• Hello MLAers! We've re-enabled auto-approval for accounts. If you are still waiting on account approval, please check this thread for more information.

Score! Top End Aluminum PBG4

The funny thing is G4s can't take advantage of DDR...
really?

Apple would go through all the trouble of putting DDR and finally DDR2 capabilities into their G4 systems for...shits'n giggles?

dunno about that...

 
I remember reading the spec on the G4 - doesn't support DDR memory, so it was just for a faster memory bus, and would bottleneck at the bridge. I'm not sure about the last revision though.

I'll try and dig up what I read...

 
I think the only reason Apple went to using DDR SDRAM was because it was cheap and available and facilitated use of much higher bus speeds. It also allowed the use of standard components that were numerous and in stock with laptop makers at the time. On top of all that i mad the laptops look relatively up-to-date.

Get the RAM slots checked and verified working before the warranty runs out. They are known for breaking on AlBooks. Obviously at least one works atm, but make sure they both do.

 
They both work just fine.

I picked up a 1GB PC5300 DDRII SODIMM at Fry's today for $27.99 w/ $10 mail in rebate. It's a Crucial stick, which is a brand I trust.

This now brings the machine upto 1.5GB total. Schweet.

I am so glad it's a DDR2 machine. A 1GB DDR stick is over $80 depending on brand. DDR2 is by far cheaper. The extra speed is nice.

This machine is even faster. Next in the list is a 7200RPM hard disk.

What is the largest 7200RPM PATA 2.5" Notebook HD in existence?

I love this machine so much. Sitting here in my comfy chair with they keyboard slightly backlit. It's just so elegant looking. It evokes feelings of high tech and style. Form meets function. What a wonderful piece of technology.

I'll post benches later.

What benchmarks do you want to see? I'll need links.

 
According to Lowend Mac, my Aluminum PB G4 is the biggest, baddest 15" G4 laptop produced. Specs from Everymac.com seem to back this up.

I am so happy. The upgrade from 512MB of RAM to 1.5GB has made a very noticeable increase in overall system performance. Photoshop and ImageReady are much happier now.

 
That makes me feel better.

I really like the PPC Platform.

I wouldn't mind an Intel Mac, but only to run some of my Windows games for which there are no good Mac versions available. Examples include Master of Orion 2, Deus Ex, Star War Galaxies. Which are pretty much the 3 games I play except for Big Bang Backgammon, Civ 4 and EV Nova.

Deus Ex and Master of Orion 2 have Mac versions available but run like crap on my G4'd 8500 with 1GB of RAM and 64MB Radeon. Weird.

There is no Star Wars Galaxies port that I am aware of.

At night when I am sitting outside having a beer and a smoke, they keyboard lights up nicely. I mention this because the machine looks extremely elegant and evokes warm feelings from me. From the speed, to the style and attention to detail, this machine rocks.

 
Just a quick update.

I upped the RAM to a full 2GB. I haven't noticed much difference in system response. What I have noticed is that according to "top", I now 1.7GB of free RAM wheres when I had 1.5GB of total ram, only 578 of that was free. Interesting.

Oh, photoshop (the whore that it is) does use a lot more RAM. Which is ok since it runs faster.

Pics to come soon.

 
Back
Top