[GNonG3]

Can someone please help me?! I've been asking around for some time now if my Power Mac G3 can run OS X Jaguar. I have a 350Mhz processor, 128MB RAM, a 12 GB Hard-Drive, and a normal CD-Rom. I know the system meets the minimal req. for OS X, but really I'd like some reviews from actual users. How slow would OS X run (on a scale of 1-10; 10 being a super-fast[G5] speed)? Would any extra installation be needed to completely wipe the hard-drive clean and install Jaguar (I bought the Apple OS X 10.2 'Jaguar' CD Set/License Only. Complete 2 Disc 10.2 installation Set.)? Is there any problems with running OS X on a G3 B&W? PLEASE HELP!

(PowerMac G3 B&W; Mac OS 8.6; G3/350 B&W 128/12GB/CD)

[Phil Sherry]

add more RAM and you'll be fine, as long as you're not expecting to fly through Photoshop all day, or something like that. i have 10.3 running on an old 266 iMac (not my main machine, duh), and that's good enough for email/internet, which is all that's used for now.

maybe consider an upgrade card? search this forum for Sonnet & PowerLogix threads, to see which have more fans.

[Krypton]

I was running that machine with 10.3, and it was very usable (576Mb RAM). Since put in a Sonnet G4 500Mhz which is a bit more snappy.

[deboerjo]

I have Jaguar on my 333MHz frankeniMac, and it runs Jaguar like a pro. You should be fine, but you definitly will want more RAM. OS X isn't comfortable with less than 192MB, and prefers 256 minimum.

-Jon

[Cadaver]

I agree with the above. Jaguar (or Panther 10.3) should run fine on the machine, but you will want more RAM. 128MB just wont do it. 256MB absolute minimum.

You don't need to wipe the hard drive, especially if you want to keep Classic on the machine. Although, with a 12GB hard drive, you'll need to make sure you have enough free space to install and run OS X, along with OS X applications. I'd say you'll want about 6GB free. OS X runs in to problems when there isn't enough free space (runs out of room for virtual memory swap).

I'd say on a scale of 1-10, it'll run about a 4.

500MHz G4 ZIF modules are pretty cheap these days, so consider that as well. $139 from OWC.

[David Lee]

I ran Iaguar on a Beige G3 with a Sonnet 500MHz G3 CPU, an ATA 66 HD controller with 2 fast drives, and 768MB of RAM, and with version 10.2.8 it was barely "useable" - and by no means speedy. The B&Ws are a little better as the bus is 100MHz but the slow (and problematic in version 1 B&Ws) ATA is ATA33 which is, IMO, a little slow for the IO intensive OSX system. In order to run a large HD efficiently you will need to add an ATA66 or higher PCI card and with the RAM and CPU upgrade (best would be a G4 ZIF rated up to 550 and capable of 600MHz) purchase you are looking at a sizable cost for the upgrade. If you want to go that route it is feasible but the is a low ceiling on performance. IMP you would be better advised to save up for a Digital Audio G4 tower used, which can take much faster CPU, HD. and Video card upgrades. Did anyone mention that the video card in the B&W is really old now, and not really capable of running Panther well? In the long run, a G4 or even an iBook G4 or - dare I say it - a G5 iMac would be a smart purchase. Running the old B&W as a file server or mail machine is another option.

[discotronic]

You might want to upgrade OS 8.6 to at least 9.1. You will most likly run into issues if you don't. OSX won't boot Classic with 8.6. I'm not sure if your machine will boot into 8.6 after installation of Jaguar.

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by discotronic:
You might want to upgrade OS 8.6 to at least 9.1. You will most likly run into issues if you don't. OSX won't boot Classic with 8.6. I'm not sure if your machine will boot into 8.6 after installation of Jaguar.

Yes. Good point.