Not to get off topic or sound like a fanboy ('cause I'm not), but I think this applies to the thread...
A Mac, especially a "Pro" model (i.e. 1999 G4 Tower, 2006 MBP), is more than innards and a case (i.e. -
most PCs). You get what you pay for, and for what he paid he should get a top o' the line laptop w/o flaws (within reason). They do stand behind their products and will make him happy, *if* he just takes it in.
btw - I spent
less than $200 upgrading my processor, took less than 3 days to arrive and took less than 5 min to install. No weird driver issues, booting to BIOS, etc. *Everything else* is stock and runs perfectly. I just don't see many PCs from 1999 running these days w/o (way) more *time* and money put into it. I am familiar with what you can do with an old PC case and new innards, I have built/rebuilt many a PC box myself...
...and you're right, it's not a fair comparison at all.
😎
My point... take it in already, stop messing around and go get what you are deserved. You will be happy with it for a long, long time.