Spprrw

Q: Powerbook G4 compared to first gen macbook?

My husband needs a computer for internet and basic applications like Microsoft word.  We do not need iSight or fancy programs other than the basics.  Nor do we need much HD space.  I would like to know how it really compares to a first gen white macbook intel.   the only difference I see in the two computers (G4 powerbook and a first gen white macbook) is abbout 200 mhz of speed.

 

We need a good internet speed, good reaction speed, good for applications like virtual pc or microsoft word.  Maybe a couple videos on it or music burns

 

I need an answer pretty quickly because I am looking to bid on an auction.


The stats are on this Powerbook q4 are:

 

1.67 GHz processor

1 MB of RAM (can hold 2g)

100 G hard drive

 


I also have Leopard install disks that I will put on it.


Questions

 

Will it run FireFox 3 or 4 well?

WIll browsers recognize it?
Will it run smoothly on the internet?

Will it run applications like Word and iTunes well?

what else can it do very well?

Posted on May 24, 2011 7:41 AM

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Q: Powerbook G4 compared to first gen macbook?

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  • by Stress Test,

    Stress Test Stress Test May 24, 2011 8:29 AM in response to Spprrw
    Level 4 (1,265 points)
    May 24, 2011 8:29 AM in response to Spprrw

    - The Intel processor in the MacBook is much faster than the G4 processor. Not only 200MHz, it's a complete different architecture.

    - 10.6 Snow Leopard could only be installed on an Intel processor (MacBook)

    - You can use Parallels or VMWare for Windows on an Intel processor = much faster that VirtualPC on a G4!

     

    I would choose the MacBook. Newer technology, faster processor, and could run the latest software.

  • by dalstott,

    dalstott dalstott May 24, 2011 10:41 AM in response to Stress Test
    Level 4 (2,625 points)
    May 24, 2011 10:41 AM in response to Stress Test

    I will second Stress Test's recommendation.

     

    Among my many Macs I have a Powerbook G4 and a first generation MacBook core duo 2 gHz.

    While I love the G4 the macBook is a better laptop. It has the latest OS installed (10.6.7) which

    is much superior to 10.5.8. I also have a Bootcamp install of windows XP that is quite satisfactory

    and is many times faster than the G4 with Virtual PC with Win XP.

     

    Your Questions

     

    Will it run FireFox 3 or 4 well?                                    YES

    WIll browsers recognize it?                                        YES
    Will it run smoothly on the internet?                            YES      

    Will it run applications like Word and iTunes well?        YES

    what else can it do very well?                                     Windows

     

    RE: I also have Leopard install disks that I will put on it.


    Get the SnowLeopard DVD at $29 and use this on the MacBook as it is worth every penny.

  • by Spprrw,

    Spprrw Spprrw May 24, 2011 12:30 PM in response to dalstott
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 24, 2011 12:30 PM in response to dalstott

    So this means the G4 does this, right?

     

    Your Questions

     

    Will it run FireFox 3 or 4 well?                                    YES

    WIll browsers recognize it?                                        YES
    Will it run smoothly on the internet?                            YES      

    Will it run applications like Word and iTunes well?        YES

    what else can it do very well?                                     Windows

  • by dalstott,Solvedanswer

    dalstott dalstott May 24, 2011 2:39 PM in response to Spprrw
    Level 4 (2,625 points)
    May 24, 2011 2:39 PM in response to Spprrw

    Sorry, I was mistaken thinking you were referring the questions to the MacBook.

     

    Most of this applies to the G4 also with the exception of Firefox v4 which requires an Intel processor. The Windows software is also very slow. I can't testify about Word and iTunes as I don't use them on the G4 but the iWork suite runs well.

     

    What you may also want to consider is the gradual abandonment of software for the Power PC processor (includes the G4).

  • by Spprrw,

    Spprrw Spprrw May 24, 2011 2:53 PM in response to dalstott
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 24, 2011 2:53 PM in response to dalstott

    good to know. 

