blanchjd Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Hi there! New forum member, and new to hackintosh and I have a couple of questions. A few years ago I set up my mother-in-law with a G4 Mac mini and its been working pretty well, but it is getting old. I'm going to do some serious software maintenance on it soon, and have been thinking of maybe replacing it with a hackintosh build. She really wants to keep the system small, so I've been looking at Mini-ITX motherboards, but haven't really found a socketed one that would be easy to get all working. It seems that the most compatible of the lot would be an 945GSC/ICH7 board with a dual-core atom, but I'm not sure if it would be noticably faster than the current 1.4Ghz G4. What do you all think? Would that be worth it, or should I try my luck with a G45 mini-ITX board or a shuttle system? Thanks! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/196693-g4-mac-mini-or-atom-hackintosh/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 This is one of those cases where you should consider if you'll be best served by an actual Mac Mini. The $600 base model is a pretty good value, plus for your mother inlaw, she'll have the assurance that updates are no issue, etc. I'm a huge fan of Hackintosh, obviously, but there are times when it's hard to recommend. I'm not sure Hackintosh is quite the 'system for your mother' yet. But I could be wrong, if your Mom-IL is more tech-savvy than many of our mothers tend to be. If you do go the Hack route, I would rule out the Atom. I'd guesstimate that even the best dual core Atom system is maybe a tiny step up from a G4. It certainly wouldn't be 'new computer!' radical speed. I personally don't know of any OSx86 compatible G45 mini ITX boards. I know there's a small-form factor A-Open system that some around here are using with great results, that has a full-sized Core2 processor. There are several known-working Shuttle models as well. Check through the Hardware Compatibility Lists (see sig). If any spec complete is approaching the $600 mark, I'd definitely look at the actual Mac Mini instead. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/196693-g4-mac-mini-or-atom-hackintosh/#findComment-1324667 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swhay Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 If your goal is keeping the cost down, and she only uses it for internet, e-mail etc. I think an Atom based ITX all-in-one board is pretty good. I built my Mother-in-law an Atom based system for 250.00 USD, running 10.5.8 everything works and she has not had any problems with it and she has been running it for about 6 months. It is pretty fast and does everything she wants to do with it. The other option you have is picking up a used intel based Mac Mini http://www.gainsaver.com/Catalog/List.aspx...e=1228^Mac+Mini Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/196693-g4-mac-mini-or-atom-hackintosh/#findComment-1324680 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharredPC Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Always a big proponent of the Aopen Mini PC. It's dang tiny, takes a retail OSX install (so updates work fine), and the only hardware that -needs- changing is the wifi card, which is an easy and cheap Mini PCI replacement. You can buy them off eBay for about $100-$150, then seriously upgrade the specs for under $200. Mine has a Core2Duo cpu in it, 2GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, and after popping in a new Wifi card and audio kext, everything Just Works. Very nice for a Home Theater PC, which is what we use mine for (has HDMI + TV-out). I did a thread on mine when I first got it; check it out here. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/196693-g4-mac-mini-or-atom-hackintosh/#findComment-1324811 Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanchjd Posted November 10, 2009 Author Share Posted November 10, 2009 Thanks for the leads, I have some research to do. The good thing is that my M-I-L mostly uses it for office applications and a little bit of photo work, so heavy duty power isn't required. A used Mini might be good. Thanks. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/196693-g4-mac-mini-or-atom-hackintosh/#findComment-1326158 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detosx Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I thought long and hard about an Atom 300 Nvdia ION combination and may yet go for a netbook, but the Atom is hopeless for encoding video. I own a Mac Mini, pre Intel and with the GMA950 chip, no good for HD video playback. So, where to start, really? A good looking small case with enough leg stretch room for a Saphire ATI 4850 or better. Quad core a must. Overclocked? Heat issues a must not. Passive cooling? PSU as a separate block, like with the Mac Mini? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/196693-g4-mac-mini-or-atom-hackintosh/#findComment-1329321 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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