Slow USB transfer - Mac G4 to new ipod

[boooeee]

So, I got the new-fangled 60 GB ipod for Xmas and it appears that it no longer supports firewire, you've got to use the USB connection.

I think I've got USB 2.0 ports on my Mac G4, but the transfer rate is glacially slow. When I look at my system profile on my Mac, it says the USB ports are 2.0 and transfer at a rate of 12 MB/sec. From what I've read online, USB 2.0 is supposed to be able to transfer data at around 400 MB/sec.

My Mac G4 is a bit old (bought it almost 3 years ago). Is there any way I can improve the speed of the transfer (like maybe a switch on the back of the G4 marked "slow" and "fast")? Or am I stuck with a measly 12 MB/sec?

 

[Kopji]

The G4 spec says it has the older USB ports running about 1.5mbps
A USB 2.0 PCI card usually requires OS X.
Might be a good excuse to get a new Mac.

The USB 2.0 rate is about 470 megabits/sec not megabytes

 

[boooeee]

Thanks, Kopji.

That's what I was afraid of. I was hoping to put off upgrading our Mac for awhile. We just upgraded to Tiger and I'd hate to throw away the $130 I spent on it.

 

[AK-Dave]

Look into a USB card for the G4. They should be cheap.

A quick search on CompUsa's web site found one for $13.
I'm not making a recommendation since I have not done any research on it, but here is the link if you want to look:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50311756&pfp=cat3

Here is a list of all their USB 2.0 cards that are Mac compatible (most seem to be PC & Mac compatible)
http://www.compusa.com/products/products.asp?N=200087+4294967191+4294966871&Ne=300743

-David

 

[AK-Dave]

One thing I could not determine from the product descriptions is how much power is available to the attached USB devices. Many devices are powered from the USB bus, such as the memory stick I'm currently using, so this may be something to consider.

Also, since you have Tiger, you should be able to use most of these cards.

One last thing, kind of a FYI: there are 8 bits in a byte, so 480 megabits/second (Mb/s) is about 60 megabytes/second (MB/s). Your milage may vary slightly.

-David

 

[kevin]

My iPod video is plugged into a Mac mini which is a G4. I get fast transfer rates.

A new mac is NOT needed. First try plugging in the iPod on it's own USB straight into the computer, no hubs, no other devices.

Plugging in slow USB devices on a chain with fast USB devices can slow down the whole chain.

If you have a G4 tower with available PCI slots then I would buy a USB 2.0 PCI card and add additional ports.

And yes, the USB only nature of the iPod video irked me too.

 

[kevin]

The G4 spec says it has the older USB ports running about 1.5mbps
A USB 2.0 PCI card usually requires OS X.
Might be a good excuse to get a new Mac.

The USB 2.0 rate is about 470 megabits/sec not megabytes

I could've sworn at least one of the Power Mac G4's had USB 2.0. Apple's model naming sucks there isn't a single "Power Mac G4", Apple acknowledges at least 5 different models of G4. But as far as I can tell they all have USB 1.1.

http://www.apple.com/support/powermac/g4/

Looks to me like my Mac mini is the first G4 with USB 2.0 although the PowerBook might have gotten it first.

 

[Kopji]

A USB 2.0 card would be great if there is one that works.
I looked at several but they all required OS X to support 2.0 rates.

Would be cool to have a firewire/usb converter but I've never heard of one and did not find any either. Good luck.

 

[kevin]

A USB 2.0 card would be great if there is one that works.
I looked at several but they all required OS X to support 2.0 rates.

Would be cool to have a firewire/usb converter but I've never heard of one and did not find any either. Good luck.

He mentioned he bought the G4 3 years ago. Default OS at that point was OS X 10.2 (maybe 10.3 if bought at the end of 2003). Unless he bought it used it should be OK.