Good Starter Mac? and Apple specials.

[Lopez.T.H.]

Ive been looking for a good starter mac. I thought I would spring far a brand new 12" iBook. But then that would be a bit of cash. But then our friends over at wegenermedia.com had some pretty good deals. Im just looking for a computer preferabily a laptop to get me aqquainted with OSX. And it can run it well. I have been looking on that site and sat B&W towers for a good price. Of course I would get the upgraded G4 model. But then I turned to the clamshell iBooks. Good price but im not sure OSX would work on a 300MHz processor. Then recently they started to sell newer Powerbooks. I was thinking either a iBook clamshell or a Titanium G4 Powerbook at 550MHz. The 1.0GHz is a bit too much, and I like Titanium... Is this site a good source for a starter mac, and am I picking a good computer?

And does Apple have a day after Thanksgiving sale like other companies?

 

[iDM]

Ive been looking for a good starter mac. I thought I would spring far a brand new 12" iBook. But then that would be a bit of cash. But then our friends over at wegenermedia.com had some pretty good deals. Im just looking for a computer preferabily a laptop to get me aqquainted with OSX. And it can run it well. I have been looking on that site and sat B&W towers for a good price. Of course I would get the upgraded G4 model. But then I turned to the clamshell iBooks. Good price but im not sure OSX would work on a 300MHz processor. Then recently they started to sell newer Powerbooks. I was thinking either a iBook clamshell or a Titanium G4 Powerbook at 550MHz. The 1.0GHz is a bit too much, and I like Titanium... Is this site a good source for a starter mac, and am I picking a good computer?

And does Apple have a day after Thanksgiving sale like other companies?

I think an iBook would do the trick, I fear that running Tiger however on anything less then 1.0ghz with not alot of ram may be a little stressful and give you a bad impression of the OSX. Not sure what everyone elses opinion would be.

I just checked out the website, and in my opinion if a site looks like it is a cookie cutout of all those other yahoo stores, then i usually avoid them. Don't get me wrong I'm usually looking all over the net to save a buck, but I do not mess with websites i deem "shady" if it involves a large chunk of cash or a very complex piece of equipment and in this case it involves both. Good luck I'm sure you'll get tons of info off this site.

 

[mad jew]

An original G4 iBook would be ideal. The prices savings associated with going for a G3 instead aren't worth it. Especially considering the reliability issues of the G3.

 

[FadeToBlack]

What about a refurbished Mac mini?

 

[840quadra]

I agree that the G3 iBooks have issues with Logic boards and hardware. But when they are working, they run Tiger just fine. I have a 600Mhz that runs tiger quite fast with 640 memory. Spotlight, dashboard and all other features run fine.

HOWEVER,

I would strongly recommend a used Powermac, or refurbished iBook G4 as a good first starter mac. The used Powermacs will have plenty of power for Tiger and other applications, and be able to watch H.264 video feeds of the smaller sizes (if you get an older Dual Processor 533 or faster).

The iBook from Apples Refurbished Site Is quite a good deal, and comes with a Warranty.

The nice thing about the iBook, is that you can show off that you are "NOT" a Windows user to the rest of the world, when you are at the Library, Coffe Shop, or otherwise .

Good luck, and happy shopping!

 

[wdlove]

If you want portability then I would also recommend the iBook. Getting a refurbished would be a good place to make the purchase. The iBook may even come with extra RAM, but it's just a possibility and no guarantee. Just be happy if it happens. Would highly recommend AppleCare.

Sometimes Apple will have some special items on sale after Thanksgiving. In the recent past it has been the iPod.

 

[Xeem]

I'd go mac mini if portability isn't a huge issue. It is cheap, and able to run Tiger smoothly. Otherwise, I'd go with a refurbished G4 iBook through the Apple Store.

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

Honestly, the highend Mac Mini is probably more then enough for anyone as long as you aren't a "Power User."

Oh, BTW, I run Tiger just fine on my 1GHz G4 with only 512 MB RAM.

 

[Lopez.T.H.]

No mac mini or powermac. My PC takes up enought room as it is. I would like a laptop. I dont know about a refurb.... The lowest iBook is $699... Thats ok I guess. But I think this would be ok. 500Mhz version would be ok. Get some more RAM... That or a refub might be ok... Just want a mac.

 

[Lopez.T.H.]

OK heres the list of things I could get. i like them all equally.

30Gb iPod Photo Refurb apple store
500Mhz Titanium Powerbook 20Gb Hd
Refurb iBook.
Sony Ps3. Mext March? pushed back to november? well.... its kinda outta the picture for now.

 

[840quadra]

OK heres the list of things I could get. i like them all equally.

30Gb iPod Photo Refurb apple store
500Mhz Titanium Powerbook 20Gb Hd
Refurb iBook.
Sony Ps3. Mext March? pushed back to november? well.... its kinda outta the picture for now.

