OK, time to be neighborly and delve a bit into the details of what exactly the browsing problems were. He told me that browsing has pretty much slowed down to a snail’s pace and he kept getting the getting the spinning beachball of death when visiting some sites – Facebook in particular. None of the browsers he used could be updated to current because his computer was incompatible. I let him know I’d look into it and get back to him.
I asked a few others around the office here if anyone was still actively using a PowerPC machine. Interestingly enough, while several of us had the machines in question for tinkering, nostalgia, or stand-alone tasks (ie. as a media server, file server, print server, etc.), none of the co-workers I asked were actively using their machines for web browsing. But a few suggestions for some alternative browsers were made. After doing a little research on each, I settled on three to try.
So, when I got home I installed the following PowerMac G4 browser options on his machine and after trying them all, he said that TenFourFox “felt” the fastest of the three with Facebook, but that all of them solved the problems he had been having. He’s back to one machine and is extremely happy that his web browsing “feels like new again.”
TenFourFox: This browser uses the code from FireFox and is tuned for 10.4 (and compatible with 10.5). It adds PowerPC-specific improvements and restores the glue necessary to get most of modern Firefox’s advanced features working on older computers (going back to PowerMac G3 even). When downloading, make sure you get the right version optimized for the operating system and processor your computer is using.
AuroraFox: AuroraFox is another Mozilla Firefox-based browser for Power Macs running Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Browsing looks and feels much like TenFourFox, but has a more limited OS compatibility. However, as it matched the OS and processor my neighbor was running, it made the list.
iCab: iCab is a bit more feature-rich and derived from Crystal Atari Browser as opposed to the Mozilla-based browsers above. This one piqued my interest as iCab has features for web developers, including Web Inspector, HTML validity checker, automatic page refresh, and Console among others. It also has multiple versions for earlier OS revisions and processors going back to Mac OS 7.5 and 68K processors.
So if you’re using a PowerPC Mac and running into issues with web browsing, it is nice to know that there are still options out there. Are you still using a PowerPC? Have any additional browser options? Let us know in the comments.
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OWC has no affiliation with these software offerings and receives no benefit related to this support (other than a benefit we all share in the continued support of these applications). If you appreciate the function or functionality this software offers, we encourage you to support the authors.
Hi Michael
Still using this G4. (I actually love it! — just LOOK at it!) Have other computers, but this one will forever be my favorite. I’m an ol’ Phone Company/Unix guy, and it’s nice to still be able to play with my ‘shells’ and so on. NOW I can browse very nicely as well. As you suggested, I adopted the ‘Ten Four Fox’ browser and it works well. I appreciate all these great companies for continuing to support us and the machine. Thank you so much for the tip!
I am still running a Powerbook 17″ (2006) G4-1.33
It has been sufficient for me as a writer with a light web surfing regimen. That said, this past week (07/13/2020) I was not able to log in to my Gmail account to access the inbox. This is a first.
I use Webkit and a bar at the top of the screen said I needed to download an approved browser (i.e. Firefox, Chrome, Safari, etc.)
Any thoughts on a work-around?
Best!
RHS
It’s now May 2020, and I’m running TenFourFox on a 1.2 GHz 12″ iBookG4 with OS X10.5.8 and 1.25GB RAM [its maximum]. Added the H265 software too.
Videos don’t play too well on some sites, even at 240p. But where videos are downloadable [there are legitimate ways], 360p H265 MP4 videos play at full screen perfectly well in Quicktime, and they look fine on this small display. No visible skipped frames or lag behind audio. 480p videos are not even worth trying, and TenFourFox documentation does warn you that playback of anything above 360p will be disappointing on a G4 at less than 1.3GHz [faster than this box] and with low memory.
The system is fine for office work, e-mail, use as a music server around the house, and other tasks. It runs warm, as it always has, but G4FanControl takes care of that. The fan is noisier than the fans in more modern Macs, but is still quieter than the fans on many modern laptops.
