iBook G4 on eBay

Death-T · Jul 7, 2012

'Ey! I'm looking to buy a Mac laptop for my mom (sort of a late Mothers day present, my broke @#$ couldn't get her anything and I'm going away to college). I've found some pretty decent-looking deals on eBay in the more comfortable $150 to $200 range but am willing to spend more if I need to given another few weeks to save.

The PC I'm looking for will need to perform these things relatively well:

1) Upload photo/video
2) Facebook/Farmville
3) Basic web browsing
4) Occasional light YouTube-streaming
5) Print stuff*

Here's an iBook G4 I've found on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Lapto...57854264?pt=Apple_Laptops&hash=item4d02b45438

It's a $160 Buy it Now auction from a top-rated seller that has a 1.2 GHz processor, 1.25 GB RAM, 30 GB HDD, runs OS X Leopard, and even includes Microsoft Office. The storage is a little low but she has an external HDD for photos/videos and keeps her iTunes collection on an iPod Touch.

I think this machine would be suitable for most of those needs, but I'm not quite sure about flash. The only things I might see issues with are the few Facebook games she plays like Farmville. Also, she's not a heavy video streamer but everyone watches the occasional YouTube clip here or there. I pretend to know a thing or two about computers but I really have no experience with PowerPC Macs. I would like to hear from an iBook owner about this machine's overall performance in the areas I mentioned.

If this probably isn't the best buy, then are there any decent alternatives within the $100 to $300 price range as far as iBooks, PowerBooks, or whatever goes?

*About printing, would this device be compatible with the WiFi printer at home?

miles01110 · Jul 7, 2012

An iBook is obsolete for modern browsing at this point. You should look for something else.

NZed · Jul 7, 2012

a G4(dual G4's is another story) would be a bottle neck at most of the tasks you wish to perform. Look for a cheap netbook.

AQUADock · Jul 7, 2012

miles01110 said:
An iBook is obsolete for modern browsing at this point. You should look for something else.

Erm no i can browse the internet fine on my powerbook except youtube.

To the op i would recommend a 1.5 or 1.67GHz 15" Powerbook.

miles01110 · Jul 7, 2012

AQUADock said:
Erm no i can browse the internet fine on my powerbook except youtube.

Sure you can.

Death-T · Jul 7, 2012

NZed said:
a G4(dual G4's is another story) would be a bottle neck at most of the tasks you wish to perform. Look for a cheap netbook.

Eh, true. I can easily find a cheaper Windows machine with newer software that will be more capable and give me more bang for my buck. But she seems to want a Mac even though she doesn't necessarily need one to browse the Internet and play Farmville. If I can't find a decent Mac that suits her needs within my price range I'll probably take your advice and try something else, but if I can I would like to go :apple:

AQUADock said:
Erm no i can browse the internet fine on my powerbook except youtube.

To the op i would recommend a 1.5 or 1.67GHz 15" Powerbook.

Thanks for the advice. I've done a little reading on the forums and have been getting mixed reviews. From what I've read it seems the PowerBook may be more equipped than the iBook to handle some of the tasks mentioned above, but I would preferably like to buy something that doesn't really fall short in any of those areas. I'm still considering the PowerBook, but not being able to do any video streaming seems like a big minus even if she isn't an avid YouTuber. Can it not play videos at all or it just really laggy?

I've done some browsing and have found older 2007'ish MacBooks on eBay. Most have higher price tags but some go as low as $300 to $350. But I'm really wary about buying one of these from eBay, and it seems there has to be a reason for these machines to go so cheaply since others are selling for upwards of $500 to $600.

GermanyChris · Jul 7, 2012

miles01110 said:
Sure you can.

It depends on what you're doing..I really don't notice a difference between the MB/MBP/PB if click to flash is installed on Safari

Death-T said:
Eh, true. I can easily find a cheaper Windows machine with newer software that will be more capable and give me more bang for my buck. But she seems to want a Mac even though she doesn't necessarily need one to browse the Internet and play Farmville. If I can't find a decent Mac that suits her needs within my price range I'll probably take your advice and try something else, but if I can I would like to go

Thanks for the advice. I've done a little reading on the forums and have been getting mixed reviews. From what I've read it seems the PowerBook may be more equipped than the iBook to handle some of the tasks mentioned above, but I would preferably like to buy something that doesn't really fall short in any of those areas. I'm still considering the PowerBook, but not being able to do any video streaming seems like a big minus even if she isn't an avid YouTuber. Can it not play videos at all or it just really laggy?

I've done some browsing and have found older 2007'ish MacBooks on eBay. Most have higher price tags but some go as low as $300 to $350. But I'm really wary about buying one of these from eBay, and it seems there has to be a reason for these machines to go so cheaply since others are selling for upwards of $500 to $600.

Taking the above, Facebook games while not a No Go aren't great. My my 7yo takes my computer and leaves me the PB when she plays It Girl because it's too slow. I like aviator and it runs OK on the PB.

AQUADock · Jul 7, 2012

miles01110 said:
Sure you can.

