Here's a dilemma . . .

I have a PPC from 2006-7 which I no longer want (i.e. the last model before the switch to Intel processors). Recently, its hard drive has been "7-times" securely erased, followed by a clean re-install of LEOPARD. (I believe it will support MOUNTAIN LION, but no later OSX.)

It was well-cared for in its day and is in near mint condition. Stored in the original boxes and packaging since 2013.

Does anyone know of or have a use these days for this model? I would be happy to give it away locally or if the shipping were covered . . . if anyone wanted it. (Although, I most likely will keep the wired keyboard and mouse.)

Otherwise, it will just end up at a local Staples Store in their electronics recycling program. Seems a shame, really, but if these no longer have any practical purpose, what else is one to do? :0)

Any ideas - other than paperweight or doorstopper - would be appreciated.

Check your local library or senior center to see if they might appreciate an internet access public use computer donation.....if you can donate it to such a location it would be a plus for all involved.

Suitably configured with a non-admin user it could fulfill that role quite adequately.

And therein lies the problem.

The last G5 can run 10.5.8 Leopard max, and I wonder if any browser it would be able to run would have any useful Internet functionality at today's date...and security is an entirely different matter.

Years ago I called the local public school and library to see if either wanted my old Power Mac, which wasn't near as far out of date as MG2009's G5, and they had no use for it.

Yes, artie505.

When I fired it up last week to do the clean install, I then checked it out.

CONS:

1. many webpages would only partially load (or not at all) using Safari. There is still a Firefox for PPC browser, but it too had its limitations;
2. really "busy" sites with lots of video, like YouTube, would not function at all.

PROS:

a. emailing worked fine (Outlook/Hotmail);
b. built in Superdrive played CDs and DVDs;
c. word processing applications worked fine;
d. printer connected via USB and printed the test documents.

My hunch, though, is that it is headed for the scrap heap. (Hopefully, not at the bottom of the ocean.)

I'm afraid that the cons, particularly in combination with the security risks, far outweigh the pros in MacManiac's suggested scenario.

I think your G5 is a tray loader, in which case you can pop the tray and use it to support a nice plant.

I don't know where you live, but I'm in a busy neighborhood. I put my old G5 outside on the wall with a note saying all the hard drives had been stripped out but it was still maxed out with RAM. It disappeared within 10 minutes.