What have you done with an early Intel recently?

[Amethyst1]

My phone has a mode to try to curb phone addiction, where it goes grayscale and disables all notifications between two set times. I've actually been kinda liking the grayscale, personally.​

I have a Hisense A5 phone with a 16-level greyscale E-Ink screen. Now that ensures I’m not doing anything stupid on it!

 

[Wowfunhappy]

I got a Looking Glass Portrait display. Of course, I had to try it with OS X Mavericks.

I had to write a tiny patch for the Holoplay Service, but after that it worked perfectly. (No Holoplay Studio though.)

 

[TheMasterOfTech]

What I've been doing on a early intel is trying to get macOS 10.6 installed. the machine in question is a early 2009 24 inch iMac 4gb ram everything else stock. I can't figure out how to install 10.6 and it is a massive problem because I want to get to 10.11 to actually get app support

 

[lepidotós]

Dolphin 3.5 runs surprisingly great, if glitchy. ~60FPS on a GMA950 in Snow Leopard. I've been meaning to play the Metroid series in chronological order and already beat Zero Mission, so it's onto the Prime trilogy now... just, not right now until I go get a controller.​

@Amethyst1 I'm interested -- if for no other purpose than to be an e-reader. E-ink interests me and one of only two case reusal-type "mods" I'd ever consider doing would be making an E-ink ADC studio display flat panel.​

 

[Slix]

I ordered some RAM for my 2,1 Mac Pro recently, and got it up to 32GB of RAM, and I put the AirPort and Bluetooth cards I had in it.

I also didn't realize this until I checked it out again the other day, but this Mac Pro actually was upgraded to 2x Quad Core X5355 Clovertown processors, so it's got 8 cores! That, along with the 32GB of RAM, makes this computer feel really snappy.

I did some web browsing on it today, and it was able to handle a bunch of pages open at once with InterWeb without breaking a sweat. YouTube plays at 1080p with no major issues, and it seems the 32GB isn't even all that necessary, haha. I just got that amount because it was 12 sticks of 4GB for $25 with shipping, so I couldn't pass it up. Snow Leopard is quite efficient with it!

I'll try to post some pictures when I have it not in a weird spot in my room.

 

[jowaju]

What I've been doing on a early intel is trying to get macOS 10.6 installed. the machine in question is a early 2009 24 inch iMac 4gb ram everything else stock. I can't figure out how to install 10.6 and it is a massive problem because I want to get to 10.11 to actually get app support

Your early 2009 24” will run Big Sur or even Monterey really well at this point. Especially if you upgrade it to 8gb ram and an SSD.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

Dolphin 3.5 runs surprisingly great, if glitchy. ~60FPS on a GMA950 in Snow Leopard. I've been meaning to play the Metroid series in chronological order and already beat Zero Mission, so it's onto the Prime trilogy now... just, not right now until I go get a controller.

Uh, fair warning, I do not think the Prime games are going to run acceptably on a GMA950, or anything close to that. They're among of the more hardware-intensive games to emulate.

 

[lepidotós]

@Wowfunhappy I'm prepared for the possibility. I'm no stranger to slow performance in games; even outside of the old computer hobby, I've never been any less than seven years out of date in what computers I own -- to the point that between 2014 and 2018, my main daily driver couldn't handle Windows 7 without any other windows open, so I just used Windows 2000 on it and sort of grifted off of continued Windows XP support. Hell, right now, my daily driver desktop (a Dual 800 Quicksilver) was manufactured the same month I was born. As a kid, my laptop (an Acer Aspire One) was a little under-specced for Half-Life 1.
Thanks for the heads up, though! I appreciate the looking out for.​

 

[alex_free]

Wow, PDANet actually works. I haven't had internet on anything but my phone for days.

 

[eyoungren]

So, got the 17" PowerBook back up today. Might as well get the 17" MBP going too.



EDIT: @bobesch Yes, there is your Bassjump you sent me.

 

[Eightbitgamer757]

I just finished up installing MacOS Catalina on my 2009 MBP 17", was a fairly smooth install and it even picked up my el capitan install to migrate all of my settings and files over, which was very handy. I did have to reinstall some apps (chrome, MS Teams) because when I try to launch them, they crash and then finally open after i try again. So far its pretty smooth and I have finally been able to natively run apps I need for school which makes me very happy. Only other issue is the wifi will randomly slow down but that could be many things including our network or my VPN interfering, not sure.

