Which used Mac for my kids?

[COMtnBiker]

Thinking about a used, older (cheaper!) Mac for my kids' use at home (ages 10 and under). I only have experience (recent switcher) to my MBP running Snow Leopard.

Looking over Craigslist, I see G4s, G5s, iMacs, etc. and don't have a clue about these. I was thinking MacMini too.

Any advice? Just want to make sure it's rugged, and able to work with our wireless network (Airport Express), wireless printer, etc. Anything I should stay away from?

 

[CrimsonRequiem]

My vote would be to go with an intel Mac. Mini, iMac etc.

 

[RavingMac]

I would agree, especially if you already have a Monitor and keyboard, the Mac Mini is a great choice.

 

[osxx]

Another vote for the Mini.

 

[MacDude121]

I'd also go for the Mac Mini. Small form factor, and great if you already have a keyboard, monitor, and mouse.

 

[Mac OS X User]

I'd go for the mac mini also but the prices these go for on ebay are about £100 - £400 (140 - 600 USD). If it was for your kids I would go for a imac g4 or a powermac g4. These machines are still very good and you can pick these up for only £20 - £60 (30 - 100 USD).

-Jamie

 

[COMtnBiker]

My preference is the Mini too, but I'd have to pick up a cheap monitor.

For now, I setup an old Dell laptop (XP) and got it up and running for them.

That was an EXCELLENT reminder of why I switched to Mac and why I won't switch back for a long time.

- about 8 pop up notifications about the wireless network, virus protection status, updates available, etc.
- setup Windoze kid-safe browsing thing, and every single website I visited had me type my password in for access. Crazy annoying and not accurate at all.
- random weird stuff happens with settings. Didn't save my desktop pictures. Wouldn't re-boot for some reason, flickering screen. Disk drive working like mad for no reason. Ug.

Maybe this way, they'll really appreciate the Mac once I switch them to it!

 

[osxx]

My preference is the Mini too, but I'd have to pick up a cheap monitor.

For now, I setup an old Dell laptop (XP) and got it up and running for them.

That was an EXCELLENT reminder of why I switched to Mac and why I won't switch back for a long time.

- about 8 pop up notifications about the wireless network, virus protection status, updates available, etc.
- setup Windoze kid-safe browsing thing, and every single website I visited had me type my password in for access. Crazy annoying and not accurate at all.
- random weird stuff happens with settings. Didn't save my desktop pictures. Wouldn't re-boot for some reason, flickering screen. Disk drive working like mad for no reason. Ug.

Maybe this way, they'll really appreciate the Mac once I switch them to it!

If it gets to be too much work you could always load Ubuntu on the Dell it can't hurt to get them diversified and yes this would make them appreciate and take care of the Mac.