Unfortunately the iMac G4 never really got fast enough before being upgraded to the G5. By that I mean if the G4 chip in the iMac had lasted long enough to reach 1.5 or 1.67GHz like the PowerBooks, then it would probably still be somewhat useful today. There is a HUGE difference in performance between my 1GHz 17" iMac G4 and my 1.5GHz PowerBook. The iMac with Leopard is really pokey while the Powerbook actually feels pretty smooth. The later 1.25Ghz models with USB 2.0 may be somewhat better than my older 1GHz model, but I still wouldn't put myself through that every day all the time. My primary setup is a dual 2.0 G5 and thats probably about as slow as I would want for every day use. Now I'll still use my TiBooks and G4 cube when Im just lounging about, but having a computer with some power when you need it is a must. Sometimes you can't wait all day for that page to load on Safari, or deal with iPhoto and iTunes running at a snails pace. Moral of the story, if you MUST get an iMac G4, then get a 1.25GHz model (or better yet, get yourself an eMac 1.42 for half the price). Either way, a G4 in late 2011 is really not something I would ever recommend and your main setup.