 

[MultiFinder17]

I have finally retired my 2011 11" MacBook Air. I'd been using it for the last couple of years in my classroom as what I called my Cart Computer. It lived on a small rolling cart in the middle front of the room where I had several screen sharing sessions running to go to my projector, class server, and announcement machines. Unfortunately, 2GB of RAM and an 11" screen wasn't great for this, especially since I started using it for a few browser tabs for attendance, bringing up my grade book, etc.

It's been replaced by, naturally, something older - a late 2008 15" MacBook Pro that I got for free from my old roommate a few years back. Bumped up to 8GB of RAM and an SSD, it's a champ running High Sierra and meets all my needs in its spot. I hope to use it for years to come here

 

[TheShortTimer]

The king is dead. Long live the king.

 

[MultiFinder17]

I've actually been doing some pretty significant revamping of my computer setup in my classroom this year. As much as I adore tinkering with computers, keeping old machines relevant far past their prime, and working with weird software hacks to keep things running, I enjoy doing that with my home machines. I've found that to be far less pleasant at work.

As an example, I had my early 2008 24" running Big Sur for a few months this year. It worked alright, but wasn't the most stable thing, in particular with a few of the apps I use on it (looking at you, PowerPoint) expecting Metal. I've since rolled it back to High Sierra, the last version that I've found to run stably and nearly fully supported on it.

The other changes have to do with hardware. I interact with and use seven primary computers each day. At the beginning of this school year, they were as follows:
166Main - 2013 27" iMac (3.2 i5, 32GB RAM, 512GB USB3 SSD, OCLP Monterey). My main computer on my desk in the classroom. Runs two external 20" ACDs for a total of three displays. Used for literally everything. Programming, 3D modeling, monitoring all the student computers, content creation, office productivity.
166Air - 2020 MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Monterey). My main laptop. I got it for myself last summer because I wanted one
166Srv - 2009 Mac mini (2.0GHz C2D, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, dosdude High Sierra). My classroom server. Used for file storage with a few external drives, Time Machine backups for all my other Macs, and running my lab management software because it's ancient and never got a 64-bit update.
166Projector - 2014 Mac mini (2.6GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Monterey). This runs the 75" 4K Newline interactive panel in my room. I need this machine to be snappy, responsive, and never make me wait on things. The 2014 struggled with the 4K display.
166Cart - 2011 11" MacBook Air (1.6GHz i5, 2GB RAM, 128GB SSD). It lives on a cart and does screen sharing sessions so that I can control and observe everything without being at my desk.
166TPA - 2010 27" iMac (2.93GHz i7, 32GB RAM, 256GB SSD, OCLP Big Sur). My main computer in my little office off to the side of my classroom. Used for most of the same things as 166Main, but not as intensely or for as long.
166Door - Early 2008 24" iMac (2.8GHz C2D, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, OCLP Big Sur). It shows my seating chart and various announcements. Not the most exciting computer.

As this year has gone on, I've replaced 166Main, 166Projector, and 166Cart and moved two of those machines into other roles to replace 166TPA and 166Srv. The new machines are as follows:
166Main - 2020 27" iMac (3.3GHz i5, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Monterey). I got this for a fantastic deal here on the forums. For my main machine, I just want something solid and reliable, and this machine has been so thus far! I'd had to reinstall Monterey on my 2013 several times this year, and it was getting old on the computer I depend on daily. I hope to get many years of delightful service out of this iMac
166Projector - 2020 Mac mini (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Monterey). I got a solid deal for this here on the forums. This machine runs the screen without breaking a sweat. Doing things that would make the 2014 scream its fan in protest, this machine tiptoes through without breaking a sweat. I hope for many long years of service from this little computer.
166Srv - Old 166Projector. The 2014 now gets to live out its time quietly serving up files, time machine backups, and running my lab management software. Its fan doesn't scream in the pain of playing videos on a 4K screen any more
166TPA - Old 166Main. The 2013 runs so much cooler than the 2010 ever did, which is noticeable in my tiny office. Especially in Florida. For my needs in there, it's reliable enough. Just not enough to be my main computer again
166Cart - Late 2008 15" MacBook Pro (2.53GHz C2D, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, dosdude High Sierra). Great machine for this basic usage. The bigger screen is nice too since I use it to control the projector and bang out code - seeing a 75" 4K screen scaled down to an 11" screen wasn't fun.

