Is this a good deal on a PowerMac G4?

davidg4781 · Feb 5, 2013, 10:49 AM

Found this on the Craig's List.

PowerMac G4, Dual 1.42GHz, 2 X 120GB HDD, 2GB RAM, superdrive and CD burner (doesn't interest me either way), 17" Apple ADC LCD, Apple Pro Speakers for $175.

Said he has a keyboard and mouse but wasn't including them because they're pretty beat up and repaired and stuff.

Seems a bit steep as I was finding a lot of PowerMacs for $100, but this comes with the speakers and monitor.

I think I may pass on it though, I'd rather have a bluetooth adaptor for my car instead, and I think that's going to be about the same cost.

Intell · Feb 5, 2013, 10:55 AM

That does seem a little expensive.

davidg4781 · Feb 5, 2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intell

That does seem a little expensive.

That's what I'm thinking, plus it's well out of my way. Although I do live out in the middle of nowheresville.

Navare · Feb 5, 2013, 05:55 PM

Depending on the condition of the monitor and specs....you could say that's $50 no?

Or save your cash and hold out for a G5 entry level?

Good luck

N.

davidg4781 · Feb 5, 2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navare

Depending on the condition of the monitor and specs....you could say that's $50 no?

Or save your cash and hold out for a G5 entry level?

Good luck

N.

I'm leaning towards the G4 for the ADC and Apple Pro Speakers. Just something I thought was neat for it's time. I also was wanting to be able to boot into OS 9 but this won't allow it, but I think it will under Classic.

It's mainly for hobby use, maybe some casual game playing until I get bored. I have a great MBP that I use for everything else.

Navare · Feb 5, 2013, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidg4781

I'm leaning towards the G4 for the ADC and Apple Pro Speakers. Just something I thought was neat for it's time. I also was wanting to be able to boot into OS 9 but this won't allow it, but I think it will under Classic.

It's mainly for hobby use, maybe some casual game playing until I get bored. I have a great MBP that I use for everything else.

In that case go for it fella...I love my G5 Digital Audio and the pro speakers are very nice...

N.

MisterKeeks · Feb 5, 2013, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidg4781

I also was wanting to be able to boot into OS 9 but this won't allow it, but I think it will under Classic.

It will with classic up to 10.4.11. You can also use Sheepshaver, which (I believe) runs the entire Mac OS in a window. I would recommend the DP1.25 with firewire. Same Max OS, lower minimum.

blesscheese · Feb 5, 2013, 10:37 PM

To each their own, but...for a computer and monitor, if you figured how much it would cost to ship the thing, the total price isn't that bad. If it is in good shape, it might be worth it.

davidg4781 · Feb 5, 2013, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blesscheese

To each their own, but...for a computer and monitor, if you figured how much it would cost to ship the thing, the total price isn't that bad. If it is in good shape, it might be worth it.

I'd have to go pick it up, it's about 2 hours away.

wobegong · Feb 5, 2013, 11:14 PM

I loved my MDD Dual 1.42 back in the day.....Howled like a typhoon when it had to work hard but I loved it.....

Personally I'd go for this ONLY if it was in tip-top condition and maybe only if the ACD was 20"+

Intell · Feb 6, 2013, 08:29 AM

Do note that the MDD you're looking at on here can't run OS 9 unless it's in Tiger's Classic environment.

davidg4781 · Feb 8, 2013, 03:20 AM

I've been selling stuff on eBay lately and decided to check on there. It looks like that's not really a good place to buy them.

There's a PowerMac/Display combo in Austin, but it doesn't come with any discs. It does have Photoshop and a bunch of other cool stuff, which is worthless to me if I don't have the discs.

Others, once you factor in shipping, come out kind of expensive and I'd still have to purchase display, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. I have a Leopard disc I'm not using so I have that covered.

g4manimac · Feb 8, 2013, 10:42 AM

I sell on ebay too,just wait it out and you WILL find a good deal.I get some really good deals but sometimes items go up in demand and get stupid prices especially apple products.

davidg4781 · Feb 8, 2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g4manimac

I sell on ebay too,just wait it out and you WILL find a good deal.I get some really good deals but sometimes items go up in demand and get stupid prices especially apple products.

