Brand new Mac user - buying a used G4 17" - Good investment?

Question

Brand new Mac user - buying a used G4 17" - Good investment?

Hello all. I am buying myself a long-desired Christmas gift this year. The computer/IT business that works with our agency has a used G4 Powerbook for sale. Since I know the person who has used it, and the price is incredibly good, I have decided to take the plunge. I honestly do not even know how Macs work, but I have heard so many good things about them as far as their reliability and ease of operation that when the chance came up I knew I had to take it.

I have never had good luck with PC's - even when I have spent a lot of money on a supposedly really good one, and maintain it well, I have issues. I'm tired of spending precious time working on a computer just so I can use the computer to do work. I am far too much of left brained creative type (or is that right brain, I always get them mixed up) to have to be a computer geek at the same time. Everything I've read says English majors like me really need Macs because they "just work" and make ever so much more sense.

So I don't have any specific questions yet, because I don't have it, but I wanted to say hi and introduce myself and I will probably have a gazillion questions once I actually get it and turn it on. I hope you'll indulge me! In the meantime, I'd love to hear that I made a good decision and a worthwhile investment and that this beastie will last many years if I take good care of it. (On the other hand if they're "nothing but trouble" please tell me quickly before I hand them any money!)

Thank you and I look forward to getting to know you. Have a lovely weekend!
Karen
aka Cunningly Disguised

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.2.x), purchasing used

Posted on Dec 14, 2007 8:12 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 14, 2007 9:09 AM in response to Cunningly Disguised

Hi Karen,
Welcome to the Mac support forums.

I have had my eyes on a 17" g4 for a while but they're still too expensive for me. I'm not sure how old yours is but it is probably around 3-4 years. If it is still working well for the original owner then it should continue to work well for you barring catastrophe. There are a few issues that come up from time to time on the "Big Als" but they are relatively few a far between. Here are a couple of the ones I've heard of:
1. The external power supply goes bad after a while - not hard to replace but still annoying.
2. Some models had a hard time burning DVD's
3. The casing is aluminum and therefore doesn't deal with traumatic event as well as the polycarbonite casings. Looks pretty cool though.
4. Upgrades to the hard drive can be a bit trickier than the older machines but can be done at home with an iFixit guide and some tools.

If you have the latest operating system all up to date then you should be in for a nice, stable, intuitive experience but there are a few things that are different from the PC/Windows world and you would be well advised to find a local Guru who can show you little short cuts and tips that make your life easier. There is also a website http://www.macosxhints.com/ that has some useful forums. Also there is another apple support forum for operating systems where you'll find gurus waiting to help you with your software questions.

Hope you have a great day and congratulations on your new "Big Al"

John

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Answer 2

Dec 14, 2007 10:05 AM in response to John Wilson M.D.

Hi John,

Thank you for the warm welcome. I didn't know they were referred to as "Big Al's" - - that's funny because that was the nickname of one of my best friends in high school. He was a good guy, so I hope this is a good omen. I really "can't afford" it either. But I want to start a part time freelance writing/ creative services business on the side to supplement my income and I had to have a good computer to do it, and the more I thought about it, I realized it almost HAD to be a laptop. So I'm going have to buy it on plastic, but then it's going to have to earn its keep!

This one is between 3-4 years old and I am coughing up the extra bucks (again, theoretical plastic bucks) to have them put Leopard and iWork 08 on it. I don't intend to subject it to any "traumatic events" but thank you for the heads up. And yes, I do think the case looks cool --I've actually been gazing longingly at this particular machine in the hands of our resident IT guy for months so when the chance came up to buy it for something less than a fortune, it was really hard to say no.

I definitely have a big learning curve to climb as far as the operating system and all that, but usually where computer stuff is involved I'm a fairly quick learner - at least on the software side. It's the hardware stuff that totally baffles me when something goes awry. I will check out that website you mentioned, and I am sure I will be a frequent flyer on the user forums.

Thank you again and Merry Christmas!
CD

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Answer 3

cvela

Level 1

5 points

Dec 19, 2007 7:47 AM in response to Cunningly Disguised

Greetings,

I recently purchased a used PowerBook G4 1.0 GHz model and it's working great for me. It came with 1.0 GB of RAM and stock 80 GB/5400 RPM HD. Since then I have upgraded RAM to 1.5 GB and HD to 100 GB/7200 RPM. I was cautious of RAM upgrade as I had read some people began to experience Airport problems after exceeding 1 GB. I have not noticed any problems with my machine. I have also installed Leopard with no real performance loss. Expect to miss out on some of the video graphics eye candy due to the age of the machine. I'm picky about the physical condition of buying used so I gave the machine a good inspection before purchase. One thing to look for is any marks on the screen due to keyboard contact when closed. Some claim the keyboard transfers oils which can be removed but after purchasing a machine prior to my current Powerbook I learned some marks are permanent. Also look for the obvious stuck or dead pixels.

