iMac G3 vs. G4 or eMac

terry in oz, if you can't afford a new Intel-based computer, it depends on what you are expecting to do with the previously owned one. If you are only going to use it for basic emailing and basic web browsing and basic printing and basic music playing and simple game playing, you could do these things better with the computer you have just by increasing the RAM to 512 MB or greater. The G4 iMac or eMac are satisfactory also if the RAM is at least 512 MB. If you are going to do anything with videos, especially large videos or HD or play complex games, you should get a G5. Get the most advanced for the money you spend but get enough RAM.

If you can, I would just wait for Apple to release Core 2 Duo for the mac mini and wait to get it refurbished. That would be by far your best option if you are looking for a cheap computer. If you do really enjoy the iMac G4's or eMacs, and you find one for under 200 dollars, then go for it. But anything 200 dollars or up I would go for atleast a refurbished Mac Mini.

ld also make some profit off selling your iMac G3, taking the HD and turning it into an external, etc. so you don't need to upgrade the hard drive size.

There is barely any noticeable difference between the eMac and iMac G4. The only one I can think of is the size and the G4's graphics card is a bit more advanced.

Hello terry,

Panther loves RAM. The more the better, however, it is also very picky about it's RAM. More RAM = faster performance = happier Mac.

Depending on the model, your iMac will take up to 1 GB of RAM. I don't know about RAM prices in Aus, nor do I know about the prices of used G4's and G5's, but RAM tends to be the least expensive option here in the winter part of the world (LOL).

Whichever way you decide to go, you have been given good advice by the other posters. As scapesuiter has pointed out, it depends on what you want to do with your machine.

A G4 will take advantage of Altivec enhanced software, which could mean having to upgrade your programs to make them faster. Your current programs can take advantage of a RAM increase without the added burden of software upgrades.

Hope This Helps

Jeff

Mini 1.25, 12 Al PB 1.5, PTP 250, WS PB G3, 3xiMac 400 (OS 9.1) Mac OS X (10.3.9) Wireless KB/Mouse, AEBS, 80 GB OWC FW HD

Message was edited by: Jeff Rushton (amount of RAM)

I know that when I added the maximum 1 gb of RAM in my iMac G3, I saw a pretty good boost in its performance. It runs Panther very smoothly and is quite snappy. Good luck!
Rachyl

How much money did 1 GB cost for the iMac G3?

If it cost over 150 dollars, I would say a lot of people wouldn't agree in paying that much for a nearly outdated G3. Any G3s lower than 600 MHZ will probably be outdated in the next year. Just an opinion.

If I remember correctly, I paid around 70 dollars for the 512 mb Stick of RAM, it already had a 512 mb stick in the first slot. It's been in over a year and runs nice. This little iMac has a lot of years left in her.
Rachyl

terry in oz, if you think your questions have been answered, please mark your post as "Solved" so others know. Thanks.

Ah, thats not bad 🙂

So, summing up, people have their opinions on what runs smoothly, I personally think you should either go for either going all thw way to 1 GB for RAM, or just get an Intel Mac Mini refurbished.