Optimal OS level on clamshell iBook 300Mhz?

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Level 1

103 points

Optimal OS level on clamshell iBook 300Mhz?

Hi,

my doughter needs a laptop primarily for word processing as she now occupies my iMac all day...so I figured she might use my old clamshell that´s been stuffed away for years in the basement. It runs 9.2.2 and works ok, as a mattaer of fact I´m using it to post this thread. However, is 9.2.2 the optimal OS lever for this iBook? Iwould like to set it up with 10.3.9 as I understand is supported, but is it worth it? Beside wordprocessing (MS Word) she´ll probably use it for browsing the internet and mail but that´s about it I guess.
I want to make it easy for her to connect to my othe Macs (running OS 10.5.x) for file and print sharing as well. Any suggestions?

TIA

Mans

iMac G5, iMac 450 DV, iBook 300, Mac OS 9.2.x

Posted on Mar 1, 2009 5:34 AM

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Answer 1

Mans Langert1 Author

Level 1

103 points

Mar 1, 2009 5:49 AM in response to Mans Langert1

Forgot to mention: I have 96MB of RAM and a 3 GB drive on the iBook.

/Mans

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Answer 2

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Mar 1, 2009 6:12 AM in response to Mans Langert1

First thing to do is to ensure that the latest firmware is installed. See " iBook Firmware Update 4.1.7 Information and Software".

Then you should replace 64 MB of additional RAM with a 512 MB SO-DIMM to maximize the RAM at 544 MB.

Then you probably want to replace the 3 GB hard drive with something much larger. Your iBook can recognize up to 128 GB.

That will give your iBook the resources it needs to run OS X effectively.

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Answer 3

Mans Langert1 Author

Level 1

103 points

Mar 1, 2009 6:25 AM in response to Duane

Thanks for your reply...I understand that additional RAM and a bigger harddrive would be a good thing for this oldie but I'm not intrested in doing any hw investments on it. As I wrote it's working OK as it is but as my daughter is used to the the OS X look and feel I would like to run it on the clamshell if possible, on the same hardware as it has now. So the question is which the better OS is, 9.2.2 or 10.3.9 on this hw specs?

/Mans

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Answer 4

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Mar 1, 2009 7:21 AM in response to Mans Langert1

The first usable version of OS X is OS 10.2. Even for OS 10.2 you need 128 MB of RAM and Apple recommends 3 GB of free space. At the present time your iBook doesn't meet either.

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Answer 5

NGB PASE

Level 1

0 points

Mar 1, 2009 2:10 PM in response to Duane

My husband is writing his book on my old Blueberry, which is still in original specs, 3GB HD, 32 RAM, 300MHz, etc. I have installed the latest firmware updates (4.1.7) and it's running on OS 9.2.2. I'd like to increase the speed, to have enough RAM to run Word for Mac. According to http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3033 it is only configurable "Up to 288 MB". I'd like to install a 512 MB, PC100 card in there but don't want to ruin the computer. I've read elsewhere that it can take a 512MB card but I can't find PC66 cards for sale anywhere.] Suggestions, comments?

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Answer 6

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Mar 1, 2009 2:19 PM in response to NGB PASE

You won't hurt your iBook by installing a 512 MB SO-DIMM.

You would better luck looking for a compatible PC100 or PC133. They will run at 66 MHz which is the bus speed. Here are some options.

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Answer 7

NGB PASE

Level 1

0 points

Mar 1, 2009 7:02 PM in response to Duane

Thanks for the explanation. I didn't know the computer would run at a lower MHz. I have been on that website and bought from them for our desktop computer. I just got worried when I saw Apple's specs saying "up to 288MB" and this is the only computer he's comfortable writing on. I'll trust and give the 512MB PC100 a try.

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Answer 8

Mans Langert1 Author

Level 1

103 points

Mar 2, 2009 12:59 AM in response to Duane

Ok, I'm now considering to spend at least a few bucks on this vintage iBook. However, my local dealer claims that the iBook can't run PCC133 type RAM as it can only clock it down one step, so only PC100 would work, and then he only has 256MB RAM. It this the fact?

TIA

Mans

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Answer 9

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Mar 2, 2009 1:17 AM in response to Mans Langert1

That is true of some PC133 RAM but not all. The PC133 in my iBook G3 466 MHz works just fine. That is why you should buy the RAM from a Mac knowledgeable source. They will ensure that you get compatible RAM.

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Answer 10

Mar 5, 2009 6:13 AM in response to Duane

Can the iBook G3/300 "Tangerine" hold 512MB, or do they max out at the current 320 MB of ram? Also, how much can they address in the way of HDD Space, 64 or 128M? First older iBook, used to the MacBooks at school. Thanks for all of your help.

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