New mac user

BigCanoe · Jan 13, 2003, 07:51 PM

Well, I want to be a Mac user. What is the cheapest, bang for the buck Mac I could buy that would run OSX and be good for email and WWW at least?

Thanks,
BC

Shrek · Jan 13, 2003, 07:52 PM

If you're just going to do e-mail and surf the web, then I would have to suggest the iBook.

Shrek · Jan 13, 2003, 07:54 PM

Oh, and welcome to MacRumors!

orthodoc · Jan 13, 2003, 08:38 PM

If portability is not an issue, I would consider the eMac or the low end iMac. Both are great machines and will run OS X great. Just keep in mind that these two machines will probably be upgraded in the next few weeks.

Good luck and welcome!

BigCanoe · Jan 13, 2003, 08:42 PM

Thanks! Should I wait a couple of weeks then, maybe new models will drive the old prices even lower?

Tiauguinho · Jan 13, 2003, 08:48 PM

Yeah, the old ones will go down on price, but i would sugest you to get the future ones instead, since you will be getting new tech. A iMac would suit you fine and its an awsome machine!

orthodoc · Jan 13, 2003, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigCanoe
Thanks! Should I wait a couple of weeks then, maybe new models will drive the old prices even lower?

I would definitely hang in there for a few weeks. There is a good chance for price cuts in addition to upgrades. Only time will tell.

Catfish_Man · Jan 13, 2003, 10:15 PM

Waiting on new machines is a tricky business. My advice would be to set a date that you won't wait past without VERY strong evidence of a near future upgrade, then stick to it. Model-wise I would suggest the eMac (which is close to identical to the iMac, but with a CRT screen and a big price cut). If you like LCDs and are willing to pay a bit more, go for the iMac. I haven't tried the 15" ones, but the 17" is frickin amazing.

Durandal7 · Jan 13, 2003, 10:20 PM

The eMac is an excellent machine for it's price. It runs OS X great and is good at everyday tasks.

insidedanshead · Jan 13, 2003, 11:19 PM

Bang-for-your-buck award I would have to say goes to the 17" iMac. The 15" iMac's screen can become suffocating sometimes.. even just surfing the web and checking e-mail. OS X isn't shy with taking up screen realestate either. .. but that's just my opinion...

alset · Jan 13, 2003, 11:33 PM

I'd say hold out for as long as it takes, if you are really interested in a new machine. If you can wait for the next revision (seeing as one should be coming along soon, including new technologies) you will be doing yourself a favor. I end up waiting almost every time I decide to invest in a machine. Last month I bought a new iBook, even though I knew there was a possibility of portable upgrades. Now look at me: I have to save up some funds and by a new 12-inch PowerBook! 8)

Dan

Buggy · Jan 14, 2003, 02:44 AM

You are always going to wait longer than you want.

Pay more than you want.

And be outdated faster than you want.

However: You will love any Mac you get! and never want a PC again.

orthodoc · Jan 14, 2003, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Buggy
You are always going to wait longer than you want.

Pay more than you want.

And be outdated faster than you want.

However: You will love any Mac you get! and never want a PC again.

Amen to that!

BigCanoe · Jan 14, 2003, 08:47 AM

I think I will end up going for used of Ebay or refurbished. And it would be hard to resist an iBook, they are so cool

neonart · Jan 14, 2003, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigCanoe
I think I will end up going for used of Ebay or refurbished. And it would be hard to resist an iBook, they are so cool

Don't feel bad about doing that. I buy most of my stuff once it's discontinued. It's cheaper and I don't get surprised with revisions.

But make sure there isn't any new technology you want that an older model won't use. Ex: I would try to get an ibook that uses Quartz Extreme. That means it would be one of the current ones. (and maybe the prev gen)
700Mhz G4 flat panel iMacs sell for $999 all day long, brand new from alot of vendors. That's a great deal too. And often they'll give printers and free RAM as well. Those imacs have plenty of power to do all the day to day stuff and even do some Photoshop, Games and things like that.
http://www.smalldog.com/ and http://powermax.com/index.html always have deals and refurbs.

Macmaniac · Jan 14, 2003, 05:13 PM

If you really want to be cheap get the old CRT iMac for $800. Or you could get a refurb one with a CD-RW for $400. Good Luck

MacKid · Jan 14, 2003, 07:03 PM

The cheapest mac for what you need is the iBook. Nothing special, just CD-ROM, 700Mhz G3. BTW, a good place to check out would be The Apple Store (No sarcasm intended)

Catfish_Man · Jan 14, 2003, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Macmaniac
If you really want to be cheap get the old CRT iMac for $800. Or you could get a refurb one with a CD-RW for $400. Good Luck

Don't get this. CRT iMacs are ANNOYING. Tiny curved screen, slow processor. The new LCD iMacs are infinitely superior imho

BigCanoe · Jan 14, 2003, 08:19 PM

I am leaning towards an iBook, I don't have a laptop and it would be cool to have wireless.

neonart · Jan 15, 2003, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigCanoe
I am leaning towards an iBook, I don't have a laptop and it would be cool to have wireless.

