Running OS 10.5.x on Mac Mini (PPC-based, PowerMac10,2)

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Level 2

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Running OS 10.5.x on Mac Mini (PPC-based, PowerMac10,2)

A friend of mine has a Late 2005 Mac Mini (PPC-based, PowerMac10,2). She currently runs OS 10.4.11 and the Mac is running fine.

I have a few questions:
[1] Can this machine run OS 10.5.x?
[2] Even if it can, in terms of speed and running application, is it a realistic thing to do?

I want her to use a program called RapidWeaver on her Mac Mini. But, its system requirement is OS 10.5. That's one of the reasons why I am posting this question.

Mac Pro (MacPro1,1), Mac OS X (10.6.6), MacBook Pro (2007)

Posted on Mar 5, 2011 5:43 PM

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Answer 1

Kunio Mitsuma Author

Level 2

165 points

Mar 5, 2011 5:45 PM in response to Kunio Mitsuma

Oh, I just realized in MacTracker that Maximum OS is listed as OS 10.5.8. But, even though her Mac Mini has a maximum RAM of 1GB, is it still realistic to expect various programs to run OK with OS 10.5.8 on her Mac Mini?

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Answer 2

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

Mar 6, 2011 9:21 AM in response to Kunio Mitsuma

Yes, your friend can run 10.5 Leopard on her mini. 10.5 requires a minimum of 512MB, so if it's maxed out at 1GB, you'll be fine, and that mini has the horsepower to run Leopard. If anything, 1GB may place some constraints on how large a site you can use under Rapidweaver.

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Answer 3

Kunio Mitsuma Author

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Mar 6, 2011 9:26 AM in response to BGreg

BGreg - Thank you so much for your reassurance!

Concerning RapidWeaver, it has dawned on me that for someone who hasn't done much of website construction iWeb that comes with iLife '09 may be easier. Don't you think?

After Leopard (10.5.8) is installed on her Mac Mini with 1GB of RAM, the version of iWeb that comes with iLife '09 should run comfortably.

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Answer 4

BGreg

Level 6

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Mar 6, 2011 2:22 PM in response to Kunio Mitsuma

If you already have iLife '09, iWeb would be a price performing way of getting started with web design.

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Answer 5

Kunio Mitsuma Author

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165 points

Mar 6, 2011 3:09 PM in response to BGreg

Thank you so much, BGreg, for your suggestions and advice.
I feel much better now in trying to help my friend.

- Install Leopard (10.5.8).
- Then, install iLife '09.
- Talk her into getting a MobileMe account.

Then, she should have her first website of her own! 🙂

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Answer 6

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

Mar 6, 2011 3:15 PM in response to Kunio Mitsuma

While the Leopard upgrade isn't difficult, you want your friend to look at non-Apple drivers and programs that have been updated for Leopard ... a little homework will ensure a smooth upgrade. They should still be able to order it from the Apple online store at 800-MY-APPLE, since it's no longer carried at the brick and mortar Apple stores.

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Answer 7

Kunio Mitsuma Author

Level 2

165 points

Mar 6, 2011 3:20 PM in response to BGreg

Oh, yes, thanks so much for mentioning that! My friend has a printer that came (I think) free with her Mac Mini back when she purchased the computer. I am now looking at the System Profiler file that I asked her to generate, and under Printers, I see Lexmark Z25-Z35 and Stylus CX4200. I believe that the Lexmark is the wireless printer that she prints to.

Thanks again for alerting me to this!!

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