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Power Mac G4 Q&A (Power Mac G4 FAQ) @ EveryMac.com
With the Power Mac G4 Q&A you can get answers to all of your Power Mac G4 questions. Questions ranging from "What AirPort capabilities are provided by the Power Mac G4 models? How do you install an AirPort module? Can you add 802.11n?" to "How do you upgrade the RAM in the Power Mac G4 models? How much RAM of what type does the Power Mac G4 support? What are the differences in maximum capacity when running MacOS 9 and MacOS X?" and everything in between are covered in-depth.
Please note that the Power Macintosh G4 series was discontinued on June 9, 2004, and the Power Mac G4 Q&A was largely rewritten and "archived" on May 12, 2009.
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The answers to some of these questions may no longer be up-to-date. Please refer to the date published, updated, or revised.
Most Frequently Asked Power Mac G4 Q&As:
How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the Power Mac G4 models? How many hard drives of what type are supported? Which models support "big drives"?
Is there a "hack" to make MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard" run on unsupported Power Mac G4 models?
What graphics cards are provided by the Power Mac G4? Which have VGA, ADC, and/or DVI ports? What is the maximum supported resolution on a primary and secondary display?
How do you upgrade the RAM in the Power Mac G4 models? How much RAM of what type does the Power Mac G4 support? What are the differences in maximum capacity when running MacOS 9 and MacOS X?
What AirPort capabilities are provided by the Power Mac G4 models? How do you install an AirPort module? Can you add 802.11n?
How do you replace or upgrade the Zip drive in the Power Mac G4 models? Can this drive bay be used for other purposes?
How can you tell if a particular Power Mac G4 model is PCI or AGP-based?
How do you replace or upgrade the optical drive in the Power Mac G4 models? What are the capabilities of the default optical drives? What is DVD-RAM?
How do you upgrade the processor in the Power Mac G4 models? How are the Power Mac G4 processors mounted?
What are the differences between the original PCI and AGP-based Power Mac G4 lines? Why were there so many configurations of these models?
Software Compatibility Q&As:
What version of the MacOS is pre-installed on the Power Mac G4?
Which Power Mac G4 models can boot MacOS 9? Which Power Mac G4 models can only run MacOS 9 applications in the "Classic" Environment?
Is there a "hack" to make MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard" run on unsupported Power Mac G4 models?
Can the Power Mac G4 run Windows?
Can the Power Mac G4 run Linux?
Does software that requires an ADB-based "dongle" work with the Power Mac G4?
Comparison Q&As:
What are the differences between the original PCI and AGP-based Power Mac G4 lines? Why were there so many configurations of these models?
How can you tell if a particular Power Mac G4 model is PCI or AGP-based?
What are the differences between the "Gigabit" Power Mac G4 models?
What are the differences between the "Digital Audio" Power Mac G4 models?
What are the differences between the "Quicksilver" Power Mac G4 models?
What are the differences between the "Quicksilver 2002" Power Mac G4 models?
What are the differences between the "Mirrored Drive Doors" Power Mac G4 models?
What are the differences between the "Firewire 800" Power Mac G4 models?
What are the differences between the "Mirrored Drive Doors 2003" Power Mac G4 models?
What are the major differences between the Power Mac G4 and the Power Mac G4 Cube?
What are the major differences between the Power Mac G4 and the Power Mac G5?
What are the major differences between the Power Mac G4 and the iMac G4 "Flat Panel"?
Expansion, Function, & Technical Q&As:
How do you upgrade the processor in the Power Mac G4 models? How are the Power Mac G4 processors mounted?
How do you upgrade the RAM in the Power Mac G4 models? How much RAM of what type does the Power Mac G4 support? What are the differences in maximum capacity when running MacOS 9 and MacOS X?
How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the Power Mac G4 models? How many hard drives of what type are supported? Which models support "big drives"?
How do you replace or upgrade the optical drive in the Power Mac G4 models? What are the capabilities of the default optical drives? What is DVD-RAM?
How do you replace or upgrade the Zip drive in the Power Mac G4 models? Can this drive bay be used for other purposes?
How many PCI and AGP slots of what type and speed does each Power Mac G4 have?
How can you tell if a particular Power Mac G4 model is PCI or AGP-based?
What is the "Velocity Engine"? What makes Velocity Engine faster?
Graphics, Video, Audio, & Connectivity Q&As:
What graphics cards are provided by the Power Mac G4? Which have VGA, ADC, and/or DVI ports? What is the maximum supported resolution on a primary and secondary display?
What is the difference between the Apple speaker minijack and the headphone jack on the Power Mac G4? Which jack should be used with external speakers?
How do you connect a microphone to the Power Mac G4 models?
What AirPort capabilities are provided by the Power Mac G4 models? How do you install an AirPort module? Can you add 802.11n?
How do you add Bluetooth to a Power Mac G4 model without internal support?
What type of modem is provided by the Power Mac G4?
How many USB and Firewire ports of what type do the Power Mac G4 models have? Can you upgrade the ports to USB 2.0 and Firewire 800?
What type of Ethernet is standard in the Power Mac G4 models? What Gigabit Ethernet upgrade options are available?
How many PCI and AGP slots of what type and speed does each Power Mac G4 have?
Configuration & Purchasing Q&As:
What are the default configurations of the Power Mac G4?
Where can I buy a Power Mac G4?
What are the "pros and cons" of the Power Mac G4 models? Is one right for my needs?
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