iMac G4... 17" --> 20" ?

[Reinheimer]

HELP!!!

The screen on my iMac G4 17" (1.25 GHz) got cracked right in the middle, just below the center.

There is a black streak which has grown out to the left side and is now spreading up across the top.

Ideally, I would like to replace the 17" display with a 20" display (I'm familiar enough with being inside the iMac to be comfortable doing this), but the question is:

Is this "do-able"?

Are there other issues that would need to be addressed?

I'veheard that the weight of the displays are balanced in the neck, so a 20" display will weigh down if replaced on the neck of a 17" iMac...

But how about other issues?

Anybody out there wanna help?

 

[AppleZwei]

HELP!!!

The screen on my iMac G4 17" (1.25 GHz) got cracked right in the middle, just below the center.

There is a black streak which has grown out to the left side and is now spreading up across the top.

Ideally, I would like to replace the 17" display with a 20" display (I'm familiar enough with being inside the iMac to be comfortable doing this), but the question is:

Is this "do-able"?

Are there other issues that would need to be addressed?



I'veheard that the weight of the displays are balanced in the neck, so a 20" display will weigh down if replaced on the neck of a 17" iMac...

But how about other issues?

Anybody out there wanna help?

1) It's an iMac. You can't just change the screen size.

2) Why would you put money into an ancient computer like that?

3) Buy a new computer. Any computer you will buy, even the cheapest POS will be more powerful than that iMac.

 

[TheBritishBloke]

1) It's an iMac. You can't just change the screen size.

2) Why would you put money into an ancient computer like that?

3) Buy a new computer. Any computer you will buy, even the cheapest POS will be more powerful than that iMac.

1) Do you even know what an iMac G4 is? It's nothing like the modern day iMacs, the screen is stand-alone.

2) Because the iMac G4 is a freaking legend, it's design is magnificent and beautiful, and many people still use these to run basic tasks.

3) Refer to point 2.

In regards to OP:

Power shouldn't be an issue with driving the extra pixels to the display, you already have the high-end 1.25Ghz model.

I've not heard anything about the neck, the bolts might be a little bit tighter on the heavier displays to stop it falling under it's own weight, but I'm not entirely sure.

 

[AppleZwei]

1) Do you even know what an iMac G4 is? It's nothing like the modern day iMacs, the screen is stand-alone.

2) Because the iMac G4 is a freaking legend, it's design is magnificent and beautiful, and many people still use these to run basic tasks.

3) Refer to point 2.

In regards to OP:

Power shouldn't be an issue with driving the extra pixels to the display, you already have the high-end 1.25Ghz model.

I've not heard anything about the neck, the bolts might be a little bit tighter on the heavier displays to stop it falling under it's own weight, but I'm not entirely sure.

This thing cannot use the modern internet, and the age of the hardware is not good enough.

Not to mention the sway arm will not support the extra weight of the 20" screen. Apple specifically said they made it stiffer to support the 20" screen.

Ever thought the Power supply is different? Yeah it is. THe power of the 17" PSU will not suport the 20" display.

The cost alone just makes more sense to buy a new iMac. This really is the dumbest idea if you consider cost, putting money into a useless machine, etc.

 

[AlphaDogg]

This thing cannot use the modern internet, and the age of the hardware is not good enough

What are you talking about? I have my recently acquired 1999 iMac G3, and it works on the internet just as well as my 2010 MBP. Given that it doesn't support Airport. But, the G4 does support Airport...

 

[AppleZwei]

What are you talking about? I have my recently acquired 1999 iMac G3, and it works on the internet just as well as my 2010 MBP. Given that it doesn't support Airport. But, the G4 does support Airport...

THat's a lie. IT doesn't have a browser that will support formatting/video anymore. Camino is the only browser that really works anymore for 10.3 and older, and certainly an iMac G3 from 1999 doesn't have the juice to deal with the information coming from the web today. I've had plenty of experience with many older Macs from that era; I wouldn't even suggest someone buy a used Mac that's over five years old because of the issue with rendering and dealing with the information load of the modern internet.

 

[TheBritishBloke]

THat's a lie. IT doesn't have a browser that will support formatting/video anymore. Camino is the only browser that really works anymore for 10.3 and older, and certainly an iMac G3 from 1999 doesn't have the juice to deal with the information coming from the web today. I've had plenty of experience with many older Macs from that era; I wouldn't even suggest someone buy a used Mac that's over five years old because of the issue with rendering and dealing with the information load of the modern internet.

Umm, a 1.25Ghz G4 can easily run 10.5.

You obviously don't have much experience considering lots of people use iMac g3/4 for Internet browsing and iTunes, it can run everything fine so long as you don't go on a full flash website.

Oh and PSU? Do you have any proof its different? As I doubt it is..

Oh, and you said that it wont be able to support the weight because apple made it stiffer. I'm sure theres a bolt he can tighten himself to make it stiffer.

You really are talking out your rear.

 

[AppleZwei]

Umm, a 1.25Ghz G4 can easily run 10.5.

You obviously don't have much experience considering lots of people use iMac g3/4 for Internet browsing and iTunes, it can run everything fine so long as you don't go on a full flash website.

