If it were me I would go with the BeigeG3.
It''s more upgradeable, and certain models can run on an 83MHz system bus. Replacing a Rev A with a Rev B or C ROM can solve the slave drive issues and adding an ATA/66 controller will solve all IDE problems.
The graphics subsystem in the iMacs are weak at best. The graphics in the BeigeG3 are also weak but can be upgraded to a Radeon 7500, 8500 or 9200 should you so desire. Couple that with PCIExtreme and you can have Quartz Extreme running.
Finally adding a ZIF G4 to the BeigeG3 in combination with upgraded graphics and IDE controller will give you a Mac that should smoke any of the iMac's (Imac G4's and G5's not withstanding). Sure some Imac's will have a 100MHz system bus, however since some Beige G3's can do 83MHz on the system bus, it's really a trivial difference between the two.
I know all this because the machine I just described is in my closet. It's a killer Beige G3 (now G4) and it rocks Tiger with no problems whatsoever. I did have to play with xPostFacto a tad, but it only added about 20 minutes or so to the install procedure.
For the money and the learning curve (all the skills you learn, plus the fun tinkering) I would with the BeigeG3 any day of the week even if it is a desktop and not a mini-tower.
It''s more upgradeable, and certain models can run on an 83MHz system bus. Replacing a Rev A with a Rev B or C ROM can solve the slave drive issues and adding an ATA/66 controller will solve all IDE problems.
The graphics subsystem in the iMacs are weak at best. The graphics in the BeigeG3 are also weak but can be upgraded to a Radeon 7500, 8500 or 9200 should you so desire. Couple that with PCIExtreme and you can have Quartz Extreme running.
Finally adding a ZIF G4 to the BeigeG3 in combination with upgraded graphics and IDE controller will give you a Mac that should smoke any of the iMac's (Imac G4's and G5's not withstanding). Sure some Imac's will have a 100MHz system bus, however since some Beige G3's can do 83MHz on the system bus, it's really a trivial difference between the two.
I know all this because the machine I just described is in my closet. It's a killer Beige G3 (now G4) and it rocks Tiger with no problems whatsoever. I did have to play with xPostFacto a tad, but it only added about 20 minutes or so to the install procedure.
For the money and the learning curve (all the skills you learn, plus the fun tinkering) I would with the BeigeG3 any day of the week even if it is a desktop and not a mini-tower.