Forums | MacLife

The G4 would be optimum for running OS 9 apps, since it would be able to boot into OS 9. Not everything runs in Classic.

You're better off getting a machine that supports them natively. Most pre-2003 Macs should do this. The G4 is going to be your best for raw performance unless you're using 68K-era apps. In that case I'd recommend a Quadra 950.

A USB floppy drive would only work if the programs are on "PC-sized" (e.g., 1.44 MB) floppies, and are not copy-protected using some defective-floppy method.

To read 400 KB and 800 KB Mac floppies, you need an appropriate Apple drive -- the Apple drives packed the data more cleverly to get 400 KB instead of 360 KB; 800 KB instead of 720 KB; etc.

loafer wrote:

You may not be better off booting into 9 anymore.  You may not be able to print without creating PDF files and booting back to X (no OS 9 print drivers for a lot of newer printers).

Generic Postscript Printer Drivers ftw.

You may have issues networking as well - you won't be able to use wireless G or N hardware and a variety of other peripherals.

Gaming adapters.

(Can OS 9 see anything on a USB 2.0 connection?)

OS 9 USB drivers sucked anyway.

A fast powerbook is nice for classic and anything with a G4 or G5 chip will run classic programs faster than they ever ran on the original hardware.

When it runs at all.

willywalloo wrote:

Hey, you'd only want a G5, if you want a computer that will last you into the future.

Getting on the internet any more isn't an really a viable option in Mac OS 9. While 9 is good for old software programs to run, it's not good when it comes to being compatible with the rest of the world without a lot of headache.

An iMac G5 can be had for around the 400-500 $ mark if you keep your eyes peeled. Then: at least OS X will be there for any other needs you may have.

1. It hasn't been explicitly said yet:  A G5 cannot boot into OS 9.   A G4 was the last computer that could.   A G5 can run "classic" applications within OS X, but I've had a lot of mixed success with classic mode.  (Especially regarding access to CD-ROMs, and graphics display.)

2.  You can still find OS 9 distros of great email programs like Eudora.   And iCab is still currently supporting an OS 9 build of their browser, which is a thoroughly modern browser.  If I remember, you might not be able to run flash in OS 9 --- so no YouTube.   But iCab works perfectly well with good ol' webmail, if you need email on your OS 9 machine.

Can the G4 Mac Minis run OS9 natively?

All hail the monkey of funk.

FutureDreamz wrote:

According to the Monkey of Funk, yeah.

Do NOT misconstrue the words of the Monkey of Funk. He said a G4 was the last, not all G4s.

All hail.

I own the last OS 9 bootable Mac. Dual 1 Ghz G4 Quicksilver 2002.