Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Can I use my iMac G4 as a monitor and hook up a mac mini as the drive?

I've been looking at upgrading my much loved iMac G4. It obviously needs more Ram and it may need a new DVD drive. Comparing the costs of buying new or upgrading got me thinking. Is it possible to use the old iMac G4 (dome) as the monitor and buy a Mac Mini (or other drive) to use as the hard drive? Would the Mac Mini run just as well this way? Any suggestions welcome. Thanks

iMac G4, Mac OS X (10.4), 1.25 GHZ 256 MB ram

Posted on Jul 25, 2009 2:44 AM

Reply
5 replies

Jul 25, 2009 7:42 AM in response to HelpVettie

Not easily though someone was talking about a program that 'shared' the monitor through a network.

My feeling is that for the cost of a used or new LCD panel you would be better off selling the iMac and buying a new monitor.

Granted the iMac G4 probably has plenty of life still left in it depending on what you need to use it for so adding the maximum ram a bigger hard drive and replacing the CD/DVD with a DL DVD burner such as the Pioneer 115 would also be a good way to go.

K

Jul 27, 2009 3:50 AM in response to Niteshooter

Thanks. I love the screen on my iMac, very handy for our work to be able to swivel it about. It has been a really reliable computer and I think she still has a lot of life left in her. I was also thinking that the 80 Gig hard drive would make a good drive to use as a backup. I want to do the right thing by the environment and upgrade (or at least be able to use what is there and add to it), but once you start adding up the cost to do so, it doesn't really make it an attractive option.

Has anyone done anything like this? If so, what was involved and what kind of results did you get.

Can anyone suggest an alternative option?

Cheers
Vettie

Jul 27, 2009 7:58 AM in response to HelpVettie

vettie7, Welcome to the discussion area!

Is it possible to use the old iMac G4 (dome) as the monitor and buy a Mac Mini (or other drive) to use as the hard drive?


You are asking 2 different questions.

(1) You can not directly use the iMac as a monitor for the Mac mini. You may find that User uploaded file ScreenRecycler does what you need.

(2) You can use the Mac mini as a hard drive by booting the Mac mini in FireWire target disk mode. However this would mean that your iMac G4 is doing all the processing and therefore it would not change the performance that you experience.

Jul 29, 2009 3:31 AM in response to HelpVettie

Hmm, just relised on my searches that I can have parts shipped from the USA to Malaysia, much cheeper than I can buy them from the Mac shop in Kuala Lumpur. Didn't think it would be so cheep for parts. I think I'll just save the old girl. They told me the DVD head is gone and wanted to replace it with a new drive, for a cost of $355 USD. Wanted $170 USD for 1 GB of ram. I was hesitating at the price of $525 USD to fix her.

Has anyone dealt with DV Warehouse? Or can advise on a cheep parts site that may ship internationally? I can get a (refurbished) SuperDrive DVD-R /CD-RW 8X, SLot-Loading for iMac Intel and 1 GB ram for for $158 USD, + shipping of $34. I can justify spending that on an old machine to keep her going.

Any advice on buying parts appreciated, as I'm new to this.

Cheers

Can I use my iMac G4 as a monitor and hook up a mac mini as the drive?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.