GNN Photography

Q: Is the Powerbook G4 still a good day to day computer?

Hi,

 

I have a question for fellow Mac users. I have a 2012 Macbook Pro. I take it to high school, and find people looking at it (they could be admiring it), but Im worried about theft and damage. I have the oppertunity to get my hands on a used 2005 15" Powerbook G4 with leopard on it for $149, $100 with my student discount. Would this be a good computer for things like: web browsing, word and power point? Also do these do Pandora? Keep in mind I have a new Pro for the newer apps that are out now days. I tried an iPad but did not like it, so this is one of my only options left...

 

Here is a list of the software I would use:

MS Office 09 for Mac

iWork 09

Photoshop CS2

iLife 09

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Sep 29, 2013 6:17 PM

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Q: Is the Powerbook G4 still a good day to day computer?

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  • by Network 23,Helpful

    Network 23 Network 23 Oct 1, 2013 5:04 PM in response to GNN Photography
    Level 6 (12,043 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 1, 2013 5:04 PM in response to GNN Photography

    GNN Photography wrote:

     

    I have the oppertunity to get my hands on a used 2005 15" Powerbook G4 with leopard on it for $149, $100 with my student discount. Would this be a good computer for things like: web browsing, word and power point? Also do these do Pandora?

    The software you listed will only run on a PowerBook G4 if they still support PowerPC processors. I'm not sure if they do, you'd have to check each one's system requirements. You listed MS Office 09 for Mac, but there is no such thing. There is Office 2008 which does run on a PowerPC, and Office 2011 with does not. It looks like iLife 09 is going to work.

     

    If the software will run on a PowerPC, the G4 could be a good laptop. The biggest limitations will be heavy Flash like playing YouTube videos. HD video will be impossible. Pandora might work. For $100 it might be fine.