[spewkie]

Hey guys,

This week I plan to buy a preowned PB G4/550.
I will be getting it from a person over craigslist.
Therefore, I will be able to test it out before he sees any money.
I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on various things to check out.
Besides system profiler and checking out the case itself

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

[Greenland is for toy dogs]

This is my machine spec. Here's what I'd have on a checklist for someone in your position:

- Latch mechanism
- Screen scratches / marks
- Dead pixels
- Test the slot-loading drive with a DVD & CD-ROM
- Keyboard, check for 'wiped' keys (no letters or flecks)
- Rear hinge
- Check all the ports incl. headphone port
- Battery life, how much is left
- Check the case is still solid & doesn't click or groan
- Sleep it and restart it

All fairly basic stuff. Hope you're getting a good deal on it. You're certainly getting a good computer anyway. Good luck with it.

[Dr.Michael]

Hi,

two additions:

If you buy one with a DVD reader and no cd-rw, check a couple of DVDs. My drive on the Ti500 (the same as in earlier 550 Models) broke twice. It didn't recognize and mount dvds after a time and cracking sounds could be heard while ejectiong the dvds.
I think the first slot loading drives have been mechanically poor constructed.
A good thing would be to go for a TiBook with combo drive.

Check if the display can be opened smooth- and easily. The hinges are very tight in the TiBook and if they are not oiled from time to time it gets very hard to open the display. Result can be case breaks around the covers of the hinges (or beneath).
So it won't be a bad idea to remove the covers (torx screwdriver required) and see how it looks like.

All this did not only happen to mine, it is well reported in many forums (including this one).

Good luck,
Michael

[spewkie]

Thanks a lot guys

I hope that Wednesday afternoon I will finally have this TiBook