Im not a noob when it comes to macs but i recently ran into some money and i am trying to get a sub 400$ laptop off ebay or craigslist and am stuck between 3 choices. I'd get either a 800MHz or up G3 ibook due to the decent video card, or a g4 ibook due to the fact that i can put leopard on it. The problem is both have the logic board failure which i alrady know how to fix..but really dont want to try again, and the sub 1GHz G4's are subject to a video cut out. The only option really is a powerbook G4 867MHz 12" but these are wayyy overpriced and really dont want to spend the money but will if i have to. so go ahead and throw your two cents in, i plan to use it for web surfing and just watching dvds/ ripping them
