Feeler: 12" PowerBook 1.33 w/ Extras

[wsteineker]

I've recently purchased a new MacBook and am looking to sell my 12" PowerBook. It's been used at a desk for the most part, though it has seen a bit of travel. No case scratches or damage , though there is a little wear around the edges of the battery. I'm looking to see if anyone here might be interested before I sell the thing on eBay. Here's what's included:

Hardware/Accessories:
12" PowerBook G4 1.33GHz/GeForce FX Go5200 64MB VRAM/768MB RAM/80GB HDD/Combo Drive/10.3.9
Power Adapter w/ Both Tips
80GB LaCie USB 2.0 Portable HDD (lightly used for a total of about 4 backups)
Waterfield Designs 12" PowerBook Sleeve Case
Timbuk2 Small Messenger Bag

Software:
All Original Disks
Photoshop Elements 2
Dreamweaver MX
Fireworks MX
Office X
Toast Titanium 5
Diablo II
Starcraft

All software will ship with original discs and product keys, as the license would transfer with the computer. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

EDIT: Looks like I forgot to mention a price! EveryMac lists the current estimated price for this model without the software and extras as $875-975 I'd be happy to talk about something in the $800-850 range for the whole shebang (plus shipping, of course), though I'm MORE than willing to negotiate. Let me know...

[skd]

BTW - is there any applecare left?

[skd]

another thing......
how's the brightness of the screen?

[wsteineker]

There's no AppleCare left. It expired a few months back. I should point out that the only repair I had to have made was a hard drive replacement. I had it done by the local Apple store under warranty last summer. They used a 5400 RPM Hitachi 80GB HDD for the replacement, same as the stock part. As for the screen brightness, I only notice any dimming when it's placed to a brand new MacBook. It takes a second to warm up to full brightness, as does any 3+ year old CC flourescent backlit LCD. That said, it's still VERY viewable for movies, games and productivity. Let me know if I can give you any more information. Thanks!

[CRAZYBUBBA]

I can't say anything for the software but if it's in good condition the computer is worth $550 shipped

[wsteineker]

Umm... thanks? If that's an offer then I think it's a bit low, what with machines with similar or lower specs routinely selling on eBay for $650 or more plus shipping WITHOUT anything other than the machine, power adapter and system discs. The software on offer retailed for almost $1000 new and the sleeve and bag are included with this offer as well. That doesn't even account for the portable HD, which would be a minimum of $70 or so if you had to buy it new, and the replaced internal HD which only has less than 18 months wear.

If it's not an offer, then I guess thanks for the input. I'm comfortable starting a discussion about selling this machine at the $800 point. Any potential buyers can feel free to make a counter offer and we can negotiate a fair price. I'm happy to entertain any reasonable offers! :)

[CRAZYBUBBA]

Sorry if my estimate offended you. I just wanted you to be conscious of 2 things. 1. Used macbook prices are from about ~750 Shipped 2. The your graphics card is 32MB as opposed to 64 mb in the last gen powerbook 12" (Which occasionally do fetch very high prices).

Also, for the record, i am not placing an offer.

Also pics may help if you are looking to changing this feeler to a FS thread.

[wsteineker]

Fair enough. Sorry if I was snappy with you. :)

I've done a fair bit of research on the used prices for these machines and you're absolutely right. Used MacBook prices do start in the $750-800 range. That said, 12" PowerBooks seem to command a decent market premium, as they fill a niche that Apple doesn't currently service (full featured subcompact notebooks). The GPU in the 12" PowerBook is also a fair bit more robust than the integrated graphics in the 1st Gen Macbooks in the same price range despite the nominally lower VRAM. I should also point out the error in my OP, as this system does contain 64MB VRAM instead of the 32MB contained in the first two generations of this model. They system bus speed is also higher in the 1.33 than in previous generations, rendering faster overall performance above and beyond the simple processor speed increase in this model.

The sale prices on these things start around $600 for a Gen 1 machine and move up from there. Machines in my generation (Gen 3) with similar specs tend to sell for $650-700 depending on condition, but those are system only prices. I figure a full suite of productivity and creative development software in addition to backup and transportation solutions has got to be worth something, right? Anyway, I'd be more than willing to consider an offer in the $750 range, though I'd obviously like to get more for it if possible.

You're right about the pics. Thanks for the tip! I've got some taken but I've been unable to get enough time to get them resized and posted. I'm hoping to take care of that tonight. Keep your eyes peeled, folks!

[koobcamuk]

I think it's a fair price and if I didn't just get one I would be interested. Someone will be happy with this! I prefer it to the MacBooks. Good luck with your sale.

[WhiteShadow]

are you willing to sell just the machine?

I have no interest in the software.

[SuperCompu2]

The sale prices on these things start around $600 for a Gen 1 machine and move up from there.


Only a hermit would pay 600 for an 867MHz G4 PowerBook. These sell for 400 all the time, rarely selling for more than 500 and change.

