaper than an Intel machine?

However, I would invite you to check the resale value of G4 Mac Minis against their age and original price.


soi là, soi carré

 

[SYQUEST]

It all depends on your needs and what applications you use. Some people don't need the latest edition of bloatware and brand name to do their work.

....JIM....

 

[spamjim]

I confess I was wandering through a few topics in my last post. The reason why you see resale value remain high on apple.com is because Apple is setting the price in a very small market. They have the ability to charge so much because they have little competition in selling their own used or unsellable old stock.

without knowing what (s)he plans other than being "as inexpensive as possible", surely an HDD and a 2nd hand copy of Leopard/Tiger/Panther is cheaper than an Intel machine?

It may not be that easy. As a new Mac user, one also needs Mac applications. This may mean converting existing Windows program licenses to Mac licenses (when available) or trying to buy vintage software from aftermarket sellers (often a dangerous proposition on places like eBay). While no one needs the latest bloatware, it is important to see where developers are going with current development to realize how long you might squeeze out of a legacy system.