My Pride and Joy Conquest - Complete

[maceffects]

I have finally completed my collection for the NEW OLD STOCK PowerMac G4 MDD.  This machine is special because it runs Mac OS 10.5.8 and Mac OS 9.2.2 natively.  I purchased all items separate and everything (including upgrades) was purchased NEW within the last 2 years. 

1) PowerMac MDD 1.25ghz FW400 (2gb ram, 80gb & 250gb, AirPort Card, Upgraded Power Supply)  The small drive has Mac OS 9.2.2/10.3 the larger has Mac OS 10.5.8

2) Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks III with sub

3) 17" Apple Studio Display

4) ADC to DVI adapter (to prevent damage to the power supply)

5) AirPort Extreme (first rev) Base station (not shown - required to work with AirPort Card WEP)

6) 3 Extra Power Supplies (in case the one fails - common)

Total invested: $1500 - but its a brand new machine from 2003 right down the the upgrades.  Runs Mac programs from about 1995 to about 2005, that's 10 years of software compatibility, by far the most versatile Mac. 

 

[Carboy7]

That looks really nice! How much did the Sound Sticks (with sub) cost?

 

[maceffects]

I got the set on eBay for $150 new, I think they are $199 MSRP.  I got the version without Bluetooth and just bought the Bluetooth adapter separate so I can use on other devices too. 

 

[Floofies]

You take care of that MDD! It's always nice to see those being picked up nowadays, being one of the more expensive machines to care for. Mine also runs the 9.2.2/10.5 combo.

Do you have any sound-dampening/fan-quieting hacks in mind for yours?

 

[Unknown_K]

You didn't mention the video card model.

I have a few MDDs and the 17" ADC display but not the speaker setup. So how do the speakers sound?

 

[slomacuser]

I need explanation for nr.4 the ADC destroys the PSU? Is this prone to the MDD G4 or to G4 quicksilvers too?

 

[ArmorAlley]

I have 2 MDDs — one with a broken PSU and one with a working PSU — and the Apple Cinema Display on ADC. I'm curious too. Does the ADC-connection hasten the demise of the PSU?

Also, how good is the sound from the Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks III with sub-woofer? There are some going for CHF 40.— near me and I may get them if they are better than standard speakers.

 

[Innes]

I got some SoundSticks II about 11 years ago, and they still sound great, although a paperclip fell into the sub and it's definitely not coming out without disassembly :-/

Still, worth every penny

 

[markyb86]

Cool thing is, with the DVI>ADC adapter, if anything happens to the PSU, you can actually use the ATX PSU mod, since all the 25V you need for the display is from the adapter now.

 

[maceffects]

For those wondering about the power supply and the ADC display, I should clarify. I plugged in the ADC Studio Display and it killed the power supply, I suppose it could be a coincidence, but think about it, its taxing the already fragile power supply by driving the montior. The ADC > DVI has its own power supply to the monitor. Only the MDD has issues with power supplies that I'm aware of the other G4 towers were robust. I bought 3 extra power supplies because I knew this going into it, of course, they are loud too as Floofies mentioned. I don't have any plans to reduce the noise, I'd rather have it out of lots of CFM to protect the unit than to reduce the noise.

The Sound Sticks and sub are amazing, well worth the money. My brother has an original set when they first came out around 2000, he loves them and they still work great. Apple was responsible for the industrial design and Harmon Kardon did the sound components.

 

[Juror22]

Good idea about using the DVI>ADC adapter, since you are right about the MDD power supplies.  I have a couple of those that I got along with the monitors a few years back, but I overlooked this use.  I also grabbed up a few working MDD's myself when they were cheaper, since I figured I would lose power supplies and other parts too.

 

[CC_333]

How are the surrounds on the sound sticks? If they're anything like the slot loading iMacs, they will turn to goo and/or crumble over time.

c

 

[maceffects]

They still make these Sound Sticks as this is the 3rd revision. They sound great, my brothers from about 2000 still sound good too. Same speakers from the iMac I think. Mine have a manufacture date of 2017.