Decisions

Figure out your budget first (or in this case your mother's budget) and work from there. For high school, for most students at least, you don't need a mac any other high end computer really.

Windows doesn't suck. Both Mac OSX and Windows have good and bad things, it's up to you and how you use your operating system that determines which suits you better.

If I were you, I would fix the G4 if it *really* costs only $100, and get a Windows laptop.

Then, save up so in three years when you go to College/Uni you can buy a really kick ass computer, no matter what brand you choose.

 

I would fix the iMac if it's only $100 to do so. Yeah, a Mac mini is faster and newer, but the money you save fixing the iMac could be put to a laptop. If you want to go Mac, but only have $400-600 (which is what an entry level Windows laptop would cost you) I'd look into a well-kept iBook G4. A 12" can be had for easily $200-300 on Fleabay, then hook yourself up with a new battery and tada, two excellent computers for under $500. Yes, both computers are older and thus perhaps not as reliable as newer machines (nor do they have warranty), but the two ways I tend to this problem myself is by 1) keeping a backup of each of my older machines lest something goes awry and 2) reminding myself that all the money I saved buying used machines can be put towards one or two repairs.

My plan was to get a Clamshell for school, because a school computer for me would need word processing and that's it. Clamshells are awesome, though quite a bit slower than an iBook G4.

 

How fast is the G4? The differences between the original 700MHz models and the later 1.25GHz models is huge. Along the way Apple increased power, added HD space, moved to DDR RAM, and vastly improved the graphics. Putting $100 toward an old 700-800MHz 15" model doesn't seem like a wise move to me, but putting it towards a newer 17-20" model thats nearly double the speed is more reasonable.

 

Out of curiosity, what do you need both a laptop and a desktop for?

Here's how I see it... you've got $800 you're willing to use for a computer, and apparently your mom is willing to spend at least $600. If you combine that it's $1400. You could get a 13" MBP for that amount that's more powerful than the Mini and the iMac G4.

I also agree with Drewdle: if it's a late model G4, $100 to fix it is worth it. If it's the early model, don't bother with it.

 

i would repair the iMac g4 and for the $600 your mum want to spend you get a powerbook g4 , gives you a laptop and a iMac g4 and you keep the style in your life