Wireless is WAY COOL! Nothing like sittin' on the deck, drinkin' a Corona Light, and surfin' the web! Of course, not now when it's 32°.

Jan 13, 2003, 07:51 PM	#1
BigCanoe macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2003	New mac user Well, I want to be a Mac user. What is the cheapest, bang for the buck Mac I could buy that would run OSX and be good for email and WWW at least? Thanks, BC

Jan 13, 2003, 08:48 PM	#6
Tiauguinho macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Netherlands	Yeah, the old ones will go down on price, but i would sugest you to get the future ones instead, since you will be getting new tech. A iMac would suit you fine and its an awsome machine! __________________ Join MR Folding Team (3446)

Jan 13, 2003, 11:19 PM	#10
insidedanshead macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2002	Bang-for-your-buck award I would have to say goes to the 17" iMac. The 15" iMac's screen can become suffocating sometimes.. even just surfing the web and checking e-mail. OS X isn't shy with taking up screen realestate either. .. but that's just my opinion... __________________ My Life is Design.

Jan 13, 2003, 11:33 PM	#11
alset macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: East Bay, CA	I'd say hold out for as long as it takes, if you are really interested in a new machine. If you can wait for the next revision (seeing as one should be coming along soon, including new technologies) you will be doing yourself a favor. I end up waiting almost every time I decide to invest in a machine. Last month I bought a new iBook, even though I knew there was a possibility of portable upgrades. Now look at me: I have to save up some funds and by a new 12-inch PowerBook! 8) Dan __________________ alsetmusic.com standing on the shoulders of giants....

Jan 14, 2003, 05:13 PM	#16
Macmaniac macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: A tiny spec in the "Garden State", 1 square mile in area, somewhere on the outskirts of town by the railroad tracks	If you really want to be cheap get the old CRT iMac for $800. Or you could get a refurb one with a CD-RW for $400. Good Luck __________________ The customer is NOT always right

Jan 13, 2003, 07:52 PM	#2
Shrek Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Nashville, Tennessee USA	If you're just going to do e-mail and surf the web, then I would have to suggest the iBook.

Jan 13, 2003, 07:54 PM	#3
Shrek Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Nashville, Tennessee USA	Oh, and welcome to MacRumors!

Jan 13, 2003, 08:38 PM	#4
orthodoc macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas	If portability is not an issue, I would consider the eMac or the low end iMac. Both are great machines and will run OS X great. Just keep in mind that these two machines will probably be upgraded in the next few weeks. Good luck and welcome!

Jan 13, 2003, 08:42 PM	#5
BigCanoe Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2003	Thanks! Should I wait a couple of weeks then, maybe new models will drive the old prices even lower?

Jan 13, 2003, 10:15 PM	#8
Catfish_Man macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, OR	Waiting on new machines is a tricky business. My advice would be to set a date that you won't wait past without VERY strong evidence of a near future upgrade, then stick to it. Model-wise I would suggest the eMac (which is close to identical to the iMac, but with a CRT screen and a big price cut). If you like LCDs and are willing to pay a bit more, go for the iMac. I haven't tried the 15" ones, but the 17" is frickin amazing.

Jan 13, 2003, 10:20 PM	#9
Durandal7 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Feb 2001	The eMac is an excellent machine for it's price. It runs OS X great and is good at everyday tasks.

Jan 14, 2003, 02:44 AM	#12
Buggy macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Canada	You are always going to wait longer than you want. Pay more than you want. And be outdated faster than you want. However: You will love any Mac you get! and never want a PC again.

Jan 14, 2003, 08:47 AM	#14
BigCanoe Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2003	I think I will end up going for used of Ebay or refurbished. And it would be hard to resist an iBook, they are so cool

Jan 14, 2003, 07:03 PM	#17
MacKid Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: I am a rogue program, I was queued for deletion, so I have escaped, and always am running from the Agents!	The Cheapest. . . The cheapest mac for what you need is the iBook. Nothing special, just CD-ROM, 700Mhz G3. BTW, a good place to check out would be The Apple Store (No sarcasm intended)

Jan 14, 2003, 08:19 PM	#19
BigCanoe Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2003	I am leaning towards an iBook, I don't have a laptop and it would be cool to have wireless.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode