Possible PC Switcher Seeks Help on iBook/OS X compatability...
Well, after much deliberation, I've become a recent fan of Apple's OS X operating system. Having on numerous occasions gone out of my way to visit my Apple retailers and fiddle around with G4 PowerMacs running OS X, I have come to the idea of buying a 300MHz or 366MHz iBook.
I don't have very much to spend. I am looking to keep it under $500 for the iBook. I have found some 300MHz Tangerine/Blueberry iBooks at a steal for $449. Problem is, I have on the Apple site that the 300MHz models do NOT run OS X. A majority of interest in my iBook has been lost to the idea that I will not be running OS X on it.
www.everymac.com lists the original iBooks as compatable with OS X, so there is a glimmer of hope.
Are there any necessary modifications to be made to such an iBook before it will run OS X? Or am I sold outta luck?
EDIT: "iMac" to "iBook".
I don't have very much to spend. I am looking to keep it under $500 for the iBook. I have found some 300MHz Tangerine/Blueberry iBooks at a steal for $449. Problem is, I have on the Apple site that the 300MHz models do NOT run OS X. A majority of interest in my iBook has been lost to the idea that I will not be running OS X on it.
www.everymac.com lists the original iBooks as compatable with OS X, so there is a glimmer of hope.
Are there any necessary modifications to be made to such an iBook before it will run OS X? Or am I sold outta luck?
EDIT: "iMac" to "iBook".
Comments
edit: I found this on a quick google search. I'll look around for others.
The 300mhz iBook is going to be fairly painful running OS X -- these models were considered slow running OS 9. (Yikes.) If you get an early iBook, try if you can to get to at least the iBook 466 -- it's considerably faster than the previous three models.
Have you checked out the Apple Instant Loan ? I don't want to lead you into debt, but if you can budget it in, it might be a thing to consider. Sometimes it's better in the long-term to pay more and get a Mac that's much more future-proof.
I am planning on running at lest 320MB RAM if not 576 (the 300s I'm considering come standard w/64). Granted, the RAM upgrade is going to put me right around $500 for 320MB total, but the only real viable alternative is the SE 366MHz model, which comes with 128MB. From what I've read, RAM is more important than processor speed for the Mac OS (please correct me if I'm wrong so I'm not making an uninformed decision), thus, the 300 would better suit my needs and wants.
As for the Apple Instant Loan, I'm only a student, and without any real credit record...the APR is credit-dependent, right?
I forget the max on the old machines, but I put a 256 stick in my grandmother's original 300 and that brought it up to 288 if my memory serves me correctly...
you have to turn some CPU intensive things off in X tho like icon bouncing and the genie effect...
all in all the main limiting factor on those books is the 800X600 12" display and the lack of Firewire... on X 1024X768 is almost essential, it will work but your money would be better spent on a more modern book...
ou have to turn some CPU intensive things off in X tho like icon bouncing and the genie effect...
Hell, I turned those off because they're annoying...
AFA Clamshell iBooks, the 800x800 resolution, ATI rage 64-bit graphics acceleration and very small HD are the biggest draw backs. However, to get your toes wet, and use WiFi (if u want) and just use OSX such a machine will do.
Just don't have illusions about it being a speed demon, is all. The slower processor, bus, HD, graphics et al are going to determine performance.
http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=168689
Originally posted by MCQ
Isushi, you may want to check out this MacNN post, possibly in your range:
http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=168689
Yeah, I actually saw that and sent the seller a letter, however it seems there are several interested parties and I've yet to get a response
I used an Apple loan to buy my iBook (800 MHz version, last December). The reason I got it was so I could buy the iBook, and then sell my previous computer after I transferred the data over to the iBook. Then I sold my old computer and used the money to pay off the loan before I had to start paying interest on it. I am a student with basically no credit rating but I was still approved for $1100. Since you get 180 days interest-free (you still have to pay the interest but once you pay off the loan in less than 180 days they send you a check for the amount of interest you paid), if you can get the money together within a couple months you can use that to your advantage. It's good just make sure you pay it off within 180 days because otherwise they not only start charging interest, they also charge you interest retroactively on the first 180 days of the loan.
Anyway, my advice would be to get at least a 366 MHz Indigo iBook. Avoid 366 MHz Graphite iBooks because they have small hard drives and no Firewire and even cruddier graphics acceleration. So either 366 Mhz Indigo, 466 MHz Graphite, or any of the newer, white iBooks. I'd strongly suggest skipping a clamshell and going straight for a white iBook, because they have better screens, they are a bit faster, and they're much much lighter. You should be able to find a barebones 500 MHz CD-ROM version for $600 or so, which is an excellent price. If you want to comfortably run OS X, you need at least a 300 MHz G3, a Rage 128 graphics card, 256 MB of RAM, and 8 GB of hard drive space. And those are absolutely the least you want to go with... a G3/500 or any G4 is far better, and you will probably want a solid 512 MB of RAM, 20 GB of hard drive space, and a Radeon graphics card for good performance.
PowerMax has a 500 MHz iBook with the standard barebones configuration - CD-ROM, 64MB, 10GB - for $650. Normally I don't recommend them because they are often extremely overpriced, but they have good service and this is a fairly good deal. Also, I saw a few 500 MHz CD-ROM iBooks on eBay for $500-$600. If you can pick one up there for under $600 it'll be a steal. Basically, only get a clamshell if you find one for REALLY cheap... usually, clamshells sell for only a small amount less than white iBooks, and a lot of times they end up selling for quite a bit more. You might save $50-$100 but you will be less satisfied with the computer.
Originally posted by Hobbes
I agree -- the eMac in particular is actually a pretty good deal right now.
Two pieces of advice:
1) If you can, try to avoid buying old hardware if you can. The newer models general run OS X better (G4 are far better than G3s in this regard).
2) Instead of applying for the Apple loan (9-19% APR) go to CompUSA and apply for their credit card. They have an 18 month same as cash deal for all Mac systems over $999. That way, you can get a new Mac, make monthly payments and avoid paying interest.
If you absolutely must buy old hardware, try Ebay. Although I would advice you to be careful (use Paypal/escrow) you can find some pretty good deals there.
As of Wednesday, I will officialy be a "switcher"
OSX WILL run on any iBook ... it runs fine on my 466 iBook, and also runs just fine on my 266 iMac. I wouldn't make my living running photoshop on these machines... or rendering big DV files... but it works great for most consumer tasks!!!
In fact, I use my Powerbook more often than my 1Ghz Intel Laptop because of OSX, but I rarely notice a speed difference since I use my desktop (17" iMac) for most demanding tasks.