Is this used iMac G3 worth it?

[Appleuser201]

Here are some images of an iMac G3 for sale in my local area, the seller is willing to do $60 (USD). The mac works, but it has some nasty looking scratches on the display. No dead pixels however. It's running 9.1, which is exactly the OS I want for it. It's a 500mhz with 128mb of ram (seller told me he'd put 512mb in it). I haven't bought one of these in a long time, is this a good deal considering the scratches on the screen? I really am excited to find a G3 iMac again and play those great classic Mac games. I must admit snow isn't my favorite color for these as I prefer the colorful ones or the odd ones like the flower power.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Frankly, no.

I wouldn't pay $60 USD for an iMac G3 - and certainly not one with a CRT scratched to that extent. The price is not realistic in my opinion. Save your money and continue searching, these machines are hardly rare. You'll find another one soon enough.

 

[Appleuser201]

Frankly, no.

I wouldn't pay $60 USD for an iMac G3 - and certainly not one with a CRT scratched to that extent. The price is not realistic in my opinion. Save your money and continue searching, these machines are hardly rare. You'll find another one soon enough.

Actually, there are barely any in my area and the ones that are, are priced at $80+. On eBay it's well over $100. Sellers are wanting a LOT for these now.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Actually, there are barely any in my area and the ones that are, are priced at $80+. On eBay it's well over $100. Sellers are wanting a LOT for these now.

Wow. In London, I've seen them abandoned on the pavement. I bought mine for £15 GBP ($18 USD) a few years back and at the time, I felt even that was too high.

Fair enough but you asked if it's worth it and at 80 dollars with that scratched screen, I think not.

 

[za9ra22]

Personally I don't much like the G3 iMacs in any flavor, but that one doesn't look bad for $60. The scratches on the screen look like its been stored and handled a bit carelessly, but the front of the CRT is the toughest part of it, so it shouldn't be an issue - clean it off thoroughly so dirt isn't trapped in the scratches, and during use you probably won't even see them.

Working G3 iMacs fetch ever-increasing amounts these days.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

I think this is a fair price as well. 60 CAN converts to about $43 USD which is on the lower side in my area in the states. I think it really just comes down to whether the scratches bug you or you are very specific on the flavor/model/rev you want. If they do and snow isnt your thing, Id not buy it. Otherwise its a fair price.

 

[CooperBox]

It appears to be not only a case of supply and demand but also your country and exact location. I certainly wouldn't pay $60 (57euros) for an iMac G3 with a screen as you show. Having said that, here in France the G3 iMac sold in hundreds of thousands and the national ads are still full of them.
I've bought several ranging from 20euros to 60 euros (22-$63US) here in pefect condition with matching colour keyboard and mouse, and after just having a quick look on the most popular site here there are still many for sale at reasonable prices equivalent to between 22-$63US.
My Flower Power and Dalmation were both purchased for less than 100euros ($106US) each and still perform very well. Just seen a FlowerPower close to my location priced at 250euros ($264US) which sounds about right.
An even better bargain would be a Lime Green iMac G3 (very rare) with matching mouse whch is listed at only 70euros ($74US) which I'd snap up immediately if I was still collecting early G3 iMacs.
In my experience the Lime Green and 'Grape' colour iMacs are even more difficult to find than the FlowerPower or Dalmation models.
Apart from my current collection, I had a further two G3's in perfect working order I'd picked up for very little money. Gave one away to a charity organisation recently and may do the same with the other.