Good Luck

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Answer 4

alpshiker

Level 2

461 points

Dec 22, 2007 6:14 AM in response to Cunningly Disguised

If you want to buy a used Powerbook with no warranty, you have to be a lucky one. I am sorry to cast some shadow on your project, but I must tell you what happened to me if you are on a buget and every penny counts.

I was on the market for a Macbook Pro 17. But after reading too many stories of people disappointed with their MBP's because of endless failures, I finally decided for a "near new" Powerbook G4 1,5GHz. I had also read countless stories of Powerbook G4 1,67GHz owners whos LCD screen failed just after the one year warranty was over. Those poor customers are now with a dead investment after just one year because Apple has decided not to aknowledge that there is a problem with a batch of LCD screens. Take a tour on the Powerbook display forum if you want to know more at http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1020

The 1,5 model was not reported to have too many of those problems, so I took my chance despite the still small voice that I should have listened. After three weeks of gentle use, one vertical line appeared. This PB is just 3 years old, like new and has cost me an arm and a leg. Now a new LCD should cost between USD 800 if I replace it myself (tricky job) and USD 1000 if I send it trust it to some company. When I will have it fixed, it will have cost me USD 2300 and the LCD might again fail after the one year warranty for the new part is over.

So to your question, I would answer: avoid the 1.67 GHz Powerbook if there is no long term warranty on the sale. And if you buy another model, make sure you can have a very quick return on your investment! Sadly Apple products are no longer the reputable and reliable products they used to be. Too much chinese mass production involved.

Sorry not to have better feedback.

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Answer 5

Cea

Level 1

59 points

Dec 27, 2007 7:50 PM in response to Cunningly Disguised

Hello, Karen. Welcome to the world of Apples.

I have had my PB G4 1G since 2003, bought it brand new. I have been the only one using it, and it's been a sweet, sweet four years. Only challenges have been with my optical drive, but then, I am a World Music DJ, and that's part of the territory (I now have 2 external optical drives). Every week, for 3 years, I pop it into my briefcase and take it to the station. Otherwise, it sits on it's own table, and I use it several times every day. I think my experience confirms Apple's excellent reputation.

Here is a simple, inexpensive thing I do to protect my keyboard: I take a piece of clear plastic wrap, trim it to just an inch outside the keyboard on all sides, and tape it in place on either side, over the keyboard. I change it every other week. It protects the keys from dust or liquid. Nothing fancy, but after all this time, my PowerBook is in magnificent condition.

If you wanted further protection, perhaps placing a rectangle of felt over the keyboard might be helpful, if you close it often. I don't, so haven't had any difficulties with oil or impressions on my own display.

I wish you every success with your PowerBook, if that is the way you decide to go. I wouldn't trade mine for anything in the world. And the aluminum still does look wonderful!

Warm wishes to you... Cea

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Answer 6

Dec 28, 2007 1:44 PM in response to Cunningly Disguised

Hello and Merry Christmas and thank you for all your feedback, good and bad. I did buy the Powerbook and I am hoping and praying it was a good investment. A little time will tell I think. I did double check to make sure it wasn't one of the series of serial numbers that seems to have display problems before I took it home. (Big concern!) I've only had it a couple of days, so I have barely had the chance to crack it open and play with it, but I hope I can rectify that situation over the weekend.
Karen

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Answer 7

Cea

Level 1

59 points

Dec 28, 2007 3:00 PM in response to Cunningly Disguised

Karen...

I was hoping you were going to go for it. It just sounded like the right move, in my humble opinion. After all, you had been watching it in use for quite a large stretch of time, you've known your colleague reasonably well, topped with the fact that you have been longing to own it makes this a pretty special acquisition. Congratulations!!!!!

I wish you and your PowerBook the very best of experiences. No matter how many bright, shiny new laptops keep coming forward, not one of them has made me want to trade. It's been a long time since I opened mine for the first time, and still, every day I use it, I enjoy it. May your own encounters be as blessed...

Happy, Happy New Year - - - Cea

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