How much should I sell my iMac G4 20" for?

[Zedsdead185]

Hi Everyone,

I need a bit of help evaluating the price of an iMac g4 20" that I have lined up to sell to a friend. Its in very good condition, with the following specs (some of which I have upgraded myself):

1.25ghz G4 processor
2GB Ram
250GB HDD
4x Superdrive
GeForce FX 5200 64MB

It also comes with the original mouse, keyboard and harman kardon speakers. The port for the speakers is slightly damaged on the back of the iMac dome like a lot of models, but is cosmetic and still works perfectly. Also, due to its age, the superdrive sometimes has trouble ejecting, and probably needs a little re-application of grease on the gears. I have also previously reinstalled the Mobo battery. It looks almost pristine, no dirt or stains, a lovely clean and bright white colour with shining chrome. No yellowing or dulling at all.
All in all the buyer loves it, and wants to buy it more as a collection piece as opposed to actually using it. He's asked me for a proposed price which is what I'm struggling with. I can't find any models on ebay or gumtree or anywhere for any price (never mind in GBP £). What do you all think it is worth? I was thinking of asking for £150 but it's just an estimated guess from nothing. I don't want to overcharge him, but at the same time I don't want to undercut myself. Is my estimate correct? What do you guys think? Any feedback will help and be greatly appreciated thanks guys.

 

[keysofanxiety]

£150 is fair, were you to sell on Ebay. As it's for a friend I'd probably knock it down to £100.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

As a collection piece a £100 pounds seems fair lets be honest it's no use as computer.

 

[Zedsdead185]

Ok thanks guys. Thats been a big help

 

[RedCroissant]

As a collection piece a £100 pounds seems fair lets be honest it's no use as computer.

WHAT? What do you mean no use as a computer? All you have to do is go into the PowerPC forum on this site and you'll see a bunch of people that are keeping their older PPC Macs alive (as I am) and that machine is COVETED.

Ok thanks guys. Thats been a big help

OP,

Does this machine have AP and Bluetooth installed? If so then this is worth much more than a mere 100. Especially so with the original accessories and speakers which can bring half of what you're asking for the entire setup just by themselves.


The iMac can run Leopard just fine, use iTunes 10.6.3 (which syncs with any iOS device with a 30-pin connection that runs iOS 6 or below), streams to Apple TV, can get online just fine, convert videos using Handbrake and even make use of Adobe CS4, Blender, Mo Office 2004, LibreOffice, CandyBar, GeekTool...etc. The reason it's tough to find any previous sales is because that machine is very hard to come by.


Don't undervalue that machine. Before you sell it go to the PowerPC forum and ask there. In my honest opinion, you should be considering no less than double your original amount.

 

[Zedsdead185]

WHAT? What do you mean no use as a computer? All you have to do is go into the PowerPC forum on this site and you'll see a bunch of people that are keeping their older PPC Macs alive (as I am) and that machine is COVETED.



OP,

Does this machine have AP and Bluetooth installed? If so then this is worth much more than a mere 100. Especially so with the original accessories and speakers which can bring half of what you're asking for the entire setup just by themselves.


The iMac can run Leopard just fine, use iTunes 10.6.3 (which syncs with any iOS device with a 30-pin connection that runs iOS 6 or below), streams to Apple TV, can get online just fine, convert videos using Handbrake and even make use of Adobe CS4, Blender, Mo Office 2004, LibreOffice, CandyBar, GeekTool...etc. The reason it's tough to find any previous sales is because that machine is very hard to come by.


Don't undervalue that machine. Before you sell it go to the PowerPC forum and ask there. In my honest opinion, you should be considering no less than double your original amount.

It has airport, but not bluetooth and already runs Leopard.

Unfortunately, I have already sold it for £100. But I'm not too bothered seeing as it was to a friend. Ah well. You live and learn.

 

[RedCroissant]

Well I'm glad that you sold it to a friend then otherwise there would most likely be some regret. And that really is a fantastic machine and I hope that your friend decides to try using it because they might be pleasantly surprised.

I would honestly advise anyone that has a PowerPC Mac to go into the PowerPC forum every once in a while since it is still great architecture and many of the people posting in there use them as their primary (if not their only) Macs. My primary machine is a PowerMac G5, my secondary machine is a PowerBook G4 (which needs some parts), and my last machine is an iBook G3 that will be used as an OS 9 machine/retro game emulator.

 

[CooperBox]

As a collection piece a £100 pounds seems fair lets be honest it's no use as computer.

What! I use mine regularly on a weekly basis. With Ten4Fox I have no problems surfing the internet, sending e-mails etc.
And when used as a multi-media machine, I've seen more than a few jaws drop when visitors arrive.
A very, very underestimated machine, with a lot of life left in it.

 

[CooperBox]

Good for you if you've found a buyer, and especially if you're happy with the deal. I hope you don't regret that decision further down the line, as these 20" models are not easy to find, and I wager they will be very sought after collectors items in the future. RedCroissant speaks wisdom on the comments he made.
I bought mine about 18 months ago, and paid 3 times what you sold yours for. It was near mint in the original box with full Apple documentation, original Harman Kardon speakers, airport card and bluetooth, 2Gb Ram and with OS 10.5 Leopard. It runs beautifully with this configuration. No way would I let it go for what I paid, this ones a keeper. Luv it, a beautiful baby!

