Need Suggestions for what I want to do

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Level 1

5 points

Need Suggestions for what I want to do

I have a scenario where I can't decide which is the correct path to go and would appreciate a little help.

I have an older Powerbook laptop (the model right before they started making the MacBook Pro) and was wondering if it could be used for running a "file server" type of machine?

I'm going to have 7 Mac's running in my household (3 Intel iMacs, 2 Intel MacBook, 1 MacBook Pro & 1 Mac Mini). I'd like to have all of these machines log into a "network" of some sort so that they can all share the iTunes library that I have, store files on a network disk so that they can be accessed by others on the network and a few other things (possibly iCal calendar sharing).

Would a PowerBook with 2gb of memory be capable of running a version of the OS X server software that can run on a PowerPC platform work on this? Would I be better off buying an XServe server and installing Snow Leopard Server on it and having a true server machine?

Does anyone know where someone might be able to buy a copy of the older version of the OS X Server that will run on a PowerPC platform?

I'm in the early stages of planning this out and before I get too far down the road I want to know what my possible options are.

Thanks in advance for any help you might provide.

Mac MINI, 20" iMac, 15" MacBook Pro, 15" Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Sep 3, 2009 9:34 PM

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Answer 1

Camelot

Level 9

59,325 points

Sep 6, 2009 2:05 PM in response to igolfer1

Would a PowerBook with 2gb of memory be capable of running a version of the OS X server software that can run on a PowerPC platform work on this?

Sure. For a small workgroup it's fine. Do consider, though, the sanity of putting load on a three+ year old machine, so make sure you have a good backup strategy to keep your data intact.

Would I be better off buying an XServe server and installing Snow Leopard Server on it and having a true server machine?

I think few people would benefit from having an XServe in their house. It's a beast in many senses - loud, power-hungry, bulky, etc., and definitely way overkill for 7 users (unless you're doing some pretty freaky stuff on your home network). A single XServe can handle hundreds of users.
A MacPro (or even a Mac Mini) would do just as well, and wouldn't stretch the budget nearly as much.

Does anyone know where someone might be able to buy a copy of the older version of the OS X Server that will run on a PowerPC platform?

That's the bigger question, I think. Off hand, I don't.

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