     

    About abandoning the PowerPC, I actually own a late 2011 intel macbook pro and I love the thing to no end. My husband just wants to have a workable computer of reasonable speed to check his mail, make a couple online purchases and check his bank account.  He also wants a word processing program (he has appleworks and microsoft office '04).  He also wants a computer that is still functionable for about 2 years more or so.  Super speed does not count to him like it does me. 

     

    We had a black macbook 2nd Gen but the thing is broken and unfixable.  We upgraded to a brand new macbook pro but we want a secondary computer that gets the job done easily but doesn't need to be outstanding. I also have a leopard disc floating from the black mac (upgraded from Tiger) around that I can install on a G4.  It looks like it was a model of the G4 that was just before the intels came out.

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones May 24, 2011 3:00 PM in response to Spprrw
    Level 8 (35,141 points)
    iPad
    May 24, 2011 3:00 PM in response to Spprrw

    Nearly all G4s are struggling with web-based video. Even animated ads on some regular web sites drag it down. I love my G4s (and we have a lot) but I have to use my MacBook Pro 2.2G do view a lot of modern web sites. My G4s are even struggling with the recent change to Apple Support Communities from the old Apple Discussions.

  • by Texas Mac Man,

    Texas Mac Man Texas Mac Man May 24, 2011 3:05 PM in response to Spprrw
    Level 8 (46,611 points)
    May 24, 2011 3:05 PM in response to Spprrw

    It's possible that some of your current apps may not work in Snow Leopard. You can check here: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Application Compatibility List at http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/

     

     Cheers, Tom

     

    anim-appleguy.gif

  • by Spprrw,

    Spprrw Spprrw May 24, 2011 3:38 PM in response to Texas Mac Man
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 24, 2011 3:38 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

    Allan, So does that mean that even with Leopard  plus FireFox 3 that I may have trouble with web-based video? WIll it still be messed up if I do it with the leopard and FireFox 3?

     

    Texas, I can't install snow leopard on a G4.  I would be installing just regular Leopard

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones May 24, 2011 6:53 PM in response to Spprrw
    Level 8 (35,141 points)
    iPad
    May 24, 2011 6:53 PM in response to Spprrw

    Leopard places additional load on a PowerBook graphics chipset that's now outdated. I have both Tiger and Leopard on a G4 tower running at 1.25G with a bunch of RAM. Video is no better under Leo than it was under Tiger. As you can't upgrade the video hardware like you can with a tower machine. what video horsepower you have in a PowerBook at purchase is all you get.

  • by romko23,

    romko23 romko23 May 25, 2011 8:15 PM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 2 (395 points)
    May 25, 2011 8:15 PM in response to Allan Jones

    Sorry to butt in, but I have no problems with the Apple Support forums at all, and I am using TenFourFox though I also use Omniweb which is quite nice and fast, My PowerBook is a G4 1.67 Hi-res DDR2 model. And SSD does help and this is what I have as well.

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones May 25, 2011 8:43 PM in response to romko23
    Level 8 (35,141 points)
    iPad
    May 25, 2011 8:43 PM in response to romko23

    Romko,

     

    This might be interesting: install temp monitoing software on your G4, preferably Bresink's Temperature Monitor that show the temp in the menubar. Launch your preferred browser and browse some part of Apple's web site other than Apple Support Communities (ASC). Note the temps on other pages, then use Support Communities for a while.

     

    On all my computers (mostly older G4s like you appreciate, but also the MacBook Pro), temps start climbing once I'm ASC. Happens with no other sites, including other Apple site sections.

     

    My G4 MDD runs 15°F hotter in ASC. I'd be interested to hear what you see on your setup.

  • by boli,

    boli boli May 26, 2011 6:27 AM in response to romko23
    Level 1 (75 points)
    May 26, 2011 6:27 AM in response to romko23

    Romko, apologies for doing it this way and adding an OT post, I didn't find any other way to ask you about something.

    I just read about your *B08 mystery firmware in your Mac Pro 2009 and was wondering if you also swapped the CPU without changing the firmware (your signature said "westmere 6-core" but also "W3580", which is a quad-core). This came up in the netkas forum, which is why I ask. Thanks very much!

     

    BTW you can mail to me at <my username> <at> me.com, no need to add more OT posts.