What should I replace my imac with?

[snickrep]

I have owned both PC's and Macs and wondering what I should replace my imac G4 800MHz with. I am interested in buying a notebook, but apple notebooks are expensive and I haven't found much luck finding cheaper models (tried powermax.com already). But i'm also interested in looking into the mac mini, faster imac G4 models, eMac models, or even the powermac G4 models. I mainly plan to do 3d animation, photoshop work, and web design. But my imac G4 is getting outdated for that. I was also wondering if the G4 processor is outdated because I'd hate to spend money on a new mac only to find out it performs the same as my current imac. If anyone can help me decide than that will be great. My budget is somewhere around or below $750. If I can't find a mac, guess I'll have to go with a pc since cheaper options exist.

jack

 

[dwd3885]

I have owned both PC's and Macs and wondering what I should replace my imac G4 800MHz with. I am interested in buying a notebook, but apple notebooks are expensive and I haven't found much luck finding cheaper models (tried powermax.com already). But i'm also interested in looking into the mac mini, faster imac G4 models, eMac models, or even the powermac G4 models. I mainly plan to do 3d animation, photoshop work, and web design. But my imac G4 is getting outdated for that. I was also wondering if the G4 processor is outdated because I'd hate to spend money on a new mac only to find out it performs the same as my current imac. If anyone can help me decide than that will be great. My budget is somewhere around or below $750. If I can't find a mac, guess I'll have to go with a pc since cheaper options exist.

jack

if you're budget is below 750, an ibook or mac mini are your only choices

 

[snickrep]

ok put the $750 aside and then tell me what mac is good for my needs (3d animation, photoshop). New budget, below $1,000.

Is there any good refurb/used mac stores besides powermax?

 

[FFTT]

This is a rough time to be buying almost any computer, but considering your budget and the improved performance you would gain, I would go directly
to the Apple Red Tag sales and buy a latest model 1.33 GHz ibook 12"
for $799.00

Apple refurbs are usually in new condition and sometimes ship with extras
like larger hard drive or extra RAM

If you can save just a bit longer and take advantage of any education pricing, then hands down, buy the new 17" iMac.

You will have to wait for universal binary application updates from third party developers, but you'll have a brand new state of the art machine for $1199.

You will need to upgrade the RAM in either machine to at least 1 GB, but that's not terribly expensive these days.