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driven · Jan 12, 2004, 10:01 AM

The Apple Store has refurbs of the Dual G5 2 Ghz for $2,399.00.

Is this worth buying, or would it be worth waiting to see what happens with the next bump?

SouthPaW1227 · Jan 12, 2004, 10:20 AM

Current machines can only depriciate more once newer models come out. When the G5's get speed-bumped, those Dual 2Ghz refurbs will sink to around ~$2,000. If you can hold out until late Jan/early Feb., do so...you'll either save yourself hundreds of dollars, or put yourself in a position to get the cutting edge G5.

driven · Jan 12, 2004, 10:27 AM

Thanks.

I just remember that every time a new machine comes out I always have a hard time finding refurbs of older models. Hopefully that won't be the case this time around. :-)

SouthPaW1227 · Jan 12, 2004, 10:35 AM

Nah...heck Apple still sells Dual 1.42Ghz G4s every now and then on their page, and SmallDog tends to keep a healthy supply...I'd wait

Personally I'm waiting for whatever become the top of the line when the speed bumps hit...I'm hoping for Dual 2.6Ghz, praying for Dual 2.8Ghz, and thinking it'll be Dual 2.4Ghz most likely.

driven · Jan 12, 2004, 10:41 AM

I forgot about SmallDog .... thanks!

I'll probably want whatever the top of the line is of course. DOH! These darn things absolutely KILL my budget.

Thanks for the response.

SouthPaW1227 · Jan 12, 2004, 11:06 AM

Heh, no doubt about killing the budget! I only held on getting a Dual 2.0 G5 when they were released because I absolutely couldn't afford one and I told myself "wait 'til Rev. B, wait 'til Rev. B) and so I'm hoping now the wait's almost over!

driven · Jan 12, 2004, 11:18 AM

We'll have to have a "mini-party" when we finally get our G5s, eh?

I'll buy the beer.

SouthPaW1227 · Jan 12, 2004, 11:34 AM

Hehe yeah...I've got Halo sitting here still sealed in the box just waiting for a brand new G5 to install it on

So are you going to jump for the speed-bumped G5's or still lean towards the refubs after the bump?

driven · Jan 12, 2004, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by SouthPaW1227:
Hehe yeah...I've got Halo sitting here still sealed in the box just waiting for a brand new G5 to install it on

So are you going to jump for the speed-bumped G5's or still lean towards the refubs after the bump?

I guess it'll depend on how much the bump turns out to be.

I'm frugal (a cheapskate) by nature, but I'm also a geek. It's a tough balance.

SouthPaW1227 · Jan 12, 2004, 11:59 AM

Yeah I hear ya...I just hope they do more than bump the Mhz. An additional hard drive slot, possibly even another optical drive slot...just some more extras/upgrades than just CPU speed would be nice.

driven · Jan 12, 2004, 01:16 PM

Originally posted by SouthPaW1227:
Yeah I hear ya...I just hope they do more than bump the Mhz. An additional hard drive slot, possibly even another optical drive slot...just some more extras/upgrades than just CPU speed would be nice.

Where are you from? (If you don't mind me asking?)

I can't tell if your handle is a tribute to Southern Pennsylvania or to the SouthPaw beer brand.

Arkham_c · Jan 12, 2004, 02:00 PM

I can understand waiting now, being so close to an expected bump. However, I have the original Dual 2GHz G5, and it's an amazing, fast machine. If you do go with a refurb you will not be disappointed.

I got a really good deal on mg G5 from MacConnection ($2599 with Radeon 9800 new). Just keep an eye out and look for a bargain, and you might find one.

SouthPaW1227 · Jan 12, 2004, 08:50 PM

Originally posted by driven:
Where are you from? (If you don't mind me asking?)

I can't tell if your handle is a tribute to Southern Pennsylvania or to the SouthPaw beer brand.

Actually, neither...it's referring to the phrase used to describe someone who's left-handed

MathewM · Jan 12, 2004, 10:29 PM

Ark, how'd you get the g5 so cheap? I like MacConnection. Every once in awhile they offer some hellacious good deals. I figure they are mistakes...

driven · Jan 13, 2004, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by MathewM:
Ark, how'd you get the g5 so cheap? I like MacConnection. Every once in awhile they offer some hellacious good deals. I figure they are mistakes...

There is nothing outstanding on their site right now. What do you folks do, just ping their site periodically?

mathew_m · Jan 13, 2004, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by driven:
There is nothing outstanding on their site right now. What do you folks do, just ping their site periodically?

Two years ago I got an amazing deal on a Powerbook G4 400 and Canon Gl1 dv camcorder for $2200. The combined value of the above package would of been at least $4200! if purchased separately. They honored the price though I was sure it was a mistake. Usually they still offer nice deals on new macs because they throw in extra memory at no charge unlike other places. I recommend them.

JohnShaft · Jan 13, 2004, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by driven:
There is nothing outstanding on their site right now. What do you folks do, just ping their site periodically?

Over the past month or so, they've been having refurb dual 2.0 g5s for $2299 at least a couple of times per week. I picked one up about 2 weeks ago, and it's great.. no problems so far. I do find their pricing scheme strange - dual 1.8 refurbs are going for $2344 even when they have the $2299 2.0s in stock. Just search their site for "Recon" and you'll find them...

Todd Madson · Jan 16, 2004, 10:25 AM

I'm thinking a dual 2 ghz refurb would be the way to go. I'd have
this over a single faster CPU. You get more bandwidth over a single
faster CPU and since I write and record music that uses a lot of
software plug-ins two CPUs can only help. I also run a webserver and
also do distributed computing projects so that will help too.

Of course, if the new boxen are 2-cpu and faster I'd consider it.

driven · Jan 16, 2004, 10:33 AM

Grrrr .... Small Dog is allready out of the Dual 2 refubs. (So if I want one it will now cost me an additional $167 in sales tax to get one from Apple.)

They had like 68 in stock just a few days ago!!!

Oh well ... I hope the wait is worth it. :-)

I guess worst case I wait until the NEXT revision. <GRIN>

SouthPaW1227 · Jan 16, 2004, 11:12 AM

driven, fear not man. It's just been confirmed over at MacRumors (I think that's the site) that Virginia Tech's swapping all their G5's for XServes, and Apple plans on selling them as refurbs...you'll get one if you want one

Todd Madson · Jan 18, 2004, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by SouthPaW1227:
driven, fear not man. It's just been confirmed over at MacRumors (I think that's the site) that Virginia Tech's swapping all their G5's for XServes, and Apple plans on selling them as refurbs...you'll get one if you want one

Imagine the cool factor of getting part of the world's third fastest supercomputer....

timster · Jan 19, 2004, 03:12 PM

a very small part.

DeathToWindows · Jan 19, 2004, 08:11 PM

1/1100 technically

driven · Jan 20, 2004, 11:09 PM

Well, it looks as if the Apple Store is out of these now too. (No checkbox next to the item description to order it.)

So I guess I've got no choice but wait and see if something better comes along. :-)

Like I said earlier: Worse case I'll wait until the NEXT refresh. :-(