I think you're looking at 750 at the most. The software will only be attractive to someone who will actively use it, so you can't expect a casual user to pay anywhere close to retail price for Adobe's finest. Plus, the machine is running Panther and only has a combo drive. The prices you are quoting come from machines running at least tiger, if not leopard and have Superdrives.

[thejadedmonkey]

oh my goodness, he's asking for ~$800, if you don't think that's reasonable, don't negotiate. However, $400 is wayy too low, and don't start complaining about how he's too high. In his first post, he said he's willing to negotiate.

[wsteineker]

Only a hermit would pay 600 for an 867MHz G4 PowerBook. These sell for 400 all the time, rarely selling for more than 500 and change.

I think you're looking at 750 at the most. The software will only be attractive to someone who will actively use it, so you can't expect a casual user to pay anywhere close to retail price for Adobe's finest. Plus, the machine is running Panther and only has a combo drive. The prices you are quoting come from machines running at least tiger, if not leopard and have Superdrives.

Hey SuperCompu2,do me a favor before you crap my thread and READ THE OP!!! First, the machine isn't an 867. It's a 1.33. Second, I'm MORE than willing to negotiate. Third, I'm pretty sure I didn't quote a price on any of the software. Rather, I just observed that it added value.

As for your observation about the OS, I'm in the process of upgrading the machine to Tiger and giving it a good once over before I post pics and turn this thing from a feeler to a for sale. Do me a favor and stay out of that thread when the time comes if all you can do is crap all over everything. Thanks.

[ob81]

Not many would care for the software to be honest. With that said, I wouldn't pay more than $250-300 for that computer. Simply because it is slow, and the price range you are asking, someone might as well save another month and get a brand new intel Macbook, which performs better than this system. The people looking for PPC these days are scarce. Hell, the people looking for Core Duo are scarce.

[wsteineker]

WTF? Did anyone besides me read the Marketplace rules? Just in case you missed them, they're right here: http://guides.macrumors.com/Help:Marketplace_Rules. If that's a little too much to read through then I'll offer a nice summation from the sticky thread at the top of the marketplace entitled "Being too helpful isn't always a good thing". Bosozuoku (a former forum moderator) posted the following:

Also, those who feel the need to offer price advice such as "oh, that's way too high" or "you can get that on [link] much cheaper" are still unnecessary. Yes, it's great to watch out for people, but people are not forced to buy and they should make up their own minds. If you really feel someone is getting into danger buying something, you should leave a Private Message.

I don't understand why so many people seem who are obviously literate seem totally unable to read the damned rules! I don't crap your thread, so PLEASE don't crap mine. :mad:

[ob81]

WTF? Did anyone besides me read the Marketplace rules? Just in case you missed them, they're right here: http://guides.macrumors.com/Help:Marketplace_Rules. If that's a little too much to read through then I'll offer a nice summation from the sticky thread at the top of the marketplace entitled "Being too helpful isn't always a good thing". Bosozuoku (a former forum moderator) posted the following:



I don't understand why so many people seem who are obviously literate seem totally unable to read the damned rules! I don't crap your thread, so PLEASE don't crap mine. :mad:


It wasn't meant to "crap" on your thread. People that wouldn't consider buying it are giving you some steep prices, and obviously getting your hopes up. I just gave you my opinion. Of course you don't want to hear a lower price than what you already heard.

[thegoldenmackid]

I would say $700ish is probably what you would get here...unless the computer is in museum quality

Obviously if you want more...eBay...

but... you really need to post pics...12" Powerbooks are notorious for not being in good condition...for some reason???

and i also think that thread crapping is ridiculous...if you read the post...it says that if you think someone is really getting "ripped off" then PM them....but it doesn't sound like anyone is actually making offers

[iCeQuBe]

WTF? Did anyone besides me read the Marketplace rules? Just in case you missed them, they're right here: http://guides.macrumors.com/Help:Marketplace_Rules. If that's a little too much to read through then I'll offer a nice summation from the sticky thread at the top of the marketplace entitled "Being too helpful isn't always a good thing". Bosozuoku (a former forum moderator) posted the following:



I don't understand why so many people seem who are obviously literate seem totally unable to read the damned rules! I don't crap your thread, so PLEASE don't crap mine. :mad:

I am not trying to crap on you here but you posted it as a "Feeler" and according to the rules you say no one else reads...

#5 Feelers. Adding the word "Feeler" to the thread title invites others to comment on your proposal and critique your offer or price (see Buyer/Trader Rule: Exceptions below).

#6 Exceptions. Exceptions to the Non-interest rule:

1. You may post comments about prices or comparable offers elsewhere for threads named "Feeler" or for which the thread-starter has explicitly solicited advice.
2. You may send Private Messages or e-mail to other members to make an offer, and justify your offer based on comparable offers and prices elsewhere.
3. You may send Private Messages or e-mail to other members involved in a transaction, including pricing suggestions to a seller, with the understanding that they are free to heed or ignore your advice and that you may not send repeated unsolicited e-mail to other members.

