The Usefulness Equation
Calculating the Usefulness Equation
- 2008.08.11 - Tip Jar
Popularity: 
On the low end of computing, there is always a battle to get the best value and longevity of use out of our systems. Value is sometimes a tricky calculation, as there is always the price-to-power ratio.
But there is also the other variable in that equation, longevity of use.
How long will you be able to allocate tasks to this machine, and how well will it perform them for you? This is especially apparent to all those that are considering purchasing desktops and laptops from the PowerPC era. When Apple announced that "Snow Leopard" (Mac OS X 10.6) would not support PPC, you can be sure it caused many people to pause on their newly acquired PowerBook G4s and Power Mac G5s.
Just like the "Tiger" era machines, these machines will dwell in the shadow of "Snow Leopard" machines while still doing what they used to do - and doing it well. I've even seen "Jaguar" and "Panther" machines living the dream of daily use.
It all depends on what you need done. I still keep my Power Mac 8600 running Mac OS 9.2.2 in active duty. It runs old versions of Photoshop, QuarkXPress, and Word. It also runs Debian "Etch" and a lightweight web server.
Here's the best way to calculate usefulness of a machine: Determine what tasks you need to perform. Determine the amount of money for the investment. Determine what will needed to bring the machine to the useable level (if anything). For example, when I chose to purchase my 12" PowerBook G4, I needed a very small, relatively cheap machine that was powerful enough for some remote terminal and writing.
I paid $450 for a 1.33 GHz PowerBook G4 with a bent bottom case, 1.25 GB of RAM, a new battery, and a 100 GB hard drive. Cosmetically, I didn't mine the bent bottom case, especially considering the good deal I got. It runs "Leopard" quite well and performs the tasks I need.
When "Snow Leopard" gets released, I know this computer will continue to perform it's allocated tasks very well.
This applies to machines as old as early PowerBooks and Power Macs. Don't forget to apply the "Old World" machine factor. What will be needed to be done to the machine to make it able to perform those tasks? For example, when I purchased my PowerBook 540c, I needed to buy a AAUI-to-10Base-T ethernet adapter for it to be able to join my network.
It's all relative to the machine.
Next time, we'll focus on Old World Macs - which
ones are worth it, and which ones aren't.
Join us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
Other articles by Phil Herlihy
- Apple Power Adapter Tips, 2010.03.31. Apple uses thin coaxial wire with its AC adapters. Tips on preventing damage - and repairing broken ones.
- Max Miller, Solo Musician, 2009.08.21. An interview with Max Miller, solo musician and Mac user.
- Lombard PowerBook: Almost a Pismo for Less, 2009.06.18. Although Pismo has the huge following, Lombard provides comparable performance of often sells for quite a bit less.
- More in the The Usefulness Equation index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: Mac IIfx, introduced 1990.03.19. This 'wicked fast' 40 MHz Mac trumped the 33 MHz DOS world.
- February 14 in LEM history: 98: A perfect compact Mac - 00: Extended computer warranties worth the cost? - Making your PC work with your Mac - 01: Customize Microsoft Word - 02: Quadra revives a passion for computing - 03: Real world performance - DIY Pismo screen replacement - Best Mac for writing - 03: Fastest browser on the Mac - 06: 15" MacBook Pro - Impressions of a newly acquired Lisa - Finding and using free WiFi - Apple should liberate OS 9 - 07: New Mac mini cheaper than upgrading a Power Mac - 08: Falling in love with OS X
- Support Low End Mac
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- PowerBook 165c: 19 Years of Color to Go, Chris Carson, Building Bridges, 2012.02.14. Until 1993, all of Apple's notebook computers had black and white displays. The 165c gave us a color PowerBook for the first time.
- Mac and iOS Browsers: Options Galore, Freeware Forum, 2012.02.10. Safari is adequate on Mac and great on iOS, but the range of good alternatives is stunning. LEM writers share their favorites.
- White MacBook Goes End-of-Life, Logitech Touch Mouse Supports Gestures, Firmware Updates, and More, The 'Book Review, 2012.02.10. Also MacBook Air better than any Ultrabook, docks for MacBook Pro models, Intel offers improved SSDs, and more.
- Fix Home Button Delay, Tablet the Ultimate Mobile PC, iPad Notebook a Possibility, and More, iOS News Review, 2012.02.10. Also using your iPad at work, two photo editors, a new iPad text editor, Macally's magnetic iPad 2 stand, and more.
- Apple's Support Lead Shipping, Smartphones Outsell PCs, OS X Ported to ARM by Intern, and More, Mac News Review, 2012.02.10. Also the power of Tex-Edit Plus, Google and Twitter are already censoring the Web, Snow Leopard Security Update, and more.
- LogMeIn: Remote Screen Sharing for the Rest of Us, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 2012.02.09. Configuring the Mac's built-in screen sharing to work over the Internet can be difficult or impossible. LogMeIn makes it easy.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best 17" MacBook Pro Deals
- Best iPod classic Deals
- Best eMac Deals
- Best MacBook Air Deals
- Best iBook G4 Deals
- Best iPad Deals
- Best Classic Mac OS Deals
- Best Apple TV Deals
- More deals in our archive.
About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact
Follow
Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac
on Facebook
Low End Mac Reader Specials
TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct
from Strider Software.
Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.
Favorite Sites
MacSurfer
Cult of Mac
Shrine of Apple
MacInTouch
MyAppleMenu
InfoMac
The Mac Observer
Accelerate Your Mac
RetroMacCast
PB Central
MacWindows
The Vintage Mac Museum
DealMac
Deal Brothers
Mac2Sell
Mac Driver Museum
JAG's House
System 6 Heaven
System 7 Today
the pickle's Low-End Mac FAQ
Affiliates
Amazon.com
The Apple Store
The iTunes Store
PC Connection Express
GainSaver
Parallels Desktop for Mac
eBay
