I assume it was for personal reasons.
Personally, I refuse to get a new Intel-based Mac, because I dont' really consider them Macs, and they're less fun than older machines. A lot less fun. The 2.4 GHz iMacs at school are more than fast enough, but just aren't that much fun to use.
However, I love my Beige G3, and like spending money on it even though it's not really worth it.
I currently use a 1.6 GHz Pentium M laptop as my main machine... and will be getting a new one pretty soon. I could get a new MacBook if I wanted, but I just don't want one. I'll probably get a 2.4 to 2.6 GHz Core2Duo.
Recently eBayed a PowerMac 9600, B&W G3, and 733 MHz QS G4... paid $10 for the 9600, $1.29 for the B&W, and $130 for the G4, which is more than I'd have liked especially given it has only 256 MB RAM, a CDRW and a 40 GB HDD instead of the promised 1GB, Combo and 60 GB.
Anyway, I think the 9600 is about the coolest Mac ever made.... the B&W's fun, and the QS is somewhat practical. . . or would be, if it had more RAM. Currently it's got 384 MB since I had an extra 128 MB PC133 stick lying around... even the B&W now has more RAM as I had two 128 MB PC100 sticks to shove in there for 512.
I agree a Mac Mini would be a better deal, but they're just no <i>fun</i>. Now, a cube would be fun. But minis are ugly, and not expandable.