Powerbook G4 - Hard drive replacement advice? worth it or not

Hi,

Thats a mighty nice computer you have!! The good news is that you can either put in a legacy SSD or you can get an ATA/PATA drive.. I am sure they run up to 750GB which isn't too bad.. so, yes it can be done.. Here is a nice website dedicated to keeping out powerpc capable machines alive....

In case you did not know, I am using a Pismo G4(was G3) and its still a viable and easy computer to use.. though its a bit slow due to video memory, but for everyday stuff and low res youtube, its a good machine..

www.otherworldcomputing.com

Tell them that Roman sent ya.

Yeah, I have to agree with Romko. It is the 'top of the line' in G4 Powerbooks. They are a great machine and well worth keeping running.



Another good website for information is, The Powerbook Medic

Here's the easy DIY instructions for installing the new hard drive.
http://www.ifixit.com/Device/PowerBookG4_Aluminum_15%22_1.67GHz

 Cheers, Tom 😉

The largest ATA/IDE drive currently available for notebook computers is Western Digital's 320GB unit. There are very few ATA/IDE drives still in production, and there were never any larger than that. Upgrading the hard drive in your Powerbook is still well worthwhile as long as you don't count on using the machine heavily for streaming online multimedia sites or gaming. No G4 can handle those well nowadays.

I wouldn't run streaming multimedia, though at 250 or 340 it does handle nicely.. I would mainly use my G4 for everyday emailing, browsing.. its a pain to keep carrying my behemoth 17 inch Gateway p-6860fx all the time.. That thing has 8GB of memory and room for two sata hard drives 🙂 Although it uses 800 mhz memory, its still a very nice laptop for windows 7 and such..

The G4 Powerbook I have coming to me is the 2nd to LAST model before the Macbook pro which has the same processor specs(MPC7447a) at 1.67 ghz almost as fast as the G4 MDD before it.

Welcome to the Apple discussions.

1) Which hard drive is recommended and how much is the cost?

See http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007605%2060000344 2%20600003341&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20 . Basically Western Digital drives are $90 or less, depending on size.

2) Is it worth it?

For what you've indicated you want to use the Powerbook for, yes. As eww pointed out, the 1.67Ghz systems aren't handling today's streaming video well.

3) Can I install MS Office?

Yes.

4) Can I install Final Cut pro programs?

Yes. I have Final Cut Pro 5.1.4 and it works fine. You probably know the current Final Cut Studio requires an Intel-based system.

5) What else is recommended to make the Mac current and running?

I'd install OS X 10.5.8 Leopard, which is the last operating system update available for the PowerPC systems. And I'd load it with 2GB of memory, especially if you're going to use Final Cut Pro.

Well, at least most youtube movies allow 240 and 340.. right, I wouldn't play 720 or 1040 on a G4 powerbook.. for some reason even with my 5770 in my 2010 mac pro, the 1040 is also lagging on my mac pro!! My memory: I have 8GB of memory(had 6 in DDR3 ), but someone told me that more memory is better than putting the chips in threes.