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Recycled Computing

Using New Tech with Old Tech

- 2009.02.05

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It is nice to have a wealthy relative - especially when they think that your sons need computers.

What to buy? I knew I would have to get them Macs, since I am more familiar with both Mac hardware and software. But which laptop should I buy? The guys are not quite power users; they would be using the computers to do schoolwork, browse the Internet, watch DVDs, and synch their iPods.

After much consideration, I decided not to buy the base level Unibody MacBook and purchase the "old" white MacBook. One of the big issues (for me, that is) is the lack of Firewire on the new Unibody MacBook. Call me crazy, call me an old time curmudgeon, but I have Firewire accessories, and I am loath to say goodbye to Target Disc Mode.

I also thought that the older MacBooks were a more proven technology and perhaps, cheaper.

So I visited the refurbished section of the Mac Store and discovered that I could purchase two MacBooks (2.1 GHz processors, 2 GB of RAM, and a 120 GB hard drive) and I could replace my daughter's G4 iBook with a white MacBook with a 2.4 processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a 160 GB hard drive.

My daughter needed a new computer since (a) the G4 has a narrow strip of dead pixels on the screen, (b) its hard drive is not very big and, most importantly, (c) it has no built in video camera so she can video chat with her bff. That's very Important to a freshman in college.

Naturally, I thought that it would be a snap to connect her old G4 to the new Intel Macbook via Firewire and migrate all her settings, preferences, and files to her new laptop. So much for the plans of mice and men. Try as I might, the Intel Macbook could not pick up the G4 iBook's drive. Next I tried making the connection using my Wifi network. Still no luck. Fortunately, I happened to have a pocket hard drive with a USB connector. I cloned the G4's drive to this portable drive, and then I was able to migrate my daughter's files to the new MacBook.

I don't know why the new laptop couldn't find the old laptop's drive, but when I wiped the G4's drive and installed Leopard, I was able to migrate my faithful Pismo's files to the G4 as a part of the Leopard installation via Firewire. Easy-peasy.

So far I switch back and forth from the Pismo to the G4 iBook and haven't really noticed any big differences between Tiger (installed on the Pismo) and Leopard (installed on the G4). Leopard does support MobileMe, so the files on it and my iPod touch are always synched. I have yet to figure out how Spaces works, but in its defense, I have only played with it for 15 minutes. I need to try out Time Machine, but in order to do that properly I should move my 160 GB (with only 128 usable) hard drive out of my Pismo and swap it with the 60 GB one in the G4. No problem removing the Pismo's drive, but that G4 iBook looks pretty daunting. You're talking 14 steps and maybe 30-40 screws. But since I once removed the hard drive from a tangerine clamshell, I suppose I can do it.

Last but not least, with the Remote program on my iPod touch, I am able to remotely control iTunes on my old sage G3 iMac. The G3 has found a retirement home as a host to my 9 GB (and growing) music library on my network.

I have the same library on my Pismo, the G4 iBook, my iPod touch, and the G3 iMac. Keeping them all synchronized could be an issue. I am trying out an application right now and will let you know how it works out.

It's still real neat to be able to use my new tech (iPod touch) with a 9-year-old iMac. Coolness.

Recent Recycled Computing Columns

Macintosh Remote Control with Chicken of the VNC, 10.06. Sometimes you want to or need to control another Mac remotely. The free Chicken of the VNC program is a great tool for doing exactly that.
Upgrading a Pismo PowerBook with a Slot-load Drive Salvaged from an iBook, 10.01. Starting with a spare DVD-ROM module and the SuperDrive from a G4 iBook, the author ended up with a SuperDrive in his Pismo PowerBook.
Why the 20" iMac Is Perfect for Home or School, 09.29. The aluminum iMac has plenty of power and screen space, yet it's small enough and light enough to tote from place to place.
Windows Woes: A Lesson from Boot Camp, 09.21. Getting Windows installed, running, and activated is more work than this Mac user bargained for. Learn from his mistakes.
More in the Recycled Computing index.

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