Upgrading Mac Computer

Deva

I have a feeling I already know the answer to the question but I'll ask anyway as I've been told it's possible an old Mac to the current software etc?
We have a Mac at home which we must have bought around 6 years ago and it runs using MacOS 9.2. Is it pointless to try to upgrade it or are we better off buying a new Mac all together?
If anyone could give any info I'd really appreciate it. Thanks

Gordon

What machine is it exactly?

Deva

I'm not at home at the moment so I'm not too sure. I'll try and find a picture of it and post it up.

Deva

It looks like this model. I think it was the model that came just after the original iMac ?

whiterebel

The "Flat panel" iMac ran OS X, but it would really struggle to run Leopard. Could be from 2002/2003. Probably time for an upgrade, but worth keeping the old iMac to use as a music server, or for your photos etc.

WUSBDesign

This is the first iMac of its kind and its CPU speed would in the range of 300-600 MHz. You can dig up more information from www.everymac.com - including the flat-panel iMac G4 which replaces this iMac you have here.

Apart from RAM and HDD, it is pointless to upgrade it. Might still suit for surfing, reading emails, etc. If you're looking to organise photos, rip music, etc., then it is time to get a new one.

EDIT: Hmm something strange going on - did not see that iMac (with a mobile phone on the screen) initially...So if that is what you have, then it is a collector's item . You can get more info from System Profiler. If it is a late model, then it is capable of high speed USB, 2GB RAM and can take in a huge HDD and a 54Mbps Airport Extreme card. Just like mine . It is perfectly capable of running Leopard, but don't expect things to be snappy. Still very usable.

440Hz

Welcome to the forum Deva! Hope you find it helpful and make sure to join it

Deva

The computer is still able to do certain things like play music but my ipod won't work, when I go on to most websites with a coloured background none of the text will appear, on this and other forums I can't attach files/images and the smilies don't work
I was given a present of a laptop to compensate for the technical problems but it's a PC and I feel too guilty to buy a Mac as it may look ungrateful:(
At least I can persuaded them to buy one for my mum:)

K.O.Kiki

Have you tried the iCab browser?

But yes, if your iPod won't work, upgrade to a new Mac (it's been 7 years anyway, the harddrive should fail soon enough).

WUSBDesign

Get and install a (cheap) 2nd hand copy of Tiger and iLife06 and take it from there...

Type 17

Until mid last year, my brother's business ran three of the iMac G3 models (400 & 600 MHz) with Tiger 10.4.x and 768MB of RAM (256 and 512) each. They worked fine for email, Word, and Filemaker (served from a 1.25 MHz Power Mac "Mirrored Doors" model).

The only reason they were replaced was that they had a lot of hours on the clock, and the screens were getting a bit dark and fuzzy...

If you have one of these, max out the 1 GB of possible RAM (2 x 512 of PC 133MHz SDRAM) and wipe the drive and put on 10.4.11 and you'll have a very useable email/surf/word-processing computer

Deva

Cool I'll take the advice and info on board but does anyone know anywhere in Dublin that could service and upgrade it or would I have to send it to Cork?

Type 17

Check out the bottom of post no.1 here

I've found Mactivate to be very helpful, but your mileage may vary.

PS: If you just want to fit more RAM and wipe the drive and install a fresh OS, this is simple to do for yourself - I'd only go to a reseller if I wanted to fit a new hard drive (and even then, I'd have a go, but I'm like that )