newbie question about upgrades on old macs

[bbcountach]

Hello,
I've been looking at Macs for a while now, but my main problem is that i cant afford one. Can someone reccomend an old mac that is good just to take apart and upgrade or tinker with? I'd really prefer a laptop, but right now i think anything is better than my current windows piece of junk. let me know if i left anything out, and thanks for taking the time for me!

edit: perhaps i should jsut wait for the Mac OS for intel or save up for an ibook?
-B

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

Mac OS for Intel?? If you're thinking that you will be able to run OS X on anyold junk PC, it's not going to happen. Apple has said they will not do this.

Maybe an old G4 PowerMac or a 15" G4 iMac. Depends on what you want to do.

 

[bbcountach]

I'm looking at some music editing, and some small video editing. mostly just music playing and homework. I saw a few powermac g4's do things like processors and video cards swap out on those easily? thanks
-B

 

[macbaseball]

I'm looking at some music editing, and some small video editing. mostly just music playing and homework. I saw a few powermac g4's do things like processors and video cards swap out on those easily? thanks
-B

You're not going to get a good value when you upgrade the processors. What's your price range, as that would help arrow it down a lot. I would suggest getting a dual 1.25 G4 Power Mac, which is probably out of your price range.

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

Processor upgrades are always expensive, and in most cases, you'd have been better off just buy a new Mac.

I would also suggest checkin out Apple Credit, http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?instantcredit=yes . That might help you out with the money issues.

 

[Sun Baked]

Give a price range, but remember you'll want something that can play DVDs.

A refurb eMac from Apple is $650 ... this should allow you to remain rather current.

But a refurb iBook G4 for $699 will have a CD-RW drive only which caused problems for the DVD software -- like OS upgrades.

 

[bbcountach]

My price range would probably be around $500-600. Judging by the responses, i think i'm going to be spending a lot more time saving up. I think because of school, i will probably be saving up for a used ibook or something of that type. I greatly appreciate all of everyone's help! Thanks a million!
-B