Feeler: Need inexpensive Mac desktop (Watkins Glen, NY) or advice on how to find one [Archive]

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nhcowboy1

Mar 20, 2008, 10:23 AM

I'm looking for an inexpensive Mac desktop computer as a gift for a friend who lives in Dundee, NY (near Watkins Glen). (Was considering PCs, but think I'd rather stick with Macs.) The machine she's using now is so old that it crashes every time she tries to open an email with a photo attached. She receives a lot of emails with photos - and needs to be able to open them! - so this is a constant problem. :( She also maintains her own website, and has to be able to both store lots of photos and upload them to the site without difficulty. She's on dial-up, so a modem is a must.

This woman's household includes several kids, a lot of dogs (she raises both kids & dogs :D) and various types of livestock. I would really like for her to have a computer that doesn't give her more problems than all of the above! :p

So, those are the specs - now for the price. I really can't afford to go much higher than $250 (which is up from my previous high limit of $100). If you are anywhere within reasonable driving distance of Watkins Glen, she could pick it up and we wouldn't have to deal with shipping. If you're farther away, well, tell me what the shipping cost would be and I'll see if I can do it.

I have checked the local craigslists, by the way, in Elmira-Corning (http://elmira.craigslist.org/sys/) and Ithaca (http://ithaca.craigslist.org/sys/), but have encountered two problems. One, there's not much there. Two, I don't know anything about PC's, so I can't make heads or tails of the few systems that are listed for sale. If anyone has the time to look at those lists and see if there's anything there that might be a good prospect, I'd certainly appreciate it!

But, if I can get something from someone here at MR, that would be even better! :)

Thanks!!!

kant

Mar 20, 2008, 07:13 PM

1.5ghz (AMD sempron 2200+), 512mb Ram, cd burner, 60gb hard drive, 128mb Radeon 5500 video card with vga and dvi outputs, dvd player. Standard tower case. I'll have to dig around in some drawers to find a modem, but I'm sure I've got one somewhere.

It'd have WinXP pre-loaded on it.

This is a working system. My new MBP is letting me get rid of two older PCs.

I'd guarantee the hardware for 14 days.

ebay id 'pedale'.

nhcowboy1

Mar 20, 2008, 08:13 PM

1.5ghz (AMD sempron 2200+), 512mb Ram, cd burner, 60gb hard drive, 128mb Radeon 5500 video card with vga and dvi outputs, dvd player.

I just have no clue how those specs translate into Mac specs . . . would that run about the same as a Mac with the same speed processor?

kant

Mar 21, 2008, 12:06 PM

I'd say a 1.5ghz PC translates into ~900mhz Mac. Comparing that PC to my old 12" 1ghz powerbook.

Another option you might look at (as I mentioned in my last post last night) is there is a mom and pop type Apple Authorized Retailer in Vestal. They might be able to point you to a reasonable Apple alternative to your problem.

Blue Velvet

Mar 21, 2008, 12:12 PM

I have deleted a number of posts from this thread.

Please do not post in this thread or any other (except the feelers) in the Marketplace, unless you are specifically responding out of interest to an offer to sell or buy.

As noted in the forum stickies and the forum rules, the Marketplace is not a forum for discussion or even advice, thanks.

Non-interest. If you have no need for the items or don't like the price, items, payment method, or other terms, ignore the thread. Do not post negative remarks about the sale or seller based on their offer, or suggest to others that they buy other products or buy/trade at other sites. Do not post unsolicited price advice or comparisons of the offer with those from other sources. Do not try to derail somebody else's sale by posting in the thread. Let shoppers make their own decisions.

http://guides.macrumors.com/Help:Marketplace_Rules#Rules_for_Buyers_and_Traders

gonyr

Mar 21, 2008, 12:55 PM

I have checked the local craigslists, by the way, in Elmira-Corning (http://elmira.craigslist.org/sys/) and Ithaca (http://ithaca.craigslist.org/sys/)

It's a bit more of a drive, but have you tried the Rochester craigslist? It's a much more active list, with a lot more options to choose from.

nhcowboy1

Mar 21, 2008, 01:40 PM

Thanks for your advice, everyone!

kuebby

Mar 21, 2008, 01:46 PM

A suggestion (since this is on top of the Marketplace forum already), you should post this in the Buying Tips forum as well so there can be more discussion on where to get an inexpensive computer since it's not really allowed in the Marketplace.

nhcowboy1

Mar 24, 2008, 12:08 PM

I had an offer of a 2005 eMac (1.25 ghz) - which would have been perfect, and which offer just fell through!

So, looking at the choice of bringing my friend just to the turn of the century or actually bringing her reasonably close to the present, I've decided the latter is a better way to go. So, I'm now looking either for a very late G3 or a less expensive G4. Preferably no higher than $250. Thanks!

chipchen

Mar 24, 2008, 12:58 PM