Q: Is it worth it to upgrade a 2004 G5?

Your G5 cannot run 10.6.  You'd need an Intel Mac Pro for that.

Most likely not, on 10.5 Leopard I believe you can because they released Java for PPC. (not 100% on that)

I suggest you just buy a whole new desktop like a Mac Mini ; the PPC's are not going to be supported anymore at all, especially how a new operating system is coming out.

I think the Leopard discs are about $50 now? I am not sure on that either you have to realize that these machines are over 5 years old with all of the new technology they try to make the sites faster for the new computers, but the forget about the older machines and they just dont support it anymore.

I don't use Yahoo frequently or for very much but when I happen to come across a link to it, it seems to work.

A big problem will be finding a copy of Tiger or even Leopard to install.

The other thing to remember is Tiger is only the next in line in terms of rapidly aging operating systems, and even Leopard (10.5) is no longer supported by Apple.  Then too, support for all PPC ("G") model computers is being dropped by everybody. It even seems that with the next OS release (Mountain Lion) Apple will likely stop supporting even its oldest generation Intel Macs.  I guess what I am saying is, you might want to review your computer situation and decide if you can afford to jump up several steps at this stage.  Unfortunately sites like Yahoo are programming expecting most of its users to be using newer computers, and probably PCs at that. Keep that in mind if you're trying to keep up with one particular set of requirements.  You'd be annoyed at spending $75-$100 to upgrade your computer only to find that they did something in 6 months that completely made your upgrades pointless.  You might as well put that $100 to getting a $500 used Intel Mac that will likely be usable another 4 years.  Personally, for me the next sweet spot will be getting something that will run Snow Leopard because it will let me continue to use my PPC generation software.  Anything later than that will not only cost me for hardware but also major software purchases since naything designed for a PPC Mac will not run under Lion (10.7).

All the above said, I use Tiger on a G4 and haven't had any real issues yet.  No, I can no longer upgrade a lot of my software to newer versions.  Some people have complained abut not being able to use web sites that require the newest FlashPlayer, but I guess I never use those sites, or if I encounter them I just don't worry about it.

Texas Mac Man, Leopard disc sources - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3636662

"a brody" post about upgrading to Leopard - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3373795

Short answer to your question: Probably not.

Can you tell us a little more about your G5?

CPU speed, amount of RAM, HD space?

Was this the only "upgrade" you were considering?

Your G5 can run OS X 10.5 Leopard.

Here are the specs:

Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard requires:

• A Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or Power PC G4 (867  MHz or faster) processor
• 512 MB memory or more
• A DVD drive for installation
• 9 GB of available disk space or more
• Some features require a compatible Internet service provider,  fees may apply

I do not believe that Apple still stocks the original retail DVD any longer.

You would have to search the Internet for these.

You will pay a lot more for these than from Apple, but it's the last Official OS X version that'll run on your G5.

They can still be had.

OS X Tiger is much older and even rarer and more expensive to buy.

Best just to find the OS X 10.5 Leopard DVD.

You'll be more up to date, plus, you be able to take advantage of any of Apple's iOS mobile devices as these need a minumum of OS X 10.5.8 and the recent version of iTunes 10 to use with a Mac.

They are Apple's Official Black retail software DVDs

Gray colored won't work.

And yes, many things that you could no longer access online using 10.3 Panther should be available to you if you upgrade to 10.5.

I would try and get of copy of this sooner than later.

Apple is already up to 10.8 Mountain Lion. 10.5 is 3 versions back and it's days as a minumum OS requirement for newer hardware/software are going to be numbered.

Good luck!

I use the updated Yahoo with a G4 MDD.

Site has been working fine for me.

Texas Mac Man had a link to using the most recent Flash player on older PPC.

I used the link to upgrade my Flash Player, but didn't bookmark or save the link.

His advice and link to this works fine, for the most part, on my G4.

