A Good idea?

Chris_Mav · May 21, 2009

For a while now Ive wanted an apple laptop but didn't have enough money because of uni etc to buy a macbook or macbook pro, I had a look around ebay and I have found a great powerbook g4, is this worth it?

I'm from the uk so its in sterling but it comes out as 714.884 USD

The specs are;

Product Features

1.5 GHz PowerPC G4 processor with 167 MHz system bus 15.2” TfT

Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

· Hardware Platform: Mac

· Processor: 1.67GHz PowerPC G4

· System Bus Speed: 167 MHz

· Number of Processors: 1

· RAM: 1Gb RAM

· Type: SODIMM

· L2 Cache: 2 KB

· Memory Slots: 2

Special Features

· Video accessories: S-video to composite adapter, Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, mini-DVI to VGA adapter; Hardware Accessories: Modem cable, power adapter, AC wall plug, power cord

Keyboard and Mouse

· Keyboard: Full size

Hard Drive

· Size: 100 GB

· Manufacturer: Portable

· Type: Ultra ATA

Optical Drives, Other Mass Storage

· Additional Drives: Super Drive(DVD+/-RW)

Graphics and Display

· Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon 9700

· Graphics RAM: 128 MB

· Display: TFT Widescreen display

· LCD Native Resolution: 1280-by-854

Ports and Connectivity

· Modem: 56 Kbps

· Network Connection: Built-in 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme, Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit)

Cases and Expandability

· Size (LWH): 13.7 inches, 9.5 inches, 1.1 inches

· Weight: 5.7 pounds .

Wireless

· Wireless Type: Bluetooth, Airport Extreme

Softwares Installed@

Mac OX LEOPARD 10.5

· Mac Ms Office 2008...Word, Excel ,publisher etc

· iLife 2008..Garageband, iDVD, iPhoto Etc

· & More

fletch33 · May 21, 2009

personally if i were you i would keep looking until i found an intel macbook with a dual core 2 processor. you are going to be able to make that last a lot longer, have more software options, and assure yourself a longer ability to get future OS X upgrades. apple will eventually stop supporting PPC processors.

i know they are pricey but you can generally put a 4 year old top of the line macbook up against a modern pc laptop.

just my thoughts.

if i did my $ conversion right then something like this is close in price and a much better machine and comes from a high rated seller.

Davidk02 · May 22, 2009

I'd say that's a little steep. I'd go with what fletch said, and find one with an Intel processor. For just a few hundred more you can get a brand new machine, with much better specs. (Not to mention Applecare)

Kash · May 22, 2009

Over $700 for outdated technology is definitely not worth it. You should be able to find newer machines for that price.

bobtomay · May 22, 2009

Let that seller find another uneducated buyer.

No PPC machine is worth that kind of money today.

iPod Nano · May 22, 2009

These machines are not outdated, but that is a bit expensive. You should also be aware that Aluminum/Titanium PowerBooks are easier to break than the Plastic White MacBooks.

bobtomay · May 22, 2009

Yes, those machines are outdated. As to whether it is aptly suited and will do everything some users need, that may be so.

Here is a fair price for that particular machine.

fletch33 · May 22, 2009

iPod Nano said:
These machines are not outdated, but that is a bit expensive. You should also be aware that Aluminum/Titanium PowerBooks are easier to break than the Plastic White MacBooks.

calling them outdated compared to how many changes have been made since they this model listed was produced is a fair statement. they are outdated. this doesnt mean that they can not be useful and perform the functions that some people need but they are outdated.

i have a 2001 G4 Sawtooth tower that has an upgraded 1.6GHz processor, 2GB Ram and a 256MB video card that runs 10.5.7, iLife 09, iWork 09, etc... just fine but i can easily call it outdated without hurting my feelings because it is.

