| Author |
Message |
    
lah
Citizen
Username: Lah
Post Number: 343
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 9:48 pm: |     |
My children desparately want their own computer. I've found a site with old iMac G3s loaded with OS9 only (price = $99). I know that OS9 has a browser, but will I be able to connect to my LAN through the ethernet port (it's a linksys router with PCs on it)? Does OS9 have any software -- drawing, games, word processing -- that my kids could use? If not, is there somewhere that I can find s/w that runs on OS9? Any thoughts on whether this is a good or bad idea? They are low end users who will do a little word processing, play games and surf the web. |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 930
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 2:02 am: | |
you can connect just fine,
yes there is software out there, although it may be harder to find.
My son has an older iMac that runs OS 9, most of the software he uses was either his older sisters, or I found it at garage sales, or clearance bins.
I've been thinking of updating the iMac to OS X, he can still run his older games in Classic.
|
lah
Citizen
Username: Lah
Post Number: 344
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 7:37 am: | |
Thanks for the info.
How difficult/expensive is it to upgrade to OS X? Do you know if an iMac G3 (333 mhz) works well with OS X? I'm a convert from the PC world, so my frame of reference would be an older PC running Windows XP (it wouldn't be pretty). |
JonSel
Citizen
Username: Jonsel
Post Number: 16
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 1:40 pm: | |
I'm not a tech wizard, so take my advice for whatever it's worth. I had a souped-up 400mhz G4 tower that I upgraded to OS X.3 and it just slowed to a crawl. I was also running high-end design programs like Photoshop and illustrator that suck up a lot of memory. I'd try to get a more recent iMac if you can afford it. You'll curse at the machine less. |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8157
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 1:46 pm: | |
Often, extra memory (RAM) can compensate for a slow processor. OS X is based on UNIX, and in my experience, adding memory to a UNIX system almost always speeds it up. I'll explain why if you're curious.
But of course, there is a risk that you'd be chasing bad money with good money. (How does that idiom really go?) By the time you get the system updated and upgraded, you might spend the same amount as you would on a new system.
So I think your best bet is to spend the $99, see how well you like it as is, and then decide. If you don't like it, you're out $99. Can you afford to throw that away?
Also, how old are your kids? A lot of games use a lot of processing power. Often, the kids need a more powerful computer than the adults.
Also, modern web pages, with fancy graphics and animation, use a surprising amount of memory and processing power. An old computer isn't up to the job, DEPENDING on what web sites you will visit.
|
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 934
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 2:53 pm: | |
I've read online of several people that have upgraded there old iMacs with OS X, and it wasn't performing at a crawl, a walk maybe, but not a crawl.
You have to max out the RAM, it doesn't hurt to put in a larger drive, you need to buy OS X, you need to update the firmware (or else) and oh yeah...since it is a 333MHz CPU, I wouldn't bother upgrading to OS X.
When all is said & done, you might as well buy a "newer" used iMac, or a Mac Mini (which already comes with OS X).
The only reason I'm thinking of upgrading my son's ol'iMac is because I won't have to spend any money in doing so, and it will be a stepping stone to the next level machine for him.
He's been playing with Apples since he was around 2 years old, his first was an old LC III pizza box, and he's been going uphill ever since.
 |
lah
Citizen
Username: Lah
Post Number: 348
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 8:29 pm: | |
I've found a somewhat newer iMac with more memory and disk space with OS X on craigslist (I'm now negoatiating on price, but it's in the same general price range). Can I still get more memory for these older machines? If so, any suggestions as to where?
Thanks for all your advice so far! |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 936
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2005 - 12:02 am: | |
It's possible that it already has it's max in RAM, check out this page for which iMac you need info on, http://www.everymac.com/systems/by_casetype/allinone.html
just scroll down until you find the right link for the iMac you need the specs on.
For memory try OWC, at this page, http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac-G3-G4-G5/
|
Bill P
Citizen
Username: Mrincredible
Post Number: 484
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 4:34 pm: | |
This thread kind of answers a questions that's been nagging me. I have a G3 iMac, 700 MHz which I run OS 10.1.5 and my browsing is very slow. I've got cable broadband and a 803.11b wireless router, which gives me great speed on my Windows XP work laptop.
So I was wondering what I could do to speed up the iMac. Sounds like upping the RAM (I have 512 and I think I can go to a gig) might help? |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8692
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 4:41 pm: | |
Yes, it is likely to help. There is a "knee" in the performance curve, whereby adding RAM improves performance, but at a less steep curve at a certain amount of RAM. The trick is finding that point and not spending more money.
Open a terminal window up and run "top" and see how much free RAM there is and how much swap space is used. Scarce RAM is a sign that adding more will help.
There are probably more sophisticated tools in Mac OS X to display your memory options, but at least I know how to use top.
Tom Reingold
|
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page