I would take the Refurb iBook in a heartbeat over the Ti Powerbook listed.

It is only 500mhz, AND has a smaller hard drive, NO Warranty, and will cost you only roughly ~$50 less then an Apple Refurbished (which is like or better then new) ibook. The iBook also comes with a FULL apple warranty, and the option of getting apple care.

Yes Powerbooks have more "Status", but I wouldn't pick an older powerbook over a newer iBook, especially a newer G4 with Apple Warranty.

Just my .002

 

[dmw007]

I would take the Refurb iBook in a heartbeat over the Ti Powerbook listed.

It is only 500mhz, AND has a smaller hard drive, NO Warranty, and will cost you only roughly ~$50 less then an Apple Refurbished (which is like or better then new) ibook. The iBook also comes with a FULL apple warranty, and the option of getting apple care.

Yes Powerbooks have more "Status", but I wouldn't pick an older powerbook over a newer iBook, especially a newer G4 with Apple Warranty.

Just my .002

Agreed, go with the Apple refurbished iBook G4.
It will be much, much faster than that PowerBook.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

Seriously, don't short changed yourself with a used Mac. Go with a 1.8Ghz iMac. It's $1299, or a 12" iBook. You said laptop didn't you. Then go with the 12" iBook. It's $999 and will be the best deal. Getting a refurb is a good option too. But don't get a dated Mac, get a NEW Mac.

 

[Lopez.T.H.]

Well anybody know a place where I could get an iBook for less than $900?

 

[lilsuprano]

eBay...I just got a G4 800MHz with 640MB RAM, Airport and a 60GB HDD for under $800 US...look around and you'll find something.

Eric

 

[matticus008]

The mac mini will barely take up any space. In fact, by almost all measures, it'll take up less space than a notebook. It's also far below your $900 price and is one of the best "starter" Macs.

Unless you need that iBook portability, your best bet actually is a mini. You can probably use your existing monitor for both machines, if you have an LCD with both VGA and DVI connections. If you have some mild technical skill, you can use a software package called Synergy to share your mouse and keyboard over your home network if having a second keyboard on your desk doesn't appeal to you and you also don't want to switch the two plugs to switch machines.

 

[Lopez.T.H.]

I want the portability. I have been searching for a laptop for the past 4 years. And just started looking at macs this past june. And now that I saw the refurbs a Mac is on the top of my list.

 

[840quadra]

Well anybody know a place where I could get an iBook for less than $900?

YES Click the Link I posted in my FIRST post.

Apples Refurbished site $699 and FREE shipping.

 

[maxterpiece]

if you are a hardcore deal seeker then the best way to find a deal is to cruise ebay regularly and do an advanced search for the ibook G4 - in the advanced search, check the box for only "buy-it-now" computers then sort the results so that you get the newest listed results first. Casual PC users sometimes underestimate how much used macs hold up their resale value and posts a buy it now price that is several hundred dollars below the actual value of the computer. Sometimes people just want to get fast cash and don't want to wait for the auction to end so they intentional post an extra low buy it now price. You have to be poised to buy it now really fast because these deals often disappear within 5 or 10 minutes of them being listed.

This strategy is tedious and can take some time, but you can save a lot of money.

 

[jeremy.king]

YES Click the Link I posted in my FIRST post.

Apples Refurbished site $699 and FREE shipping.

You can't cut and paste links like that. Apple ties its sessions to the URLs so they usually timeout after several minutes...Obviously, your link doesn't work...

To the OP, go to http://store.apple.com/ and click the red SAVE tag near the lower right of the web page.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

How about a PowerBook G3 Pismo? I think the PowerBook G3s were the best. Expansion bays are a blessing! Look on ebay, I've had 2 of these machines. Loved it to death!

I think that would be a great starter Mac IMO.

 

[840quadra]

You can't cut and paste links like that. Apple ties its sessions to the URLs so they usually timeout after several minutes...Obviously, your link doesn't work...

To the OP, go to http://store.apple.com/ and click the red SAVE tag near the lower right of the web page.

Good to know for future reference.

I guess my understanding of Apples website is "Obviously" at a lower level then yours.

 

[jeremy.king]

...
I guess my understanding of Apples website is "Obviously" at a lower level then yours.

...

than

 

[840quadra]

than

 

[wdlove]

I want the portability. I have been searching for a laptop for the past 4 years. And just started looking at macs this past june. And now that I saw the refurbs a Mac is on the top of my list.

If you live near an Apple Store I would recommend paying them a visit. Ask is they have any refreshed or refurb Mac's available. They often have some good deals. There aren't on display, so you have to ask. Just be polite. Also more of a chance for negotiations when it's done in person.