Is it time to retire my eMac? USB 1 to 2?

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Level 1

8 points

Is it time to retire my eMac? USB 1 to 2?

We have an eMac. We use it in our home business. I'd guess its well over 10 years old now. 1 GHz Power PC G4, 1 GB SDRAM, 40 GB hard drive, USB 1, running Mac OS 10.4.11. It has been a VERY stable machine, and still works fine.

Yet, I just got an iPad. My inclination was to connect the iPad to the eMac for sync, but alas the iPad requires USB2 and Mac OS 10.5.8 or later. Neither of which I have.

Seems still possible to upgrade to OS 10.5.8. for somewhere around $100? But changing from USB 1 to USB 2, not sure. Is it possible to upgrade from USB 1 to USB 2? How is it done? What's the cost involved?

Considering all of the above, is it time to retire this eMac and invest in a newer computer?

eMac-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Sep 3, 2011 6:34 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 3, 2011 6:37 AM in response to Al Thorp

Yes.

You should make sure that the software you are using is compatable with Lion because it will not run PPC code.

Allan

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Sep 3, 2011 9:47 AM in response to Al Thorp

Hi Al,

Is it possible to upgrade from USB 1 to USB 2? How is it done? What's the cost involved?

Not possible on an eMac, but they did make eMacs with USB2...

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/emac/stats/emac_1.25.html

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/emac/stats/emac_1.42.html

Bottom 2 here...

http://www.dvwarehouse.com/Apple-eMac-c-253_53_4896.html?gclid=COKrj93BgasCFQJOg wodKn482A

I see some here with Leo & free shipping...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=apple+emac

Leo/10.5, but not free shipping, still about the same price...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-eMac-1-42GHz-512MB-160GB-Superdrive-OS-10-5-30day- /230659671437#ht_13235wt_1398

Close to the price of Leopard alone! 😉

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Answer 3

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,860 points

Sep 3, 2011 11:27 AM in response to Al Thorp

Depending on your usage patterns, a newer G4 may not be much of an upgrade:

1) If you use the computer strictly for non-internet functions (other than mail) AND will not be upgrading the software you already have, a newer eMac is quite fine. Our 1.42Ghz with Tiger is quite nice and stable, and has the best video chipset that was ever used in an eMac. Other than web video, it is a very capable computer and does everything my wife needs for computing (We don't have iPads, iPods or iPhones, so connectivity is not an issue).

2) If streaming video is important and/or you will need to upgrade software soon, the hottest eMac will probably fail to satisfy. Most software no longer supports G4 processors, and few G4s that don;t have an upgradeable video chipset (the case with the eMac) are giving smooth web video playback.

If you fall into category 2, you should be shopping for an Intel-based Macs

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Answer 4

Al Thorp Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 4, 2011 5:01 AM in response to Al Thorp

Thanks very much for all the replies. I think its time to invest in a newer computer. We've gotten 8 years out of this one, and I can't complain about that.

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