Powerbook G4 or iMac G5 as 2nd Mac?

[mike457]

Excluding FedEx costs, the G4 was actually $214.39. That was a 33% off sale, he was actually asking $319.99, because these PowerBook's are presumably in "excellent" condition, with only a few very, very light scratches. Actually, I spent a total of $305, because I spent $75 on 2GB of RAM from OWC/macsales.com

I'm kinda "meh" on the $214.39, but now I'm a bit angry. I just found a late 2005 (last generation) PowerMac G5 with the Quad 2.5 GHz G4, Dual 250GB drives, and 6.5GB RAM with $113 as the current bid. Plus, here's another advantage. I've been driving from NW Ohio to Pittsburgh every 2/3 weeks because my Mom's BF severely injured his thumb at work, and is seeing a doctor in Pittsburgh. To have the G5 shipped to my door, it's close to $50. This PowerMac, is IN Pittsburgh. I could save the money, and just meet up with the dude next week, and get the G5 that way, and save money and hassle. If you can find me a 15" G4 PowerBook, with the same specs or better, for cheaper than what I paid, then I'll be shocked. If you can find one with the box and all the documentation, discs, the lot, I'll be even more shocked.

OP, sorry to veer way off-topic on your post, but I was explaining my experience a bit more. Sorry. Once I start talking, I can't stop...

Don't beat yourself up. It's always possible to find something that looks like a better deal. In the case of a quad 2.5, the liquid cooling system is a major source of failure. What you've got is safer than the G5.

To the OP, I'd go with the G4. Several of my friends and I bought the iMac G5 back in the day, and we have all had trouble with them. The latest to fail was just three months ago. Give it credit for surviving, but the failure was annoying nonetheless.

 

[superspartan]

I ended up going with a 15" PB 1.5/1gb/80gb for $175 shipped. It looks to be in good condition so I thought it was a decent deal.

Thanks to all who steered me away from the iMac G5. After looking at some benchmarks, it didn't even score much better than the G4.

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

I ended up going with a 15" PB 1.5/1gb/80gb for $175 shipped. It looks to be in good condition so I thought it was a decent deal.

Thanks to all who steered me away from the iMac G5. After looking at some benchmarks, it didn't even score much better than the G4.

Congratulations, it's a PowerBook!

Do you mind sharing where you found these PowerBook benchmarks? I couldn't find PowerBook benchmarks anywhere...

 

[Lil Chillbil]

glad to help and trust me your going to love your powerbook I use mine as my main machine while my g5 is being modded I almost don't want to go back

 

[superspartan]

Congratulations, it's a PowerBook!

Do you mind sharing where you found these PowerBook benchmarks? I couldn't find PowerBook benchmarks anywhere...

I use the Mactracker app (available for OSX or iOS). I'm not sure if the benchmarks are for CPU only or overall system.

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

I use the Mactracker app (available for OSX or iOS). I'm not sure if the benchmarks are for CPU only or overall system.

I didn't see benchmarks in Mactracker!

 

[superspartan]

Wirelessly posted

My PB is out for delivery. I don't know why, but I'm more excited about this machine than I was when I bought my aluminum intel iMac. I've also owned a white intel MacBook that I've since sold. This PB will be significantly slower than either of those macs, but PowerBooks do seem to have some timeless design appeal.

 

[PowerPCMacMan]

PowerPC machines in general..

My thought on this is that it is quite possible that our PowerPC macs do indeed have souls and they are crying out loud that they are still alive and not dead. I find it rather sad that Microsoft can support with Windows 7 vintage PC type pentium 4 chips, while Apple lets PowerPC macs suffer.

Personally, I think Lion and Mountain Lion could have been made to run on PPC macs, but regrettably, we will never know.

All we can do is try to keep the PowerPC torch alive and one day it might surprise us as a leading contender in the processor market.

Wirelessly posted

My PB is out for delivery. I don't know why, but I'm more excited about this machine than I was when I bought my aluminum intel iMac. I've also owned a white intel MacBook that I've since sold. This PB will be significantly slower than either of those macs, but PowerBooks do seem to have some timeless design appeal.

 

[superspartan]

Wirelessly posted

I received the PB and it appeared to be in decent condition. Unfortanatly, I've since discovered it has the dreaded lower ram slot failure. I was really hoping to max out to 2gb but now I'm stuck with 1gb. Still deciding if I want to make do or send it back.