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What would you get with a budget of...

mrgreen4242

mrgreen4242

macrumors 601
Original poster
Feb 10, 2004
4,377
9
OK, we had the $10k fantasy thread, now the realistic one... what Mac computer would you get with a $1200 budget? Can include display or now, we'll pretend that you have access to an acceptable LCD "free" (call it a 17" standard Dell LCD). New, used, refurb, anything goes!

Ok, go! :D
 
I dunno. I might go for an iMac just because they're so awesome, but if an LCD was available, I could see myself buying an incredibly pimped out Mac Mini and an external HD. And an iPod.

NickD
 
Since I'd already have an LCD and I want some sort of expansion options, I would probably pick up the new mid-range iTower (the "i" stands for imaginary). :p
 
killr_b said:
I'd have to hope and pray for a 2ghz G5. :cool:
Click to expand...

Interesting, I was wondering if anyone would say that... I'm sot sure I would spend ANY money on a PPC system at this point. Maybe a year ago, but it seems a little late into the switch. I'm also waiting to see if anyone says they'd get a Dell and put OSX86 on it. :p

I'm really holding out to hear from the people who DO spend (close to) $10k for their rigs. The $10k thread had a bunch of people who probably spend $1-2k on their computer going crazy on a super system, but the people who have said super computers making the tough choices every one else has to make... :p
 
I would get a top of the line Gaming pc, i would get an macbook and i would get an imac.

PC for gaming, macbook for being mobile and the imac as an everyday use computer.
 
mrgreen4242 said:
Interesting, I was wondering if anyone would say that... I'm sot sure I would spend ANY money on a PPC system at this point. Maybe a year ago, but it seems a little late into the switch. …snip
Click to expand...

I like people like you, they keep the G5's available for people like me.

It still performs to the same level it did then, and as a cluster w/ xgrid should be a neat little render farm.
 
crazycat said:
I would get a top of the line Gaming pc, i would get an macbook and i would get an imac.

PC for gaming, macbook for being mobile and the imac as an everyday use computer.
Click to expand...

You should save some of your $1200 to get a calculator, too. :p
 
killr_b said:
I like people like you, they keep the G5's available for people like me.

It still performs to the same level it did then, and as a cluster w/ xgrid should be a neat little render farm.
Click to expand...

Oh, I agree they are still good machines, no doubt about it. If I had a dual G5 (or a quad!) already I'd keep it for a long while before upgrading. BUT, if you are going to buy a new machine it seems like you'd want to get the most life out of it from that poitn forward, and it seems like a G5 might not be the *best* choice now that we're ~18 months into the Intel switch.

Still, you raise a good point in that dollar for dollar a G5 PowerMac is probably a pretty darn good buy.
 
I'd raise another 150 and get Refurbished Core Duo 2GHz MacBook Pro :)

OR

an iMac refurbished Core Duo 2GHz 20-inch
 
mrgreen4242 said:
Oh, I agree they are still good machines, no doubt about it. If I had a dual G5 (or a quad!) already I'd keep it for a long while before upgrading. BUT, if you are going to buy a new machine it seems like you'd want to get the most life out of it from that poitn forward, and it seems like a G5 might not be the *best* choice now that we're ~18 months into the Intel switch.

Still, you raise a good point in that dollar for dollar a G5 PowerMac is probably a pretty darn good buy.
Click to expand...

But you said only $1,200. Right?
Check my sig. :D
 
I'd get a refurb middle-spec'd MB. There's none in the refurb store right now, though, so I can't check the price. It would be <$1200 because the new ones are $1299. If I had enough extra, I'd get a case for it.
 
Since I haven't answered yet, I think I would go the mini route, but I'd do a custom one... something like a mini in a Cube case, etc. Since $1200 doesn't get you a particularly nice iMac, just an adequate one, I'd have to opt for the completely maxed out mini.

In a couple months, when PS CS3 hits, though, I suspect the PowerMac G5 hold outs will start selling off their machines (especially if there are Mac Pro updates and/or price drops) and the cost of a G5 PM could make it a pretty great buy...
 
Well, I'd use edu pricing for sure, and probably get the "better"-type Mini:

1.83GHz
80GB HDD
SuperDrive
512MB ram

$878 (edu)

Then I'd get 2 1GB sticks of PC-5300, which I believe is around $120 shipped and throw out the 256 sticks which I could pawn off to a friend for $20, so net cost $100. Total: $978

I would then get a FW/USB enclosure and port multiplier with the same footprint as the mini, like a TransIntl MiniD, the enclosure without a drive being $64. Then I'd need a drive to put in it, so I'd choose a Seagate for the 5-year warranty and reliability/speed/quiet factors (and 500GB/7200.10 seems to be the sweet spot right now, because 750GB is like twice the price). Anyway, my Seagate 500gig HDD would be $145 with free shipping.

We're already at $1187, so I would probably just buy a DVI-HDMI cable for connecting to that LCD/TV, I guess. My next purchase would have been an ElGato EyeTV Hybrid, though.
 
refurbished black core duo macbook ($999), an incase neoprene sleeve for the macbook ($29.95) and a new orange ipod shuffle ($79). with the remaining $0.18, i'd buy a sour straw. :p
 
mrgreen4242 said:
In a couple months, when PS CS3 hits, though, I suspect the PowerMac G5 hold outs will start selling off their machines (especially if there are Mac Pro updates and/or price drops) and the cost of a G5 PM could make it a pretty great buy...
Click to expand...

You make my eyes light up with joy… and dollar signs… :D
 
I'd save it.

IF i HAD to buy something. Then i'd get an LED + Santa Rosa MBP 2.33GHz MBP, Widescreen iPod, updated 23 Cinema Display and 160GB FW External Drive. Then throw the rest in the bank
 
crazycat said:
I would get a top of the line Gaming pc, i would get an macbook and i would get an imac.

PC for gaming, macbook for being mobile and the imac as an everyday use computer.
Click to expand...

Cat evidently has some good lines on cheap computers if he is going to bring home all of this for $1200. Well done.
 
daneoni said:
I'd save it.

IF i HAD to buy something. Then i'd get an LED + Santa Rosa MBP 2.33GHz MBP, Widescreen iPod, updated 23 Cinema Display and 160GB FW External Drive. Then throw the rest in the bank
Click to expand...

Are we thinking $1,200 or $12,000? :p

I'm with whoever said save another $150 and get the refurb MBP. :D
 
Macbook (but only because I already have an iMac). At $1099, I'd use another $75 to upgrade the RAM to 1GB. $26 in change -- iPod socks for all my friends?
 
dunno, apple makes it tough for only $1200, you are really limited when looking for a system.

Obviously the low end imac or macbook, but if I couldn't get what I wanted in new condition, I would pursue the refirb route (although I haven't researched refirbs to see the terms of the sale which would be my major concern)

Does apple discount the previous generation items when it's coming out with a new update?
 
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