Author Topic: Would you buy a G4 off eBay? (Read 5218 times)

Raven · « **Reply #15 on:** July 10, 2003, 01:06:29 PM »

Thanks you all.
Let me review my notes, get my head around this and post back for further advice.
Have a great day!

Paddy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2003, 02:43:43 PM »

Further fishiness....

"The seller ended this listing early because the item is no longer available for sale." - uh huh. Bet ya anything he sold it via email. Dodged the eBay percentage fee...and just paid the listing fee. And IAWJ - something very not right about the $12 shipping.

So, back to the what to do now problem...

Me - if I was in your position, I'd wait for the G5, or spend $500 now and upgrade the Sawtooth's processor (which REALLY, REALLY isn't hard - they give you very good instructions, and all you have to do is follow them.) and then wait for the 3GHz dual G5's next year. Upgrading the processor in my machine took all of 10 minutes - shut down, open machine, remove clips holding down heat sink (as per instructions), remove heat sink (two screws methinks...memory fuzzy), pull out old processor, install new processor, replace heat sink and clips...close door, reboot and zoom! No down time at all. Read the reviews of processor upgrades at http://www.xlr8yourmac.com

I know it's a bit scary the first time you do something inside your Mac, but it's a fear well worth conquering. The first time I installed RAM I was SURE I was going to screw up and destroy everything. Nope. Did that a few times on a few different machines and then moved on to adding a new hard drive or two. Then added a few processor upgrades (including to machines that were much more complicated to get into, lacking nice latching doors) and in the past year have rebuilt a couple of PeeCees even. Usually no more than a screw driver is required - most of it is no more complicated than plugging things in. And we're here to help!

OWC Sawtooth upgrade options

Or, if you prefer to go with a G4, here's a really good deal:

http://dealmac.com/articles/53102.html - but buy more RAM (1GB would be good) from a RAM dealer.

kelly · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2003, 09:21:05 PM »

Raven. Please don't underestimate yourself.

This stuff is not Rocket Science.

You can easily handle Partitioning and such. Trust me.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61301

"The only thing to fear is fear itself".

Aside from that. Doesn't happen often. But I don't agree with Paddy on this.

I don't see you getting by with an Upgrade before a Revision 2 G5 or such.

I think you want a decent machine that will last a few years and Boots OS 9.

IMO. A Dual 1.25 from Apple or someone similar fits that bill.

You could wait for the price to go down and save a hundred bucks.

Or just go ahead and get one. And start making money with it.

My 2 more cents.

Raven · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2003, 10:57:06 AM »

I hear both of you. I'll get back on this.
A continuing series...
:-)

Raven · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2003, 11:09:54 AM »

Do you think a G4/1.25Ghz here is a good price or shall I wait for a the price to go down somemore before the G5s roll out?
I read the 1.25 Ghz is a good model for the price.
Is Refurbished from Small Dog a safe bet? I've also read they have a good reputation. Not sure if they ship into Canada.

http://www.smalldog.com/SmallDogPriceList.txt

kelly · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2003, 12:13:32 PM »

The $1299 one? Yeah that's a good price.

I'd probably try for a Dual OS 9.x Bootable myself but that's pretty good.

Smalldog is the best there is. That's where I got my Refurb machine.

And lots of other things from them.

Yes they'll ship to Canada.

You might want to look at this.

Hosed by UPS - Again

http://new.lowendmac.com/misc/03/0623.html

Gary S · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2003, 01:38:25 PM »

I think Kelly is talking about this one.

G4/1.25GHzDP 2MBL3/256/80/Combo /Rad9000 OS 9 Bootable n b/o 1599.00

Does the "n" mean it's new? that seems like a good deal.

Raven,
I kind of went through the same thing this Spring. I wanted an OS9-OSX bootable machine.

I got a lot of help from Kelly, Paddy and Bill.

After they gave me all the info I needed I went ahead and bought a refurbished G4 933 that runs OS9 and OS 10.2.6 very nicely.

I guess the best advice that set me straight was I had to make up my own mind.

They sure gave me a lot of info though.

Bill · « **Reply #22 on:** July 11, 2003, 02:50:30 PM »

Raven.
This is slightly off one of the topics on this thread yet in an odd (many here think I'm odd anyways, so what the heck <gr>) way it's not.

This was just a test ... nothing but a test to prove nothing actually.

Way back when I posted a speed test proposal [with photoshop] when the mirror machines first came out.
Later on Cyberpet came up with another test that I personally liked a lot.

I have a PM 933.

After awhile some of the big boys that had photoshop jumped in with their gig machines.
---- PLUS DIANA with a windows machine ----

Basically both Petras (aka CyberPet) test and my own came out with what I (at least) expected.
Can't recall all the players. Maybe someone else can fill in the gaps.

