I’ve recently come across a few old PowerPC Macs—two PowerMacs, four iMacs, and two iBooks, all with G3 processors-- and was recently wondering what I could possibly use such old computers for. After all, with a discontinued architecture, are they even worth keeping around? Here’s a few of my ideas:
Web server
I came up with this one myself, and I fully intend to attempt it later this year with my new Nerd on the Street co-site.
Game booth
I found this on a subscribee of mine, ItsMyNaturalColour. He upgraded the processor, RAM and video card in his PowerMac G3, and can now use it to play many older games… and I’d bet it could run Minecraft as well!
Jukebox
So maybe the 10GB hard drive of the G3 all-in-one can’t store all your hi-def movies, but its iTunes media player and integrated slot-loading CD player could be put to great use if you’re a music lover as well as a techie.
Router
This is another one I came up with myself; I’ve seen some old (like, Pentium I old) computers being used as home routers, so hey, why not?
A secret place to hide stuff
That’s right: if you’ve ever seen a PowerMac G3, you’ll know that the case minus the electronics would make a fashionable container, bookend, or even a modified case for a new computer you’re building.
Finally, I’m going to throw Linux out there. Linux can breathe old life into a new PC, so why not a Mac too? Just make sure that you’re all set to restore back to Mac OS if something goes wrong.
What would you do if you had a G3 Mac? Do you think that PowerPC processors can still be used as home computers for low-end users today?