In fact I was so enamored with this model, that when I saw another recently in a 'thrift' shop (for more than you sold yours incidentally), I just had to have it. It being the second I'd seen available in over 2 years, so whether for eventual spares or whatever I thought I couldn't go wrong. So I now have an unusual mutimedia machine in 2 rooms of the house.

 

[EdwardSmith36]

Well, it depends on the condition it works. I have seen the pic that you have posted above, it seems good & pretty well in condition but I don't think it will go for more than £100.

 

[CooperBox]

Well, it depends on the condition it works. I have seen the pic that you have posted above, it seems good & pretty well in condition but I don't think it will go for more than £100.

I'd say the price will very much depend on the condition, spec, and most importantly your location. If you have one in excellent condition for sale at £100, not only myself but other folks here (at my geographical location) will take your hand off to get it at that price.
If you are in the States, it could well be that these G4 iMacs with the same spec and condition are not in demand, therefore of less value.
Inversely, in some parts of Asia and elsewhere where early iMac's sold in very small numbers, this model and the somewhat less exciting 15" spec iMac's will fetch a bigger premium. Again it's the old supply and demand argument.
I've just checked here locally for similar ads. There are only two 20" iMac's listed nationally, one at 170€ ($185), and the other at 350€ ($380). There's no guarantee they'll sell at those prices, but I wager the sellers will get fairly close to their asking price.
Even a very good condition 1.25GHz 17" or USB2 15" 1GHz model here can quite easily fetch 180-200€, as there are quite a number for sale, and they do eventually shift at those prices or very close. I think you'll agree that puts your £100 ($147) for a 20" into some questionable perspective.

 

[CooperBox]

Well, it depends on the condition it works. I have seen the pic that you have posted above, it seems good & pretty well in condition but I don't think it will go for more than £100.

Since my previous post I've just done a few other checks.
I'd like to know from where you got your £100 estimation.
I think that many would agree that in general Mac2Sell tend to underestimate their listed prices for used Mac products.
Today they show for a fully spec'd out 20" iMac with Airport, Bluetooth, USB2, Firewire 400 etc (like mine in the photo) double the price you stated:- £210 = €285 = $310.
You may be in a secret UK location with a room-full of 20" iMac's in excellent condition. If so, could you please reserve half a dozen for me.

 

[EdwardSmith36]

Hey, calm down Mr. Cooper, just relax... I have just posted my opinion, why are taking it so serious. I'm sorry my unexpected revert.

 

[davidg4781]

Just wanted to throw this out in case anyone is looking.

The internal bluetooth antenna extender appears to be very rare on these models. I have one and mine was pinched in half when the last guy opened it up. To date, I haven't been able to find a replacement online under $100, which I did not even attempt to purchase. The wifi antenna connector is a little easier to find but still appears to be running out.

Having a working BT should increase the price on these significantly, for a collector. I purchased mine, not knowing the wifi and BT wires were cut, for about $100. Cosmetically it was in almost brand new condition.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Since my previous post I've just done a few other checks.
I'd like to know from where you got your £100 estimation.
I think that many would agree that in general Mac2Sell tend to underestimate their listed prices for used Mac products.
Today they show for a fully spec'd out 20" iMac with Airport, Bluetooth, USB2, Firewire 400 etc (like mine in the photo) double the price you stated:- £210 = €285 = $310.
You may be in a secret UK location with a room-full of 20" iMac's in excellent condition. If so, could you please reserve half a dozen for me.

Put it On an auction site and see what you get is the best answer anyone can give, it's pretty poor for today's usage so it's going to be bought for nostalgia not because it is any longer a viable computer for most people. I never liked them so in my eyes it's worthless but as others have said there is a market for sentimentality.

 

[CooperBox]

Put it On an auction site and see what you get is the best answer anyone can give, it's pretty poor for today's usage so it's going to be bought for nostalgia not because it is any longer a viable computer for most people. I never liked them so in my eyes it's worthless but as others have said there is a market for sentimentality.

Please keep up. It looks like you didn't read post #6. The OP sold the computer back in Dec of last year..........


I'm struggling to understand how a marvelously engineered piece of equipment like a 20" 1.25ghz G4 iMac with 2GB RAM can be considered 'worthless' and 'pretty poor for today's usage' when it serves my needs (and the needs of others admirably) for:
Word processing + SpreadSheets + Presentations (MS Word/Excel/PP)
Internet streaming radio/ Media Juke Box (iTunes)
Sound recording & editing (Audacity)
And watching DVD's (with superb sound from the standard Harman Kardon stereo speakers!) I cant even do that on my RMBP!
Pretty impressive methinks for a 'worthless' Mac...........

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Please keep up. It looks like you didn't read post #6. The OP sold the computer back in Dec of last year..........


I'm struggling to understand how a marvelously engineered piece of equipment like a 20" 1.25ghz G4 iMac with 2GB RAM can be considered 'worthless' and 'pretty poor for today's usage' when it serves my needs (and the needs of others admirably) for:
Word processing + SpreadSheets + Presentations (MS Word/Excel/PP)
Internet streaming radio/ Media Juke Box (iTunes)
Sound recording & editing (Audacity)
And watching DVD's (with superb sound from the standard Harman Kardon stereo speakers!) I cant even do that on my RMBP!
Pretty impressive methinks for a 'worthless' Mac...........

Everyone has their, criteria for what they want from a computer, and nothing about that iMac matches mine, especially the looks I think it's horrible. So yes to me it's a worthless old computer that needs recycling....