I need to get my Mom a Mac!

[G5Unit]

OK. My mom's birthday is on october 29. My dad and I want to get her a mac. Beacuse right now she is using a compaq running on 256 mb of ram. Anyways, I was thinking a mac mini with 512 of ram and built in wireless and bluetooth. So maybe the 699 model without a superdrive. But there is the iMac, but I don't think she needs that much power. Then there's the iBook but it's a tad weak for the price. She pretty much just scans pictures and goes on the internet. The eMac is to big. We have a compaq 17 incher but it looks like crap an hs a dead pixel. Maybe a dell monitor? Or an old 17 inch studio display? So should I wait till the paris expo? Is there any chance there will be a gnarly update? I just need advice on what to get her. We basically have a $1000 or so limit.


-G5Unit


EDIT: I would get the 599 model, it looks like they switched something in the mac mini buying area. Also maybe instead of a studio display, maybe a dell?

 

[doucy2]

i bought my parents a ibook 14" g3 700 they love it
they always watch movies in bed now lol
great laptop for them
your mom might enjoy one also
look into it they are relativly inexpensive now

 

[G5Unit]

i bought my parents a ibook 14" g3 700 they love it
they always watch movies in bed now lol
great laptop for them
your mom might enjoy one also
look into it they are relativly inexpensive now

Well if anybody has been on the website Mac of all Tades they sell older Macs. Should I buy from there then buy thier 1 year warrenty? Also, she really likes her camera so she also would want to organize hundreds of photos. But this may require me to get a 1gb stick but they are so darn expensie from apple. I could also just take out the 512 stick and stick in 1gb but that may be a waste.

 

[doucy2]

go to ebay for the 14" there are some great deal (got my parents there)
as to the sticks
buy a used 1gb and sell the 512mb (or keep it for extra)

 

[clayj]

I'd say Mac mini, with a self-upgrade to 1 GB. Then you can use her existing monitor until such time as you can get a newer monitor.

Notebooks (iBook, PowerBook, etc.) are really for people who are going to carry them around. In her case, I think that would be an unnecessary expense.

 

[macbaseball]

Notebooks (iBook, PowerBook, etc.) are really for people who are going to carry them around. In her case, I think that would be an unnecessary expense.

I would go with a used or refurbished iMac. I agree with clayj, you have to pay for portability, and if you don't need it, then it's a waste.

 

[AstrosFan]

You can get the Mini refurbished from Apple for $539 (link here).
Even with a nice Dell 20" monitor you should be able to stay under $1000.

Good luck!

 

[runninmac]

AstrosFan means to give you a link to the Apple Refurb Store but you cant link to the applestore so...

Go to the apple store.
Go down to the "Looking for a great deal?" Link with the big red save sign.

Hope this helps if you didnt know where it was

 

[AstrosFan]

AstrosFan means to give you a link to the Apple Refurb Store but you cant link to the applestore so...

Sorry for the rookie mistake.
Thanks for clarifying things, runninmac!

 

[dmw007]

I say go with an iMac G5. It offers more bang for the buck, plus it has the monitor built in. True, it might be more powerful than your mom needs right now- but as time progresses and applications demand more "oomph" you will be glad that you opted for a faster machine.

 

[rockthecasbah]

I'd say Mac mini, with a self-upgrade to 1 GB. Then you can use her existing monitor until such time as you can get a newer monitor.

Notebooks (iBook, PowerBook, etc.) are really for people who are going to carry them around. In her case, I think that would be an unnecessary expense.

Clayj, it's for a mom. Standard 512 is more than enough power. Basically she'd be using it for surfing the interweb, possibly financial work, and tasks that would not require a GB. I do agree with the mac mini idea though.

 

[G5Unit]

Clayj, it's for a mom. Standard 512 is more than enough power. Basically she'd be using it for surfing the interweb, possibly financial work, and tasks that would not require a GB. I do agree with the mac mini idea though.

She will be using iPhoto and maybe putting the pics into iMovie, so more ram would be good.

 

[clayj]

She will be using iPhoto and maybe putting the pics into iMovie, so more ram would be good.

More RAM is always good. Better to have 1 GB more than you need than 1 byte too little.

 

[Koodauw]

ill second the Refurb iMac. It really is not a bad price, and will last for a good amount of time.

 

[G5Unit]

Ok. My dad and I have decided to get the 599 model and either a 20 inch dell(I would switch monitors with my mom) or a 24inch. Also we might upgrade the ram to 1gb. Where can I find the best prices for all of these? I already check pricegrabber but they are not always right. And I dont want to buy from 3 different locations. It cost 155 for 1gb at crucial and thats a lot!

 

[macbaseball]

Ok. My dad and I have decided to get the 599 model and either a 20 inch dell(I would switch monitors with my mom) or a 24inch. Also we might upgrade the ram to 1gb. Where can I find the best prices for all of these? I already check pricegrabber but they are not always right. And I dont want to buy from 3 different locations. It cost 155 for 1gb at crucial and thats a lot!

I would buy another brand other than Crucial. You can get it for $97 here.

 

[plinden]

It cost 155 for 1gb at crucial and thats a lot!

That's pretty much what you'll have to pay for Apple compatible RAM. At least Crucial guarantee that it'll work.

Seeing that the BTO 1GB RAM on the Apple Store is $175, I personally would be tempted just to go for that.

 

[G5Unit]

Also is the refurbished model that is 499 have blue tooth? and Airport biult in?
Also also, if I wre to get the 24 inch monitor, could my computer handle it gaming wise? Like halo mostly?

Also, what mouse should I get? Keyboard?

 

[G5Unit]

OK. We are going to get her an iMac G5(17 inch). This will blow away my 1.8 Ghz PowerMac. But where can I get one in time for the 29th? I guess I could go to the apple store and buy one(CAN I?), but then I can't get all the good deals like from Mac Mall. Also, are there demo models of the new iPod at apple stores? Also can you buy them from there?

 

[FFTT]

If you can swing the education discount and get her the newest iMac G5 with
PCI-e that's really the best deal and the best choice @$1199.

The Rev A 1.8 iMacs are a high risk purchase with numerous failed mid plane boards and it's still too early to tell how the 2.0's will hold up.

Apple reconfigured the newest iMacs for a good reason, so that's where I'd put my money.

I wouldn't get a mini until they go 64 MB VRAM across the board.

 

[Chacala_Nayarit]

How about a used PowerMac dual G4? Some nice ones on eBay. They trump a mini IMHO.

 

[G5Unit]

Well we are getting the iMac and that's for sure but I just need it by the 29th! Does anybody know where I can get one by THEN?

 

[PCheese]

Apple Stores have 17" iMacs on display, so they might have very limited stock. Call one nearby and find out. You won't find a 20" in an Apple Store yet, though they might be showing up mid-week.

My online order for a 20" iMac still says it's still processing, but the estimated ship date is on the 27th, so I assume they'll be coming in to Apple Stores at least by then.

 

[Laser47]

I would buy it from amazon, you get a 150$ mail in rebate also when you buy an apple computer. When i ordered my ibook form them on a monday with 2 day shipping it came on a thursday, 3 days.
edit::
I just checked amazon and it appears its not avalable. Just get it at the apple store, then everyone there will be envious of you when you buy it.

 

[mduser63]

If you want one by the 29th, I think your only choice really is to buy it from a local store (not online). If you have an Apple store nearby, go there. Also check local Mac resellers. IMO, local Mac resellers are a great place to shop. Same prices as Apple, and they have a good reason to make you happy, as it's in their best interest for you to not go straight to Apple store.