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Some background first. I do graphic/web design part time, some game design/editing at times as well, wanting to get into programming (c,c++, php, python, java, etc) down the road. I own a Windows machine (P4 2.4Ghz, 1gig mem) for all my designing, a Linux machine (XP2800, 512MB mem) for all other functions, and I just aquired a second hand G4 450 (OSX 10.2 832mb mem, 60gb hdd+ 160 sata waiting to be installed) a few months ago (and random other systems). OSX has peeked my interest enough for me to puchase a Mac. Now the next steps...

Now I am debating on whether or not to upgrade my G4 or get a dual G4/G5 or go with a cheaper AMD dual core X2 setup (X2 3800, 2GB mem, etc). I need a few questions answered, that I have to searched but have not found a good answer.

1.I want to move to a possibly one machine or two machine setup (Mac/Windows). Can I still use my Windows programs/fonts/etc on my Mac or do I have to get all new software/fonts/etc. This raises a big financial cost that I want to estimate before I make a decision for a new Mac.
2.If I do move to an all Mac setup, I will be getting rid of my Linux boxes. Can I run Linux programs on OSX? I have not compiled a list yet, so I have no programs in mind yet. I know about Fink, but is it stable?
3.If I upgrade my G4/450 I will want to add a upgraded processor (1-1.2Ghz) and a SATA PCI card to utilize my 160GB SATA drive. But the system is still a 100mhz bus, will I notice the responsiveness as my PC's?
4.If I add more hardware to the G4/450 including peripherals (external drives,etc), I will be concerned about the power supply. Would the PSU of the G4/450 able to handle everything I thow at it or what are my upgrade options?
5.At the G4/450, there is the video upgrade that I have been also contemplating. It currently has the default ATI Rage. I did flash a Nvidia Geforce 2MX but it cause instability in the G4. I wanted a low cost solution with the best bang, but in the Mac world there doesn't seem to be much of that. What would be a good card for me to handle a lot of 2d work? I have seen words like 'core image' 'quartz' bu I am not sure what that is and how it relates. Note I will not be gaming with the G4/450.
6.Why am I not seeing many programs (Fink, latest versions of Safari, etc) compatable for OSX 10.2? Is my Mac compatable with 10.4? I also do not have a classic mode, how important is that and if it is, how do I aquire it?

For now that is pretty much it. I appreciate everyone's responses. On paper everything about the Mac looks good (except the price) and can be the solution for me.

[mduell]

1. Mostly all new software for the Mac. Some programs include both versions on the same disk, most don't.
2. Again, mostly yes.
3. Responsiveness depends heavily on the graphics card too and yours is poop.
4. Should be fine.
5. Look at a 9200 or similar; no Core Image support, but relatively cheap ($100) and a lot better than what you have.
6. 10.2 is deprecated; you'll have to upgrade if you want to run a lot of software.

[jmgriff]

2. Check the package listings for Fink and DarwinPorts. I've used Fink for years without any issue.
6. Yes, you can install Tiger (10.4) on your G4. In fact I'd recommend it ... Mac OS X has come a long way since 10.2, and many new apps are 10.4 only.

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Happy New Year and thanks for the replys.

To the repsonses:

1. That is one of the costlier decisions I was afraid of. I haven't seen software have both versions, though some games (some UT series) have both Windows and Linux installers.

2. Darwin ports, I have to look that up thank you.

3. If my card is poop then see #5

4. Ok

5. From what I have seen, the 9200 AGP is 8x only and will not run on my Sawtooth (2x). Or am I mistaken?

6. That is something new... I was looking on getting 10.3 instead of 10.4 because most software I look at requires 10.3. I will have to look into 10.4


Another question:

7. How well can the Sawtooth be used for a file server? Is Mac's samba client easier to work with than Linux, intregate better with Windows and linux machines?

I ask because now with some more definate answers, I may think a Mac solution may *not* be the best solution for me at this time.

[mduell]

5. Yea, you'll have to go with PCI unless you want to spend the money on a higher end AGP card like the 9600.
7. It works. Since they don't support large drives natively you'll need to buy a PCI drive controller, but you planned on doing that anyway.

[reader50]

Some additional info, adding to mduell's answers.

Originally Posted by centered effect

1) Can I still use my Windows programs/fonts/etc on my Mac or do I have to get all new software/fonts/etc.

The fonts will most likely be fine. TrueType and PostScript fonts work fine on a Mac. Search Apple Support for further info on font compatibility.

2) If I do move to an all Mac setup, I will be getting rid of my Linux boxes. Can I run Linux programs on OSX? I have not compiled a list yet, so I have no programs in mind yet. I know about Fink, but is it stable?

