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Eckslusive · May 4, 2003, 12:46 AM

I'm looking into a
PB 500 G4 and I'm looking into installing 1 GB of ram in it. My question is...
Will it be good to run...
1) Word, InDesign, Photoshop, the internet
2) OS X
3) Will it be better than a G3 800 (iBook)?

AssassyN · May 4, 2003, 12:51 AM

Well, the G4 500Mhz processor is getting a bit aged in today's apps. and their demands...a 667Mhz PowerBook would probably perform more to your satisfaction if you could find one, however, it depends on your level of usage.

For the apps. you listed, that machine would do just fine, as long as your PhotoShop use was fairly minor...importing files hundreds of megs big will slow it to a crawl, however, minor picture tweaking will do just fine on it. The other apps. you listed will run smoothly on the machine also, including OS X itself. Having 1GIG of RAM helps out a bunch.

It would run better than a 800Mhz iBook in most cases, simply because OS X runs so much better on a G4 processor than on a G3. Escp. in intensive tasks, the G4 just stomps the G3. If I had to make the same choice, I'd get the G4 500Mhz over the iBook.

Good luck, and feel free to post any further Q's!

Eckslusive · May 4, 2003, 12:53 AM

Cool. Thanks so much. I wanted a 667 but i got a great deal on a 500 - only 900 bucks! (US)

AssassyN · May 4, 2003, 12:56 AM

Wow! That's an incredible deal! I'd certainly jump right on that one...and like I said, for most "normal" apps, escp. the ones you've listed, the G4 500 will perform just fine. It'll only dissapoint if you really stress it by doing huge PhotoShop files, video/audio editing, 3D graphic work, etc.

However, for the typical user, it'll do everything you need.

Let us know if you get it, and your impressions on it if you do!

Eckslusive · May 4, 2003, 12:58 AM

No, i wont do big PS files on that one. I have my DP 1Ghz w/ 1.25 GB of ram for that

But i did want to transfer/view/use video in like imovie and stuff sometimes. is that alright?

AssassyN · May 4, 2003, 01:00 AM

Ahhh, a nice desktop machine for the hardcore work, you're certainly in good shape w/ the addition of that PowerBook then.

And yep, it'll play videos & make movies in iMovie just fine, although any serious/large chunks of video in iMovie may be a tad slow for your liking at times, it'll still get the job done and won't be obnoxiously slow in doing so. It should do 99% of any iMovie work you toss at it with ease.

Eckslusive · May 4, 2003, 01:02 AM

Cool. I'm looking forward to getting the PB...the guy is sending it out on Monday

I'm so excited, but its gonna probably only arrive on Friday...So long...I can't waaaaiitttt

AssassyN · May 4, 2003, 01:03 AM

Awesome to hear man! You'll love it I'm sure.

Hopefully you'll get it before the end of the week...if so, you'll have a fun weekend ahead of you!

Eckslusive · May 4, 2003, 01:09 AM

Hey you know how to overclock it? or will that be a bad idea? i heard this guy on macrumors did it ... a 400 to a 533 from overclocking the bus (100Mhz-->133Mhz)

AssassyN · May 4, 2003, 11:08 AM

I personally don't know how to overclock, but on a notebook computer, I'd *strongly* recommend against it. Notebook are built to cool themselves at exactly the clock speed they were built. The smallest increase in CPU speed can add to the heat output tremendously, and this can cause the machine to overheat and become terribly unstable. In a desktop, it's easier to cool the parts, and therefore it's a more viable option. However, there's no way to add fans or anything really to a notebook, and added heat could easily kill your machine.