Just Bought a Used iMac G5.

pigoo3

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As the title says...I just purchased a used iMac G5.

Specs:

- iMac G5 (non-iSight Model, non-ALS model)
- 1.8ghz G5 processor
- 17" display
- 80 gig hard drive
- 2 gig ram

Been "playing" with it for a couple of hours...and everything seems fine.

I know that the back comes off, and I'm going to do that, and give it a good cleaning (fuzz & dirt).

Anything else I should know about these (since I'm not really very familiar with this model yet)...I wanted to know if there were any tips, tricks, or watch-outs I should be aware of?

By the way...the best part is it cost me $100 off of my local Craig's List. Mac2Sell says that it's worth around $310!:)

Heck...the 2 gigs of PC-3200 ram it has would cost $76.99 from OWC!

Thanks,

- Nick
 
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Nick - take a good look at a few videos on YouTube about opening up those G5's, one guy in particular goes to great lengths to explain just what you're asking, ie. "any tips, tricks, or watch-outs I should be aware of?".

And congrats on your purchase, an elderly client of mine owns one, I attend it very infrequently because .... it hasn't faltered in the four+ years he's owned it. Enjoy!
So is that 26 Macs and counting now? ;D
 
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pigoo3

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Nick - take a good look at a few videos on YouTube about opening up those G5's, one guy in particular goes to great lengths to explain just what you're asking, ie. "any tips, tricks, or watch-outs I should be aware of?".

And congrats on your purchase, an elderly client of mine owns one, I attend it very infrequently because .... it hasn't faltered in the four+ years he's owned it. Enjoy!
So is that 26 Macs and counting now? ;D

Hugh,

Thanks a ton for the YouTube videos idea...I will definitely check them out!

I did open it up to check it out & clean it. No big deal as you may know...just loosen those three screws at the bottom, and carefully lift the back up & off.

Yes...I do believe this Mac is #26...ha ha!;) I will have to count them again to be 100% sure. :) It may not last long as part of the collection though...I think that this Mac may end up being a gift for a lucky relative.

Thanks,

- Nick
 

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Very cool. I wish Apple would have left the iMac that way as far as easily taking off the back. With the iSight model of the G5 and up you have to take off the front and there are hidden latches that need a tool. I was able to make that tool but it was still a pain to get the latches to open at the top. With the older iMacs you just did what you did and everything was right there!

Good find for the price. Have fun!
 
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sounds like a good buy.

I also just picked up a used G5 mine is a power mac.
 
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pigoo3

pigoo3

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Very cool. I wish Apple would have left the iMac that way as far as easily taking off the back. With the iSight model of the G5 and up you have to take off the front and there are hidden latches that need a tool.

Good find for the price. Have fun!

Thanks for the info, I didn't know that. Yeah...taking the back off is really really easy...just three phillips screws!:)

It's funny & amazing how many times Apple "reinvents the wheel!". Once they seem to find the perfect design for user accessibility...with the next model they will redesign the case...maybe improving it in some ways, but at the same time removing positive features.

It does seem sort of strange that Apple would have gone from the iMac G5 with the easy to open case, to the iMac G5 iSight with the harder to open case. I do seem to remember reading that the iMac G5 iSight model was supposed to be "thinner & lighter" than previous models...so I guess that could be the reason for the case redesign.

My only complaint with the iMac G5 I purchased, is the fan is a bit noisy. It doesn't seem to take much graphics or video demand to kick the fan(s) into high gear. But then I know that fan noise & G5 CPU heat was an issue with the G5 CPU's.

It's a great computer...and really great for $100!:)

- Nick
 

vansmith

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You seem to be great at finding deals pigoo3. Can I get your advice - is this a good deal? It look's reasonable. lol. Now, where is the sarcasm button? ;)
 

CrimsonRequiem


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You seem to be great at finding deals pigoo3. Can I get your advice - is this a good deal? It look's reasonable. lol. Now, where is the sarcasm button? ;)

That's the best deal of the year. Seriously someone should get it. >_>"
 
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pigoo3

pigoo3

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You seem to be great at finding deals pigoo3. Can I get your advice - is this a good deal? It look's reasonable. lol. Now, where is the sarcasm button? ;)

Yes...I do get lucky sometimes...but then there are a lot of other deals (especially on Craig's List) where I make someone an offer...and they get really really insulted. Either because they're asking too much for their computer...or my offer truly is too low...but based on my great previous buys.

You're not going to find too many fully operational 17" 1.8ghz iMac G5's for $100! So if I saw a 2nd one...and they were asking $250-$300 for one...and I offered $100 (like the one I just purchased)...the seller would probably be insulted!!!:(

As far as that MacBook Pro in Ottawa. There's definitely a lot of negotiation room with that price!!!;) Unless that's 12,000 Mexican Peso's...

1,000.00 CAD = 12,350.21 MXN Peso :)

- Nick
 
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