Placeholder said:
Yeah, buying a used mac is the way to go. An old Powerbook or G3 Imac would likely do the job. And wih a mac, you usually don't inherit the problems that you would with a used PC.
Used mac over new Dell anyday.
Disclaimer: I know that posting this, and people viewing my previous posts are going to assume I'm some "Mac hater" that claims to like mac but is really here to bash them, but I'm not.
I beg to differ. Apple makes quality computers with a beautifully integrated operating system. That is if the computer is running ideally. Unfortunately, computers from ANY company don't last forever, hard drives are moving parts, etc etc. I believe that half of the quality of the computer purchased is not just its components and compatibility, but the customer service as well.
My instance for example: I purchased a G4 1 ghz 12" Powerbook. I purchased with the intention of using the hell out of it, and taking it everywhere, and I did just that. I had a Tuscano sleeve and a well protected case, but I didn't baby it like some people do by wiping it clean and polishing it after every use, I used it like a Tijuana hooker. Just under one year later my combo drive failed, as was the problem with many other combo drives. Apple wanted to charge me (keep in mind this was still under warranty) an estimated cost of $500 dollars. Well hell, for a few hundred more I could buy an entirely different used same model Powerbook. I instead bought a superdrive for about $200 and changed it out myself.
About six months AFTER that, my hard drive crashed. Yes, I maintained it regularly, I'm not an average consumer, I ran disk check, repaired permissions routinely. I know not everyone has failures. I know that computers, regardless of the company, fail. That is not my point.
My point is that there are many issues with hard drives, combo drives (in older powerbook models), logic boards and heat issues (heating causes slight warping in aluminum powerbooks, something NOT seen in iBook models), not to mention the famous whining noises which Apple STILL doesn't acknowledge as a fault. A LOT of times it is not a fun experience going through Apple customer service. I know that for some people it is simply no problem, and there are plenty of good stories for that, but for a lot of people, it isn't the most pleasant experience.
Dell at least will come out TO YOUR HOUSE to fix your computer. I don't even own a Dell, but that is one reason alone why I would send someone that wasn't very computer savvy to them, instead of Apple. They build cheap computers, but the customer service of Apple is a joke compared to the customer service of Dell and other PC companies.
Might I add, that my friends laptops while not being Apple, and in my opinion are rather cheaply made, however their parts have not failed as much as my Powerbook has. My desktop computer has had THE SAME HARD DRIVE running since 1999. Yeah, it's starting to sound loud, but it's still working.
Want to compare Apples to high quality cars? You buy a Rolls Royce, if your car breaks down on the freeway or runs a flat, they will SEND an escort to come pick you up, and a special truck to pick up the Rolls. Have you EVER seen a Rolls Royce on the back of a tow truck? No, because they are transported in a boxed in car, and they take the best care of you no matter where you are. Apple builds quality DESIGNED computers, but the hardware is at best, average. I know Apple doesn't make hard drives, logic boards, etc, but it's in a machine with THEIR logo on it, with THEIR price, and they should at least give service that matches that price tag if they can't deliver on the longevity of the machine.
