mikeyrko
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Considering a iMac G4 Have some questions

Hi I am looking at a iMac G4 700 not sure on the ram but I would probably upgrade the ram to the max.

My question is what can this machine do as far as video's? Hulu? youtube? Slingbox???

I know netflix is out from what I read, Just curious what I can do with it.

Posted on Feb 13, 2012 6:22 AM

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mikeyrko

Q: Considering a iMac G4 Have some questions

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  • by Klaus1,Helpful

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Feb 13, 2012 7:33 AM in response to mikeyrko
    Level 8 (48,893 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 7:33 AM in response to mikeyrko

    No. That old G4 cannot cope with today's streaming video. You will just get frustrated by its limitations. Also:

     

    Obsolete products are those that were discontinued more than seven years ago. Apple has discontinued all hardware service for obsolete products with no exceptions. Service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products. These include ALL G4 models.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1752?viewlocale=en_US

  • by mikeyrko,

    mikeyrko mikeyrko Feb 13, 2012 7:51 AM in response to Klaus1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 7:51 AM in response to Klaus1

    Yeah I figured I have a iBook clamshell so it would probably not be much better I guess.

    I have no plans of using it as a main computer so I might still get it.

  • by Allan Jones,Helpful

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Feb 13, 2012 8:56 AM in response to mikeyrko
    Level 8 (35,306 points)
    iPad
    Feb 13, 2012 8:56 AM in response to mikeyrko

    If you like the model for the style but are not fixed on getting that particular one, look for a newer version. The later versions can run OS 10.5.8 Leopard, can handle up to 2G RAM, and have USB 2.0, making them at least workable with most iDevices.

     

    The fastest iMac G4's with a1.25Ghz processor, will also have greatly improved video hardware--not enough to fix the web video issues, but enough to help with routine use.

     

    NOTE: The G4 iMac is one of the harder Macs for internal servicing like maxxing out the RAM, replacing the PRAM battery, or upgrading the hard drive. One RAM slot is user-accessible; the other requires serious teardown that, if improperly done, can ruin the computer.

     

    Google "imac G4 takeapart" and read the guides for servicing there and decide if this is work you can do before committing, as getting inside without killing the computer is not trivial with this model.

  • by mikeyrko,

    mikeyrko mikeyrko Feb 13, 2012 10:47 AM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 10:47 AM in response to Allan Jones

    Thanks I'm looking into the later models now ,I'm not to worried about working on it.

  • by mikeyrko,

    mikeyrko mikeyrko Feb 13, 2012 10:56 AM in response to mikeyrko
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 10:56 AM in response to mikeyrko

    Thanks for the info

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Feb 13, 2012 2:42 PM in response to mikeyrko
    Level 8 (48,893 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 2:42 PM in response to mikeyrko

    After the various G4s came the G5s. Then in 2006 Apple switched to Intel processors, and now no PPC model or version of OS X (leopard downwards) that can run on them is supported.