WANTED: Mac for a newbie!

[Alaerian]

Hi there! :) I've been reading the posts on these boards for the past several days, and you guys really know your stuff! Therefore, I figured that this would be the place to come for two things -- my first post, AND a little help in buying a new Mac.

A little background -- I just recently (right before Christmas) purchased a G4 iBook 1.2 (my first Mac!). I have fallen in love with it, and am looking to add another Mac to my computer family. I'm not really sure what to get, and I was hoping that you guys would be kind enough to point me in the right direction AND have a few Macs that you would be willing to sell. :) I am looking for a desktop, either of the tower + monitor or the all-in-one variety. I'm getting into video editing (just basic), and I do a lot with pictures. I also have a MIDI piano and write my own music and edit it. I'm not exactly sure where to go or what to buy, but I think that I would like to stay sub-$500. However, if that's not possible, I'm willing to sell a kidney... ;)

Does anyone have anything that could fit what I am looking for? I'll respond ASAP to further requests for information. Thank you SO MUCH (in advance!)

Kasey

[brap]

I am looking for a desktop, either of the tower + monitor or the all-in-one variety. I'm getting into video editing (just basic), and I do a lot with pictures. I also have a MIDI piano and write my own music and edit it. I'm not exactly sure where to go or what to buy, but I think that I would like to stay sub-$500.
The thing is, nothing sub-$500 would come close to the processing power you have in the iBook. You're probably better off getting an external TFT monitor and maybe iCurve stand, mouse and keyboard for an 'at home' video editing setup.

Video editing... hm, maybe you should also buy an external Firewire scratch drive. Nice and fast.

[MacAztec]

Hey, I have a machine for sale that COULD be very powerful if you put a tad bit of money into it. Here are the specs:

PowerMac G4 500Mhz (AGP Graphics)
Radeon 8500 AGP (64MB OEM Model)
768MB RAM
Pioneer DVD Burner (internal)
(2) 32GB IBM Hard Drives
Iomega Zip 100 Drive (Built in)

Extras (can be included):
18GB SCSI Hard Drive (and compatible SCSI Card)
IBM 80GB 7200RPM Hard Drive

This machine is very very powerful. If you drop in a CPU card, it would FLY! Let me know if you are interseted. I am asking <500

[verozov]

hey,

im also a new-time mac user (got mine back in august)... andi absolutely love it... funny thing is i started out with a desktop and am now getting a new ibook (and ipod)...

i got an emac, and ive got to say its the best choice ive ever made... its perfect for me cuz it has enough cpu power (1.25Ghz/512 RAM), doesnt have many cords (esp. since i got wireless mouse/keyboard), already has great speakers, superdrive, and all the software!

sorry but im not looking to sell (well maybe for a price)... but i would definetly recommend an emac... although im geussing other macs are just as good (but cost a lot more)...

jay

[MacAztec]

eMac is a good choice, but there are a few things I don't like about them:

Slow Video Card (Non Upgradable)
No PCI Slots
Built in Screen (Stuck with it)
Big
Hard to upgrade (not real hard, but not easy)
No multiple drives

The list goes on.

[verozov]

eMac is a good choice, but there are a few things I don't like about them:

Slow Video Card (Non Upgradable)
No PCI Slots
Built in Screen (Stuck with it)
Big
Hard to upgrade (not real hard, but not easy)
No multiple drives

The list goes on.

you're right, the emac does have it's downsides... no PCI slots, and no multilple drives... but for a "beginner" (although im not new to any computer to say the least) like me who just puts it in one place to stay and doesnt need the xtreme graphical capablities, its perfect... i was kinda bummed about the screen until i saw how good it looked... and its not $1000 (like the new ones)... although i wouldn't mind one of those...

you are right though... i especially hate not being able to have multiple drives...

[cemorris]

Also check out the specs on the new headless imac coming out tomorrow. With a possible price point of $500, it may be what you are looking for. You will need to sell that kidney for $150 so you can get the needed monitor and at least another 256 (preferably 512 if your kidney is worth alot) of memory.

[stepbasin]

If you are looking for a cheap, small Mac that comes with some decent specs and some cool games check out my ebay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=80039&item=5742824005&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Good luck finding what you want!

[tsk]

How about the new Mac Mini? You get pretty decent processing. No expansion obviously.