Good Entry Level Mini?

[TWO2SEVEN]

I made another post about getting into the Mac world after getting hooked on my iPhone and iPad. I have decided on a slightly older Mini due to my budget. I found the following on CL for $200. Is this a good deal? Anything I should ask or look out for?

Thanks in advance!

I am selling a Apple G4 Mac mini. It is the 1.25GHz PPC, but has been overclocked to 1.5GHZ and has 1GB of RAM. It has a 40GB HDD, a slot-loading 8X DVD/CD-RW "Combo" Drive and comes with the DVI to VGA adapter, clear USB keyboard, and power cord. Comes with a fresh install of Apple OS X 10.5.8 Leopard. I am asking $200 firm. Please email for more information.

 

[B.A.T]

Don't do it. Stay away from the G4 models.

How do you plan to use your mini?

 

[mdgm]

Don't do it. Stay away from the G4 models.

I agree. You shouldn't get a PPC Mini. Get an Intel Mini.

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

Here is my original post

I have gotten more and more into Apple products lately. I started with the iPhone 3G, the the 4, and now an iPad. I already have an HP laptop, but I'd really like to get into an older/used Apple desktop. In a perfect world I'd go all out and get a new iMac, but it's not in my budget.

I have seen a few prospects on craigslist, but I am not really sure what to look for, good or bad. I don't need anything too crazy, just looking to get my foot in the door and do some basic stuff (Internet, music, video, etc)

Any help/advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

I realize inexpensive and don't really go together, but sadly I have student loans to pay haha.

 

[mdgm]

Definitely do try to get an Intel model if you can. The Intel models are much better and Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is Intel only. Mac OS X 10.7 Lion will be coming out later this year.

If you buy now, an Intel model, with a clean install of Snow Leopard would be the way to go. Should try to get a model with at least 1GB of RAM, preferably 2GB.

Then in a few years you could sell the Mac Mini and buy another one second hand or possibly if you can afford it then a new one.

 

[SkippyThorson]

I personally got in to Apple computers while they were at the height of G4 technology. I still love my G4s, but I have to admit, their practicality went way down. I was the king of procrastinating at upgrading technology, but only now on a MacBook am I awake to all I was missing on my G4s. I only use my 1.25ghz iMac as a home for my iPhone, some music, all my pictures, and a capable web browsing machine / file keeper.

If you want a Mac just to learn your way around the Mac, a light web browser, and a light document writing machine, that's just fine. There's a lot that just doesn't come out for PPC Macs anymore, and Mac OSX is the main thing. Games of any sort, and yes, even those flash-based Facebook games - are nothing short of pointless to try and tinker with, and working with media is tedious unless you grew up when personal computers weren't about speed.

Long story short, if you want a Mac Mini as a tinker-tool, PPC G4s are still my favorite budget Apple machines of all time. If you can possibly afford it, get the cheapest Intel you can find, and future-proof yourself - which may even save you some $$ compared to when you'll upgrade to Intel anyway.

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

I will most likely just save up for a new(er) mini once my bonus checks start coming in. I love my toys and it's hard for me not to buy the best, within reason

Thanks for the advice everyone!