If you can identify the iBook (G3 colors?) model, in the MacTracker database,
it will show you what the last supported OS X version operating system is.
*No iBook G3 or G4 "maxxes out" at only 128MB RAM.* Do you have an early
PowerBook G3? Use the serial number indentification site to narrow down
what you have; and then use MacTracker download (if you can) or Everymac
to see your computer. The info is spelled out rather well.
Without more information about that computer, others can't look it up for you.
With the product Serial Number, you could narrow down the build model and
year of manufacture; and that can be used to tell which one it is and what it
can support in the way of software and additional hardware updates.
All early iBook G3 (colors) models can support Panther 10.3.9; given the
data available for each model that I have cited and provided links to here.
You can upgrade the RAM to at least 512+ MB more by adding one chip.
You may need to upgrade the capacity of the hard disk drive if it only has
a 6GB hard drive; since you should have more to run OS X adequately.
The Apple Support pages relating to iBook hardware are not hard to navigate;
I've done so many times when I have a need to look up specific information on
a model of computer; get the MacTracker database, if you have a computer
the download can be used in. Have you looked into their web page? It helps.
From what I can find, in several sources, there is NO iBook whose RAM total
is only 128MB. I've just read through the MacTracker app I have in front of me.
Anyway, depending on what model iBook you have, it can support a later OS
X than the early and obsoleted 10.0, 10.1, 10.2; some can go with 10.3.9.
And no early OS X versions are necessary to use whatever last one the iBook
you have supports. They do not build on one-another; they are independent
and retail versions. And auction sites or resellers such as welovemacs, & other
may be able to help locate full install versions of the last supported OS installer.
You will have to try & use the information you have to access the great sites
available online, to get more information. If you do not have a computer with
a recent enough operating system (including windows XP/vista or mac 10.3+)
to use the download of MacTracker's database, check out the iBook info at
the
http://everymac.com web site. All of the iBook G3/G4 computers and their
supported OS versions are listed.
Or try this site page:
• Apple iBook Specs (all iBook technical specs)
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/index-ibook.html
{You can see several iBook models, from first G3 on up to last G4.
Note there is a tiny triangle by each name; click it to read more.}
What color is the iBook? What processor version (speed) does it have?
Does it have an FireWire ports? If you can read System Profiler in either
the OS X in there, or OS 9, what is the capacity of the hard disk drive?
If you can find the Serial Number in the System Profiler, you can go online
and maybe find more about the computer from this (or other like it) site:
• Lookup Mac specs by Serial Number, etc - everymac.com:
http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/
similar lookup site:
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php
Anyway, short of having the computer at my desk to do these things,
I really can't come up with the exact information without identification.
But you can do it fairly easily; and then post back the info (do not post
the serial number, just the results of what matches it) and what best
matches your computer as defined by MacTracker download, or by
the web site info in Everymac.com. This should be way simple.
So, to summarize; the computer probably never had OS X 10.4.0 in it.
If so, someone would have had to upgrade the RAM and hard disk drive.
And Tiger would probably have available to whoever installed it, in the
form of a retail install DVD or 4 CD set (this last item is like vaporware.)
And I have no way of knowing which of those Mac OS discs may be
actual full installer discs, or if they're from other Mac's software kits.
As it stands, I can't identify exactly the computer you have; but you
can. The links to web sites where data is easily gleaned are posted.
You have the means to resolve the questions; so I am done with this.
At this point, it would almost be easier to get an officially refurbished
Apple computer from their online store web site; they include software.
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
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