Bruce F - Bil207 both had the top scores with Macs.

Diana kicked everyones butt with her windows machine. <BIG GRIN>

But my 933 was right behind the big guns.!.
Bil207 back then had a 1gig quicksilver. Not sure if he has a new machine now or what.
Bruce F had/has a dual mirror. Correct me if I'm wrong guys.
I think bil207 edged out Bruce Fs mirror machine by mere seconds.
While my 933 was a few seconds behind Bruce F.
Hey! Think gmann and his 933 was in there also.

By no means was either CyberPets test or mine cheat prove but we all did our best to keep our noses short.
Example I used my 'casio' wristwatch as a stopwatch.
Kps I think said he was using a timex.
Bruce F was using photoshops timer.
bil207 was most likely using a $25,000 rolex. <gr>

Anyways, my point is ...... there really wasn't that much of a difference between the gig machines and my 933. At least back then anyways.

I was pleased and still am with my 933 performance.
Picked up a second as a back up even.

/This is the end\ *Doors*

bil207 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 11, 2003, 03:32:07 PM »

Another endorsement for Smal Dog here. For either a new mac or refurb Small Dog is a top notch Apple reseller ( and I love those little dogs).

Bill, I still have my QS and although the new G5 is tempting I'm waiting for at least a rev. B. I don't mind being a liitle cutting edge on the software side but when it comes to the hardware I'll let others take the point.

Raven · « **Reply #24 on:** July 11, 2003, 05:34:44 PM »

OK, you've got me started... :-)
Questions Re: G4/1.25GHz at Small Dogs...

Does OS9 bootable MEAN that I can boot in 9 to use my older QuarkXpress 3.32 program, AND have the option to boot into OSX, so I can learn and play with it?
Isn't that the same as using Classic in OSX for QX3.32?

Do you have to boot out of one OS each time you use the other? Which would be a pain, right?

Does this G4 have a built in CD Burner that would replace the Yamaha SCSI unit I have now, so I don't need to buy another separate unit? Which means I get to sell the Yamaha and get some $ back?

How NEW is this /when did this unit first come out?...
G4/1.25GHzDP 2MBL3/256/80/Combo /Rad9000 OS 9 Bootable

Will it go down in price somemore before the G5s come out, or when would be a good time to get it before they are all gone off the market?

I like the price and the OS9 factor cause I still haven't figured out how to upgrade (if I even want to!) Quark Xpress.

kelly · « **Reply #25 on:** July 11, 2003, 05:57:44 PM »

Raven. I assumed you were talking about the Single Processor.

Whatever.

OS X likes Dual Processors and will do more things at once with them.

How new is that Dual 1.25?

It's either brand new or the Revision before the Firewire 800s.

Not sure which. You could ask them. Not that old in any case.

The Combo is a built in Combination CD Burner DVD Player.

It won't Burn DVDs, that's the SuperDrive. Combo is fine for you I think.

Boot into OS 9 is not the same as Classic.

You can Boot from either and do what you want.

Other machines run OS 9.x in Classic Mode but don't Boot OS 9.x.

Being able to Boot OS 9. x assures you can run all your old Software.

Running it in Classic, maybe, maybe not.

Will the price go down? Maybe. Probably.

Will they sell out and be harder to find. Maybe.

Will you win the Lottery? Maybe.

I'd say get it and get it over with. If it's still available.

You aren't the only one looking for a newer computer.

I just looked again. That machine is listed as b/o. Back Ordered.

Bill · « **Reply #26 on:** July 11, 2003, 06:51:07 PM »

"but when it comes to the hardware I'll let others take the point."
Me three.

3gig G5 .. Temptation .. knock-knock.?.

RHPConsult · « **Reply #27 on:** July 12, 2003, 01:58:48 PM »

Raven:

Views of a rank "amateur" who once was fearful of X.

No more.

"Bootable" means that "Yes" if you press OPTION at bootup time, you get a choice of 9x or 10x.

HOWEVER, prepare to be surprised how seamlessly X (with Classic running, of course) will work will older apps . . . whether it was promised to be so, or not.

Therefore, if you stay in X until it's absolutely clear that 9-Lite (=Classic) won't do the job you may be pleasantly amazed how much "works", without the necessity to use 9.2.2 (industrial strength) as the boot OS.

At least, that's been my experience.

BTW: It's nice to see you 'round these parts, again. You are a TS-vet, for sure.

Oh yes, one more cheer for Small Dog, from the far West.

News:

Author Topic: Would you buy a G4 off eBay? (Read 5218 times)