Need OS X capable Mac for under $400

Agreed .. OS X is easier but not effortless. If she knows much of anything about Windows, that might be an advantage to her getting a PC. If she really knows only the most basic stuff (web browsing, double-click to open files, etc) then OS X will probably be easier than learning whatever new Win OS would be on her new machine.

On a side note: I've installed 10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 on my older iMac without so much as a hiccup. I think the hard part for a newbie would be conceptualizing how things are arranged (eg. the structure of user folders, that the desktop is actually a folder within your Home folder, etc).

this woman is olePigeon's "client" - let him make the decision of mac or PC for himself. It's his responsibility and decision, not ours.

It looks like he's already made his decision to buy a mac for this woman. And I'm sure he knows her situation best. We haven't even met this woman yet.

Let's respect his decision, yeah? I also second the bronze pb. I had one running OSX 10.2 a while ago and with 384mb ram, it ran it surprisingly well.

I'll echo the Blue & White G3. Check macofalltrades.com

Yet ?? You planning on putting the moves on his friend

She has an 8-year-old daughter. And you're right, OS X isn't a miracle OS; but in the even she has a major problem, reinstalling Mac OS X isn't exactly trivial and is something I know I can guide her through over the phone.

You're also forgetting that she's on dialup internet access. When I first installed Windows on my PC I had almost 100MBs of security patches and software updates. Can you imagine trying to install all those updates over a modem? I'm trying to make this less of a headache for her as well as me.

No offense, I just don't see how so many people can recommend an iMac. What does a slot or tray loading drive cost compared to a full sized 5.25 drive? Then you have a max of 2 RAM slots compared to the 4 on a Powermac. Then let's say the USB or firewire goes out. How easy is that to fix versus just putting in a PCI replacement on a tower.
These are all used machines that will have parts that break. As nice as an AIO is, the easy repair and savings in parts on a tower will out weigh the form factor of the iMac. She has a monitor that works and replacing that would always be cheaper than getting a new CRT for the iMac or a new powerbook screen.

As a new machine with a warranty I think the situation changes. Then I would agree an iMac/eMac would be more than sufficient for their needs. The systems mentioned would be great for anyone in here but as it stands this person is not very comfortable around a computer and getting a computer that has easy access and is more scalable just seems to make more sense.

Most people don't need more than 1 GB of RAM.

And what if the CPU fails on a PowerMac? How often does USB or Firewire break?

Contrary to popular belief, most Macs don't spontaneously break down. Again, if the CPU goes, you're without a Mac either way.


So basically, you're saying a PowerMac is better suited for computer neophytes, and an iMac is better choice for Mac experts?

Come on now. Most people don't need to internally expand a computer beyond RAM. Scalability is not a factor in most people's needs. An iMac is a great choice.

You're also forgetting that OS X has 100s of megs of updates. As I recall, 10.2.7 was over 80MB.

Get her a new Mac with AppleCare or a cheap PC. Either way, she will be better off because at least she will have a warranty and tech support to rely on. If you buy her an old Mac and the thing breaks two months later, you're screwed and out the $400.

No, but I assume that if she was using a P90 that she won't be getting a gig of RAM. And there is a better chance of having sticks of PC100 around, or getting some in the future cheap, rather than having to buy RAM for the iMac. Maybe scrounging a couple 64 meg sticks to add to the one that comes with the unit he buys will be cheaper than buying more RAM from a store.

Yes, if the CPU fails they are in trouble either way. But on the G3 it can be removed and replaced. Have you seen someone do that with the iMac? So with one you are out of a Mac with the other it can be fixed.

And USB and firewire ports do cease to work.

And yes in this case a powermac's life can be extended far longer than the iMac's, making a superior choice for this neophyte who does not upgrade systems every few years like others around here. Almost nothing on the iMac can be fixed if something goes wrong. The PS & down converter, CRT, and onboard USB/FW breaking means replacing the part at a price far higher than the counterpart on a Powermac.

Hey [edit] olePigeon,

I have a Purple 333mhz G3 iMac with 512mb ram, 6gig hdd, origional keybd and mouse (with an adapter since the round shape is a pain) that I'd let go for $250 shipped. You could buy a copy of Panther with the difference over your $400, or I could buy a education version if you throw in the extra $80 or whatever it'd cost. Pather's finder is said to perform MUCH smoother than even Jaguar which I've been using quite happily on a 400mhz B&W G3. PM me if you're interested.

Sorry about the confusion. For some reason I had cheesepuff down as the person who started this thread.