Author Topic: Thinking Of Buying A Previous Model 24" iMac... (Read 4922 times)

Mayo · « **on:** August 13, 2007, 06:07:09 PM »

I am seriously considering selling my 3rd generation G5 iMac and getting the previous generation 24" iMac. The U of O Bookstore has the 24" iMac for $1599. I was waiting to see what the new iMacs would be like and the new glossy screen looks like a deal-killer to me. I have read a ton of online forum posts regarding the excessive glare and eyestrain folks are experiencing with the new iMacs. Otherwise the new iMacs don't seem like enough of an upgrade for me to spend $1800.

How can I determine the value of my current 20" iMac? It has 2.5GB RAM, 18 months of AppleCare remaining and it looks like new. I am going to need to replace the motherboard under AppleCare as the Firewire ports went bad six months ago and I haven't been willing to let go of the Mac in order to have it repaired...

Finallly, can I use the Apple Migration Assistant by connecting the new Mac via USB to my old Mac, or if USB isn't an option, can I connect the new Mac to one of my external drives that has a clone of my current iMac and transfer everything that way? I would like to have the new iMac up-and-running before I have the oold one repaired.

sandbox · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2007, 08:30:33 PM »

maybe here? http://lowendmac.com/musings/mm07/0809.html

chriskleeman · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2007, 08:37:37 PM »

Hey Mayo,

Long time no hear from!

Anyway, try everymac.com

You'll navigate the site easily, in fact don't I remember you there way back then?

Anyway, the current value of your machine will be there along with it's detailed description. There will be a date at the bottom of the page indicating when the last update was, which will also impact what yours is worth. I'd also go to eBay and see what machines like yours are selling for.

As I understand it, you'll need to use Firewire for Migration Assistant. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Best,

Chris K

Texas Mac Man · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2007, 08:55:17 PM »

Mac2Sell offers online estimates for used Apple Macs. The Mac2Sell service is free: http://www.mac2sell.net

Mayo · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2007, 11:05:17 AM »

Thanks for the help.

I'm going to look at the old 24" iMac today, but now I'm considering a Mac Mini and Dell 24" monitor as an option. When I purchased the 20" iMac I developed neck strain because I could not properly adjust the monitor; I have been sitting perched on a meditation pillow for the past year and a half because of it. I'm thinking that a stand-alone monitor should be a lot more adjustable and that a 24" iMac would just be more of the same.

I want to upgrade to a 24" monitor and latest Core 2 Intel processor while the G5 iMac is still worth something...

Paddy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2007, 12:03:15 PM »

I really like my Dell Ultrasharp 2407WFP.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/product...mp;sku=320-5647

The 23" Cinema Display might have been my first choice except for cost and the fact that it didn't have the card reader slots (very handy!) that the Dell has. All in all, pretty happy. It has a very wide viewing angle and colors seem pretty accurate after calibration.

pendragon · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2007, 05:38:31 PM »

Mayo

I purchased my 24” Intel iMac shortly after it was released. Without a doubt, this is the best computer I have (ever) owned.

Should you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

sandbox · « **Reply #7 on:** August 16, 2007, 01:38:09 AM »

I was looking at the mini's for someone else mayo and they were already given one of these
Samsung SyncMaster 242mp 24" LCD Monitor with TV Tuner
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SyncMaster-2...4363&sr=1-1

I didn't know if the video card could handle the monitor, but the monitor was something I've never seen before, it was quite the gift!

Gregg · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2007, 07:36:37 AM »

QUOTE(Mayo @ Aug 13 2007, 06:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am seriously considering selling my 3rd generation G5 iMac and getting the previous generation 24" iMac. The U of O Bookstore has the 24" iMac for $1599.

Sounds just "ducky"! Don't discount the sentimental value. I paid more to have my Macintosh TV repaired than I could have sold a good one for just so I could use it for one more year while my son took our present beige G3 to college. It was dumb by the numbers, but I don't regret it.

Mayo · « **Reply #9 on:** August 16, 2007, 09:57:10 AM »

Today I am going to take a look at the previous 24" iMac at a local store and see what I think...

If I could justify the expense I would just pop for a MacPro, but even the low-end model is priced too high when I add a monitor. And I'm thinking that a Mini is little more than a MacBook in sheep's clothing; the "integrated" graphics memory instead of a separate graphics card is something of a turn-off.

I have always had Macs with a previous generation processor and I expect the G5 to be orphaned sooner than later, so I would like to get an Intel Mac and sell the G5 while it is still worth something... I got the G5 for $1300 if memory serves me (another Ducky Deal) so I figure that with the maxed-out memory and AppleCare I should be able to get around $1000 for it.

krissel · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2007, 01:33:02 AM »

QUOTE(sandbox @ Aug 16 2007, 02:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was looking at the mini's for someone else mayo and they were already given one of these
Samsung SyncMaster 242mp 24" LCD Monitor with TV Tuner
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SyncMaster-2...4363&sr=1-1

Wow, that is some light monitor...

QUOTE

Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2007, 10:26:23 AM »

Just to add confusion to the process, I know that Leopard is being written to still support (some) PPC processors, certainly a G5. No bets on whatever is next, of course.

Mayo · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2007, 07:50:47 PM »

Paddy, how low can you place the Dell screen? The Dell Web site states that it has 5.1" of vertical movement, but what I want to know is how close to the desk top the monitor can be placed... My 20" iMac screen begins 7" from the top of my desk.

On another forum someone posted that he would get neck aches when using the 20" iMac... that is exactly what happened to me within a week of getting mine. The minimal adjustments on the iMac turned out to be a big problem for me.

I've been scoping out the speed difference between my iMac and a 1.83GHZ Mac Mini and the Mini meets or beats the G5 iMac in most, if not all categories, so I won't likely notice a difference when using a Mini. IF ONLY adding RAM wasn't such a MAJOR DRILL.

iMac Benchmarks

Mac Mini Benchmarks

Now I understand the clamor for a "headless Mac" positioned somewhere between the Mac Pro and Mac Mini...

sandbox · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2007, 01:01:27 AM »

Thanks for the data!
Mayo one of these may be the ultimate solution. I’m working on a chair/swivel arm table combo for a recliner or hospital bed to solve a client’s ergonomic issue so I've been all over this site.

http://www.ergoindemand.com/swivel-monitor-stands.htm

http://www.ergoindemand.com/desk-mount-computer-mounts.htm

Mayo · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2007, 02:01:34 PM »

Thanks for the links (the first link needs the "x" removed at the end of "htmx").

I'll give them a call tomorrow... I'd like a mount that can be adjusted and not fixed at a certain height like the one pictured. Unfortunately, the wide frame at the bottom of the iMac precludes lowering it more that a few inches.

Last night I realized that I can hook-up a Dell monitor to my current iMac and see how it works before I go further. I need to find out if the G5 iMac allows monitor spanning or jusy mirroring and what kind of adaptor may be needed.

News:

Author Topic: Thinking Of Buying A Previous Model 24" iMac... (Read 4922 times)