Powermac G4 450

[xanotos]

Hi all. I'm a newborn baby to the Mac universe and got a G4 450 with 128 ram, 18? gig and zip/dvd drive for $100. Sadly I thought it would come with a ADC connector for a Mac monitor I purchased.
My question is what can I do to make it run good. I know it's an old computer, but the it didn't come with any OS and was wondering which one I need to get.

Thanks in advance,

David

P.S. Can't wait to start using it and forget about the crap I have to deal with the evil M$!!!!

 

[iPhil]

Hi all. I'm a newborn baby to the Mac universe and got a G4 450 with 128 ram, 18? gig and zip/dvd drive for $100. Sadly I thought it would come with a ADC connector for a Mac monitor I purchased.
My question is what can I do to make it run good. I know it's an old computer, but the it didn't come with any OS and was wondering which one I need to get.

Thanks in advance,

David

P.S. Can't wait to start using it and forget about the crap I have to deal with the evil M$!!!!

If you wanna run tiger on that machine, you'll need @least 256 of ram to run ..

please us more information on what your gonna do with it .. internet/iTunes/photos ?

 

[CanadaRAM]

More RAM would be good - you need 512Mb 16-chip PC133 - suggest you find a reputable supplier who guarantees compatibility with your model Mac.

10.4 Tiger should run fine on this machine

You're saying that the monitor has an ADC connector and the computer has -- what? A VGA and a DVI? Unfortunately, a DVI to ADC convertor is fairly expensive.

You can check out the drive database at http://www.xlr8yourmac.com for lists of CD / DVD burners that are compatible with your machine.

http://www.versiontracker.com is a good resource for software / shareware

Besides MacRumors, http://www.macfixit.com and http://www.macintouch.com are good for troubleshooting news.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[xanotos]

Well, I have some old PC133 ram from my old PC. Hopefully it will work on it.
Pretty much, I'm going to use the computer for email, photos, and itunes. I already have an Ipod and hear you can do more with it if you connect it to a Mac.
Yeah, I got a really good deal on a Apple studio monitor, but then noticed it only runs with a ADC connector, not just DVI. I might as well upgrade the video card to one that gives that option.

Also, it came with no power cord or mouse and keyboard. Can I use any power cord or usb keyboard/mouse?

 

[iPhil]

Well, I have some old PC133 ram from my old PC. Hopefully it will work on it.
Pretty much, I'm going to use the computer for email, photos, and itunes. I already have an Ipod and hear you can do more with it if you connect it to a Mac.
Yeah, I got a really good deal on a Apple studio monitor, but then noticed it only runs with a ADC connector, not just DVI. I might as well upgrade the video card to one that gives that option.

Also, it came with no power cord or mouse and keyboard. Can I use any power cord or usb keyboard/mouse?

On the keyboard/mouse question: most of usb keyboard/mouse will work,i'd try to with Mac style keyboards so you mess up the key combos

Just check the shape of the plug into the Mac is right ..

On those pc ram sticks,try them if the Mac wont boot that'll tell the pc ram won't work ..

 

[seamuskrat]

Easy upgrades and cheap:

RAM, get a 512 stick or use your old PC ram. In many cases 133 PC ram will work fine in that model.

New hard drive. For under 50.00 you can get a 120 to 200 gig drive.

Those two upgrades will allow you to run Tiger.

Next would be either video or CPU. You have many CPU upgrades available. http://www.macsales.com has a lot of CPU upgrades for that model. They range from $200 to over 1000. Your model is limited to 1 CPU, but you could upgrade it to 1 1.42 G4 and it would run very well.

Any Mac friendly AGP card will work. But keep in mind that the newer faster 8x AGP will go to waste as you have 4X AGP. So stick with an older Mac AGP card for it. Also about 100 to 179.

So, you have the RAM = free
hard drive = 50 to 60
CPU = say middle of the road 350
Video card = 125
For $525 you could have a G4 1.25 with 756 RAM, 200 gig drive and decent video card for games and add either a DVD burner ($45) or a USB 2.0 PCI card for like 20.00

Check ebay for Mac USB keyboards they are often VERy cheap. Any USB mouse will work, many are very good and inexpensive.
Good luck. it is a good generation of Mac.

Hi all. I'm a newborn baby to the Mac universe and got a G4 450 with 128 ram, 18? gig and zip/dvd drive for $100. Sadly I thought it would come with a ADC connector for a Mac monitor I purchased.
My question is what can I do to make it run good. I know it's an old computer, but the it didn't come with any OS and was wondering which one I need to get.

Thanks in advance,

David

P.S. Can't wait to start using it and forget about the crap I have to deal with the evil M$!!!!

 

[doucy2]

talk to me if you need g4 upgrade parts
i own 3 g4 powermac and have tons of part
just lmk what you need