Re: Little thought of today

> Il giorno 30 mar 2024, alle ore 04:03, Andy Ruhl <[email protected]> ha scr=
itto:
>=20
> =EF=BB=BFOn Fri, Mar 29, 2024 at 2:26=E2=80=AFPM Umberto Cerrato <u.cerrat=
[email protected]> wrote:
>>=20
>> I think we macppc users have a big pro among other NetBSD users out there=
 (i386, amd64 users in example). We have a one big family of machines very s=
imilar or identical among them. I am specifically talking about the G4 macs w=
hich probably are the most common machines. Maybe the "best" PowerPC Macs to=
 run things on.
>>=20
>> Having a single big family means easier support, and a chance more if i.e=
. something work fine on a G4 iBook should/could run fine on a G4 mac mini t=
oo.
>>=20
>> We are somehow a bigger family compared to i.e. the many different x86 th=
inkpad and other manufacturers machines.
>>=20
>> I came out with this thought after trying NetBSD on a Xeon computer and a=
 Pentium 4 and another more recent Intel machine and surprisingly the experi=
ence has been the same and/or worse than the one with my beloved mac mini.
>>=20
>> But the difference is that with mac mini everything is easier. Since it i=
s a so "well known" system, there is a solution.
>> While a random Xeon/Intel system may have a problem only few people may h=
ave experienced already.
>>=20
>> So actually, since we are a well defined group, I think it is easier or t=
here is more chance to have a working macppc _out of the box_ than a _random=
_ x86/amd64 machine.
>>=20
>> In fact I noticed x86 netbsd people somehow had to make a sort of decisio=
n about which of the many x86/amd64 systems to choose as "family"/reference m=
achine. Like the x2-- series thinkpads or t5--.
>>=20
>> Happy Easter
>=20
> Happy Easter to you as well.
>=20
> I never tried macppc. Do you have a particular favorite machine? I
> haven't had one in a very long time. The mini seems nice.

Well... I changed my mind many times... i.e. I wanted a Quad G5 so much.=20

I think all the G4 Macs are very cool and work best among powerpc Macs.

The towers (the early ones) are great. I like them because they are great G4=
 systems, are lighter than the MDDs ones and quieter too.

Among the towers, I recently tried a Quicksilver and it is good too. A good c=
ompromise between noise, weight and raw power (GHz).

Speaking about this, I haven't tried NetBSD on a early G4. (i.e. 400MHz ppc)=
. I am speaking about my experience with Mac OS X so far. So I can't tell re=
ally.

Finally: the latest G4 family of macs...
iBooks, PowerBooks and mac minis.

If you are new to macppc and NetBSD they represent a good candidate since ar=
e newer machines, easier to find in working condition etcetera.

Generally these machines are the lightest, quietest, the most portable and n=
ewest G4 ppc systems you should find.

They should be faster too compared to other older machines.

There is no special consideration here to make, but as with x86/amd64 usuall=
y I think tower pcs and mini pcs are easier to work with (compated to laptop=
s) since they require minor attention (battery, energy savings stuff).

So, in the end, though I really would like to consider a early G4 tower Mac,=
 I can only recommend a late G4 mac mini because I haven't run NetBSD on the=
 former yet.
mini is powerful and very silent. And probably as reliable and robust as the=
 older towers.=20

Best

>=20
> Andy