Q: How should I get rid of an old Powerbook G4?

Take it to an Apple Store. They can have it recycled. They may even give you a $10 bounty for it. If you want $50 for it then best get it working. If you want to sell for parts then remove the parts and sell separately. You can post it on eBay.

Suggest you join LEM-Swap for buying & selling Mac stuff. http://groups.google.com/group/lemswap

After you join, post a FS (For Sale).

 Cheers, Tom

You could also try selling or giving away on Craigslist. For me the the whole thing of disassembling, packaging up, taking to the post office, is a big psychological hurdle, especially if you have to spend an hour doing it all to get $10 for a part where the check may or may not bounce, etc.  If somebody local comes to my door to get it with cash in hand then I much rather do it that way.

You can probably get more money parting it out than as a unknown problem computer, though of course you don't know which part it is that isn't working.

Keep in mind that G4s are definitely seeing their age now and I see fully working G4s loaded with software (albeit not strictly legal) for $100, so how much would I be willing to pay for a non-functioning one, or a part to keep mine running a while longer (bear in mind I might have to factor in shipping)?

Well, if the computer doesn't work, why not replace the drive? If you are unable to do some repairs, you'll need to go to a electronics recycling center or hope you can sell it. Before you do that, check if there are any signs of life in the computer. The battery might be dead, but if you know someone that has a PowerBook cord, try and see if the computer can take in some power. Double check the battery power left by using the button in the battery. Since it is old, the hard drive could've failed by now. But then again, I would first double check if there are any signs of life, but if you did do that and it won't turn on, the computer could be bricked.

All the advice is spot on. Apple apparently pays w/ a Gift Card - in Store or onlne.

Apple actually partners with a 3rd party for recycle & re-use program. The online method may get you an estimate of what they might give for it in current condition or if you get it running. The estimate is based on the honor system and amended by their inspection upon receipt.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/reuse_and_recycle

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Buyers on eBay are more then happy to purchase parts, as long as they are in a working condition. Alternatively, you can try to sell it or just recycle it, You are not supposed to dispose of batteries but it never stopped anybody.

Good luck.