I've made a few big changes, but there are still plenty of early Intel machines here. I don't plan on getting rid of the 2008 24" any time soon, not unless someone gives me something awesome to replace it for free. I hope that the 2008 15" MBP will serve me well for years to come. I'll keep these machines in use for even crazier long amounts of time, as I find it amusing that the 2008 machines are already pushing older than my oldest students.

Ultimately I want the computers I rely on at work to be boring, productive machines. If they can be fun to tinker with, that's great, but not at the expense of their ability to let me be productive.

 

[lepidotós]

Got into an argument with someone over on the news forum about the MBP notch. They argued it was necessary to make the screen taller, I knew of no such law of physics and asked whether once they scrap the notch in favor of an embedded camera like they're working on for the iPhone 15 that they'd go back to making the displays 16:10.​

 

[Amethyst1]

Got into an argument with someone over on the news forum about the MBP notch. They argued it was necessary to make the screen taller, I knew of no such law of physics and asked whether once they scrap the notch in favor of an embedded camera like they're working on for the iPhone 15 that they'd go back to making the displays 16:10.

Screw the camera, keep the ≈16:10.4 aspect ratio. More vertical screen estate, even if it's just 3.9%, is always welcome.

 

[lepidotós]

Yeah, definitely -- my position is that I think the iSight, microphone, and notch should be a BTO option, even if it's selected by default.​

 

[Amethyst1]

I'm fully aware these machines are not all "early" but I'm sharing this here anyway

I've been playing with one of my MateViews hooked up to a couple of older MacBooks, with slightly unexpected results. But unexpected results are why I do this stuff All tests were done using DisplayPort.

Late 2010 11" MBA (Penryn) | NVIDIA GeForce 320M | Mac OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.8

• 216 MHz pixel clock limit, presumably due to connecting at RBR link rate.
• 3840×2560 is impossible because the monitor doesn't like refresh rates lower than 23 Hz.
• 3840×2368 at 23 Hz works using CVT-RB v2.

Early 2011 13" MBP (Sandy Bridge) | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | macOS High Sierra v10.13.6
Late 2012 13" rMBP (Ivy Bridge) | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | macOS Mojave v10.14.6

• 270 MHz pixel clock limit artificially imposed by macOS.
• 3840×2560 at 26.5 Hz works using CVT-RB v2.
• maximum framebuffer width is 4095; highest "even" 3:2 HiDPI mode is 2046×1364 (4092×2728 framebuffer size).

Late 2013 13" rMBP (Haswell-ULT) | Intel Iris Graphics 5100 | macOS Big Sur v11.6.5

• 450 MHz pixel clock limit imposed by hardware.
• 3840×2560 is impossible because the maximum height at that width is 2320 pixels.
• 3480×2320 at 53 Hz works using CVT-RB v2. Setting the scaled resolution base to that creates HiDPI modes, e.g. 2560×1707.
• 3840×2320 at 48 Hz works using CVT-RB v2. Setting the scaled resolution base to that creates HiDPI modes, e.g. 2560×1547 or 3008×1817.

 

[joevt]

I'm fully aware these machines are not all "early" but I'm sharing this here anyway

I've been playing with one of my MateViews hooked up to a couple of older MacBooks, with slightly unexpected results. But unexpected results are why I do this stuff All tests were done using DisplayPort.

Late 2010 11" MBA (Penryn) | NVIDIA GeForce 320M | Mac OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.8

• 216 MHz pixel clock limit artificially imposed by macOS presumably due to connecting at RBR link rate.
• 3840×2560 is impossible ... because monitor doesn't like refresh rates lower than 23 Hz.
• 3840×2368 at 23 Hz works using CVT-RB v2.

Early 2011 13" MBP (Sandy Bridge) | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | macOS High Sierra v10.13.6

• 270 MHz pixel clock limit artificially imposed by macOS.
• 3840×2560 at 26.5 Hz works using CVT-RB v2.
• maximum framebuffer width is 4095, so highest "even" 3:2 HiDPI mode is 2046×1364 (4092×2728 framebuffer size).

Late 2012 13" rMBP (Ivy Bridge) | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | macOS Mojave v10.14.6

• 270 MHz pixel clock limit artificially imposed by macOS.
• 3840×2560 at 26.5 Hz works using CVT-RB v2.
• maximum framebuffer width is 4095, so highest "even" 3:2 HiDPI mode is 2046×1364 (4092×2728 framebuffer size).