I also run Debian on a G3 iMac DV, which dual boots with OS X 10.4.11, although I rarely use Tiger now. 20 years old and still going strong Then there’s a pre-USB2 ‘iLamp’ G4 in my workshop, al;so running TFF on OS X 10.5.8. It can play 720p videos with no sweat. Those old Apple devices have been good investments, since they were all rescued before they were scrapped by previous owners.
For everyday use, more modern Macs have their place, but it’s fun to use older hardware when the whim takes me.
hi i cant get a good download for aurora fox does anyone know a better place to download it from if so reply
thanks
I was about to throw out my beaten up PowerBook G4 12″ 1.33GHz, but this helped me! Someone was looking for an old and free laptop to use FaceBook and some email. This thing should do and the price is right!
Greetings everyone. I came here to be thinking of trying Linux on the Mac and I am looking for information about it. I still have my first Mac: Performa 630-CD ready to go to a museum in its original packaging but today; I still do my graphic designs on a G4 800MHz OS 10.4.11 and the browser that also allows me to use the internet is TenFourFox 7450 v.31.7.0 that sometimes annoys but it’s enough to send files to printers and other basic communications.
I think it cured me of this disease that makes us anxious about technology but I still need to treat this disorder that makes me keep my old “Macintosh”.
It isnt a disease, if a tool is doing the job why fix what isn’t broken?
There are several options for Linux on old Powermacs/Books….Mint PPC, Ubuntu-MATE-PPC, Lubuntu, and Debian itself.
I just set up an old G5 with 10.5.8 for someone who was considering buying a new Mac and they are completely happy with it.
There is a real movement towards Linux these days as Microsoft and Apple both smartphoneify their desktop and laptop operating systems.
Hell yeah. Been waiting for this article for a while. I have a MacBook Pro 15″ which is currently under fire the world over for GPU failure and still have my 17″ Powerbook which I LOOOOVE (and doesn’t have the stupid glossy screen) but have been keeping aside due to web browser issues. This article just made my year.
I can’t tell you how overjoyed I am with this article. I was about to junk the G4 yesterday during a clean out. But if I can get the internet working again we’d have our old workhorse back again. There are 5 in our household, all needing computer access. It gets hard with 1 laptop.
Glad we could help :) Thanks for visiting the Rocket Yard!
I have a G4, 1.3Ghz single core with 1.5GB RAM,160 SATA, Gforce4 128MB and running 10.5.8. Everything is runnig good except web browsing! I installed all possible browsers, click2flash ecc. but nothing! Some webpages go smooth but most of them (FB especially!) are unusable and slow down until frustration…
(Sorry for eventual errors, I’m from Germany…)
My MDD PPC G4/1.25 running Tiger 10.4 is quite adequate for my basic computing. It’s just passed 11 years, running 24/7 with 100% reliability.
Yes I have a Yr2000 mini running Mavericks, for more advanced work.
As for Web Browsers I like Safari, OmniWeb, Camino, Seamonkey and TenFourFox. Each have their strengths and weaknesses.
Running ClickToFlash, to avoid it’s CPU eating advertising.
Running the hacked Flash, which fools most flash web sites.
Running Menu Meters so High CPU usage can be seen and eliminated, usually by force quitting a Web Browser.
For Email still using oldie and so reliable Eudora on the G4. Wife still uses Eudora on her early Intel Mini.
On Intel Macs I suggest avoiding spyware Chrome.
NEVER take an update suggested by web sites, but go directly to the source web site.
Josh
My blue and white is still plugging away, although I’ve long since abandoned the use of MacOS and am running the MintPPC Linux distribution. It’s actually quite fast with a G4/500 single processor upgrade and only 640megs of RAM.
Next on the upgrade block for this machine is the installation of a DVD burner and a 960 gigabyte SSD drive.
Really, especially when it comes to solid old computers like these Macs a little creativity can keep them going for decades.
Wonderful to hear that I’m not the only one in the world still using G-4’s. Anybody like to compare PPC 6500’s? Still using “Managing Your Money” for my finances, too. MYM runs fine on my Quicksilver, but I fire up the 6500 to print due to lack of printer driver incompatibilities..
Troglodytes Forever !!!
Glad to be referred here. I am using an original mac mini model with Mac OS 10.4 and incompatible software has become a problem.