Oh and PSU? Do you have any proof its different? As I doubt it is..

Oh, and you said that it wont be able to support the weight because apple made it stiffer. I'm sure theres a bolt he can tighten himself to make it stiffer.

You really are talking out your rear.

I really doubt that will handle Leopard. I've got quite a bit of experience with that and there is no way in hell that thing is running leopard at any good speed. If you upgraded the memory to the max, it still would be slow. It's not worth the investment into. You'll spend so much on leopard, the ram if it doesnt have it... just buy a used macbook or iMac Intel.

With regards to weight...

17"-22.8 lbs. (10.4 kg), 20"-40.1 lbs. (18.2 kg)

I don't know if its the base or the screen, but almost 18 pounds of weight is considerable. I bet its distributed between the screen and the base.

I looked up the PSU part in GSX, and they are not the same. The 17" model has a 130 watt PSU, and the PSU of the 20" is 190 watts. Seeing as there are no other differences between models, other than the screen, it makes sense that youll need the 190 watt PSU. See pic attached.

It's not possible and not worth it.

You're also looking at decreased performance, if only marginal from going to the 20". See picture attached.

 

[dickchow]

It is do-able, you will require the whole screen and the neck.

Be honest, you will be much better off to buy the 20 G4 instead of doing this routine...not only it should cost you about the same money, but you are required to dismantle the unit everything apart.

I done a full disassembly couple years ago on my G4 to refurb and change all the white plastic and put in a new neck assembly as well (they get yellowish and I order everything 2 of each because it is just too darn good!)

I have full access to apple manuals and been repairing apple in an authorizied shop for many years, I consider this is one of the most painful thing to do in apple repairs.

 

[TheBritishBloke]

I really doubt that will handle Leopard. I've got quite a bit of experience with that and there is no way in hell that thing is running leopard at any good speed. If you upgraded the memory to the max, it still would be slow. It's not worth the investment into. You'll spend so much on leopard, the ram if it doesnt have it... just buy a used macbook or iMac Intel.

With regards to weight...

17"-22.8 lbs. (10.4 kg), 20"-40.1 lbs. (18.2 kg)

I don't know if its the base or the screen, but almost 18 pounds of weight is considerable. I bet its distributed between the screen and the base.

I looked up the PSU part in GSX, and they are not the same. The 17" model has a 130 watt PSU, and the PSU of the 20" is 190 watts. Seeing as there are no other differences between models, other than the screen, it makes sense that youll need the 190 watt PSU. See pic attached.

It's not possible and not worth it.

You're also looking at decreased performance, if only marginal from going to the 20". See picture attached.

Plenty of people run iMac G4's on Leopard, people even run the ones that are under 1Ghz on Leopard by hacking it, it runs perfectly fine so long as you max out the RAM, a buddy of mine has it on theirs.

And you might be right about the PSU, Apple normally doesn't change it though just for different specs..

 

[AppleZwei]

Plenty of people run iMac G4's on Leopard, people even run the ones that are under 1Ghz on Leopard by hacking it, it runs perfectly fine so long as you max out the RAM, a buddy of mine has it on theirs.

And you might be right about the PSU, Apple normally doesn't change it though just for different specs..

Theres a point of running just crap, then running something because you can. Yes you can, but goodness the performance is crap. Ram isn't everything, you've gotta have a proper CPU. This thing is ancient and with a cracked LCD its time to retire it.

Putting leopard on this and upgrading the ram is not a solution, its a band aid.

 

[spacedcadet]

Leopard

runs absolutely fine on our old iMac G4. It runs CS3 acceptably well if you're not doing anything too big...

 

[AppleZwei]

I wouldn't want to run it on anything older than 2007.

 

[talmy]

Interesting thread that boils down to do you try to save a classic computer or toss it in the waste bin as obsolete? Same question comes up every day with cars, furniture, favorite jackets, comfortable shoes...

I'd polish the case and put it on the mantle as a conversation piece, and spend money on a new computer to actually use. But that's just me. Three years ago I spent $1200 to restore a mid-1970's Lazyboy recliner which was in a style no longer made. Much more expensive than a new one. Sentimental value and comfortable, but not really a rational decision. Not everything one does has to be sensible!

 

[Euroamerican]

My G4 17 1ghz 1.25/80 iMac is a daily driver for web surfing, email, and file management. I still love it, and I still get "boy, that's really cool" comments even today when people visit my house and see the iMac for the first time.

That being said, I don't try doing modern stuff on it and I'm constantly filling the hard drive up, which brings it to a crawl. It runs Leopard OK, but Tiger was more snappy.

I still love the screen, love the ability to position the screen both vertically and horizontally, and love the way the computer itself looks.

I'd probably look at the cracked screen as a sign, or an "OK" from the computer gods, to buy a new iMac and then try putting a replacment 17-inch display on the 17. That is, if you can find one. If I remember correctly, the arm on the 20-inch model was more robust than the one on the 17, so I don't know if I'd try that even if the power setup and video card specs match up.

I will be sad when my 17 dies. I've recently bought a 13" mbp, but the 17 still gets most of the love.