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Mac mini G4 uses?

S

Syndicated_Death

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 8, 2005
Messages
1,603
I've got a Mac mini G4 variety... I've had it for a few months now and have yet to find a use for it. so now I'm asking for some ideas or input as to what you would do with it if you had it laying around?
 
I had thought of HTPC. though I have no clue what software would be good for macs. VLC? and what about a tv tuner? usb? if so what would play nice with the mac?
 
Silly goose. Under applications you should see a giant red chair (Read: Front Row). Just hook it up to a tv and use front row.
 
I'll have to check that out when I get home. as I said I haven't done anything with it since I got it. that's why I'm here asking questions.
 
I will be using this with my Sony fwd-42lx1. max resolution of 1360x768 via dvi but since I have a pc using that I will be using the vga. so not exactly a tv but still a tv.
 
I think an HTPC would be an awesome idea. The only thing about Front Row is, if I remember correctly, the Mini G4 couldn't use the Front Row remote unlike the newer Intels, which means you'd need a wireless keyboard and mouse to use it unless you want to be really close to it with a wired keyboard, which, what's the point of having an HTPC. As stated, I can't imagine that it would be able to do HD content, but, you never know, those G4s were pretty amazing sometimes
 
It's still useful as a media server of sorts even though it won't do HD content. If you have DVDs, you can rip them to that harddrive and play them back in 480p. It'll work for music as well.
 
TheLordsServant said:
I think an HTPC would be an awesome idea. The only thing about Front Row is, if I remember correctly, the Mini G4 couldn't use the Front Row remote unlike the newer Intels, which means you'd need a wireless keyboard and mouse to use it unless you want to be really close to it with a wired keyboard, which, what's the point of having an HTPC. As stated, I can't imagine that it would be able to do HD content, but, you never know, those G4s were pretty amazing sometimes
Click to expand...

Okie doke so treat me like a mac nOOb because after all. I AM! so. with that said I did some more dicking around with it the other day. I slapped a OS x 10.4 dvd in there and upgraded it from 10.3. upon doing so neither version had front row. so I'm assuming it's only in 10.5. If so how well or badly would that run on the G4 1.25ghz with a gig of ram?
 
10.5 Min requirements is the 833 G4. However, it actually runs on 500mhz g4s no problem. A 1.25 g4 should be no problem. I have used a g4 iBook with the same speed and 512 ram and it ran just fine.
 
Personally, i'd do what I usually do with systems that I have laying around that I have no real use for. I'd find someone I knew that could really use a semi-decent web-surfing machine but couldn't afford one (single mom, etc.) and give it to them. Being a Mac, it'd be especially good to upgrade that person who's always calling you to remove spyware from their Dell (don't we all know people like that?)
 
coolie_d said:
Personally, i'd do what I usually do with systems that I have laying around that I have no real use for. I'd find someone I knew that could really use a semi-decent web-surfing machine but couldn't afford one (single mom, etc.) and give it to them. Being a Mac, it'd be especially good to upgrade that person who's always calling you to remove spyware from their Dell (don't we all know people like that?)
Click to expand...

I would tend to agree with you. however I'm eager for the learning experience alone. so it does have a use. secondly I don't know anyone who is in need of a computer.

as for the people who might be calling on me to rid them of spyware... I call them clients. what would be the point of cutting my own leg off?
 
With a g4 mini I would use it either as a small server or a box to learn mac os/unix on. You have a few options for linux and bsd on them.

As far as hooking it up to the tv I'd consider using it as an emulator box.
 
I'm using mine as a fileserver/seedbox and HTPC using front row.

it's running leopard, and no hacks are needed to run front row on older macs with leopard.

but be warned, a g4 WILL NOT play HD content, not even 720p. It barely even tries to keep up. I tried quicktime, front row, and VLC, with a few different HD videos. none were watchable.

SD videos are fine, and my main use, music, works fine as well.

as for remote controlling it, I'm buying a 3g iphone on friday, so I will be using that (with the help of remote buddy), but the keyspan rf front row remote will work just like the apple remote, plus it's rf, so no line of sight issues (i'm getting one as a backup to the iPhone, and for my roomate to use)

using it as a seedbox, I'm running transmission, with Clutch for a web interface, along with the clutch widget on my laptop, so I can drag and drop torrent files right onto that to start a download :p. I MAY start testing out Azureus to try to get some faster downloads (I've heard it downloads/uploads faster, but I know the program itself is a dog). The setup would be EXACTLY the same with that (down to the widget :))


I may throw on a SNES emulator, since I have a pair of USB gamepads :D
mmm....bigscreen mario.

ps, no pics of my setup, as it's well, not setup. I have it running, but it won't get a (semi-)permanent home until september.

a few details of the hardware:
1.25ghz G4 Mac Mini OCed to 1.4ghz with 1GB memory, and a 120GB HDD. 500GB+ External coming soon, 200GB external hooked up now.
The mini is hooked up into the 26" westinghouse (720p/1080i max) with a DVI->HDMI cable, and a 3.5" stereo to RCA cable.
I'll be adding a 5.1 system soon.
 