I see some with great prices, then you have those that have them posted up for $300 to $400.

skateny · Feb 8, 2013, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidg4781

I've been selling stuff on eBay lately and decided to check on there. It looks like that's not really a good place to buy them.

There's a PowerMac/Display combo in Austin, but it doesn't come with any discs. It does have Photoshop and a bunch of other cool stuff, which is worthless to me if I don't have the discs.

Others, once you factor in shipping, come out kind of expensive and I'd still have to purchase display, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. I have a Leopard disc I'm not using so I have that covered.

Yeah, the prices on eBay are often unrealistic for PowerPCs. And they rarely come with discs. I don't know if people lose them, just want to keep them or sell them separately to make a profit.

I've looked around for a few months for a late model PowerBook, but I'd just as soon use the money towards a MacBook Pro, when the time comes. Some of the iBooks/PowerBooks have been just crazy: no HDD, broken display and no AC adapter for ~$200. It doesn't make sense.

MacuserinMSland · Feb 8, 2013, 02:51 PM

I picked up a Dual 800 G4 Quicksilver a year and a half ago off of my local Craigslist. That was $70 cash, I was able to source a 17" ADC Studio Display for $40. Some additional Ram, and Pro Speakers. All told I shelled out around $150 for a very clean G4.

I think $150 is not unreasonable if its in good shape. eBay has been crazy with prices on Almost everything, i think people get too caught up in the bidding war.

g4manimac · Feb 11, 2013, 07:11 AM

Trust me I know about those ones for $400 those are the high rated sellers up on the front pages they've been selling for years and made ebay thousands upon thousands so they get the "right" to be seen first.I got an almost mint one for $120 and then my wife's birthday was coming up and she wanted one so I didnt have time to look and kinda hastily spent $170 on one that was also in great condition.What really made me mad was when I went back a week later and I seen one buy it now,one owner in the box and it had the install disc which I need and everything else it came with ,he even had the receipt from the apple store where he paid like over $3,000 or somethin for it and that was $170 with free shipping but I decided any more money spent on powerbooks would'nt be smart,but if you do an ADVANCED search first put in all buy it now,free shipping,your set price and within so many miles of your house your gonna eventually come across somethin that fits you perfect. These prices might surely sound pricey to some but around here there is no apple in craigslist actually very few computers and 3/4 are scammers.

davidg4781 · Feb 18, 2013, 03:06 AM

Blah.

Now there's one, $200, great condition, MDD, 1.25 DP, with boxes and everything. So very tempting!!

Just curious, how would this be doing video capture/small editing from VHS to DVD? I'm guessing my MBP would be more efficient and I'd be better off getting an external monitor and keyboard.

seveej · Feb 18, 2013, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidg4781

PowerMac G4, Dual 1.42GHz, 2 X 120GB HDD, 2GB RAM, superdrive and CD burner (doesn't interest me either way), 17" Apple ADC LCD, Apple Pro Speakers for $175.

True, the 175 is slightly high for that setup, but if you like the parts (especially the monitor and speakers), it's not a back package. So if you either *really want* it, or have use for it, it's a nice setup...

RGDS,

MisterKeeks · Feb 18, 2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidg4781

Blah.

Now there's one, $200, great condition, MDD, 1.25 DP, with boxes and everything. So very tempting!!

Just curious, how would this be doing video capture/small editing from VHS to DVD? I'm guessing my MBP would be more efficient and I'd be better off getting an external monitor and keyboard.

Is it a FireWire 400 or 800? The 400s can boot OS9, the 800s can't. I think you would be OK with Video Capture. The VHS tapes would have to be played back at 1x speed, which would be the main limiting factor.

davidg4781 · Feb 18, 2013, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterKeeks

Is it a FireWire 400 or 800? The 400s can boot OS9, the 800s can't. I think you would be OK with Video Capture. The VHS tapes would have to be played back at 1x speed, which would be the main limiting factor.

