installing os x

[sammybthfc]

hi im trying to install a new version of os x on my machine ((its a 768mb dual 1 ghz powerpc g4 with silver front)

someone therre kindly helped with an earlier question - and let me know that I can run anything from 10.3 to the 10.5.2

is it best for me to buy the very latest version, is it better to buy an earlier version in order to achieve optimum performance - can you recommend which version will work best with my machine (im looking to use it for music)

thanks

sam

[MisterMe]

There are several criteria for deciding which OS to run:

• Does the OS support your hardware? In your case, you should be able to run everything between MacOS X 10.2 and MacOS X 10.5 plus MacOS 9.2.2. No concerns there.
• Do you need to run Classic? If you do, then you can't run MacOS X 10.5. My guess is that you don't, so this keeps MacOS X 10.5 in the running.
• Does your system have the hard drive capacity and sufficient RAM to run the OS? My guess is that you are OK on the hard drive front. With 1 GB RAM, you should be able to run anything. If you don't have it, then you may add RAM. No real concerns here either.
• Do your peripherals, particularly printers and scanners, have drivers for your prospective OS? You must do your research before you buy, not afterwards.
• What does your software require? Most software is compatible with MacOS X going back to MacOS X 10.1. However, a growing number of titles require MacO X 10.5. On the other hand, a small list of software is incompatible with MacOS X 10.5. Research the specific software titles that you want to run.

Recommendation: Go with MacOS X 10.5. If your workflow or peripherals preclude your running MacOS X 10.5, then install MacOS X 10.4.

[fryke]

If you can afford to upgrade to 1 or more GB of memory, I'd go with Mac OS X 10.5.x. If you have to stay at 768 MB RAM, I'd go with Mac OS X 10.4.11.