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Buying old minis

B

brynmr

macrumors newbie
Original poster
About too pick up an old 1.82 g4 Mini with an upgraded OS: 10.3 to 10.5.8

My question is what are the problems? There is only the original install disc supplied. If this question has been addressed please point me to the right place. Thanks.
 
forget about G4 minis, they don't support the latest OS and at some point, you'll be stuck

you can find some good deals with the first gen of mac mini intel
 
just get the most recent mini
signature_smiley-14923-happy-police.jpg
, i dont think that one will even run snow leopard as its not intel based?
 
There's no such thing as a 1.82Ghz G4 Mac Mini... if it's a G4 it can't be any faster than 1.5. If it's a 1.82 then it's Intel.

Any idea which part the seller has wrong?

flopticalcube said:
No such thing as a 1.82 G4 mini. Its either a 1.42GHz G4 mini or a 1.83GHz Intel.
Click to expand...

Jinx. 😀
 
If it's Intel....go for it beacuse you can at least upgrade. PPC versions are stuck several version back in both OS and software.

If you are only going to use it for general applications like surfing the web, e-mail, home video editing...a G4 might be just fine, but don't even think about upgrading much. You can max out memory and HDD but you will still be limited to 2yo+ software.
 
My mistake sorry - 1.25

I have the latest Mini. I just wanted it for my wife who simply wants to surf the web. I'm concerned that if it crashes the later OS which the owner installed will be lost.
 
Given the 1GB RAM limit, these are kind of limited in use for today's software. No Snow Leopard, no more OS updates going forward. If you are getting it cheap (less than $200) than its OK I guess. I would rather put the money towards an Intel, if it were me.

Yes. If you have to replace the HD, you will have a problem. Leopard is VERY expensive at the moment (like over $100 on eBay).
 
macchiato2009 said:
forget about G4 minis, they don't support the latest OS and at some point, you'll be stuck

you can find some good deals with the first gen of mac mini intel
Click to expand...

Been looking on Craig's list but they're pricey.

flopticalcube said:
Given the 1GB RAM limit, these are kind of limited in use for today's software. No Snow Leopard, no more OS updates going forward. If you are getting it cheap (less than $200) than its OK I guess. I would rather put the money towards an Intel, if it were me.

Yes. If you have to replace the HD, you will have a problem.
Click to expand...

I think you're right.
 
For your wife to surf the web a 1.25Ghz G4 mini is a good choice. Make sure to upgrade the RAM to the full 1GB though. Those G4 minis are plenty robust enough for web stuff etc, and they look really cute.
 
brynmr said:
The advantage being the OS is upgradable?
Click to expand...
OS is upgradeable to Snow Leopard for $29. RAM has a 2GB ceiling for the Core Solo/Duo and 3GB for the older Core 2 Duo models. 8GB on the latest. Core Solo is faster than a G4 and a Core Duo is MUCH faster than a G4. Intels also have SATA hard drives which are faster and easier to find. Both bluetooth and WiFi are standard (albeit g on the older models). Ethernet is 1000mbps vs 100mbps.
 
I gave my dad my Intel Mac Mini when I bought an iMac, but then he got an iMac, so maybe I should get it back from him and sell it. It's a 1.66 and I maxed out the RAM.

+ it is sitting on a NewerTech v2 miniStack with a 500GB drive in it.
 
brynmr said:
I'll buy it from you if the price is reasonable.
Click to expand...

PM me. I have to get the specs and would need to have my dad ship it to me. It is a great little machine with max ram and stack with HDD and hub are a package deal. I wouldn't sell it without. Otherwise I might gift it to my father-in-law who has wanted to get a Mac for video editing.
 
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