In order to find which version of iLife, be it '09, '08, '06, etc
may be best for your computer model and OS X system,
one has to match the iLife: System Requirements with the
computer's hardware and software specifications.
iLife '06 is most likely to work across all the apps and their
limitations based on hardware your computer has inside it.
{Also, note specs for the cameras one may use with iMovie
and other iLife apps; since you may find a newer iLife version
could allow newer cameras; but your computer may not have
the support for such different advancements the version gives.}
iLife '06 would work just fine in a PowerPC G4 Mac and
probably do very well; and the software in iLife, if the
computer supports the iDVD, iMovie, iWeb, GarageBand,
iPhoto versions (and the need for DVD read/write) it may
be the best choice. However, sometimes we find that we
may have to settle for what we can find; among older
software sets and obsolete hardware, you can get lucky.
Here is a Support page with different versions of iLife and
their specific system requirements; see if there is a match
between what you can get (affordably & practically) which
may work in your computer within its configuration limits.
• iLife: System Requirements (versions: '04, '05, '06, '08, '09)
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA27615
{Since iLife '11 will not work at all in your PowerPC-based Mac
the link above does not address this version at all. However,
there are other Apple Support articles which cover iLife '11.}
Note there are processor (cpu) and other hardware limits to using
various iLife versions, so some older computers are not supported
as newer product reflects changes in hardware advancements
and later OS X versions.
The iLife '09 may work in several models of Mac computer, but
note the computer processor speeds, RAM requirements, and
OS X version requirements; free or unused hard disk drive
capacity, and other limitations will be details to watch for in the
process of finding what iLife version may work for your Mac.
As I said, some of the iApps in iLife won't work in your computer,
when the iLife version is too new for the older Mac's hardware .
Some users preferred certain advanced features in the apps
in iLife '06 better than those in iLife '08; as some of the apps
in iLife are light versions of more advanced pro software that is
also available for purchase; there are music apps, photo apps,
and other products outside of iLife's iDVD, iPhoto, etc that can
do advanced things. But some versions of iLife have fairly good
feature sets for their level of expected use.
If you can get iLife '06 inexpensively (I bought an install DVD for
$10 in the retail box, previously owned) that would be a fair version.
To find a private person who has upgraded to a newer product, and
who has the retail install DVD in box, you may get a fair deal.
From what I see by comparing the most likely iLife versions your
1.67GHz computer could run (not knowing other hardware specs)
the iLife '06 could be most likely to succeed in a favorable way.
The iLife '08 appears to state higher computer processor speeds
would be required for one or more of the iLife apps.
You would also have to pair a suitable camera's specs with those
of the computer and the iLife version. While I have iLife '06 and
also have an external iSight FireWire camera, I don't use them.
I've been told the iSight camera (clips on display or sits on stand)
can work with iChat, and some other iApps adequately. Not so
sure if that would be good with iMovie. Some USB2.0 cameras
could be used in last model PowerPC Macs; not sure which ones.
So, it is my opinion you would do fairly well with iLife '06 in the
computer model you have, but some users have installed a
newer iPhoto and ran a different iMovie, etc. I have not read of
how well that works. As some computers can't use all of the iLife
apps (old Macs without a SuperDrive can't write DVDs, etc) so
although the set of iLife apps gets installed together, you may
be able to use Pacifist utility to pick and choose install packets.
Getting a retail iLife '06 install DVD in good shape at less than
an auction mark-up price, may be a difficulty. I found local items
for cash, via Craigslist; and drove to meet real people at their
home, to buy Mac gear. Also got a great deal from a former DSLR
owner on a new Nikon battery, agreed to meet in a parking lot.
What did your computer originally ship with? (Do you have the
original install/restore DVD?) Seems to me, my mid-2005 iBook
G4 (shipped Tiger 10.4.2) has iLife '04 or '05 in the original discs.
I've seen iLife '06 on retail DVD for about $25. from web re-sellers
who are not doing online auctions. Once you get the DVD, there
are several download steps to get them updated. Be sure to get
the steps installed, run Disk Utility's 'repair disk permissions' and
then check for the next update download bits, & repeat as needed.
(I save update bits on CDs or DVDs so I don't have to go online;
and put them in folders, in the order the bits have to be installed,
so as to save myself time if/when I have to reinstall anything.)
Hopefully all of my writing here does more than just serve to confuse.
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
