[GoDucks]

Looking for some assistance on the potential drop in the value of a G4 based iBook once the intel models come out...

I have an opportunity to purchase an 800Mhz G4 based 12 Inch iBook with the combo drive, airport card, 256 megs of RAM, and a 30 Gig Hard drive for $580 USD. I know the owner and know that the machine has been well looked after. I've checked eBay completed auctions and it seems as though this is a fair price for the machine - potentially even on the low side.

However, I know the value will drop a little once the Intel based iBooks come out over the next month or two. I'm also looking at 300Mhz G3 iBooks (clamshells) on eBay without the airport card that are selling for over $300 USD so I can't see the G4 based model dropping that much post announcement...

This is a second machine for me so I don't need it right now but don't want to wait a month or so just to potentially save $50 or so...

Thoughts?

[BikerJonTN]

I sold my latest-generation iBook 12" 1.33GHz, combo drive, 1.5GB RAM, airport, and 40GB HDD for $500 when I purchased my Intel iMac. The iBook was in perfect shape, and I felt $500 was a fair price considering I purchased it new with the listed specs and paid only $950 (no tax, no shipping).

Do not purchase such a dated machine for more than half the cost of a future Intel iBook. If you can't afford a new machine, wait for a seller who doesn't need to milk his buyer for every penny.