Upgrading from Panther to Leopard tips?

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Level 1

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Upgrading from Panther to Leopard tips?

Hi, I'd like to upgrade from Panther 10.3.9 to Leopard, ideally the newest version. I have an I-book G4, 1.33GHZ, currently 512 MB RAM and 30.98 GB available disk space.

First question, is 512 RAM enough, or would it be important to get additional RAM for best performance? I think the most I could upgrade to with this computer would be 1.25 GB RAM. Or would it be better to get Tiger instead? What's the worst that could happen if I run Leopard with only 512 MB RAM? Computer slowing down? I would mostly use it for web surfing and writing with Word 2004, so nothing complicated. Thing is, I wouldn't want to spend too much money on this old computer, and more RAM would be another 30$ at least.

Also, is there any upgrade version that might be cheaper to buy than the full retail version? If so, what is it called? If I get the full retail, are they all the same and should I basically be safe with any disk that has the large "X" on it (as opposed to the gray disks that might only work for specific computers)? Not all sellers offer the whole box, which is fine, I really just need the disk, but I want to make sure I'm getting the right thing.

Do you know of a good place to get Leopard for a good price? Is it generally safe to buy a used disk? I would only need it for this one install, don't care if the disk is dirty, as long as it works.

I still have the Leopard disk from my I-mac, is there any way to install Leopard from that disk, or is full retail the only option?

iBook G4 (14-inch), Mac OS X (10.3.x), 1.33ghz, 512RAM, Safari: 1.3.2(v312

Posted on May 16, 2014 9:39 PM

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Answer 1

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BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

May 16, 2014 9:56 PM in response to quiensera

Hi, Tiger would be better, 10.5.xdesn't support OS9 Classic.

Leopard requirements/10.5.x...

* Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor

minimum system requirements

* 512MB of memory (I say 1.5GB for PPC at least, 2-3GB minimum for IntelMacs)

* DVD drive for installation

* 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)

Classic/OS9 Apps no longer supported.

Trouble is Apple no longer sells it, check eBay & such for the Retail version, not the Gray Discs...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+leopard+retail+10.5

There are workarounds if the 867MHz CPU is the only hangup...

http://sourceforge.net/projects/leopardassist/

http://lowendmac.com/osx/leopard/unsupported.html

TenFourFox is the most up to date browser for our PPCs, they even have G4 & G5 optimized versions...

http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/

I'd avoid vesrion 24 though, as it no longer supports plug-ins like Flash.

SeaMonkey seems pretty fast also, with many options...

http://www.seamonkey-project.org/

http://www.seamonkey-project.org/releases/

Might also look into iCab & OmniWeb versions.

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Answer 2

quiensera Author

Level 1

13 points

May 16, 2014 10:21 PM in response to BDAqua

What would I lose if Leopard doesn't support OS9 classic? Anything important?

This is actually my mother's computer and the main thing for her would be access to internet (being able to watch basic videos online, mail, search, see all photos on a website... Right now no videos and lots of stuff missing on sites, or they don't load at all.)

Tiger and Leopard seem to be about the same price, but they are both so old, I'm worried if I spend a lot of money on Tiger, it will also be obsolete very soon, and the internet will play as it does now with Panther, which is to say almost not at all.

Do I need less RAM for Tiger? How about hard disk space? If the requirements are pretty similar, maybe it would be better to go for the newer system? Any idea as to when Tiger/Leopard will become as completely obsolete as Panther is now?

Do you know if the old AOL software would work with either Tiger or Leopard? My mother still uses that and is used to it, although I might be able to get her to just check her e-mail on Safari in exchange for better internet access.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

May 16, 2014 10:58 PM in response to quiensera

Leo uses more resoueces, especially Video card relaed...

Tiger Requirements...

To use Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, your Macintosh needs:

* A PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor

* Built-in FireWire

* At least 256 MB of RAM (I recommend 1GB minimum)

* DVD drive (DVD-ROM), Combo (CD-RW/DVD-ROM) or SuperDrive (DVD-R) for installation

* At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools (I recommend 20GB minimum)

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514

I still have the Leopard disk from my I-mac, is there any way to install Leopard from that disk, or is full retail the only option?

Sorry, no, it's Intel & machine specific.

main thing for her would be access to internet (being able to watch basic videos online, mail, search, see all photos on a website.

In the end, not much differences as far as that, both are outdated... but I use both daily on the Internet. 🙂

Do you know if the old AOL software would work with either Tiger or Leopard? My mother still uses that and is used to it, although I might be able to get her to just check her e-mail on Safari in exchange for better internet access.

No idea, but AOL became irrevelant decades ago, Apples Mail App can be setup in 10.4/110.5 to access most anything, & theres better/safer Browsers in eithere OSSX...

TenFourFox is the most up to date browser for our PPCs, they even have G4 & G5 optimized versions...

http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/

I'd avoid vesrion 24 though, as it no longer supports plug-ins like Flash.

SeaMonkey seems pretty fast also, with many options...

http://www.seamonkey-project.org/

http://www.seamonkey-project.org/releases/

Might also look into iCab & OmniWeb versions.

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Answer 4

quiensera Author

Level 1

13 points

May 17, 2014 12:23 AM in response to BDAqua

So, using tenfourfox would be better than using Safari when upgrading to either Tiger or Leopard? That browser would be the same, no matter which operating system I'd choose? If it works the same for Internet use, maybe Tiger would be better after all, as it doesn't use as much RAM. What are the "X Code Developer Tools", are they important? Oh, and how about older printer software, should that work after an upgrade?

Thanks for all the help! 🙂

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

May 17, 2014 12:38 AM in response to quiensera

So, using tenfourfox would be better than using Safari when upgrading to either Tiger or Leopard?

Yes, by far. 🙂

What are the "X Code Developer Tools", are they important?

Likely of no use to you.

Oh, and how about older printer software, should that work after an upgrade?

Tough to tell, but Apple seems to like to break Printer drivers at every turrn.. there may be fixes or workarounds.

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Answer 6

quiensera Author

Level 1

13 points

May 18, 2014 12:49 AM in response to BDAqua

Just googled and found some Tiger disks for sale on E-Bay and Amazon. Some point out that there is only one disk, but that's all that's needed for installation, right? Or is there a second disk one should have? Are all dark disks with silver X the full retail version? Or should it say "retail" on the disk itself? Most are small sellers that don't offer returns, so I'm just trying to make sure I'm getting the right one.

Thanks, again! 🙂

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Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

May 18, 2014 1:11 AM in response to quiensera

See if they'll tell you the 2z691-****-A number on the disc.

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Answer 8

quiensera Author

Level 1

13 points

May 19, 2014 1:55 AM in response to BDAqua

Saw one on E-Bay that had a serial number and was black with silver X, but it said on the disk that it was part of a hardware bundle. Another was Full Retail version, but 10.4.6 and it was listed under system requirements that it was G5 (I only have G4.) and operating system 10.0. But any version of Tiger should work, right, it doesn't necessarily have to be 10.4 (earliest version)? Or are there some disks that only work for G5?

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Answer 9

quiensera Author

Level 1

13 points

May 19, 2014 1:59 AM in response to BDAqua

Also, if it says that it's a "single user" DVD, I would still be able to install it? Even though the person who originally bought it probably already installed it once on HIS computer? Sorry for the dumb questions, but better safe than sorry! 🙂

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