reasonable iMac G5?

After many years as a Windows user, I've pretty much decided to make the switch, and am planing to buy a iMac G5 (though I am not opposed to a 14" iBook). The purchase will most likely occur in the middle of December since I first need to sell my Leica M3 camera to finance the purchase. I prefer to buy the iMac from a reputable dealer, new in the box w/warrenty...and saw apple.com offering the entry level one for $1199 (with my educational discount).

Is there anyother good online (or southern californian) dealer that has the entry level iMac G5 at a cheaper price? Any special deals/rebates taht I should know of? I also looked into Amazon.com but didn't find anything that beat apple's student discount.... Any help/tips would be appreciated...

OT/wrong forum: anyone know how much an HP ze5170 laptop is worth?

2ghz/40gb HD/Ati radeon Mobility M6 32mb graphics card/windows home/512mb ram/combo drive/15" lcd....the laptop has some minor cosmetic wear, nothing major.

#232337

I think that is the best price out there for an iMac G5. I recently bought an iMac G4 from macofalltrades.com for $999.00. Why did I downgrade?...thats another story (found in the forums around here lol). If you are worried about a G4 (laptop) vs. a G5...I am telling you it runs plenty fast for me. Don't get caught up in the statistics when comparing the two processors.

But seriously, make the switch!!! I was a PC user for a very long time and making the switch to a Mac was one the best things I ever did. It was worth every penny.

#232341

I think that is the best price out there for an iMac G5. I recently bought an iMac G4 from macofalltrades.com for $999.00. Why did I downgrade?...thats another story (found in the forums around here lol). If you are worried about a G4 (laptop) vs. a G5...I am telling you it runs plenty fast for me. Don't get caught up in the statistics when comparing the two processors.

I took a look at macofalltrades.com and will keep that as an option, I don't need to have the latest mac, just a one that will work at or better than what I have now (*points to the above laptop specs*). In theory, I've heard that Mac processor speeds are doubled when comapared to their Intel equivalents, so the iMac G4 certainly does look like a better deal (would leave me with some money left over possibly).

#232342

just a question. do you mind second-hand computers?

#232346

just a question. do you mind second-hand computers?

#232348

good link ---> http://dealmac.com/

and, imo, it would be horribly foolish to get a G4 iMac when the G5's are just a couple hundred more. you can scrounge cash for a movie, fast food, etc... you can save a couple hundred more bucks and get a current-generation machine. as something of a tech freak yourself, you will regret buying last-gen technology, if not sooner, definitely later. mark my words.

#232367

Go ohn mah son! ;D

Me and you can snigger at Zillah with a G4 Mac come New Years.. Ooh and the Halo-ing.. I'll just have to nag you both to get iSights too. ;D

Hope y'find a decent deal, don't worry about RAM really.. 256MB is entirely useable, 128MB is bare-able.. Of course everything speeds up incredibly once you get over 512MB (I would really recommend buying the iMac at a good price somewhere, and then waiting until you have the spare cash and buying a 1GB DIMM - like I'm going to do).

#232416

Just an FYI... Apple has a strict pricing policy for it's enitre product line.

And Apple only allows authorized resellers a +/- $10 price difference from Apples suggested retail price.

So hunting for a deal on a NEW Apple computer is pretty pointless.

Used, discontinued or refurbished products are a different story.

So if a retailer is selling a BRAND NEW Apple computer for considerably less than the Apple suggested retail price, it's probably stolen or they are not disclosing the fact that it is a refurbished item.

So be wary of any site selling new Apple's at a heavily discounted price.

#232434

Thanks for all your replies, it seems that Apple does indeed have the best prices whether it be at a student discount or apple certified refurbished, so it seems I'll be getting my iMac G5 from apple (most likely new).

And yes, I've seen many apple computers way below the suggested retail (on amazon/et al.) so thats why I was weary of buying them from those "too good to be true" dealers.

@Es-y....pchhh@isight, I'll be flat broke after my iMac purchase, so no isight for jooo

As for the RAM, I'll be buying it with the default amount and adding more later once I save up/get a job. Again, thanks for all your replies.

#232448

Just an FYI... Apple has a strict pricing policy for it's enitre product line.

And Apple only allows authorized resellers a +/- $10 price difference from Apples suggested retail price.

So hunting for a deal on a NEW Apple computer is pretty pointless.

Used, discontinued or refurbished products are a different story.

So if a retailer is selling a BRAND NEW Apple computer for considerably less than the Apple suggested retail price, it's probably stolen or they are not disclosing the fact that it is a refurbished item.

