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PowerBook G4.. I need your help please!

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Bigwoods
Posts: 3116 - Karma: 76

Aiight guys, so i'm a DJ and I'm currently running a 1GB Toshiba laptop (shittiest thing ever, not recommended) and im really digging the look of having a Mac when DJing, I know I'm a bitch.

Ive never owned a Mac, and the few times ive been on one is at FutureShop.. So I need your opinion:

Do you think a 512MB PowerBook G4 would be a good investment (used)? I know the hard drive is 60GB, I plan on getting an external HD. IF SO, how much would you pay for one? CND

I know MacBook Pro would be the way to go blah blah blah, but DJing is fucking expensive and money is low right now, so lets keep it cheap-er. Thanks

Jul 26 2009 12:23PM
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summersover
Posts: 5777 - Karma: 233
I dunno I have a first gen. MacBook and its slow as fuck so I can't imagine a used, older G4 could be any better... but if you only use it to DJ it might be ok but the external harddrive is a must im down to like 1 or 2 gigs on my 60 gig (actually 55.5) harddrive
Jul 26 2009 12:43PM
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Big_Spence
Posts: 16177 - Karma: 4,352
512 might not be enough RAM.
If you purchase that, I would consider upgrading to at least 1 gig.
Jul 26 2009 12:44PM
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buckers
Posts: 448 - Karma: 12
I'd pay £100 tops, so for you $200 max.  G4's are really old, and if its only got 512mb, its going to struggle to run any application that was made post 2005.
Jul 26 2009 12:51PM
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Bigwoods
Posts: 3116 - Karma: 76
So for $300 you wouldnt buy a:

PowerBook G4

12.2”

1.33GHz

512MB

60GB

?

Jul 26 2009 1:05PM
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hanksy
Posts: 659 - Karma: 265
I'm not sure, not really a bad deal not really a good deal. I don't know what they're going for nowadays. I can tell you that I have a powerbook g4 thats got a little better processor and 1gb of ram and it's held up pretty well for almost 4 years. I think it may just be a teeny bit laggy for a lot of the newer programs, but using FCP and stuff on this runs completely normal. I guess if you're really only spending 300 its not a bad deal, just know that in a year or two youre probably gonna be really wishing you just bought something newer.
Jul 26 2009 1:49PM
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special_k10101
Posts: 1498 - Karma: 72
don't get it.  the g4 is extremely slow.  the processor is pretty pathetic.
i used one yesterday and it could barely run a non-HD video on Vimeo.  really choppy. 
you're probably better with what you've got
Jul 26 2009 1:55PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,012
not at all
Jul 26 2009 2:08PM
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connoroh
Posts: 2333 - Karma: 246
no. don't do it.


and are you sure your a dj?
Jul 26 2009 2:20PM
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mike91129
Posts: 777 - Karma: 43
Agreed, and most legit DJ's use tables.
Jul 26 2009 2:23PM
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beast_coast
Posts: 288 - Karma: 189
get a pc broooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Jul 26 2009 2:41PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
thats why is slow as fuck
Jul 26 2009 2:43PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
Honestly I don't think it's worth it to buy an old mac with significantly less ram and hard drive space than most machines today. You'd probably be way better off spending a bit more on another brand, or a lot more on a newer mac.
Jul 26 2009 2:45PM
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Bigwoods
Posts: 3116 - Karma: 76
I asked for an opinion on a computer ive never used before (aka I dont know much about Macs), how the fuck do you question if im a "real" DJ based on that. gtfo
Jul 26 2009 3:24PM
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Bigwoods
Posts: 3116 - Karma: 76
And to the rest thanks for your input, im going to go for a PC with 4GB of RAM
Jul 26 2009 3:27PM
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kepler.
Posts: 8761 - Karma: 139
Do you realize how slow a notebook will run with only 512mb of RAM and 1.33ghz processor? Not even the shittiest notebooks made today come close to being as crappy as this powerbook.
Jul 26 2009 3:38PM
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connoroh
Posts: 2333 - Karma: 246
well, to be fair i did tell you my thoughts on the topic.

I just expect that you might realize that a 5 year old computer isn't up to snuff for present day dj'ing.
Jul 26 2009 10:46PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,687

if the ram is upgraded to 1.5GB (not sure how much it would cost to upgrade it to that, but i understand its not too much dollas), which is the max it can be, it actually runs pretty fricken well dude. I have a friend with the Ibook G4 1.33 and fully upgraded ram and its pretty amazing what you can get out of it. I've used it on a few HD editing projects i've done and though it was a little slow to render things, it was still very usefull and not slow enough to make you want to shoot yourself by anymeans.

Jul 26 2009 10:53PM
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~MeTaL~
Posts: 4 - Karma: 10
check out

www.macofalltrades.com for some sick deals on apple notebooks cheap too.
Jul 26 2009 11:58PM
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skipimp_
Posts: 5700 - Karma: 113
this is the problem i had with my pwbk g4 . after i upgraded the ram, it was better. it has a good processor. 60 gig will fill up in no time. 150 for external, 80 ideally.


Jul 27 2009 12:35AM
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kepler.
Posts: 8761 - Karma: 139
That's still a lot of add-ons and the $$$ adds up. Why not just by a new computer that is probably more powerful and reliable than the Powerbook?
Jul 27 2009 12:52AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,687
because some of us are starving ass students who dont have rich parents, yo.
Jul 27 2009 1:02AM
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kepler.
Posts: 8761 - Karma: 139
I'm not saying buy an expensive computer, I'm saying just buy a quick $450 notebook and be done with it. He'll probably end up spending that anyway if he buys the Powerbook.
Jul 27 2009 1:04AM
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Spacekroft
Posts: 1332 - Karma: 41
seems like a good deal get a external HD and upgrade the ram and you will be set.
Jul 27 2009 1:06AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,687

word. if i had 400 to spend on a computer, i'd get a sweet used mac to get me by for about a year or so till i saved up enough to buy a much better setup.

Jul 27 2009 1:08AM
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kepler.
Posts: 8761 - Karma: 139
Yeah I know where you're coming from. This guy was looking for a $300 computer to run dj programs on. Everyone told him to buy it and upgrade what they don't realize is that the upgrade is gonna cost a lot more money. External hd, new RAM, updrade processor...
Jul 27 2009 1:11AM
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hartig
Posts: 8192 - Karma: 10
i dont think you understand what he's saying..
Jul 27 2009 1:12AM
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