Note: OSX 10.8 isn't released yet except to developers.  We're still officially at 10.7

FlashPlayer is no longer being developed for PPC.  Yes, there is a newer version than the OP will be using, but it's still old.  The FP hack that's been discussed isn't a new FlashPlayer.  It just tricks sites into thinking you are using a newer version to try to get around the "we know best" stance where the site doesn't actually need a newer version to use the site.  This will work for a while but given the way the computer world works it would not surprise me if in a year or so some feature would be required by sites that we just could not install on our PPCs.  I was forced into upgrading to OSX from OS9 back in 2006 because I couldn't even get access to my e-mail account anymore.  Once you're 4 OS versions behind the newest you're really pushing it, and that goes double if they have made a major jump in hardware design as they did in going to Intel which really draws the line.  Oh, I love my G4 and Tiger, but I've been there.

Well, to find a geniune copy of one of to may be a bit difficult. There are many torrent sites who allow you to get it throught there, but beware it is illegal.

You are true on the part that he shouldnt spend that money on that because he may not find the results he wants.

You cannot update you old G5 to anything except running Tiger or Leopard.

But why bother as it is regretably officially 'vintage' and OS 10.4 and 10.5 for PPC Macs are no longer supported.

Vintage and obsolete Apple products:

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. On November 23, 2011 all G5 models were declared as 'vintage'. Obsolescence cannot be far behind.

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

Limnos,

If your looking for something in the future to run Snow Leopard, then none of your PPC generation software will work. As of 10.6 Snow Leopard, OS X is now, strictly, Intel and Cocoa only. No more PPC code or Carbon capability.

Even on 10.5, if using Intel Mac, no PPC code or software will work.

This is one of the reasons I am hanging on to PPC and PPC Macs for as lon as I can or until I really have to bite the bullet for a new Mac.

It not just purchasing a new Mac, but updating every single piece of software I use from a PPC version to a Intel version. Don't have the neccessary funds/major expenses for awhile to be able to do both.

I was going to buy a newer Intel Mac of some kind until I realized the other expense of having to upgrade of buy all new software. (brand new software is some of my case is even more expensive than just sofware upgrades).

I use a lot of older graphics and CAD software that is even more expensive, now, to buy/upgrade  than when I purchased back when for use on PPC Macs.

MichelPM wrote:

 

Limnos,

If your looking for something in the future to run Snow Leopard, then none of your PPC generation software will work. As of 10.6 Snow Leopard, OS X is now, strictly, Intel and Cocoa only. No more PPC code or Carbon capability.

I think you're confused.  The big thing about Lion (10.7) is that it is the OS version that completely dropped support for PPC generation software, requiring Intel or Universal versions.  Snow Leopard (10.6) allows you to run PPC generation software under Rosetta (albeit not all successfully).  Leopard (10.5) was the version that dropped support for Classic generation (= OS9) software.

Limnos,

Yeah, I get where you are coming from, but I am still, happily, using PPC G4 MDD until the time really arises to say good bye to this old friend.

Been still serving me well for, get this, going on 10 years!!!

Still able to access and stream still quite a bit stuff from the Internet.

It's not always 100%, but for the most part still very watchable and still working.

Much of Apple's new mobile hardware still runs on 10.5. When the day comes when their mobile stuff no longer works with my Mac, that's when it'll get replaced.

The only thing I am missing out on, as of now, is being able to use iCloud. No support at all for this on 10.5 or PPC. I get automatic downloads of apps  I download on my iPad, but no automatic sync over WiFi or any of my other data, photos or documents, through iCloud between my Mac and my mobile devices.

But, I am using DropBox on my Mac and iPad/iPod Touch  in place of iCloud for data, photo,document,video transfers between all my connected devices.

Oh, Yeeeah!!

I forgot about that!

Yes, absolutely right. Probably can still run some/all of my PPC software?

I may have to reconsider my decision to hold off.

I thought, for sure, that PPC software would no longer work in Snow Leopard.

I don't think ay of my CAD, Adobe, Corel or Quark Page Layout software will run under Rosetta in 10.6.

These seem to be high computational programs and these type of programs won't work under Rosetta?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_(software)

A Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Application Compatibility List - http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/