So be wary of any site selling new Apple's at a heavily discounted price.

some sellers can take a price hit themselves and still make a profit. barring that, some sellers see non-cash value in such volume sales, such as elevated brand recognition, etc. there's plenty of reasons not to outright dismiss discounts such as amazon's.

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=233547

#232451

some sellers can take a price hit themselves and still make a profit. barring that, some sellers see non-cash value in such volume sales, such as elevated brand recognition, etc. there's plenty of reasons not to outright dismiss discounts such as amazon's.

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=233547

Apple does not allow authorized resellers to advertise a price lower than the suggested retail price, within that +/- $10 factor of course. Here is an example of that policy from Amazon's own site:

To see our low price, add this item to your cart. You can always remove it later.

It does allow for retailers to create bundle packages, but the bundle MUST be advertized showing the Apple product at FULL price and the bundled item, usualy a printer or something, as free or as the item in the bundle that is being discounted.

Rebates are a different matter. They still require the product to be listed at full price and then the retailer can offer a rebate AFTER the fact. i.e., a Mail in rebate. Instant rebates are not allowed.

I'm trying to dig up the link I received from Apple a while ago regarding their pricing policies. It has all this information and more.

#232461

good link ---> http://dealmac.com/

and, imo, it would be horribly foolish to get a G4 iMac when the G5's are just a couple hundred more. you can scrounge cash for a movie, fast food, etc... you can save a couple hundred more bucks and get a current-generation machine. as something of a tech freak yourself, you will regret buying last-gen technology, if not sooner, definitely later. mark my words.

Why it may be foolish to purchase a G4, you must also consider the design of the computer...thats why I chose the G4 over the G5. To this day I can't stand to look at the G5. I will say that I did see it in person, and the pictures do not give it justice. I must also admit, it is amazing how the computer is in that one simple unit....but its just too ugly for me (my opinion! lol) My G4 will probably last another 3-4 years (at most) before it becomes obsolete, but by then I will just purchase another one! I only hope that the creators make something similar to the G4.

So thats my final thoughts for you mubach. Although, I believe you are more concerned with prices rather than design. Which ever model you do choose to purchase (iMac G4, G5 or iBook) you will be very happy and hopefully NEVER go back to a PC. I know I won't! Take that Bill Gates!

#232505

Lol yes shark, any apple design will be a step up from my HP pavilion lack of style, so design is not a concern for me, I am more concered with price and of course performance, which is what drove me towards the G5, I want something that will last me 4 years while still being able to play the latest games/software etc. Being a minamalist *****, the G5 is more pleasing to my eye, its an "all-in-one" design, and with plenty of screen realestate to suit my needs. But yes, that Bill Gates *shakes head* it is him that causes me to lose at Halo, with all those blue screens of death :/

#232519

Why it may be foolish to purchase a G4, you must also consider the design of the computer...thats why I chose the G4 over the G5. To this day I can't stand to look at the G5. [...]

Yet my mum first saw the G5 and G4 side by side and exclaimed: 'Ew, I don't like that ugly round one.. That really thin one looks gorgeous!'

To each his (or her!) own, I guess.

@Moo: DO IT DO IT.

#232574

Ya...it's ok I guess. Eat your sofa for a few days and you'll manage.

#232599

Ya...it's ok I guess. Eat your sofa for a few days and you'll manage.

#232601

Ye gods, i'm being left behind here.. >_> Glares at es' - chop chop!

#233716

Ye gods, i'm being left behind here.. >_> Glares at es' - chop chop!

Keiko'll be wingin' her way to you sooooon! ;D

Sidenote: Moo bought his iMac G5 everyone! I wonder what he'll name it... I wonder what I'll name mine...

#233718

Sidenote: Moo bought his iMac G5 everyone! I wonder what he'll name it... I wonder what I'll name mine...

As for the name, well I never get too attached to these things, but I am thinking of naming mine............

#233761

oo nice. how was it? i hope you did stuff it to 512 mb of ram.

#233769

oo nice. how was it? i hope you did stuff it to 512 mb of ram.

@Mods you could go ahead and close this thread if you like

#233771

congrats, moo!

#233778

[...]As for the name, well I never get too attached to these things, but I am thinking of naming mine............

Just don't name it Keiko like that sexxi n3wbieeeeee. :confused: LOL...

#233865

Topic closed.

Congrats m.ubach Take care of your new baby (you've almost had twins! )

#233870