4b5eN+EE said:
I'm using mine as a fileserver/seedbox and HTPC using front row.

it's running leopard, and no hacks are needed to run front row on older macs with leopard.

but be warned, a g4 WILL NOT play HD content, not even 720p. It barely even tries to keep up. I tried quicktime, front row, and VLC, with a few different HD videos. none were watchable.

SD videos are fine, and my main use, music, works fine as well.

as for remote controlling it, I'm buying a 3g iphone on friday, so I will be using that (with the help of remote buddy), but the keyspan rf front row remote will work just like the apple remote, plus it's rf, so no line of sight issues (i'm getting one as a backup to the iPhone, and for my roomate to use)

using it as a seedbox, I'm running transmission, with Clutch for a web interface, along with the clutch widget on my laptop, so I can drag and drop torrent files right onto that to start a download :p. I MAY start testing out Azureus to try to get some faster downloads (I've heard it downloads/uploads faster, but I know the program itself is a dog). The setup would be EXACTLY the same with that (down to the widget :))


I may throw on a SNES emulator, since I have a pair of USB gamepads :D
mmm....bigscreen mario.

ps, no pics of my setup, as it's well, not setup. I have it running, but it won't get a (semi-)permanent home until september.

a few details of the hardware:
1.25ghz G4 Mac Mini OCed to 1.4ghz with 1GB memory, and a 120GB HDD. 500GB+ External coming soon, 200GB external hooked up now.
The mini is hooked up into the 26" westinghouse (720p/1080i max) with a DVI->HDMI cable, and a 3.5" stereo to RCA cable.
I'll be adding a 5.1 system soon.
Click to expand...

ok cool thanks for clarifying the part about not being able to play HD content. I wasn't sure what people meant by that statement. with that in mind I've got half a mind to upgrade the crap out of this one (bigger HDD and such), sell it and then buy one of the newer intel flavors. we shall see.
 
Syndicated_Death said:
ok cool thanks for clarifying the part about not being able to play HD content. I wasn't sure what people meant by that statement. with that in mind I've got half a mind to upgrade the crap out of this one (bigger HDD and such), sell it and then buy one of the newer intel flavors. we shall see.
Click to expand...

For the right price I might be interested in it.
 
Zardoz said:
how do you OC it?
Click to expand...

PPC Macs use OpenFirmware like Sun Sparc systems (instead of EFI like intel macs and a BIOS like pcs). OpenFirmware has functions to allow for forced clock speeds. Its one of the ways you can get Leopard installed on say a 500 mhrz g4 when it requires an 833 - just change the speed through the firmware.

There are other mods too just like any other computer (pencil mods, what have you).
 
If you're still looking for a TV tuner (didn't read the whole thread), look up El Gato. They make good tuners and software for Macs.
 
I use my G4mac mini as a webbrowser/instant message machine. Stays on next to my main pc rig on a separate monitor. Not bad too considering it only draws about 24watts. I just leave it on 24/7. Check email, browse web,instant message while in game on the other rig.

One tip, if you want to make the g4mini a little quicker, get a Firewire enclosure and stick a 3.5inch disk in there. It'll run a lot smoother then the crappy laptop drive inside the mini.

All in all, theres not a whole lot of guts in the g4 mini so using it as a media center sucks. My PC is tons faster then the little mini but the mini keeps on chugging fine for what it is.
 
ZMTToxics said:
PPC Macs use OpenFirmware like Sun Sparc systems (instead of EFI like intel macs and a BIOS like pcs). OpenFirmware has functions to allow for forced clock speeds. Its one of the ways you can get Leopard installed on say a 500 mhrz g4 when it requires an 833 - just change the speed through the firmware.

There are other mods too just like any other computer (pencil mods, what have you).
Click to expand...

The part about OF may be true (I dunno), but I removed some resistors (0 ohm, so really jumpers) from the bottom of the logic board to increase clockspeed.
 
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