That being said, I don't think everyone on the forum needs to tell someone that their price is off, one or two maybe, and of course anyone who is interested in the item. I think most people here are honestly trying to help you sell your item and help buyers get a good item for a fair price. Most are not out just to crap your thread, although it canseem that way at times. Good luck with the sale.

[wsteineker]

I am not trying to crap on you here but you posted it as a "Feeler" and according to the rules you say no one else reads...

#5 Feelers. Adding the word "Feeler" to the thread title invites others to comment on your proposal and critique your offer or price (see Buyer/Trader Rule: Exceptions below).

#6 Exceptions. Exceptions to the Non-interest rule:

1. You may post comments about prices or comparable offers elsewhere for threads named "Feeler" or for which the thread-starter has explicitly solicited advice.
2. You may send Private Messages or e-mail to other members to make an offer, and justify your offer based on comparable offers and prices elsewhere.
3. You may send Private Messages or e-mail to other members involved in a transaction, including pricing suggestions to a seller, with the understanding that they are free to heed or ignore your advice and that you may not send repeated unsolicited e-mail to other members.

That being said, I don't think everyone on the forum needs to tell someone that their price is off, one or two maybe, and of course anyone who is interested in the item. I think most people here are honestly trying to help you sell your item and help buyers get a good item for a fair price. Most are not out just to crap your thread, although it canseem that way at times. Good luck with the sale.

I am keenly aware of the exceptions mentioned above. It seems that you're one of the few posters here who actually read the rules to which I linked. That said, nobody has actually offered a single instance of "a price or comparable item elsewhere" and, given that that's the only exception listed that should occur on the public forums (as opposed to communications via pm), I'm having a very hard time understanding how any of the posts stating that my item is overpriced are within spec. A feeler critique is more than welcome IF the critic is offering a similar item as proof of an obviously errant price. I'm also concerned at the language used by some of the critics. "Only a hermit would pay 600" or "I wouldn't pay more than $250 - $300" are not in any capacity within the boundaries of the above rule OR acceptable critique.

[wsteineker]

I would say $700ish is probably what you would get here...unless the computer is in museum quality

Obviously if you want more...eBay...

but... you really need to post pics...12" Powerbooks are notorious for not being in good condition...for some reason???

and i also think that thread crapping is ridiculous...if you read the post...it says that if you think someone is really getting "ripped off" then PM them....but it doesn't sound like anyone is actually making offers

THANK YOU for reasonable input! That's the kind of suggestion I was hoping for! I'd be more than happy to consider offers in the neighborhood of $700. They're what I was realistically hoping for when posting an initial price of $800 or so.

I'm going to put pics up this week once I can take the time to install Tiger and pull some screen grabs in addition to external pics of the machine. At that point I think I'll create a new thread that doesn't have quite this much garbage in it. Then I'll be happy to entertain any legitimate offers and/or statements or support and to report any other posts. Some other people in this thread have proven themselves to be real *******s.

[ob81]

THANK YOU for reasonable input! That's the kind of suggestion I was hoping for! I'd be more than happy to consider offers in the neighborhood of $700. They're what I was realistically hoping for when posting an initial price of $800 or so.

I'm going to put pics up this week once I can take the time to install Tiger and pull some screen grabs in addition to external pics of the machine. At that point I think I'll create a new thread that doesn't have quite this much garbage in it. Then I'll be happy to entertain any legitimate offers and/or statements or support and to report any other posts. Some other people in this thread have proven themselves to be real *******s.


People suggested prices lower than what you wanted. It is only human that you don't like that. This is a feeler thread.

Goodluck with the sell of your item.

[wsteineker]

Are you KIDDING me, ob81? Just stop it already! :mad:

[zirkle2007]

this thread should be closed...its just turning into an argument...

[wsteineker]

You're right. I'll take care of it. Thanks for being the voice of reason. I'll post a new thread when the pics are available and I'm ready to talk about selling. :)

[SuperCompu2]

I dont think anyone is genuinely "thread crapping" here, we're merely providing what we think are market-value figures. The only one getting irate here is you, because you are seeing prices lower than what you thought you'd get. Relax. Take the advice as a good thing, because after all you did post this as a feeler.

And for your prior comment, don't insult my intelligence. A Gen 1 Powerbook G4 sported an 867MHz Processor, not a 1.33GHz. I know 867s go for 400 all the time, I didnt say 1.33GHz machines did. My comment was meant to adjust your pricing level. No harm meant on the software either, just being realistic.

PS, for the good of everyone involved, don't quote things out of context. My "hermit" comment was directed towards an 867 12" powerbook and not yours. ob81 had one ridiculous low-ball, but other than that everyone else has been 100% reasonable. If you'd note from your obviously savvy quoting skills, I listed 750 as an offer later in that post. Don't make me out to be a bad guy when there is little going on in here worthy of the term "thread crapping"

[aquajet]

Are you KIDDING me, ob81? Just stop it already! :mad:

Calm down. No need to get a nasty attitude.