Replace Logic board or buy new?

[all-in-my-head]

I guess this could go in buying advice, but it's also pretty specific to hardware. I've just discovered my Dual 2GHz G5 needs a new Logic Board (or so claim the Authorized Repair people).

With this likely to be a few hundred pounds, is it worth replacing? Is it likely something else may go wrong, does it indicate the start of more problems? Anyone else found this and wish they'd just got a new machine instead? It's a Oct 2003 model, so quite early in Dual G5 line, but had been working flawlessly until then. I just didn't notice 5 years go by as it ran like new.

I was actually contemplating getting a MacBook Pro (same speed, portability and Intel chips) and selling my G5 to part fund it, then this happened! If I don't replace the board is their any way to get some value out of the remaining bits? - I have 2.5Gb ram and an additional 500gb HD. Thankfully I have an external HD for my Time Machine!

Any advice would be great.

Edit: just realised I join MR when I got that machine!

 

[Umbongo]

Someone might be willing to buy it with the logic board needing repair.

 

[all-in-my-head]

Someone might be willing to buy it with the logic board needing repair.

That someone wouldn't be you by any chance?

I just wasn't sure if someone would buy it, as similar spec machines on eBay don't go for a lot over £500, when they're fully working. I have an old style 20" cinema display too, which might bump it up or add an incentive though.

Would eBay be the best place to try or somewhere more specialist? ie on here.

 

[Umbongo]

That someone wouldn't be you by any chance?

I just wasn't sure if someone would buy it, as similar spec machines on eBay don't go for a lot over £500, when they're fully working. I have an old style 20" cinema display too, which might bump it up or add an incentive though.

Would eBay be the best place to try or somewhere more specialist? ie on here.

Afraid not. I have seen G5s with broken logic boards sold on eBay, I can't give you a suggested price though I'm afraid . You should be able to get something for it though.

 

[Mord]

I would sell the display separately.

 

[JesterJJZ]

My logic board crapped out twice on my G5. The last time they couldn't get all the parts they needed so Steve sent me a new MacPro.

 

[krye]

It may be worth fixing it just to increase the resale value and sell it off. This may be a sign that it is time to upgrade. Or, save the money, put it towards a new machine, and get what you can for the broken one. You might make more money parting it out. That's also an option. I've seen people selling the case for $300 alone.

 

[Hrududu]

It may be worth fixing it just to increase the resale value and sell it off. This may be a sign that it is time to upgrade. Or, save the money, put it towards a new machine, and get what you can for the broken one. You might make more money parting it out. That's also an option. I've seen people selling the case for $300 alone.

I wouldn't count on getting $300 for a case alone. THIS one is a single 1.8GHz, but its still got all the bits and it sold for less than $200. If it still works at all I bet $300 would be possible with everything left intact. I 2nd the idea of selling the display separate.

 

[all-in-my-head]

My logic board crapped out twice on my G5. The last time they couldn't get all the parts they needed so Steve sent me a new MacPro.

Is that the power of AppleCare then? I think all in all I've done ok without it, as this is the only real problem I've had, but judging by how much it cost for the repair place to look at it I could probably have brought AppleCare instead.

So consensus is to sell it off and buy new! I really could do with an Intel Mac (instead) so I can edit video from a hard disc video camera properly.

I guess time to save and wait for the new MacBook Pro - roll on September!

Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions, anyone interested in a 2ghz G5 then?

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Sell it on eBay but make sure to sell the display seperately. Faulty macs still charge quite a premium on eBay. Obviously you won't get as much as if it were fully working but you'd probably lose less money that way than if you were to pay to have it repaired.

 

[Toronto Mike]

If you need to upgrade your software to buy an Intel Mac Pro, that too must be a consideration. This in my mind is especially relevant if the G5 does everything you need it to do now and over the next few years. Paying x amount of money for a logic board might save you thousands over the upgraded machine.

Just a thought.

Mike