Turning an old G3 iMac into a kids game/learning computer

[GoStumpy]

I was given this from a family member, and instead of just turning and trying to sell it for whatever, I think I should turn it into a cool little kids gaming computer!

My best friend has a 5 year old girl, I just had a baby boy 6 days ago, and I think kids should learn and play on the old school games that I did in the late 90's and early 2000's...

I am going to run out and pick up a mouse tomorrow so I can explore the computer a bit more, from what I can tell it has 64mb ram, 450mhz processor, and 20gb HDD. Perhaps the slowness will also teach kids patience? LOL

I will do some more research tomorrow, but anyone know what the best version of MacOS I should use for this?

What games do you think are a good fit? The more the merrier for me!

Thanks!

 

[dave_the_nerd]

With 64MB of RAM, you're basically stuck with OS 9. Learn to love it again.

Finding old MECC or Broderbund titles on eBay shouldn't be too hard. Reader Rabbit was always popular. Simcity 2000 of course. *shrug*

 

[Eug]

Personally I think a 64 MB G3 iMac is a waste of time and a waste of space (except as an art piece) even for a 5 year old kid.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Personally I think a 64 MB G3 iMac is a waste of time and a waste of space (except as an art piece) even for a 5 year old kid.

This was also my first impulse.

 

[Rakehellion]

Just buy the kid an iPad.

Though that thing will run SNES and NES emulators. If you can find an old copy of Virtual Gamestation, it'll even do Playstation.

 

[GoStumpy]

Back when this thing was new, and many years after, there were hundreds or thousands of good learning games.. If it's not connected to the internet, I don't see why it couldn't have them again? The trick is finding them!

I realize this will not be a speed machine, kids don't need that. They actually SHOULD use a slow machine in my opinion, the world doesn't need to be 4 second bootup, 1 second program open, etc... I know us as enthusiasts want to make things as fast as possible, but sometimes slowing down isn't such a bad thing.

Unless you're trying to use Youtube. LOL

There will be no internet on the machine, or at least once it's loaded with games.

 

[Eug]

Even back nearly 15 years ago, I found using an OS 9 G3 Mac a PITA. Those things were crashy as hell.

Seriously, don't waste your time on this, and don't waste the kids' time either. If you don't want buy her an iPad mini, then get her some nice books or something.

 

[vailr]

Might be possible to re-vamp the interior workings with a modern Intel mATX motherboard (Hackintosh system). However: if it were up to me, I'd just donate it to Goodwill and let somebody else mess with it.

 

[mmntech]

Might be possible to re-vamp the interior workings with a modern Intel mATX motherboard (Hackintosh system). However: if it were up to me, I'd just donate it to Goodwill and let somebody else mess with it.

Seen it done before. I'd probably use a mini ITX mobo instead though. The real trick would be finding a 4:3 LCD panel of the right size, so it slides in seamlessly.

 

[ultimatebob]

Just buy the kid an iPad.

Though that thing will run SNES and NES emulators. If you can find an old copy of Virtual Gamestation, it'll even do Playstation.

Yeah, pretty much this. There are so many free educational games available for the iPad, that you likely won't even want to bother installing an emulator for the older games.

 

[Tyranicus]

If you upgrade the RAM, you can get OS X 10.3 on that, and even 10.4, although that's not officially supported.

 

[phexac]

I guess some people really don't like their kids...