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onlyONE

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 14, 2006
47
0
I own a 20" 2GHz, 2 GB, 250GB G5 iMac currently, which fits all my needs perfectly. It's my first Mac, and I ador the thing. Only issue is that it has limited portability, in that when I travel(which is frequent, I'm a collegiate athlete, and we spent alot of time traveling to compete and I occasionaly make trips home on weekends).

When going home for more than a few days, I take the computer with me, but when I am leaving on Saturday morning and returning Sunday night it is too much of a pain to pack it up and bring it with me. So I basically need a lap top for the road to work on writing papers and to take home with me(and occasionally to class, as my university relies fairly heavily on the internet and wireless internet is all over campus. Lectures, notes, readings and bascially every vital information on our classes is posted to the internet, so it's useful to be able to pull up in class).

don't need anything fancy, my iMac has all the bells and whistles, so this thing doesn't need them. And since I'd be buying it(my parents bought me the iMac, so they aren't going to pitch in to buy me yet another computer, no matter how cheap) I'd like to be relatively, if not really, inexpensive. Something very small and portable, of course. Any recommendations? Being new to Macs I have no idea about the past models of computers that Apple as put out, and I certainly don't want to shell out $1000 for a brand new Macbook, when all I want to do is type. Lol.

Any help is really appreciated about what model, where to buy, and what kind of price range I'll be looking at. I won't be buying until this upcoming summer, most likely, but I'd like to start figuring my budget now. :) Thanks!
 
onlyONE said:
I own a 20" 2GHz, 2 GB, 250GB G5 iMac currently, which fits all my needs perfectly. It's my first Mac, and I ador the thing. Only issue is that it has limited portability, in that when I travel(which is frequent, I'm a collegiate athlete, and we spent alot of time traveling to compete and I occasionaly make trips home on weekends).

When going home for more than a few days, I take the computer with me, but when I am leaving on Saturday morning and returning Sunday night it is too much of a pain to pack it up and bring it with me. So I basically need a lap top for the road to work on writing papers and to take home with me(and occasionally to class, as my university relies fairly heavily on the internet and wireless internet is all over campus. Lectures, notes, readings and bascially every vital information on our classes is posted to the internet, so it's useful to be able to pull up in class).

don't need anything fancy, my iMac has all the bells and whistles, so this thing doesn't need them. And since I'd be buying it(my parents bought me the iMac, so they aren't going to pitch in to buy me yet another computer, no matter how cheap) I'd like to be relatively, if not really, inexpensive. Something very small and portable, of course. Any recommendations? Being new to Macs I have no idea about the past models of computers that Apple as put out, and I certainly don't want to shell out $1000 for a brand new Macbook, when all I want to do is type. Lol.

Any help is really appreciated about what model, where to buy, and what kind of price range I'll be looking at. I won't be buying until this upcoming summer, most likely, but I'd like to start figuring my budget now. :) Thanks!


I think a MacBook would be the best for what you are looking for. I would say, however, that you might be able to get a good deal on a refurb. It is expected that Apple will update all their mobile computers to a new Intel processor soon, no doubt by the summer. By then you might be able to pick up a refurb of the processor that they are using now. There also refurb G4 12'' PowerBooks and iBooks, they are good portables too.

You might also look into eBay. Macs have a great resale value so it will be hard to find a GREAT deal.

Good luck.
 
You'll future proof yourself a bit more going for a refurb Core Duo MacBook 2.0 GHz for $1099.00.

The 1.33 GHz 12" iBook is also perfectly acceptable @ $799.00 but you're talking single processor G4.
It will work fine for all your basics,, but it does have some limitations.

I wouldn't go any slower on a processor this late in the game if you eventually want to run Leopard.
 
gotta love how he specifically says "low end," "certainly don't want to shell out $1000," and "all I want to do is type" and three of the first 4 responses are for a macbook. :rolleyes:

Guys, please read what the OP wants. Don't just respond with the latest and greatest. Any ibook G4 or older powerbook G4 would be perfect for the OP, and could be had for few hundred. Check ebay, craigslist, and the apple refurb store. I'd go for a 12" ibook or powerbook G4, pretty much any revision will do.
 
A 12" iBook would work perfectly...and white will match my iMac. :D I took a look at prices and I can pick a decent one up for a really reasonable deal, so I'm sure by the middle/end of the upcoming summer I can get one no problem on my summer earnings. Thanks for the input guys! Of course I'd love to just go grab a brand new Macbook, but my budget doesn't really allow for it. :) Thanks again! I'll probobly end up getting one through eBay, unless I earn more than I'm expecting to and can go for the more offical purchase at Apple's refurb store.
 
I think an 800 mhz G4 ibook would suit you perfectly. I'm in college too right now and a 1 ghz tibook is amazing as my only computer. All you need is some extra ram and you'll be surfing, typing, and listening to music in no time. You DON'T need a macbook at all. That's just paying way more than you have to. I think you can buy a good notebook for $500-700 if you look hard on craigslist. Another recommendation I give you is a 12 inch powerbook. They're amazing. I've seen them go for as low as $550. Search hard for local deals if you can. If you can't, you may want ebay. I wouldn't pay apple for a refurb, but that's just me thinking they're overpriced
 
The problem buying any older used machine is that you do not necessarily
end up with OSX Tiger or the iLife '06 suite.
You also may miss out on desirable features that are well worth the extra money.

This is why I recommend factory refurbs of the lastest model or just one notch back.

The 1.33 GHz 12" iBook refurb for $799.00 will cover this users needs providing good solid performance and the most current software DVD's with a full factory
warranty.

You could also go for a 1.5 GHz 12" PowerBook, but that puts you in Macbook
territory.
 
FFTT said:
The problem buying any older used machine is that you do not necessarily
end up with OSX Tiger or the iLife '06 suite.
You also may miss out on desirable features that are well worth the extra money.

This is why I recommend factory refurbs of the lastest model or just one notch back.

The 1.33 GHz 12" iBook refurb for $799.00 will cover this users needs providing good solid performance and the most current software DVD's with a full factory
warranty.

You could also go for a 1.5 GHz 12" PowerBook, but that puts you in Macbook
territory.

That's very true. I have my own software which is why when I buy any hardware, I do not worry about what it comes with. I guess what you have to look for is something that will meet your budget, even if it means sacrificing the latest OS at the expense of having to purchase it new or not. If I didn't have Tiger I would be plenty happy with Jaguar, but that's just me. Others may not be as content. Good luck though.
 
FFTT said:
The problem buying any older used machine is that you do not necessarily
end up with OSX Tiger or the iLife '06 suite.
You also may miss out on desirable features that are well worth the extra money.

This is why I recommend factory refurbs of the lastest model or just one notch back.

The 1.33 GHz 12" iBook refurb for $799.00 will cover this users needs providing good solid performance and the most current software DVD's with a full factory
warranty.

You don't need Tiger or iLife to write papers in LaTeX.....or Office (if you stoop that low). A DVD drive would probably be nice though.

Just get an old iBook- they are really cheap now and still work fine.
 
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