What is Linux like on PPC?

Harry Tuttle · n00b Joined: 14 Jul 2002 Posts: 2

I have been thinking about purchasing one of the 800 TiBooks and using that as my main computer.

However I do not want to give up Linux. I know Linux runs on PPC but I am curious as to how it runs.

Are there issues one has to worry about? How fast does a 800 G4 feel running Linux? I have a 1.4 athlon right now, am I going to notice a big slowdown?

Do the modems on the TiBooks have drivers? What do you TiBook owners do as far as dialup?

Any and all experiences with you, Linux, and PPC(mainly TiBook) would be greatly appreciated.

rac · Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2002 6:17 pm Post subject:

I have an 800MHz TiBook, and Gentoo runs fine. I haven't used the modem, so I can't discuss that, but the SunGEM internal ethernet works fine. Also can't speak to speed comparisons, as for me it was a move from a P133 ThinkPad, so it feels blazingly fast.

The main reason for this post is to tell you that the current PPC kernel will only be able to run your 800MHz TiBook at 667MHz. Benjamin Herrenschmidt and I are still investigating this. If it is ever solved, I will let the forums know.

BTW, isn't your name 'Buttle', not 'Tuttle'?
_________________
For every higher wall, there is a taller ladder

Harry Tuttle · n00b Joined: 14 Jul 2002 Posts: 2

Thanks for the post. I did not know about 800s being run at 667 Hmmm...

Buttle is the name of the family man. They got mixed up with Tuttle because of a "bug" :wink:

_________________
Heating Engineer at your service

ct3 · n00b Joined: 16 Jul 2002 Posts: 5

Also I think the latest TiBooks (>500Mhz) have a software modem:
http://developer.apple.com/techpubs/hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/PowerBook_G4/3Input-Output/Internal_Modem_.html#TPXREF110
and it is very likely that it is not supported under linux.
I don't own one so I can't check, but that's what I heard...

trance · Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2002 9:12 pm Post subject: PowerBook G4 800s running at 667

Yes the G4 74xx's in the PowerBooks are the PPC version of a speedstep CPU. However neither MOT or Apple is being very forthcoming in how to run the CPU at its highest clock speed, so its stuck running at 667.

As mentioned, yes the devs are working on it =)

We'll post something once there is a solution, as it will require a kernel patch to do the correct thing.

Trance
PPC Dev team