**old** iMac: what's needed for iPod+iTunes?

mattmcarroll

Hello - my sister has an old G3 350 MHz imac with 64MB of RAM.



She'd like to get an iPod mini...so,



I'm think she should:

1) increase RAM by 256 or (better) 512MB

2) upgrade to OS X 10.3



Questions:

* will iTunes work on a 350MHz iMac, even though the iTunes system requirements state "400MHz G3 processor or better" http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

* is it worth it to spend the extra money for 512 vs 256 MB RAM for this old iMac?

* what RAM brand strikes a good balance between inexpensive and not poor quality?



Thanks! - Matt



(Note: I understand that using the iPod mini over this iMac's USB 1 port will be slow)

sunilraman

Quote:

Originally posted by mattmcarroll

Hello - my sister has an old G3 350 MHz imac with 64MB of RAM.



She'd like to get an iPod mini...so,



I'm think she should:

1) increase RAM by 256 or (better) 512MB

2) upgrade to OS X 10.3



Questions:

* will iTunes work on a 350MHz iMac, even though the iTunes system requirements state "400MHz G3 processor or better" http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

* is it worth it to spend the extra money for 512 vs 256 MB RAM for this old iMac?

* what RAM brand strikes a good balance between inexpensive and not poor quality?



Thanks! - Matt



(Note: I understand that using the iPod mini over this iMac's USB 1 port will be slow)

my random thoughts -- more leet appleInsiders shall guide you further.



a 512mb chip will be pretty decent, it will be tough enough to find the 256mb ram, might as well make it 512mb.



think about upgrading straight to 10.4 (you will have to check reports on installation on the 350mhz iMac g3) because 10.4 with 640mb ram will be alright, if you are able to install tiger on it (again, you will have to check if and how this has been done)



believe it or not i am running with APACER brand (www.apacer.com) 512mb chip in my iBook g4 933mhz. now with 640mb total. it was almost 1/3 the cost of kingston apple-specific RAM. some taiwan brands eg APACER are actually making apple-compatible RAM, albeit very unpublicised. i think in general they are conforming more tightly to JEDEC to ward off competition from china? so the side benefit is good apple compatibility (the 512mb in my iBook g4 has been doing very well so far, no complaints i can mention)



good luck mate



</ramble>

reg

She is most likely running 9.1 or 9.2 on that machine. Therefore she will being spending about $200 to $250 to upgrade the machine. That is about 1/2 the price of the mac mini minus the monitor. You might bounce that off her because that would be the way I would go.



reg

cosmonut

A 350Mhz iMac is really pushing it as far as current technology and software go. I'd second it that she attempt to go with the low-end Mac mini and find a cheap monitor at CompUSA or Best Buy. The overall experience is going to be much better.



If she has to stay on the iMac, she might be able to find an older version of iTunes that will work a little better on it, but some of the functionality of Podcasting, etc. etc. will be missing. Like I said, the iMac is pushing the limit of usefulness if it hasn't passed it already.



EDIT: Be a good brother and help her out with the difference in upgrading to the Mac mini. You know, early birthday present/Christmas present kind of thing.

kingofsomewherehot

<--- recently discarded an iMac 266 G3 ....



It ran Panther and iTunes just fine ...

Does the 350 have firewire ??? That will be the real clincher.

I KNOW it doesn't have USB2, so it would need Firewire to sync the iPod.



You won't see a whole lot of difference between 256 and 512 RAM .... (not on that machine) ... but 64 definitely won't cut it.

sunilraman

Quote:

Originally posted by KingOfSomewhereHot

<--- recently discarded an iMac 266 G3 ....



It ran Panther and iTunes just fine ...

Does the 350 have firewire ??? That will be the real clincher.

I KNOW it doesn't have USB2, so it would need Firewire to sync the iPod.



You won't see a whole lot of difference between 256 and 512 RAM .... (not on that machine) ... but 64 definitely won't cut it.

according to macTracker only those higher speed than 350mhz (400mhz and above) have Firewire

dfiler

I hate to say it... but i recommend not getting an iPod mini to use with that machine. It will be a fairly torturous process and enough to deter all but the most determined gaget geek.