Fascinating reading, but although I have Firefox on my Quicksilver, running OSX 10.4.11, I never try to use it because it “pesters” me constantly to “upgrade” my add-ons. Attempts to do so result in downloading unuseable code due to version conflicts. So.. maybe someday, but for now good old Safari works fine.
Another easy to use web browser on a PowerMac G4 is OmniWeb which is now free. There was a version upgrade in about 2012 and it runs fine although it does not have the built in protection of than TenFourFox.
Thank you for this. I still use my PowerBook G4 for mail and web browsing. Some sites have almost become useless under my old versions of Safari and Firefox. Ten Four Fox is a real help!
Currently using Ten Four Fox on a 700 mhz G3 iMac, works well. iCAB has been built on webkit for the last few years, but it is the conceptual descendant of Crystal Atari Browser, and I don’t think Alexander Clauss has raised the price in all those years.
Another option, of course, would be for him to run PowerPC Linux on his machine. I am writing this comment on my Power Mac G4 Quicksilver running Debian. Iceweasel (Firefox) is a very capable browser that is secure and up-to-date. Just a thought.
Leopard Webkit installed over Safari 5.0.6 is by far the best experience to me personally. It should definitely get a mention here because its like having Apple Safari 6 on G5/G4.
I recommend the complete install option over using the included app that ‘hijacks’ Safari and changes it for each time its run. I found the Webkit app to be slower and I never have had a single issue with the permanent install option, with advanced features enabled (2 scripts you run and enter admin password).
Thereafter, when you launch Safari it works like Safari 6.0.x or whatever they have webkit updated to on the powerpc side. It’s very good, not just a little good. Then get old flash player, but 11.5 hack version. Google that. A kind soul has updated it twice to be high enough version to work most places (just spoofs the version, not actual 11.5 flash, but it works). It does not work on WatchESPN though which sucks, but that’s just me.
TenFourFox is great with few add ons also.
For the record, I can’t believe the evolution of this website the past 15ish years (or however long I have been coming here, off and on.) For once, I can tell you something. I have overclocked several things going back to your old forums.
L8
@RB, your solution is great. Drastically reduced CPU load on my 15″ PowerBook G4. Thanks.
Relevant links, if anyone is looking for them:
http://code.google.com/p/leopard-webkit/wiki/Downloads
http://scriptogr.am/nordkril/post/adobe-flash-11.5-for-powerpc
The issue isn’t the software.
Web pages have become bloated with javascript, flash, etc.
There is just too much load for older computers.
The best solution would be to pick up a used 2007 Mac mini which can better the load of the browser processes.
Even better, don’t run Flash — or only turn it on for backwards compatibility, when you need to access a historic website. Flash is obsolete. The vast majority of mobile and tablet web browsing is done using iOS, but can you think of a single i-device that has ever natively supported Flash? You can’t, because there hasn’t ever been one. Even if I have to have Flash installed on a workstation or browser, I normally turn it off, and/or use a Flash-blocking extension. Of course, for most private individuals today, Java shouldn’t even be installed, unless they specifically know why they need it.
Personally, I also turn off Javascript most of the time. Not even Yahoo Mail or Gmail need it today.
But the most valuable thing is to re-consider using Facebook, for goodness sake. All those real-world friends I have who used to try to talk me into joining Zuckerberg’s aberrant little power trip? They’ve been increasingly coming back to me, and admitting I was right. People are reducing their dependence or involvement with it, or abandoning it entirely.
I’m currently running OS X on a quad-core i7, but as this article demonstrates, a G4 can still be really quite sufficient for general work and web browsing today. It’s a fine piece of hardware, and still has sufficient support to remain practical.
I’m really looking forward to OS X 10.9 Maverick, though, when pointless background processes will finally be relegated to their proper place: minimal demand on system resources. A software solution, to a software issue.
This…HTML5 is the future, and Midori on Linux does a decent job with it. Besides, Flash and Java are such security issues anymore that they will be a thing of the past in time.
When the android platform dumped flash in its 4+ releases, its future was sealed.