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I am going back to school with a PPC machine running 10.4, and it does all that I need it to. If you have a C2D machine, assuming since you have 10.5, it should last you and work well for your college years. If you keep your job, you can buy a new mac (which would come with 10.6, etc.) a couple years from now and be even happier with a faster, more updated system. Especially if it isn't coming out for a few years. My nephew saved up and bought a system that would blow mine out of the water with just summer jobs, etc. so he would have it for college, just like the orig. poster. Put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything that way.
 
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