Late 2013 13" rMBP (Haswell-ULT) | Intel Iris Graphics 5100 | macOS Big Sur v11.6.5

• 450 MHz pixel clock limit imposed by hardware; no artificial limit imposed by macOS.
• 3840×2560 is impossible ... because maximum height is 2320 pixels. Less than HD 3000 or HD 4000!
• 3480×2320 at 53 Hz works using CVT-RB v2. Setting the scaled resolution base to that enables proper HiDPI modes, e.g. 2560×1707.
• 3840×2320 at 48 Hz works using CVT-RB v2. Setting the scaled resolution base to that enables proper HiDPI modes, e.g. 2560×1547 or 3008×1817.

You could try installing Lilu+Whatevergreen and see if the -cdfon option changes the list of available modes.
Use my forks on github.
Use OpenCore to make sure they are injected early instead of /Library/Extensions which might load too late. To install OpenCore, use the OCLP "Supported Macs" option.
Check the resulting "config.plist". Boot-args should be keepsyms=1 debug=0x100 -v -liludbgall liludump=240 -wegbeta -lilubeta -cdfon
There may be some other flags that are useful.

I added -igfxloaded igfxmaxwidth= and igfxvgaclock= but I don't think they apply to your setups.
You might need a new patch for your GPUs.
https://github.com/joevt/WhateverGreen
https://github.com/joevt/Lilu

Use AllRez before and after enabling -cdfon to compare the list of modes.

I haven't done any testing with early macOS versions. I am tracking down an issue where the patch is not applied on my Mac mini 2018 but does get applied for my Mac Pro 2008 (both running Monterey 12.3).

 

[lepidotós]

Been writing a review of Kennedy, using Kennedy. I figure my points will be fresh in my mind if I'm not switching over to my PowerBook. A few good things, a few bad things, but overall I don't love it. It offers a few improvements but isn't as compelling as my iBook G4 in any department but the max RAM, the keyboard, and the thickness and overall footprint, but that very last one would be circumvented if I went for the 12" model instead.​

 

[Applicator]

I bought a 2010 Mac mini server some weeks ago and finally managed to set it up for my brother in law. I upgraded the SSD, did a fresh install of Catalina and upgraded the RAM to 10GB (had one spare 8 gig bar on hand).
My intention was to give him the opportunity to take a long test drive with Mac OS, to make an educated decision wether or not the replacement for his 2013 Dell something-i3 should be a Windows or a Mac and then turn it into my new homeserver.
A decision was made in 15 minutes. He'll get my M1 mini as soon as an M2 Mini arrives. Until then he'll keep the 2010 because it's feeling so much faster than his old machine and looks so clean - both, hardware and software (his words).
Seems like my current homeserver, a 2006 mini, has to work overtime 'til then.

 

[Riviera122]

Used my 2009 MacBook to create some mockups for a client on Photoshop 21.2.6 (2020 release). Still perfectly usable.

 

[TheShortTimer]

With the help of @alex_free's wonderful DCDIB utility, I burned a CD-R on my 2011 13" MBP for usage on my Dreamcast.

With a bootable CD-R successfully created, I placed the disc in my Dreamcast and proceeded to have some fun.

Wow, the Atari VCS/2600 - 128 colours all available for simultaneous display (on the NTSC machines) - what an impressive feat of engineering for 1977 but then what would you expect from the legendary Jay Miner, who later fathered the Amiga?

(Shame the emulator is rather naff seeing as the programmer hasn't updated the Dreamcast version since 2004.)

 

[eyoungren]

…I have a 4TB HD in bay 2 on my MP. I use it as a media/download/burn drive.

…I'm not happy about the drive failing…

…I've got an 8TB WD NAS drive on my eBay watchlist - $109.

So, by the time I could get back to this that auction had ended. That's okay, I did another search. I found more of the same drive for about the same price but the vendors have less than stellar ratings.

I was thinking SSD, but not really interested in stepping down in capacity. So, I got another WD Red. 6.0TB, manufactured in 2020.

I've had good results with the WD Red drives, not one has failed on me. And this meets my rule of equal or better in capacity. This single drive will have the same capacity as my 6TB NAS with 2x 3TB WD Reds.

And who knows, maybe I can get the old drive spinning too, once I take it out. We'll see.

 

[eyoungren]

And…now an OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual RAID enclosure on order.

To replace the crappy ICY Dock. For the L:2009 Mini.