07-03-2007, 04:16 PM

My iMac G5 (iSight) was hit by lightning this past weekend...the surge came in through my cable modem, fried it, went through my Smoothwall box, took out one of the NICs, took out a port in my switch, then spread to my iMac and AirPort station.

The iMac already had a faulty ethernet port, now the USB ports are out because ethernet was coming in through a USB adapter.

CompUSA (where purchased) will do an estimate for $130. My home insurance will cover pretty much everything, minus a $750 deductible. I have other equipment outside of the iMac that needs replacing, so there's no doubt I'm going to meet that.

I have an estimate from another Apple service center for replacing the logic board, which is what Apple Support said is most likely the problem. That quote is $730. I don't know what CompUSA will quote...they refuse to make any judgment until they crack open the case and I spend $130.

I can get a new Intel iMac for $1200, almost identical to my G5, and in some cases an upgrade from my G5. At what point do I need to consider buying a new one instead of repairing the old one? I have cash on hand to cover these expenses (from a car accident settlement, how ironic) so it's not like I'll be financing; however, my wife & I can use some extra cash now because I won't start my job until August and we have to go one more month with a very modest income. Buying a new iMac would mean eating up more of the settlement money, which is $2500 total.

Part of me says "if it's over half the overall cost to repair, then replace," but I don't want to jump on another computer when I could repair this one and keep a few hundred dollars.

What advice do you have? I'm pretty stressed over all the other junk I have to deal with (affidavits, quotes, holding on the phone, appointments, re-doing my wiring closet, etc) and this decision is really worrying me.

07-03-2007, 04:30 PM

Well, you're looking at $730 minimum for a part that costs Apple $100, so you're paying nothing but profit and labour.

You'd be far better getting a new one.

07-03-2007, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Alexis

Well, you're looking at $730 minimum for a part that costs Apple $100, so you're paying nothing but profit and labour.

What orifice did you pull that $100 number from?

You can't even buy a G5 CPU for $100; to say nothing of a whole logic board.

07-03-2007, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by technologist

What orifice did you pull that $100 number from?

You can't even buy a G5 CPU for $100; to say nothing of a whole logic board.

Would you agree with Alexis that replacing the computer is a better option, assuming the cost is upwards of $700?


Something else I'm implying in my question, I suppose...how is CompUSA's repair service? Am I going to have trouble down the road with this thing if I get it repaired?

I'm highly leaning towards replacing if the cost is any more than $600, maybe less depending on the circumstances. Someone talk me out of it.

07-03-2007, 11:08 PM

Well, $700+ to fix a 2-3 yr old computer?

Sorry, I can't find any good reason to talk ya out of gettin the new iMac.

07-03-2007, 11:29 PM

your deductible is $20 more than the repair. get a new one on the insurance.

ps: use the HDD from G5 as external HDD

07-04-2007, 07:11 AM

What orifice did you pull that $100 number from?

You can't even buy a G5 CPU for $100; to say nothing of a whole logic board.

Motherboard and CPU at cost price, bought in bulk. I doubt you would be able to buy both for $100, but you aren't a large company buying direct.

Did you intentionally mean to post an offensive comment, or are you generally rude?

07-05-2007, 11:23 AM

Thanks to everyone for your responses. The final estimate was over $1100, so I bought a 17" intel iMac (the model with 1GB of RAM). Now I have to figure out what to do with the old one.

I'm using some software now on it that I need to buy for my new one (through a VNC connection) but after I buy that, the old one is pretty much useless at this point. I could, as fearlessfreep said, take out the hard drive and use it. I might do that.

What sort of market is there for a G5 iMac with no hard drive, a busted logic board, and a power supply that the repair folks recommend replacing?

08-11-2007, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by Porphyro

Thanks to everyone for your responses. The final estimate was over $1100, so I bought a 17" intel iMac (the model with 1GB of RAM). Now I have to figure out what to do with the old one.

I'm using some software now on it that I need to buy for my new one (through a VNC connection) but after I buy that, the old one is pretty much useless at this point. I could, as fearlessfreep said, take out the hard drive and use it. I might do that.

What sort of market is there for a G5 iMac with no hard drive, a busted logic board, and a power supply that the repair folks recommend replacing?

Could you use the RAM too?