In 2003, the G4 chip would continue to find life in the Powerbook and iBook systems, while the iMac and Power Mac lines upgraded to the G5 processor. Five years later, with both the G4 and G5 lines retired, the Power Mac G4 systems are still alive in the form of laptops and tower systems that continue to help companies remain productive.

One of the many great things about the Power Mac G4 computer is the simple fact that even five years after its retirement, it can still be useful. While people of all technology camps call for more power, more features, more everything else, the G4 can still get the job done. Here are some great reasons to hold onto the Power PC G4 you already have or to pick up a used system:

1. The Power Macintosh G4 can still run the latest version of the Mac OS X (10.5 Leopard)

2. The Mac G4 is still capable of handling most of your business needs

3. You can use the G4 as a file server for quick access and cross platform compatibility

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find Power Macintosh G4 computers

If what you need is a computer that can crunch numbers, do work processing, run office suite software and provide graphics and photography capabilities, then you may want to consider saving some money and purchasing a Power Mac G4.

I recommend: Start looking at DV Warehouse for a large selection of Power Mac G4 tower systems to add to your office. Another Power Mac G4 provider is Chrosmack Ventures, offering refurbished and pre-owned systems at great prices.

Upgrade your Power Mac G4 memory

One of the most important things about any system is having enough RAM to keep your system running smoothly. Whether you're using your Power Mac G4 to process photographs or using it as a file server, you'll want it to be as responsive as possible.

I recommend: Edge Tech Corp is a great place to start. They have a wide variety of available RAM from various manufacturers to meet your needs. Another place to find Power Mac G4 memory is UpgradeComputerMemory.com. They also offer a wide range of memory options to fit the needs and budget of your business.

Find Power Macintosh G4 information and reviews to determine if a G4 can work for your business

Reading the reviews on the Power Mac G4 from all those years ago will still give you a good idea of what the system is capable of. To this day, you can still find people who use and love their G4 system.

I recommend: One of the best places to check out for reviews and information on the G4 is LowEndMac.com. Not only to they offer unbiased reviews of Apple products, they also offer information and products for Apple computers of all generations. Another place for a solid review of the systems is PC Magazine.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Upgrading to the latest software isn't always necessary, especially if you're running an older computer. While the Power Mac G4 is still impressive, even by today's standards, putting the latest version of high-end software on the system could display a marked system slowdown. Don't switch if the software you have does everything you need it to do.