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darkestfuryan · Jan 11, 2008, 08:41 PM

Hey guys, wanting to buy my first mac, don't know if the Imac g4 for 500 i saw for sale, or the Imac c2d for 1000 are worth it?

i don't have a lot of money. i can afford the g4 but i really want the Intel. suggestions?
leopard is really the bargaining chip here, i have always wanted a mac but this edition of OSX really seals the deal for me.

AKcrab · Jan 11, 2008, 09:43 PM

I would only buy the G4 if it was the one greater than 1.0 GHz with USB 2.0.

Why buy a used iMac c2d for $1000 when a brand new one starts at $1199? Is it maxed out with RAM or have a beefed up hard drive?

MichiganRich · Jan 11, 2008, 09:53 PM

I would only buy the G4 if it was 2003.

adamfishercox · Jan 12, 2008, 12:15 AM

iMac C2d for $1000? Only if it's a 20." $500 is a bit too much for a g4 iMac, unless its a 1.25 GHz 20" model. That's my inner miser. Look on eBay, I think you'll like the prices there more.

Veltliner · Jan 12, 2008, 02:18 AM

You should get an iMac G5 for 500$ 17".

Don't buy a G4. Outdated.

Koralatov · Jan 12, 2008, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by Veltliner

Don't buy a G4. Outdated.

That's a bit strong. It all depends on the OP's needs. I have a G4 iMac, and it meets my needs perfectly. Sure, it's not the ideal machine for heavy-lifting, but if you just want a computer for iTunes, IMing, email, internet, watching videos and the like, it's more than adequate. I would concur with AKcrab though--don't get it if it doesn't have USB2.0. USB1.1 is unbearably slow.

MacosNerd · Jan 12, 2008, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by Veltliner

Don't buy a G4. Outdated.

Its still a perfectly useable computer.

I have a G4 cube and it works great.

Veltliner · Jan 12, 2008, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Koralatov

That's a bit strong. It all depends on the OP's needs. I have a G4 iMac, and it meets my needs perfectly. Sure, it's not the ideal machine for heavy-lifting, but if you just want a computer for iTunes, IMing, email, internet, watching videos and the like, it's more than adequate. I would concur with AKcrab though--don't get it if it doesn't have USB2.0. USB1.1 is unbearably slow.

Right. Especially if you buy it for its looks.

But the moment you edit video - or larger photo files in a real photo editing app (not iPhoto), you'll watch the second hand walking round and round.

Veltliner · Jan 12, 2008, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by MacosNerd

Its still a perfectly useable computer.

I have a G4 cube and it works great.

It's a beautiful computer, and it's a pity there's no Cd2 version of it.

I like its design really, really a lot. Design-wise, I put it much higher to the mount Olympus (in Greece, not in Hollywood) and Zeus than the mini's.

Veltliner · Jan 12, 2008, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by adamfishercox

iMac C2d for $1000? Only if it's a 20." $500 is a bit too much for a g4 iMac, unless its a 1.25 GHz 20" model. That's my inner miser. Look on eBay, I think you'll like the prices there more.

If 1000$ are considered, I'd spend 400 more and get the 24".

darkestfuryan · Jan 12, 2008, 02:23 PM

hmmm this is puzzling but alas, i don't want to waste 500 hundred dollars (even tho i don't think the g4 is a waste) but i think I'll wait and see how the money goes and whether or not i can save up enough for a newer model. thanks for all your help guys!