HELP - G4 iMac (Lampshade Model)

cop41

Hey Guys,

I recently saw an old iMac which I have really come to like...

It was a 20inch G4 iMac - the lampshade model

I am very interested in buying one of these Macs if there still is one around ???

Does anyone here have one ? Or does anyone know where I could find one other than eBay ?

They seem to be rare in the 20inch, but when I saw it in the flesh last week I was left shocked !!!!! What an amazing looking machine

Anyways, all help is accpreciated! Thanks in advance
:cool:

WUSBDesign

The 20" is a beauty. I have a 17" one, and it is a head-turner.

Priced sensibly, I think you should get it as a collector's item. This model, like the 17" ones, can be upgraded to 2GB RAM, although the procedure can be a little tricky. And it uses the readily available AE cards used in PowerBooks for WiFi.

And yes, it can run Leopard.

ZENER

WUSBDesign wrote: »

The 20" is a beauty. I have a 17" one, and it is a head-turner.

Priced sensibly, I think you should get it as a collector's item. This model, like the 17" ones, can be upgraded to 2GB RAM, although the procedure can be a little tricky. And it uses the readily available AE cards used in PowerBooks for WiFi.

And yes, it can run Leopard.

Agreed the "angle-poise iMac" is a cool looking machine but by todays standards it's only good for admiring - if you want a machine to actually work on then choose one of the Intel powered ones.

The older iMacs used a G4 processor so could only access up to 1GB RAM. This max seems to be a matter of debate though with some sites showing 2GB max, Crucial gives it a max of 1GB as do Apple themselves. Fine for the iApps but Aperture and Logic would baulk at it.

Ideal machine for the living room for web and email and playing with iPhoto, iTunes and iMovie. Not recommended for a main work machine though.

ZEN

WUSBDesign

Guess what? My iMac G4 *has* 2GB RAM. I hope we are not debating here...

So, even experts can be wrong - or just copying the wrong stuff.

cop41

Thanks for the replies

When you say it cannot take 2GB of ram is this because of the OS ?

I have seen some 20inch models advertised with 2GB of ram running OSX Leopard .... This was upgraded by owner after purchase.. Does this mean the machine cannot actually utilise the full 2Gb of the ram available to it ?

What price range are we looking at for a nice 20-inch model? Does anyone out there have this iMac in any other size which they want to sell ??? 17inch,15inch etc..

SouperComputer

FWIW, ive had G4 iMacs address over 1GB with ease, no idea what models they were though 1.5Gb is the most I recall running.

Its all about the module density.

WUSBDesign

IMO, the relative size of the 15" screen to the base is not pleasing...enough. Have a look online on pictures for this model and maybe you know what I mean. The resolution is 1024x768, a little low in this day and age. So, the minimum should be 17", with a resolution of 1440x900.

There's another thing - the 15" models come with USB1.1 ports - too slow for most practical applications nowadays.

Price-wise, it will be a steal if you can get a 17" one for EUR300.

ZENER

WUSBDesign wrote: »

Guess what? My iMac G4 *has* 2GB RAM. I hope we are not debating here...

So, even experts can be wrong - or just copying the wrong stuff.

No, not at all. I've had PowerMac G4s running more than the recommended RAM with success but I'd have to ask why Apple put the max at 1GB ? Surely from an advertising POV 2GB would sound better. At the time 512MB modules cost an arm and a leg, maybe that was the reason ?

This goes with the current trend to put 4GB in some MacBooks and proclaiming they work fine. Truth is the the upper addressing range is about 3.25GB, above that it becomes unstable with kernel panics. Hackintosh builders (me included) will attest. Newer Macs with C2D can support 4GB RAM while the MacPro supports up to 32GB

I still say it's a lovely machine though.
ZEN

WUSBDesign

Why 1GB for the iMac? Simple - access to the on-board 512MB DIMM RAM requires disassembly of some delicate sections in the base/dome, not to mention care in supporting the LCD. On re-assembly, the heat pipes (in the sections of the base) must be applied with thermal paste in order to remain contact. Not exactly a Apple-style user-upgrade procedure. Hence, 1GB as a discouragement.

Of course, prices of PC3200 1GB DIMMs were very high too...at that time.

ZENER

WUSBDesign wrote: »

Why 1GB for the iMac? Simple - access to the on-board 512MB DIMM RAM requires disassembly of some delicate sections in the base/dome, not to mention care in supporting the LCD. On re-assembly, the heat pipes (in the sections of the base) must be applied with thermal paste in order to remain contact. Not exactly a Apple-style user-upgrade procedure. Hence, 1GB as a discouragement.

Of course, prices of PC3200 1GB DIMMs were very high too...at that time.

Ah ! Very good ! As a techy person that wouldn't deter me so didn't consider it. I''ve never owned an iMac LCD so hadn't reason to investigate it. Don't suppose you have a link to a tutorial for that procedure do you, sounds like a sticky post to me.

ZEN

WUSBDesign

Here we go: http://xlr8yourmac.com/systems/iMac_g4/imacg4_takeapart.html .

DrummerBoy

There's one for sale up on adverts right now.......

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=50557&cat=8

WUSBDesign

Well spotted...However, that iMac has got USB1.0 ports. Stay with USB2.0 ports - minimum.

cop41

Hey Guys,

I am still interested in picking up a 20inch G4 iMac .... :pac:

Anyone have one or know someone who wants to move theirs to a new home

I really like this model, the design was legendary! :cool:

Ham'nd'egger

cop41 wrote: »

Hey Guys,

I am still interested in picking up a 20inch G4 iMac .... :pac:

Anyone have one or know someone who wants to move theirs to a new home

I really like this model, the design was legendary! :cool:

Came across a TV type G3 iMac recently in working condition recently; 500Mhz running 10.4; if your interested in same....

muggyog

Thanks for the link WUSBDesign, dident realise there was an internal RAM slot. Friend of mine has one and wanted to do RAM upgrade. Saw the 'small' RAM slot and though that was that. Still think they were a great design.

cop41

:pac: BUMP ...

Any updates guys I'd really love to find one of these

cop41

I am still looking for a 20inch G4 iMac ... :pac:

Any iMacs out there let me know please

cop41

Hey Guys,

Im now looking for a 17inch G4 iMac or 20inch if around

But I would be interested in 17 inch....

Anyone out there ?

Hotblack Desiato

Put a wanted ad on adverts.ie, thread bumping is a pain in the ar*e and the mods don't generally like in-thread buying or selling here, it's what adverts is for after all.