A 1.67 GHz G4 processor is slightly faster than an A5, if you're saying that I can't browse the Internet on a PowerBook then you can't browse the Internet on a iPad.

NZed · Jul 7, 2012

AQUADock said:
A 1.67 GHz G4 processor is slightly faster than an A5, if you're saying that I can't browse the Internet on a PowerBook then you can't browse the Internet on a iPad.

You cant compare 6 year old tech with 1.5 year old(?) tech. A5 features newer technology and the OS it runs is made to be very compatible with today's internet unlike the PowerBook, where its made for its time.

I know the 1.67ghz G4 would browse internet from okay to fine. But its not the best recommendation to the faster advancing world.

AQUADock · Jul 7, 2012

NZed said:
You cant compare 6 year old tech with 1.5 year old(?) tech. A5 features newer technology and the OS it runs is made to be very compatible with today's internet unlike the PowerBook, where its made for its time.

I know the 1.67ghz G4 would browse internet from okay to fine. But its not the best recommendation to the faster advancing world.

That's true but miles01110 was saying that it's obsolete which it isn't. If only there was an up to date optimized os for PowerPC Macs.

NZed · Jul 7, 2012

AQUADock said:
That's true but miles01110 was saying that it's obsolete which it isn't. If only there was an up to date optimized os for PowerPC Macs.

What miles said is partly true. I dont think the G4 would do pretty well on websites like theverge.com. If you do have one, test it out. If I'm wrong then, I greatly underestimated the power of a G4(estimated from all the threads i read on this forum). Email or facebook wouldnt be too much of a problem

Its also obselete because Apple doesnt support it anymore. But thats another problem.

AQUADock · Jul 7, 2012

NZed said:
What miles said is partly true. I dont think the G4 would do pretty well on websites like theverge.com. If you do have one, test it out. If I'm wrong then, I greatly underestimated the power of a G4(estimated from all the threads i read on this forum). Email or facebook wouldnt be too much of a problem

Its also obselete because Apple doesnt support it anymore. But thats another problem.

I just did a test of some websites and applications of a 1.66GHz Core Duo Mini and a 1.5GHz Powerbook. Those are the time in seconds it took to load them up, one thing that shows is how bad my internet connection is.

Mini - PB
Facebook: 27 - 29
flickr: 30 - 1:23
Tumblr: 8 - 43
Mac Rumors: 23 - 15
Verge:

3:18 - 7:01
Keynote: 7 - 21
iTunes: 5 - 5
iCal: 0.8 - 2

California · Jul 7, 2012

Death-T said:
'Ey! I'm looking to buy a Mac laptop for my mom (sort of a late Mothers day present, my broke @#$ couldn't get her anything and I'm going away to college). I've found some pretty decent-looking deals on eBay in the more comfortable $150 to $200 range but am willing to spend more if I need to given another few weeks to save.

The PC I'm looking for will need to perform these things relatively well:

1) Upload photo/video
2) Facebook/Farmville
3) Basic web browsing
4) Occasional light YouTube-streaming
5) Print stuff*

Here's an iBook G4 I've found on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Lapto...57854264?pt=Apple_Laptops&hash=item4d02b45438

It's a $160 Buy it Now auction from a top-rated seller that has a 1.2 GHz processor, 1.25 GB RAM, 30 GB HDD, runs OS X Leopard, and even includes Microsoft Office. The storage is a little low but she has an external HDD for photos/videos and keeps her iTunes collection on an iPod Touch.

I think this machine would be suitable for most of those needs, but I'm not quite sure about flash. The only things I might see issues with are the few Facebook games she plays like Farmville. Also, she's not a heavy video streamer but everyone watches the occasional YouTube clip here or there. I pretend to know a thing or two about computers but I really have no experience with PowerPC Macs. I would like to hear from an iBook owner about this machine's overall performance in the areas I mentioned.

If this probably isn't the best buy, then are there any decent alternatives within the $100 to $300 price range as far as iBooks, PowerBooks, or whatever goes?

*About printing, would this device be compatible with the WiFi printer at home?

You want to go with the final PPC Mac revisions. I'm selling my Powerbook in Marketplace, final revision DLHR 1.67ghz, completely maxed 320HD and 2gb ram, 15" -- fully equipped and Youtube is fine. Also have the Monster cables made for this machine. Also my cousin has her 12" iBook 1.33 for sale (final revision)

macdatadrive · Jul 7, 2012

I'm not exactly sure how much it costs but you could look for 1st Gen MacBooks. That could work and it should be able to handle Youtube.
this is $15 over and in australia but this is what I mean.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Apple-Ma...s_Notebooks&hash=item2572a6ee72#ht_500wt_1156
yes this isn't a first gen but...

MAC MAN JW · Jul 7, 2012

Death-T said:
'Ey! I'm looking to buy a Mac laptop for my mom (sort of a late Mothers day present, my broke @#$ couldn't get her anything and I'm going away to college). I've found some pretty decent-looking deals on eBay in the more comfortable $150 to $200 range but am willing to spend more if I need to given another few weeks to save.