It would be useful to compile a list. x86 linux binaries do not run natively, but many linux packages have precompiled OSX versions. VLC for example. Also, many packages will compile successfully from source. I've no experience with Fink.

3) If I upgrade my G4/450 I will want to add a upgraded processor (1-1.2Ghz) and a SATA PCI card to utilize my 160GB SATA drive. But the system is still a 100mhz bus, will I notice the responsiveness as my PC's?

Internal throughput will be capped lower than on more recent systems. The CPU upgrade cards often have sizeable cache attached, this conceals the bus speed in many cases.

4) If I add more hardware to the G4/450 including peripherals (external drives,etc), I will be concerned about the power supply. Would the PSU of the G4/450 able to handle everything I thow at it or what are my upgrade options?

Agree with mduell. My G4/350 (with CPU upgrade) has 4 cards and has had up to four HDs running concurrently. There have been no power issues.

5) At the G4/450, there is the video upgrade that I have been also contemplating. It currently has the default ATI Rage. I did flash a Nvidia Geforce 2MX but it cause instability in the G4. I wanted a low cost solution with the best bang, but in the Mac world there doesn't seem to be much of that. What would be a good card for me to handle a lot of 2d work? I have seen words like 'core image' 'quartz' bu I am not sure what that is and how it relates. Note I will not be gaming with the G4/450.

You can find a selection of Mac-compatible cards here. The 9200 for Mac is a PCI card, you are most likely thinking of the Mac 9600 card, which is listed as 4x only and possibly not compatible with your 2x slot. I have not heard anyone test it in a 2x slot and confirm if it won't work. Try our Peripherals forum to see if anyone has experience.

Flashed cards or used cards are the best deals. Both involve some risks. I have a flashed Radeon 8500 AGP in my system, it works well. For new cards, a Radeon 9000 (AGP) will do ok.

For reference, Quartz is the OSX graphics engine. It can function fully in software if need be. Quartz Extreme moves GUI layer compositing to the graphics card instead of doing it all in software. QE is supported under OSX 10.2 or higher, and on all ATi Radeon cards and all nVidia cards that made it to the Mac - basically the GF3/GF2mx and later. QE speeds up the GUI, and offloads enough of the work to make the system more responsive overall.

QE is VRAM-limited, the more/larger windows you have open, the more VRAM it needs to buffer everything. If you use multiple monitors and/or high resolutions, you will be making a run on your VRAM. When VRAM runs out, remaining display layers fall back to software mode, slowing the GUI down somewhat. 32MB is OK up to about one 12x10 display. 64MB is fine for most single-monitors, up to 16x12 (19x12 for widescreen monitors). Excessive windows can require more VRAM than what I've listed.

Core Image uses programmable GPUs (ATi 9500 or better, nVidia 5xxx series or higher) to make image effects filters run in hardware on the graphics card. The OS uses this for a few snazzy effects, and programs that utilize the filters can experience a huge speedup. Apple's Motion and Aperture programs are the main examples today, few (no?) other programs make use of Core Image yet. This will certainly change with time. Core Image requires OSX 10.4 or later.

6) Why am I not seeing many programs (Fink, latest versions of Safari, etc) compatable for OSX 10.2? Is my Mac compatable with 10.4? I also do not have a classic mode, how important is that and if it is, how do I aquire it?

Classic mode is Mac OS 9, the previous operating system. It is needed to run older program versions, especially for long-term Mac users with an investment in older software. If you need it, you can buy it from here.

7) How well can the Sawtooth be used for a file server? Is Mac's samba client easier to work with than Linux, intregate better with Windows and linux machines?

OSX includes a built-in copy of Samba. I have not played with it. Regarding large-drive compatibility (drives larger than 128GB/137GB) please refer to our Power Mac Storage FAQ thread.

Programs that list compatibility with OSX 10.3 usually had the requirement printed before 10.4 came out. With very few exceptions, those programs run fine under 10.4.

[chris v]

The Sawteeth are great machines. Very solid. Can hold up to 2 gig of RAM. A couple video cards that would work well would be either a Radeon 9000 or a GeForce 4 Ti. (Beware the GeForce 4 MX-- it is crap). Try to go for 64 mb video RAM at least.

You'll want to run a utility (provided by Other World Computing I think) to determine which revision of the mother board you have-- the earlier Sawtooth machines could only take a single-processor CPU upgrade, but the later rev. can take a dual. OSX loves dual CPUs, if one will work.

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Thanks everyone, I will be planning on purchasing a Mac in the near future for my use. Right now I want to use the Sawtooth as a possible file server for my external drives, which is why I asked about the Samba client.