Chris_Mav · May 22, 2009

Thanks for the great reply's, also you must remember that in the UK for some reason we put a higher price on electronics, I found it hard to find a 15 to 17 inch screen mac, for under 400 Pounds (637.255 USD)

Chris_Mav · May 22, 2009

bobtomay said:
Yes, those machines are outdated. As to whether it is aptly suited and will do everything some users need, that may be so.

Here is a fair price for that particular machine.

I have no idea were i'll find it for that price, that would be great if I could get it for that!

iPod Nano · May 22, 2009

OK, yeah they're outdated. What I meant to say is, they still work!

However, SL (Snow Leopard-OS 10.6) will not be compatible with PowerPC computers.

dtravis7 · May 22, 2009

And that is a key. When SL comes out, even more Apps will go Intel Only making the Power PC even more useless when all of a sudden even if you stick with Tiger or Leopard, apps you need no longer work unless you stick with older and more buggy versions. Not trying to be mean here but really especialy the G4 is getting old and not worth that much.

As far as Power PC systems still working, so does my IBM 5151 XT that was the first IBM computer for home use, but I can't use it today for anything useful!

I would do as others have suggested and try and hold out for an Intel Mac. You will be much better off even now as they are way faster at many tasks, but even more so in the future.

iPod Nano · May 22, 2009

If my PowerBook didn't have broken screen hinges, I could use it for 99% of the same things!

dtravis7 · May 22, 2009

I have a 1.5Ghz G4 Mini maxed out. A Heavily modded PowerMac G4 1.8Ghz Maxed out, a 2.1Ghz iMac G5 iSight Maxed out.

When I do video conversion, compression, ETC the difference in time is amazing. The 1.5Ghz Mini takes 3-4 hours for one video file. Even my G5 2.1 Ghz with 2.5GB ram takes 2.5+ hours to do the conversion. My Core2Duo Mini 2.16Ghz 20-22 minutes for the same file with same application and same settings. I have screen shots to show my doubting friends who feel Intel is the spawn of the devil and the Power PC was a way faster CPU.

I do video work for people and my clients can not wait hours for one video when I can get it do in 20 minutes and to them. That is a couple of examples.

Those times are not exaggerated either. Makes no difference which app I use, the slowness as conversion and compression is there.

The other day I had a rush job with 5 videos. I did a couple on my G5 to save time. 3 were done on the Intel Mini and the G5 was still working on the same video! My friend was very upset at me telling him wait. I hate to get paying people mad!

Do remember less and less applications are coming out supporting Power PC. If the OP can grab an Intel Mac he will be a lot happier now and even more so later.

iPod Nano · May 22, 2009

If he's fine with 10.5, iLife '09, iWork '09, and the rest of the Apple standard package with Leopard, he should be fine with a PowerPC, as long as he does not plan to do massive file converting operations or anything like that. I notice little difference in the processor speed when comparing a MacBook to PowerBook G4.

dtravis7 · May 22, 2009

iMovie 08 leave alone 09 needs a G5 or more to even install.

iPod Nano · May 22, 2009

Pardon me, my fault. By I ran most of the iLife '08 suite alongside iMovie '06 on my old machine. Worked fine for me.

Davidk02 · May 23, 2009

I've got to agree with dtravis, I love my G4 Mini, but my core2duo Macbook runs circles around it with anything video related.

dtravis7 · May 23, 2009

The main thing is, since the OP is starting new and getting a Mac, why not start off with a newer Mac that will run all current and probably future applications right off the bat. I know prices are different where he lives, but I am still sure like others here that he can find a used Macbook for around the same as a Powerbook if he looks.

iPod Nano · May 23, 2009

Well, it's a matter of what he needs/wants. If he just needs a computer good for doing simple work and won't want to upgrade, a PowerBook will be fine. If he intends/needs to use the newest software and will want to upgrade to the fancy new 64-bit snow leopard, he should get a MacBook. But, I doubt if you could find a better deal than $800 for a MacBook. The only place I'd try looking is in the Buy/Sell/Trade area or the Marketplace section of MacNN (http://forums.macnn.com).