The PC I'm looking for will need to perform these things relatively well:

1) Upload photo/video
2) Facebook/Farmville
3) Basic web browsing
4) Occasional light YouTube-streaming
5) Print stuff*

Here's an iBook G4 I've found on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Lapto...57854264?pt=Apple_Laptops&hash=item4d02b45438

It's a $160 Buy it Now auction from a top-rated seller that has a 1.2 GHz processor, 1.25 GB RAM, 30 GB HDD, runs OS X Leopard, and even includes Microsoft Office. The storage is a little low but she has an external HDD for photos/videos and keeps her iTunes collection on an iPod Touch.

I think this machine would be suitable for most of those needs, but I'm not quite sure about flash. The only things I might see issues with are the few Facebook games she plays like Farmville. Also, she's not a heavy video streamer but everyone watches the occasional YouTube clip here or there. I pretend to know a thing or two about computers but I really have no experience with PowerPC Macs. I would like to hear from an iBook owner about this machine's overall performance in the areas I mentioned.

If this probably isn't the best buy, then are there any decent alternatives within the $100 to $300 price range as far as iBooks, PowerBooks, or whatever goes?

*About printing, would this device be compatible with the WiFi printer at home?

To be honest i would go with a Macbook 1,1 i just got one on eBay a month ago for $200 with free shipping it has a 2.0GHz Intel "Core Duo" ,2GB Ram,80Gb HD, Apple Power adapter & new battery and it was even a buy it now price so if you bid i bet you can get one for less then that

if you do go PPC Most Facebook games still work with Flash 10.1 even the newer games (I Play them on my G5) The lowest CPU speed i would recommend for Adobe Flash Games is a 1.25GHz G4.

NZed · Jul 7, 2012

AQUADock said:
I just did a test of some websites and applications of a 1.66GHz Core Duo Mini and a 1.5GHz Powerbook. Those are the time in seconds it took to load them up, one thing that shows is how bad my internet connection is.

Mini - PB
Facebook: 27 - 29
flickr: 30 - 1:23
Tumblr: 8 - 43
Mac Rumors: 23 - 15
Verge: 3:18 - 7:01
Keynote: 7 - 21
iTunes: 5 - 5
iCal: 0.8 - 2

Well loading time shows one thing, but what about website experience? Smooth browsing? No hiccups or freeze on the PB(or Mini)?

Death-T · Jul 7, 2012

AQUADock said:
I just did a test of some websites and applications of a 1.66GHz Core Duo Mini and a 1.5GHz Powerbook. Those are the time in seconds it took to load them up, one thing that shows is how bad my internet connection is.

Mini - PB
Facebook: 27 - 29
flickr: 30 - 1:23
Tumblr: 8 - 43
Mac Rumors: 23 - 15
Verge: 3:18 - 7:01
Keynote: 7 - 21
iTunes: 5 - 5
iCal: 0.8 - 2

Ah, thanks for doing that! That's pretty helpful. I'm also curious about the 'website experience' like NZed asked about.

MAC MAN JW said:
To be honest i would go with a Macbook 1,1 i just got one on eBay a month ago for $200 with free shipping it has a 2.0GHz Intel "Core Duo" ,2GB Ram,80Gb HD, Apple Power adapter & new battery and it was even a buy it now price so if you bid i bet you can get one for less then that if you do go PPC Most Facebook games still work with Flash 10.1 even the newer games (I Play them on my G5) The lowest CPU speed i would recommend for Adobe Flash Games is a 1.25GHz G4.

Yeah, I think I am gonna go that route and try to find a good deal on an older Macbook. It seems like I'll have to put down a bit more cash for a decent PPC and at that point I may as well just get the MB. After looking at all these PPCs though I think I'm also gonna buy a cheap $60'ish eMac just to play around with.

drjarv05 · Jul 7, 2012

How about this iBook G4 the fastest one made a 14inch G4 1.42Ghz with a buy it now price of $169 or best offer? I would check this one out its faster than the 1.2Ghz G4 a slightly bigger screen, double the hard drive 60GB an better graphics card than that older iBook.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-iBook...20656343?pt=Apple_Laptops&hash=item2a1fb621d7

Hope this helps!

Buffsteria · Jul 7, 2012

AQUADock said:
A 1.67 GHz G4 processor is slightly faster than an A5, if you're saying that I can't browse the Internet on a PowerBook then you can't browse the Internet on a iPad.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand....new sig. :apple:

AQUADock · Jul 8, 2012

NZed said:
Well loading time shows one thing, but what about website experience? Smooth browsing? No hiccups or freeze on the PB(or Mini)?

Death-T said:
Ah, thanks for doing that! That's pretty helpful. I'm also curious about the 'website experience' like NZed asked about.

On text based sites its as smooth as my Mini but on heavy image based sites like The Verge and Tumblr the PB lags a bit, it's not very pleasant but it's not unusable. If you want 30 fps smoothness i would recommend a core duo or Core2Duo MacBook.

Buffsteria said:
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand....new sig.

Haha.

iBook G4 on eBay

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