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Cheapest[usable] Macintosh?
- Thread starter Spectrum Abuser
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An iMac G5 would actually be perfect for what you are looking for. The price is decent, display is good quality, it has WiFi, and SATA, so you could probably even swap the SuperDrive for an SSD in the future if you wanted.
I'd suggest looking at a 2GHz 17" with Leopard and 2GB of RAM. Maybe even buy an aluminum keyboard to go with it.
since when does a hackintosh need random unforeseable problems to be classed as Hackintosh
if you choose the hardware wisely its as easy to install OSX as on a MacPro
since when does a hackintosh need random unforeseable problems to be classed as Hackintosh
if you choose the hardware wisely its as easy to install OSX as on a MacPro
I've been running a hackintosh for years without trouble, once it's set up your sorted. I bought my computer components based on known compatibility however so it was all good!
I've got a G5 set up in my bedroom running a 42" plasma monitor for tv/dvd's. The problem I am having now is that many websites are switching to the newest version of flash and adobe are no longer supporting the powerpc so I can see me having to replace it within the next 6 months when I can't stream tv over the internet on it.
So I'd have to recommend not getting a powerpc based mac and getting a low-end intel mac. Hunt ebay and look for auctions that are finishing at awkward times (late at night/early morning/work hours) are always best for picking up bargains as you get less snipers and try to haggle on sites like craigslist or gumtree. Sign up to a local freecycle and post a wanted ad, you might get lucky.
Then lowendmac would be right up your alley. Not only do they have consolidated lists of used and refurb Macs from different vendors, but they also have tips for how to keep older Macs running more current software, and "value equations" that help to compare the relative values of different models, although these may not apply to the models you would be looking at. They have listings for C2D Minis, iMacs and MacBooks, all for < $500, or refurbs for < $600.
i totally disagree with the websites will only support computers running the latest version of flashplayer soon ,your prediction would render the iPad that sold in millions into a pile of junk made from aluminium and some other material as the iPad doesn't even support any version of flash and is still able to browse the web and will still in the foreseeable future ..dont know how that is in 10 years from now but for the next couple of years it should be no problem
ok your prediction would make android phone and tablet makers really happy as they support flashplayer
btw i can watch in my browser on my htc wildfire even freeview from the website TVcatchup, so no flashplayer needed there , even youtube goes html5 so no flashplayer needed, its only some very strange websites who specialise on adobes flashplayer mainly porn sites
ok your prediction would make android phone and tablet makers really happy as they support flashplayer
btw i can watch in my browser on my htc wildfire even freeview from the website TVcatchup, so no flashplayer needed there , even youtube goes html5 so no flashplayer needed, its only some very strange websites who specialise on adobes flashplayer mainly porn sites
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I assume that was aimed at my comment. While it is true for most sites you don't need flash, the sites I use are slowly changing to the latest flash version. I don't use my G5 for anything other than watching tv as it's in my bedroom, I don't even have a mouse and keyboard attached to it, I just use my iphone to control it. Sites like bbc iplayer, 4od, itvplayer have all stopped working recently. Luckily tvcatchup is going strong still but it's only a matter of time before it switches too.
So for me personally, ppc is on the way out, that's not to say other people will have the same experience, they are perfectly good for other things, but for me and what I do, It's not going to last much longer.
A non-intel Mac can't run the latest version of iTunes, if I'm not mistaken. Also, without the latest version of iTunes, you can't sync with newer iOS devices. (like the iPad 2, for example)
But even if it wasn't for those two things, I would NOT buy a non-Intel Mac. Bad idea.
But even if it wasn't for those two things, I would NOT buy a non-Intel Mac. Bad idea.
tvcatchup will not switch , they are to much in supporting iOS devices so they are more likely to switch away from flashplayer , and i watch German tv and at their websites sites you even get now the option to watch with quicktime or windows media player instead of flash , because of the rising numbers of devices that dont support flash they all offer html5 now
and if it doesnt get the new standard then ok back to the old days with a satellite receiver and a tv card or tv
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I'd stay away from the G4 iMacs if your looking for a budget primary machine. Mines a last revision model with USB 2/wifi etc with maxed ram and a 160GB HD (running Leopard) The software support isn't bad, but low RAM limit can grind things to a halt quickly. The better examples (and ones with the 17-20 inch screens) tend to sell for quite a bit, mainly due to their design. You would be much better off saving for the cheapest Core 2 Duo based Mac you can afford
Had mine for 6 years. Lamp design is good as new! I just use an external monitor.
As already mentioned look out for a Aluminum Macbook late 2008. Those are very good machines equipped with C2D Processor and are upgradeable up to 6GB of Ram. You can upgrade the HDD to a SSD (3GB/s SataII) and it will last you for some more years if you do not plan to do any CPU or GFX intense work.
I bought one of those for my flatmate and she is happy. It runs Lion without problems. She can use MS Office 2011 and Safari as she likes it without any slowdown and the 2.0 GHz C2D is strong enough for everything she intends to do with the Computer. Youtube up to 1080p is no problem. AND she loves the trackpad. She was one of these "mouse clickers" and could not believe that I can do my work without my mouse (she acquired it when I got my MBP...) but after a few days of familiarization she would never go back to the "mouse clicking"...
You should invest these 500US$ and you will love it.
(I have the late 2009 MBP13 which is essentially the same but with a little stronger Processor and FW800 and 4GB Ram. It runs a Intel320 300GB SSD and my "old" MBP is nearly as fast as my colleagues MBA 2011. The only thing he really can beat me is startup [5-7 seconds] and "open all Apps at once" because of the HT of his i5
C2D + SSD (SataII)=
i5 + SSD (SataII) =
I think C2D benefit most from the use of a SataII SSD... so you can get a decent machine for little money... But then again... the MBA11 would be close to that budget.)
I bought one of those for my flatmate and she is happy. It runs Lion without problems. She can use MS Office 2011 and Safari as she likes it without any slowdown and the 2.0 GHz C2D is strong enough for everything she intends to do with the Computer. Youtube up to 1080p is no problem. AND she loves the trackpad. She was one of these "mouse clickers" and could not believe that I can do my work without my mouse (she acquired it when I got my MBP...) but after a few days of familiarization she would never go back to the "mouse clicking"...
You should invest these 500US$ and you will love it.
(I have the late 2009 MBP13 which is essentially the same but with a little stronger Processor and FW800 and 4GB Ram. It runs a Intel320 300GB SSD and my "old" MBP is nearly as fast as my colleagues MBA 2011. The only thing he really can beat me is startup [5-7 seconds] and "open all Apps at once" because of the HT of his i5
C2D + SSD (SataII)=
i5 + SSD (SataII) =
I think C2D benefit most from the use of a SataII SSD... so you can get a decent machine for little money... But then again... the MBA11 would be close to that budget.)
As far as I know, the Power Mac G5 can do everything you list, playing YouTube vids requires something call mactube as far as I know, not certain as I'm still waiting for my G5 to get here.
I bought an Ibook g3 for $65...will it be able to do minimal web browsing, email, and word processing?
White 17" iMac with a Core 2 Duo and the ATI video card (not the Intel integrated); easily had for under $500 (often closer to $400 in good condition) on eBay. I had one of these until recently and we still have TONS of them at my school (though they're the ones with Intel graphics YUCK). They'll take 4GB of RAM (but only address a little over 3GB) and can use any size SATA hard drive (though the upgrade is tricky). Plus the ATI x1600/x1900 are still serviceable video cards.
Actually, if you have Leopard on a PPC machine, it can run the latest iTunes. Funnily enough, that's the only application Apple is still updating for non-Intel devices.