Advice needed on buying used iMac G4

Question

Level 1

11 points

Advice needed on buying used iMac G4

I'm in the market for buying a used Mac computer off of craigslist. I only have a limited budget and with that comes a limited number of choices. I found an iMac G4 for sale and was wondering if you thought it was good for the price...

1.25 GHz Processor
80 GB HD
512 MB RAM
Leopard
Superdrive

It has Microsoft word, Adobe Suite, etc. He is asking for $435 with mouse and keyboard. What do you think?

Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on May 29, 2008 8:48 PM

Reply

Answer 1

AxL

Level 6

11,441 points

May 30, 2008 5:19 AM in response to JerichoX

It's not too bad as it's the latest, best, possible processor for a G4 iMac, although with only 512MB RAM, it really is on the bottom limits on RAM.
You can add some yourself later, up to 1280MB or even 2GB.

Something important is missing in the info: is it a 15-inch, 17-inch or 20-inch display? The larger, the better.

About the software it has on it:
Only legal way you can use it, is if he gives you the original install CDs with registration codes duly transferred to your name through the developer's website.

In any case (Leopard or not Leopard):
He MUST give you the original Panther (Mac OS X 10.3.x) install discs which contain extra software and the G4 iMac Hardware Test tool; that is: one grey DVD and one grey CD. They are part of the iMac, no matter which newer OS is installed now.

Reply

Answer 2

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jun 4, 2008 12:00 PM in response to JerichoX

I think that's a very fair price for a 17" 1.25GHz iMac G4 or a good price for an 20" iMac G4.

You can fairly easily up the RAM to 2GB and put a 500GB hard drive and faster optical drive in there later on when funds allow.

Apple still sells the Airport Extreme card for the 1.25GHz models so you can upgrade it to 802.11g too.

I'll re-iterate what AxL says about software; unless the original discs and licenses are included it will be illegal. That includes Leopard, and having the original disc will be essential if you have any disk problems on the iMac.

I think both the 17" and 20" models came with Apple Pro Speakers originally in most cases; are they included?

cheers

mrtotes

Reply

Answer 3

AxL

Level 6

11,441 points

Jun 4, 2008 12:26 PM in response to mrtotes

"+I think both the 17" and 20" models came with Apple Pro Speakers originally+"
Yes, they did,
the spherical ones, quite good speakers IMO.

Thanks mrtotes for the upgrade infos + + +
🙂

Reply

Answer 4

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jun 4, 2008 1:09 PM in response to AxL

AxL wrote:
Yes, they did,
the spherical ones, quite good speakers IMO.

I bought my 1.25GHz second hand so wasn't sure. Thanks for confirming! 🙂

I really liked the Pro Speakers, much better sound than then speakers in the Aluminium Intel iMacs. Pairs do come up quite frequently on ebay though so if they're not included it's not the end of the world.

cheers

mrtotes

Reply