iBook G4 800MHz?

[de kaib]

So Apple is really playing some crazy mind games on me right now.. Some side information: I am currently a PC user hoping to do a switch to Macs, I am currently a college student pursing a Nursing degree, I am aware of Leopard and Santa Rosa being released in the next couple months. So my plan is to wait for Leopard to be released before I purchase a Macbook so I will not have to spend any extra money for software. I am planning to be a refurbished Macbook C2D 2.0GHz low end model then do some aftermarket upgrades on the RAM and HDD.

So now to my real question why I am here.. I found an iBook G4 800MHz for sale locally going for $450. The specs are: Apple iBook G4 800MHz / 640MB / 100GB / Radeon 9200 Mobility 32MB / Aiport Extreme Bluetooth Installed. Included will be a new battery from Apple and power cord as well as the installation software. Everything is running 100% read from the Apple diagnostic test. I'm wondering if I should purchase this so I can get a feel of the Mac OS since I'm a new user. How fast will this system run for the usual iTunes, web surfing, chatting, etc..? Is this worth the money or should I ask for a decrease in price (since I am a college student and financially limited)? Or should I just save my money and wait to purchase a Macbook now (before Leopard releases) and use my educational discount to purchase the Leopard OS when it releases?

Everything is still up in the air, I apologize if this post was unnecessary or posted in the wrong section. I really would like to hear many of your outputs/opinions on this. Hope to hear from any of you soon, thanks!

 

[pirate pete]

speaking as a student looking to buy a macbook in the future i would advise against buying the ibook (believe me, ive thought along the same lines before)

whilst it is certainly tempting to 'cut and run' with something like saving for a macbook, i would personally stick it out and wait

if you buy the ibook, spending much of your current budget for the macbook on it, you will likely end up in a situation where you can never afford to get a macbook and have to stick it out with the ibook (which will be incredibly slow even in comparison to a low end c2d)

personally, that is not a situation i would like to put myself in. just imagine the comparison in feeling of switching on the shiny, fast, stylish, newly designed macbook for the first time out of the box or the feeling of switching on the slower and older ibook

if you can seriously afford both in the long run, i guess you COULD buy the ibook, but i would personally advise you to bear the temptation and stick it out

just my two cents

pete

 

[Bilobrkster]

she could buy the ibook and later sell it. she wouldn't loose too much, maybe 10%.

does this make sense to anybody? :tusks:

 

[techound1]

The biggest question is what are you planning to use it for. If it's internet, email, and office-type apps, then the ibook will serve you well for some time and is an excellent investment (BTW, that's a good deal you're getting on it).