APPLE POWER MAC G4 HOW TO ADD STORAGE & OSX QUESTION

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

I have a 6 year old Power Mac G4 (with the mirrored front door for CDs or DVDs) to which I need to add an external storage device. There are only 2 USB ports though and both are being used (for a mouse and the keyboard). If I use a cordless mouse, can the other USB be used to connect to the storgage device?

Also, presently the computer uses OSX 10.3.9. It has a CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3). What is the latest version of OSX that I could to replace it? I had read that these are possible but don't know for sure: Mac OS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" and Mac OS 9.2.2, Mac OS X v10.5 "Leopard"

Finally, would you suggest I just bite the bullet and buy a new computer rather than try to update the G4?
Thanks, stevet

Clete Ritta · From: San Antonio, Texas

Are you recording audio/video? That requires a fast drive and port.
Your G4 should have a firewire port.
Thats your best bet for an external drive if it does.
Another fast option is another internal drive. You should have room in there for one more.
Also, check that there isnt a USB port on your keyboard as well.
You may be able to plug the mouse there if it does. Then you have a USB port for a drive.
There are also USB hubs to get more outputs, but firewire is faster.

Another option is an ethernet drive like SimpleShare and a router, if speed isnt an issue.
I have an older G4 450, running 9.2.2. Its the last version before OSX, and I didnt upgrade because it was setup for ProTools using a Digi001. I havent used it since getting a G5, but it works fine.

The G4 is still a rock solid machine, and if it aint broke dont fix it.
Storage is just extra "room", and you can use that "room" on any system.
If it has an internet connection, go to Software Update, and it should tell you if your system is currently up to date.
Clete

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

Here's the computer in question:
http://lowendmac.com/ppc/mdd-power-mac-g4-dual.html

If it were mine, I'd upgrade to a new Intel-based Macintosh. A Mac Mini will run rings around your G4, be compatible with all the new software, and work with your existing keyboard, mouse and monitor.

If you're not going to upgrade the computer, consider using a FireWire drive rather than USB for an external drive (assuming both your internal drive slots are filled already. Or perhaps there's a USB connector on the keyboard already to which you can attach a mouse, thereby freeing up your other USB slot for the external drive.
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Cal Sharp · From: the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN

Steve,
I have a computer like yours, running OS X 10.5.8. You can run Leopard on it, but not Snow Leopard. I have a USB2 card ( about $30) in it with 4 ports, so there you are with your external external storage device(s). This comp runs great, I use it all the time, but it's not not quite as zippy as my MacBook Pro. Keep it. No need for a new comp unless you're doing video or other processor-intensive tasks.

I don't think your comp has Bluetooth, which you need for a cordless mouse, but you could get a keyboard that has a USB port for the mouse, freeing up a USB on the comp.

Oh, yeah, the USB bus on your comp is probably USB1, so you'll want to upgrade to USB2 anyway, since you'll probably need that for a new external hard drive, which will be USB2, to work, so I'd get a new USB card. You just open and pull down the side of the case and insert the card and tighten one screw, and ground yourself first by touching some metal on the comp.

But, as Brad said, a new comp would be the real way to go. It's time, after 6 years. But keep the G4, mine's still chugging along great.
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