I can't tell from the pics or description and I didn't think to ask him. And I'm somewhat alright not being able to boot to OS 9. My main goal with getting a PowerMac G4 is just to kind of play around with it, maybe do some older gaming, and either keep it as a piece of history or sell it.

Using my MBP (in signature) I'd have to play the VHS back at 1x speed as well, so not much difference there. I was just wondering since, way back then, this was a pretty powerful machine. And back then people were converting VHS to DVD. I just wasn't sure if there'd be that much benefit using my MBP.

MisterKeeks · Feb 18, 2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidg4781

I can't tell from the pics or description and I didn't think to ask him. And I'm somewhat alright not being able to boot to OS 9. My main goal with getting a PowerMac G4 is just to kind of play around with it, maybe do some older gaming, and either keep it as a piece of history or sell it.

Using my MBP (in signature) I'd have to play the VHS back at 1x speed as well, so not much difference there. I was just wondering since, way back then, this was a pretty powerful machine. And back then people were converting VHS to DVD. I just wasn't sure if there'd be that much benefit using my MBP.

That's what I meant by having to play at 1x- not too much stress on the CPU, wouldn't be any slower.

davidg4781 · Feb 18, 2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterKeeks

That's what I meant by having to play at 1x- not too much stress on the CPU, wouldn't be any slower.

Sorry, maybe I'm confused. How would I play it back any faster. It will be played over s-video or component since I don't have a fancy player.

Carrot Time · Feb 18, 2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidg4781

Sorry, maybe I'm confused. How would I play it back any faster. It will be played over s-video or component since I don't have a fancy player.

Well, you can upgrade the GPU in Powermac G4's which is why, many people still use them nowadays. But all of them were built with DVI ports in them so you can use any Mac monitor to connect to it.

davidg4781 · Feb 18, 2013, 02:57 PM

And the guy said it's FW400. Argh.

But w went on to say how his audio friends swear by G4s and OS 9. And said these people put out albums.

That last bit turned me off.

Feb 5, 2013, 10:49 AM	#1
davidg4781 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Moulton, TX	Is this a good deal on a PowerMac G4? Found this on the Craig's List. PowerMac G4, Dual 1.42GHz, 2 X 120GB HDD, 2GB RAM, superdrive and CD burner (doesn't interest me either way), 17" Apple ADC LCD, Apple Pro Speakers for $175. Said he has a keyboard and mouse but wasn't including them because they're pretty beat up and repaired and stuff. Seems a bit steep as I was finding a lot of PowerMacs for $100, but this comes with the speakers and monitor. I think I may pass on it though, I'd rather have a bluetooth adaptor for my car instead, and I think that's going to be about the same cost. __________________ 2010 MBP 2.4GHz 4GB RAM 750GB HDD iPhone 4S 32GB - Sprint iPod nano 2GB - 2nd gen.
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 10:55 AM	#2
Intell macrumors G5 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Inside	That does seem a little expensive. __________________ Last edited by Intell; Yesterday at 11:50 AM.
	1

Feb 5, 2013, 11:14 PM	#10
wobegong macrumors regular Join Date: May 2012	I loved my MDD Dual 1.42 back in the day.....Howled like a typhoon when it had to work hard but I loved it..... Personally I'd go for this ONLY if it was in tip-top condition and maybe only if the ACD was 20"+ __________________ Powermac G5 DC 2.3Ghz 12Gb 2Tb/248Gb SSD Boot 7800GTX 23" ACD Bowers & Wilkins MM-1's Macbook Alu 2.4Ghz C2D 4Gb 320M \| MacbookPro 2.0Ghz i7 8Gb 500GB SSD HD6490 256Mb iPad 3 64Gb \| iPhone5 64Gb
	0

