Q: I have an iMac g4 and I need to update all of the software?

be more specific.  What software are you talking about?

why do you need to update them?  What do you mean by "is there anything I can do?"

not on an iMac g4.

It's not clear what it is you wish to accomplish. For updating Mac OS X and the included software, use Software Update under the Apple menu. Note that you cannot upgrade to a completely new version of Mac OS X - for instance, Mac OS X 10.4 to Mac OS X 10.5 - via Software Update. For such an upgrade, you would need to purchase a copy of the retail disk set.

For third-party applications, you'll have to find out what the update mechanism is from the applications' developer.

Note that in either case, you can only update applications as far as is supported on a PowerPC-based Mac and on your version of Mac OS X. For instance, you cannot run Microsoft Office 2011 on a G4 iMac.

Regards.

warpedtourfan wrote:

 

Because the applications are out of date

So, sadly, is your G4 Mac. Time for it to go.

Obsolete products are those that were discontinued more than seven years ago. Apple has discontinued all hardware service for obsolete products with no exceptions. Service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products. These include ALL G4 models. On November 23, 2011 all G5 models were declared as 'vintage'. Obsolescence cannot be far behind.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1752?viewlocale=en_US

You are never going to be able to upgrade to Mountain Lion OS X 10.8.

Your iMac is an older Motorola PowerPC Processor model. The new versions of OS X only run on Intel Processors, now.

That written, you can do some updating or upgrading to your iMac, of you think that would help you.

OS X 10.5 Leopard is a retail disc purchase only. You can try and call Apple direct at 1-800-MY APPLE and ask for software sales and ask if they might still have OS X 10.5 Leopard discs in stock for sale. You'll pay Apple's original price of $129 U.S.D. For the disc.

You can, also, still find OS X 10.5 Leopard for sale on Amazon.com.

After the initial install from disc, you can use software update to get your G4 iMac to OS X 10.5.8.

This is the last OS X version for PowerPC processor Macs. This as far as you can go with your G4.

MS Office 2008 is the last supported PowerPC version for your iMac.

Should be able to find versions of this on Amazon.com, too!

However, there are substitute alternatives that are Office compatible and are a lot cheaper than MS Office.

iWork '09 has Pages, Numbers and Keynote which are the equivalents to Word, Excel and PowerPoint

You can purchase iWork '09 from Amazon.com

Other MS Office substitutes

Open Office

Neo Office

There is no direct equivalent to MS Publisher, but this app maybe close

Look at

Swift Publisher

These apps websites may still have a download area for older PowerPC, OSX 10.5 versions for your iMac to run.

This is about as "up to date" you are going to get.

Also, as I hadn't mentioned this, I would max your RAM memory out to 2 GBs of RAM if your iMac doesn't have this much RAM already.

You are going to need it.

Purchase RAM from online RAM vendors Crucial  memory or OWC.