socaldodger

Q: what is the highest os x version for a powerbook g4

i am trying to run minecraft on my powerbook g4 but cannot.  The apple store genius told me that the g4 can only be ungraded to os x 10.5.8 Leapord and the reason minecraft will not work.  Is there a version of minecraft i can use or a way to upgrade the G4 to 10.6.6 so that it will allow minecraft to work?

Posted on Jul 12, 2014 12:31 PM

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Q: what is the highest os x version for a powerbook g4

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  • by stevejobsfan0123,Helpful

    stevejobsfan0123 stevejobsfan0123 Jul 12, 2014 12:35 PM in response to socaldodger
    Level 8 (43,708 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 12, 2014 12:35 PM in response to socaldodger

    The Genius is correct, Mac OS X 10.5.8 is the latest.

     

    See if this link for Minecraft works: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/46520/minecraft-ppc

  • by socaldodger,

    socaldodger socaldodger Jul 22, 2014 10:33 PM in response to stevejobsfan0123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 22, 2014 10:33 PM in response to stevejobsfan0123

    This looks like it downloaded but i am unable to log in.  when i do log in it tells me that it cannot connect to Minecraft.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jul 23, 2014 10:52 AM in response to socaldodger
    Level 9 (66,865 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jul 23, 2014 10:52 AM in response to socaldodger
  • by VinnyB2012.5,

    VinnyB2012.5 VinnyB2012.5 Jul 23, 2014 9:59 PM in response to socaldodger
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2014 9:59 PM in response to socaldodger

    Officially, 10.5.6 Leopard. However, you can get it unofficially up to Snow Leopard if you have decent hardware and are tech savvy. Actually, in theory, Snow Leopard should be able to run fine on some older G4/G5 systems, much like you would think Mavericks would be able to run on any mac after 2007 considering they all have dual core Intel CPU's. However, this is only true for MacBook Pros made in that year and Mac Pros.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jul 24, 2014 6:38 AM in response to VinnyB2012.5
    Level 9 (66,865 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jul 24, 2014 6:38 AM in response to VinnyB2012.5
    Actually, in theory, Snow Leopard should be able to run fine on some older G4/G5 systems,

    There is no theory about it.   Snow Leopard is entirely Intel CPU based.   There is no Intel architecture on the G4/G5 systems, thus they can't run 10.6 no matter how you hack it.    Unless you can show me a link where Snow Leopard in actuality can run on a G4 or G5 system, please do not state such a thing exists.  And while some people may succeed in producing a "mod" machine with an Intel CPU, it is not a Mac, and it doesn't have the correct cooling to ensure the machine doesn't overheat.  Apple machines are tightly integrated units that if done not according to design can have surprise issues with how they behave.

     

    Mavericks can run on some 2007 Macs.   The issue has to be with the GPU that is being addressed.      And there is a hack to make the original Mac Pro models run Mountain Lion, and possibly Mavericks.  Here is the hack: http://www.jabbawok.net/?p=47

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jul 24, 2014 6:41 AM in response to VinnyB2012.5
    Level 9 (66,865 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jul 24, 2014 6:41 AM in response to VinnyB2012.5

    You may be confusing the fact that 10.5 included both Intel and G4 G5 architecture on it.    10.6 actually trimmed that all out, except Rosetta, to allow G4 and G5 applications to run on Intel CPUs.    But PowerPC driver and plugin support that existed in 10.5 no longer does in 10.6.

  • by VinnyB2012.5,

    VinnyB2012.5 VinnyB2012.5 Jul 24, 2014 9:58 AM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 24, 2014 9:58 AM in response to a brody

    There have been people that have found a way to slap Snow Leopard on G4/G5 systems. No Intel CPU was in the machine at all. The only thing they had done was upgrade the RAM. I have no clue how it was done, I'm just saying its possible.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jul 24, 2014 10:22 AM in response to VinnyB2012.5
    Level 9 (66,865 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jul 24, 2014 10:22 AM in response to VinnyB2012.5

    Source?

  • by VinnyB2012.5,

    VinnyB2012.5 VinnyB2012.5 Jul 24, 2014 11:09 AM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 24, 2014 11:09 AM in response to a brody

    It was a YouTube series wherea guy was trying to get his iMac G4 usavke for what he need today. JD have to do some hunting for the link

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jul 24, 2014 6:34 PM in response to VinnyB2012.5
    Level 9 (66,865 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jul 24, 2014 6:34 PM in response to VinnyB2012.5

    I think I found what you were talking about.  It is a mod.  What a mod is a gutting of the interior and the replacing of the entire circuitry.  Often called a Frankenmac.     Anyway, such machines are require you to be an expert engineer in detail and be willing to accept whatever success you manage as the last word.   If you are able to continually update a mod, that's a matter of skill and engineering, and a bit of luck.

  • by VinnyB2012.5,

    VinnyB2012.5 VinnyB2012.5 Jul 24, 2014 6:53 PM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 24, 2014 6:53 PM in response to a brody

    I'm beginning to think you are right, given the fact I cannot find the video for the life of me :/ I do think most board companies out there today make a pretty small board (Micro ATX, I believe?) that can be crammed into a G4. Maybe that's what they did. The only reason I was convinced it was a G4 processor because he pulled up the About this Mac menu up and it said PowerPC G4 1.25 GHz and then OS X 10.6.8. I guess there is a way to fake that, probably.