alanpalmcity

Q: can my ibookg4 get an update to safari

it may be time for a new computer. My ibookg4 needs an upgrade to safari. can that be done, or is the system too old?

ibookg4, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Aug 7, 2015 10:41 AM

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Q: can my ibookg4 get an update to safari

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Aug 7, 2015 10:42 AM in response to alanpalmcity
    Level 10 (313,672 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 7, 2015 10:42 AM in response to alanpalmcity

    If it's running Mac OS X 10.4.11 or earlier, upgrade it to Mac OS X 10.5.8; this OS supports Safari 5.0.6.

    If it already has Safari 5.0.6, not on that Mac.

     

    (131391)

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 7, 2015 11:18 AM in response to alanpalmcity
    Level 6 (14,451 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 7, 2015 11:18 AM in response to alanpalmcity

    There are no new Safari versions for Power PC (G3/G4/G5) Macintosh computers.

     

    A fairly good build, based on Mozilla Firefox code, is available and it runs in Tiger

    10.4.11 as well as Leopard 10.5.8 (not for Intel-based Mac hardware w/these OS)

     

    See: TenFourFox  (note versions exist - for different G3/G4/G5 processor models)

    http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/

     

    Two versions of TenFourFox web browser exist for G4, based on processor build.

    So depending on the speed of the CPU, use one or the other; + see links to know.

     

    This works fairly well, and all of my PPC Macs have this browser. You can select

    in Safari's preference settings, to choose a different 'default browser' so to have

    the FireFox launch as though it were the main browser (instead of Safari) change

    that setting and choose Safari. You can import bookmarks, from elsewhere.

     

    Oh, since Flash player is not supported in TenFourFox and is not updated for sake

    of security, be sure to avoid using Flash and Java content online via browser. You

    can change settings in the computer to not use older unsupported Flash + Java.

    (This 'java' does not pertain to javascript, which is part of the system & is OK.)

     

    Oh, if you upgrade (get a newer OS X install DVD & use it) the later 10.5.8 will

    usually run slower than Tiger 10.4.11 due to using more computer resources.

     

    So at least, you may need to add more correct version RAM memory to help

    and the hard drive will need adequate free-space for virtual memory functions.

     

    There are other performance items that may be looked into. Also, if you need

    to run vintage MacOS9.2 applications that worked under Tiger 10.4.11, they

    will not run in Leopard 10.5.8 since Classic support was discontinued in it.

     

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 9, 2015 12:50 PM in response to alanpalmcity
    Level 6 (14,451 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 9, 2015 12:50 PM in response to alanpalmcity

    A fairly good upgrade among newer Apple hardware may be in the range of MacBook

    portables, circa 2006 to 2010, that's the original replacement to the iBook+PowerBook

    G4 models; since both were eliminated as Apple transitioned to Intel-based hardware.

     

    Older and newer (to still current models) of MacBook/Pro (and others of similar name)

    are available in the used and reconditioned market; older models that have been either

    repaired or tested by independent resellers of vintages no longer offered online at the

    official Apple Store (refurbished & clearance pages at store.apple) vary and study them

    to choose where you may wish to try your luck on purchasing one, may take time.

     

    If you have older software and hoped to continue using it, limits in the later hardware

    that also restrict or obsolete old versions of applications; and old model computers

    get left behind in several ways when it comes to using newer Apps, and later OS X.

     

    So if you have a newer or different question, you could modify it here,

    or start a different topic  in another thread, anew.

     

    Hopefully you can either make do awhile longer with the vintage iBook G4 era series

    or find some other suitable later model to utilize; or perhaps get a new configuration

    that ships with a recent OS X & uses forward looking Apps from the online App Store.

     

    Yet you can still use the iBook G4 online if you choose the free TenFourFox browser.

    There's also another browser that would require a license to get newer build, that is

    iCab and I have no experience with the licensed version. Most others see no update.

     

    Good luck!