I want to get a mac because ive been wanting one for a while and have saved up 500 bucks I need everything kb,mouse,monitor. Any ideas?
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Getting a Mac for under 500 bucks.
- Thread starter Flyers1718
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Buy a refurbed Mini for ~$480... steal the rest!
Just kidding, I dont condone stealing... I DO condone permanently borrowing from friends... after all, whats theirs is yours! (IF they are a true friend!) 😉
Just kidding, I dont condone stealing... I DO condone permanently borrowing from friends... after all, whats theirs is yours! (IF they are a true friend!) 😉
odinsride
macrumors 65816
I can't recommend that you buy a PC. But that's seriously about all you're going to get with $500.
If you need a monitor, kb, and mouse in addition to the Mac, you're going to be looking at spending closer to 750-1000 depending on the monitor you choose, in which case you're better off just getting a used or refurb iMac...
If you need a monitor, kb, and mouse in addition to the Mac, you're going to be looking at spending closer to 750-1000 depending on the monitor you choose, in which case you're better off just getting a used or refurb iMac...
Just keep a look out. I looked every day for about 3 weeks before I picked mine up... should be here tomorrow! Its a great little machine for the price... and its Intel dual core... so you will be able to run Leopard if/when you want to upgrade it. Doesnt come with a display... but for another $100... I would check newegg.com... 17"s have dropped to a very reasonable price range. After that, download some free, great programs... and enjoy!
Digital Skunk
macrumors G3
Powermax.com
wegenermedia.com (if you can trust them)
smalldogelectronics.com
Craigslist.com (click on your area or close by)
Those are the few places I know that will sell you used stuff in good condition. Craigslist isn't a store, it's more of a classifieds place but you can search in the computers section for stuff for sale, and even post that you are looking for a Mac and periphs for $500.
wegenermedia.com (if you can trust them)
smalldogelectronics.com
Craigslist.com (click on your area or close by)
Those are the few places I know that will sell you used stuff in good condition. Craigslist isn't a store, it's more of a classifieds place but you can search in the computers section for stuff for sale, and even post that you are looking for a Mac and periphs for $500.
kuebby
macrumors 68000
Digital Skunk
macrumors G3
CalBoy
macrumors 604
An excellent decision. You should probably have about 10% more saved up than you need, just to be safe. IE, if the computer you want costs $600, then you should have at least $660 in savings (and if you have to worry about sales tax, add that rate on top of that).
apfhex
macrumors 68030
Keyboard and mouse are cheap enough to be of no concern (unless you want the Apple Keyboard and a fancy mouse) a good monitor might cost half as much as the computer again (though also depending on what you want). However, a mini would be a much better option than one of those $500 cheapo PC bundles if you ask me. 🙂
disconap
macrumors 68000
You can probably get an imac G4 in the $550-650 range on Craigslist or ebay. Otherwise, if you just want to try out Mac/OSX, you can get a G3 imac for $50-150 on either site. Play with OSX, just realize that on any other modern Mac, it will run much, much faster. 😉
I'd consider a G4 tower, though. You can probably find a low end one in your price range right now that will come with a keyboard and mouse (again, Craigslist and ebay). And check your local Craigslist for monitiors; CRTs are being given away and left on roadsides in Portland, my company got 5 free from a company downtown that was upgrading to LCD, all 5 were 17 inch flat screen projection monitors, and 3 of them were pristeen (2 had some burned images into the tubes, but nothing we couldn't use). I'd say that, for maybe $50 more than what you've got, you can be up and running, and the G4 is heavily upgradeable, so you can keep improving it as you can afford it, or save up for an intel mac later.
I'd consider a G4 tower, though. You can probably find a low end one in your price range right now that will come with a keyboard and mouse (again, Craigslist and ebay). And check your local Craigslist for monitiors; CRTs are being given away and left on roadsides in Portland, my company got 5 free from a company downtown that was upgrading to LCD, all 5 were 17 inch flat screen projection monitors, and 3 of them were pristeen (2 had some burned images into the tubes, but nothing we couldn't use). I'd say that, for maybe $50 more than what you've got, you can be up and running, and the G4 is heavily upgradeable, so you can keep improving it as you can afford it, or save up for an intel mac later.
Digital Skunk
macrumors G3
That's the best choice. Electronics are a funny thing and going into the game with a brand new machine is a lot better than buying one used. I always say that the base price is $1000 or more for a good machine.
Yeah i would rather get something nicer than I have and make it worth it. Thanks again everyone.
AC773
macrumors member
Sometimes businesses or schools will have tons of old mice, keyboards, and CRT monitors lying around. As long as you don't mind the weight or the age, you can usually pick them up for free. You might have to buy a PS/2 to USB adapter for the mouse and/or keyboard, but it's about 10 dollars.
Just a thought, but that way you could start using your new mini now while you save up for a nicer monitor, etc.
Just a thought, but that way you could start using your new mini now while you save up for a nicer monitor, etc.
iJesus
macrumors 6502a
I have one of those big red plastic iMacs that I've had for about 5 years? and right now it's seriously just sitting on top of my dresser looking pretty (I keep it around because it was my first computer that was all MINE) 🙂
if you want it I'd be happy to give it to you.
It's running Panther and it's in good condition.
I don't know what the specs on it are though.
if you want it I'd be happy to give it to you.
It's running Panther and it's in good condition.
I don't know what the specs on it are though.
darthraige
macrumors 68000
sbluetruck
macrumors regular
just got a 1.42GHz iBook G4, 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD off my uncle for exactly $500
it came with "incentives" too
ms office, toast 8, quicken... the list goes on and on.
EDIT:
the first computer in my sig was FREE and works wonderfully.
granted it's close to 13 years old (i believe) it's still amazing.
it came with "incentives" too
ms office, toast 8, quicken... the list goes on and on.
EDIT:
the first computer in my sig was FREE and works wonderfully.
granted it's close to 13 years old (i believe) it's still amazing.
velocityg4
macrumors 604
I just recently watched some auctions on eBay to check out their final prices, to suggest prices for my sister. Anyways based on the auctions I had watched.
A 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo Mini
-1-2GB RAM*
-60-80 GB HD*
-Combo Drive
-Airport
Goes for just over $500 including shipping
(* Combinations of 1GB RAM 80GB HD or 2GB RAM 60GB HD)
A 1.42GHz G4 Mini
-1GB RAM
-80GB HD
-Combo Drive
-Airport
Goes for about $350 including shipping, $385 with superdrive
You could pickup a G4 Mini off eBay then get a new 17" Widescreen LCD and a new keyboard and mouse off Newegg all for about $550. Or Craigslist for a used 17" LCD, keyboard, mouse and G4 Mac Mini for $500.
A 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo Mini
-1-2GB RAM*
-60-80 GB HD*
-Combo Drive
-Airport
Goes for just over $500 including shipping
(* Combinations of 1GB RAM 80GB HD or 2GB RAM 60GB HD)
A 1.42GHz G4 Mini
-1GB RAM
-80GB HD
-Combo Drive
-Airport
Goes for about $350 including shipping, $385 with superdrive
You could pickup a G4 Mini off eBay then get a new 17" Widescreen LCD and a new keyboard and mouse off Newegg all for about $550. Or Craigslist for a used 17" LCD, keyboard, mouse and G4 Mac Mini for $500.
I'd just keep watching Craigslist. That being said, it can completely and utterly break your heart. For example, last night for the half hour I wasn't online, someone posted a mint 1.5ghz iBook G4 with Applecare for $350! Of course, by the time I e-mailed, it was sold. But Craigslist is really the best way to get a cheap, used Apple as long as you're cautious.