My opinion: if you aren't *really* *really* into Macs, then getting an old G5 is not a good decision.
At this stage, getting it to surf the web, with all the work-arounds needed, will be a real chore. To us old-timers who are used to it, it is a labor of love that we even get sick of at times.
If you didn't have Macs before, and didn't lust after a G5 (but couldn't afford it at the time)...this will be one giant pain in the a$$.
And as others mentioned, reliability with some of these G5's will be a problem. I thought they were all liquid-cooled, or am I mistaken?
Here's a thought...why not get something cheap and put Linux on it, and fool around with that? That should be perfect for surfing the web, and you would even learn something that would be useful with modern computers...
Well put. These rigs are absolutely a labor of love for many of us. For some, Macs were our first computers, and we've stuck with them because we love their design, durability, and staying power. The software I use meets all my needs, but then, I'm used to using software that I've learned can do a good job even though it doesn't have the power and features that current applications have. And I've learned that I don't need many of the features of current software. But this is only because I've been working with Macs forever and have learned to use helpful resources such as these forums to get my Macs where I need them to be.
If you truly want to jump into using PowerPC Macs, and if you can afford it, go ahead and get a G5, but also go ahead and get one of those cheap Wintel laptops as a Plan B, in the event that working with your new Mac is too much for you.
It truly isn't as bad as some people may suggest, but it does involve some work and some research. And if you don't catch the bug to baby your new Mac, you're likely going to be dissatisfied with your purchase.
Finally, and as I've posted before, I love my iBook, and it does everything I need it to do (Web surfing, word processing, video playback, video conversion, music). I've made upgrades and tweaked the software to get it that way and, in turn, this has made it even more valuable to me. But there are times I want to toss it against the wall and stomp it to death as if it were a cheap Dell laptop. And it's certain that I'll be very unhappy when it can no longer keep up. With that, I'll never part with it if only because it's become an important part of my personal history. That, and it's a beautiful machine.
If you're ready to dive in with a great deal of enthusiasm, then please do. If you just want to see how a PowerPC Mac works, are willing to make the necessary upgrades and are okay with some limitations in certain tasks, then you're in for a very nice ride.