Feb 6, 2013, 08:29 AM	#11
Intell macrumors G5 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Inside	Do note that the MDD you're looking at on here can't run OS 9 unless it's in Tiger's Classic environment. __________________ Last edited by Intell; Yesterday at 11:50 AM.
	2

Feb 8, 2013, 03:20 AM	#12
davidg4781 Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Moulton, TX	I've been selling stuff on eBay lately and decided to check on there. It looks like that's not really a good place to buy them. There's a PowerMac/Display combo in Austin, but it doesn't come with any discs. It does have Photoshop and a bunch of other cool stuff, which is worthless to me if I don't have the discs. Others, once you factor in shipping, come out kind of expensive and I'd still have to purchase display, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. I have a Leopard disc I'm not using so I have that covered. __________________ 2010 MBP 2.4GHz 4GB RAM 750GB HDD iPhone 4S 32GB - Sprint iPod nano 2GB - 2nd gen.
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 05:55 PM	#4
Navare macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Stoke on Trent	Depending on the condition of the monitor and specs....you could say that's $50 no? Or save your cash and hold out for a G5 entry level? Good luck N.
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 10:37 PM	#8
blesscheese macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Central CA	To each their own, but...for a computer and monitor, if you figured how much it would cost to ship the thing, the total price isn't that bad. If it is in good shape, it might be worth it.
	0

Feb 8, 2013, 10:42 AM	#13
g4manimac macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Arkansas	I sell on ebay too,just wait it out and you WILL find a good deal.I get some really good deals but sometimes items go up in demand and get stupid prices especially apple products.
	0

Feb 8, 2013, 02:51 PM	#16
MacuserinMSland macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2012 Location: Pac NW	I picked up a Dual 800 G4 Quicksilver a year and a half ago off of my local Craigslist. That was $70 cash, I was able to source a 17" ADC Studio Display for $40. Some additional Ram, and Pro Speakers. All told I shelled out around $150 for a very clean G4. I think $150 is not unreasonable if its in good shape. eBay has been crazy with prices on Almost everything, i think people get too caught up in the bidding war. __________________ Late '08 Macbook 2.1GHz, Early '06 15" Macbook Pro 1.83 GHz, SP 1.8GHz G5 Powermac, Dual 800MHz G4 Powermac, 500MHz G3 snow white iBook, 16GB iPhone 4, 16GB iPad Wifi.
	0

Feb 11, 2013, 07:11 AM	#17
g4manimac macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Arkansas	Trust me I know about those ones for $400 those are the high rated sellers up on the front pages they've been selling for years and made ebay thousands upon thousands so they get the "right" to be seen first.I got an almost mint one for $120 and then my wife's birthday was coming up and she wanted one so I didnt have time to look and kinda hastily spent $170 on one that was also in great condition.What really made me mad was when I went back a week later and I seen one buy it now,one owner in the box and it had the install disc which I need and everything else it came with ,he even had the receipt from the apple store where he paid like over $3,000 or somethin for it and that was $170 with free shipping but I decided any more money spent on powerbooks would'nt be smart,but if you do an ADVANCED search first put in all buy it now,free shipping,your set price and within so many miles of your house your gonna eventually come across somethin that fits you perfect. These prices might surely sound pricey to some but around here there is no apple in craigslist actually very few computers and 3/4 are scammers.
	0

Feb 18, 2013, 03:06 AM	#18
davidg4781 Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Moulton, TX	Blah. Now there's one, $200, great condition, MDD, 1.25 DP, with boxes and everything. So very tempting!! Just curious, how would this be doing video capture/small editing from VHS to DVD? I'm guessing my MBP would be more efficient and I'd be better off getting an external monitor and keyboard. __________________ 2010 MBP 2.4GHz 4GB RAM 750GB HDD iPhone 4S 32GB - Sprint iPod nano 2GB - 2nd gen.
	0

Feb 18, 2013, 02:57 PM	#25
davidg4781 Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Moulton, TX	And the guy said it's FW400. Argh. But w went on to say how his audio friends swear by G4s and OS 9. And said these people put out albums. That last bit turned me off.
	0

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