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PowerMac G4. Worth anything?

T

thesaz123

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 14, 2013
32
0
York, PA, USA
I promised I'd ask on this forum for a friend about his PowerMac G4. He acquired it for free from another friend who was throwing it out. We've been trying to figure out the model (Quicksilver, sawtooth, etc) and all we could find is that it is a PowerMac G4 3,1. It was upgraded to a Dual Processor @1.6GHz, has 1.5GB of RAM, and is running OS X 10.5.8. I believe the video card is something along the lines of an ATI Radeon 8500?

Anyone know specifically what model "name" this computer has?

Is it worth anything? Thanks!
 
Its value would vary greatly depending on where you are. Where are you located?
 
thesaz123 said:
Better than nothing!

I told him it might be worthwhile just to put it in a safe place without much dust or humidity, and let it accumulate some value, and then sell it in a few years.
Click to expand...

Bad advice...these computers will only go down in value not up! If not using,sell it!
 
tom vilsack said:
Bad advice...these computers will only go down in value not up! If not using,sell it!
Click to expand...

But aren't the original macs from the 70's worth quite a bit now?

If he waited a good bit of time, it might be worth something to a collector of electronics from the early 2000's
 
thesaz123 said:
I promised I'd ask on this forum for a friend about his PowerMac G4. He acquired it for free from another friend who was throwing it out. We've been trying to figure out the model (Quicksilver, sawtooth, etc) and all we could find is that it is a PowerMac G4 3,1. It was upgraded to a Dual Processor @1.6GHz, has 1.5GB of RAM, and is running OS X 10.5.8. I believe the video card is something along the lines of an ATI Radeon 8500?

Anyone know specifically what model "name" this computer has?

Is it worth anything? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Maybe this link might help which model of G4 your friend has. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Mac_G4

Maybe it's value is $100 or less. Computer hardware just depreciates thru time naturally. Reasons could be new softwares won't run in old hardware, no spare parts available, obsolete hardware. Though I know older hardware are built tougher like tanks compared to today's hardware which are mostly plastic parts. Back in those days prices of Macs were expensive due to the premium parts being used. There are users who still prefer using old Macs until today.
 
thesaz123 said:
But aren't the original macs from the 70's worth quite a bit now?

If he waited a good bit of time, it might be worth something to a collector of electronics from the early 2000's
Click to expand...

In 30 years I guess it may be worth something. Not much I would assume. Big difference between a nice Apple II and a G4.
 
thesaz123 said:
I promised I'd ask on this forum for a friend about his PowerMac G4. He acquired it for free from another friend who was throwing it out. We've been trying to figure out the model (Quicksilver, sawtooth, etc) and all we could find is that it is a PowerMac G4 3,1. It was upgraded to a Dual Processor @1.6GHz, has 1.5GB of RAM, and is running OS X 10.5.8. I believe the video card is something along the lines of an ATI Radeon 8500?

Anyone know specifically what model "name" this computer has?

Is it worth anything? Thanks!
Click to expand...

You have a sawtooth, and I do too!
Use mactracker.
 
thesaz123 said:
I promised I'd ask on this forum for a friend about his PowerMac G4. He acquired it for free from another friend who was throwing it out. We've been trying to figure out the model (Quicksilver, sawtooth, etc) and all we could find is that it is a PowerMac G4 3,1. It was upgraded to a Dual Processor @1.6GHz, has 1.5GB of RAM, and is running OS X 10.5.8. I believe the video card is something along the lines of an ATI Radeon 8500?

Anyone know specifically what model "name" this computer has?

Is it worth anything? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have a PowerMac G4 MDD, Apple's most powerful of the G4 line. Normally a PowerMac G4 like mine (Dual 1.25GHz G4 [not the most powerful], 120GB, 2GB RAM, OS X 10.4.11) could easily go for about $200-400, but I paid $60 for it and it's in near perfect condition and is fully functional.

Yours has better hardware, it'd go for much more than what mine would. I'd honestly say around $400-500, but it could be just me. Check eBay and search it for the PowerMac G4s. They still hold their value, despite their age.

I believe Apples hold their values because of the logo. Apple is like the Gucci or Calvin Clein of computers, it's a high-end luxury brand.
 
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