Looking for: used MacBook and Power Mac

[Chris H.]

Dad and I are discussing whether or not to trust this website: Build-To-Order Macs | PowerMax

And while he's thinking about it, I am looking for one of the following laptops:

Original MacBook polycarb model black or white. (Black preferred)

Original MacBook Pro, pre Unibody.


And for one of the following:

Power Mac G4 Quicksilver or MDD

Power Mac G5



I realize that everything listed here- is hard to come by, and if it breaks, there's not a whole lot I can do. I've looked on Craigslist, eBay, and that website above as well as Adopt a Mac - Refurbished Apple Macintosh Computers, Upgrades, Accessories, Memory with some luck, but the prices are a bit steep (what can I expect?).

Any advice as to what to expect? I'm all ears.

 

[pigoo3]

And for one of the following:

Power Mac G4 Quicksilver or MDD

Power Mac G5

I've looked on Craigslist, eBay, and that website above as well as Adopt a Mac - Refurbished Apple Macintosh Computers, Upgrades, Accessories, Memory with some luck, but the prices are a bit steep (what can I expect?).

Any advice as to what to expect?

What do you consider "steep" for a Powermac G4 or Powermac G5?

- Nick

 

[Chris H.]

What do you consider "steep" for a Powermac G4 or Powermac G5?

- Nick

Well okay, I over-exaggerated.

For a G5 I've been finding prices close to what I paid for a new Mac mini; about $600-$800+. This a computer that is about what, 5 or so years old?

For a G4 I did pay about $200 for a G4 "Sawtooth" model. That isn't bad for a ten year old computer, though for a newer G4, the price goes up to around $500. I'd like a faster G4 rather than to pull older parts out of the current G4 that I have and stick newer parts in, if that is even possible.

(And I'll add that I'm hearing about G5 models going bad- PSU's to Logic Boards among certain things)...

As for older MacBook's and MBP's, I'm finding that those prices are also about the same as a G5, if not a bit more expensive, which is something to think about before I purchase an old one.

Could I go wrong with a PowerBook?

 

[pigoo3]

Well okay, I over-exaggerated.

For a G5 I've been finding prices close to what I paid for a new Mac mini; about $600-$800+. This a computer that is about what, 5 or so years old?

For a G4 I did pay about $200 for a G4 "Sawtooth" model. That isn't bad for a ten year old computer, though for a newer G4, the price goes up to around $500. I'd like a faster G4 rather than to pull older parts out of the current G4 that I have and stick newer parts in, if that is even possible.

WOW...those are some pretty steep prices!

You should be able to get a:

- dual 1.8ghz Powermac G5 for around $300
- I wouldn't pay any more than $50 for a Sawtooth
- and you should be able to get a MDD 1.25ghz for no more than $200

About a month ago I was tracking 1.8ghz Powermac G5 prices on e-Bay...and I had about 10-15 completed auctions that were all in the $275-$350 price range. Of course add $35-$50 for shipping!

- Nick

 

[Chris H.]

WOW...those are some pretty steep prices!

You should be able to get a:

- dual 1.8ghz Powermac G5 for around $300
- I wouldn't pay any more than $50 for a Sawtooth
- and you should be able to get a MDD 1.25ghz for no more than $200

About a month ago I was tracking 1.8ghz Powermac G5 prices on e-Bay...and I had about 10-15 completed auctions that were all in the $275-$350 price range. Of course add $35-$50 for shipping!

- Nick

The websites I have been visiting add certain "hidden" surprises, adding to the price- though some people have no freakin' clue what they're selling and automatically assume that the price oughta be expensive. I see what you're saying. Grrrrrr...oh Dad!!!


Edit: here's my example of overpricing: http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CU_G4_AL
and
http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CU_G5_PI
http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CU_G5_PX
http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CU_G5_PE

http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CU_MK
http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CU_PB_12

And this guy on craigslist:

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/sys/1576573182.html

 

[pigoo3]

The websites I have been visiting add certain "hidden" surprises, adding to the price- though some people have no freakin' clue what they're selling and automatically assume that the price oughta be expensive. I see what you're saying. Grrrrrr...oh Dad!!!

Don't EVEN bother with online stores selling used Macs!!! For the most part they're selling them for 2-3x what they're actually worth....then you have to pay inflated shipping & handling charges on top of the high prices!!!

Shop e-Bay, Craig's List, sometimes Thrift Stores, or word of mouth!

- Nick

 

[Chris H.]

Don't EVEN bother with online stores selling used Macs!!! For the most part they're selling them for 2-3x what they're actually worth....then you have to pay inflated shipping & handling charges on top of the high prices!!!

Shop e-Bay, Craig's List, sometimes Thrift Stores, or word of mouth!

- Nick

Did you check out that link to craigslist that I posted? That's a bit steep...based on what you're saying.

I'm not totally familiar with eBay. And I'm tempted to go to a pawn shop.

 

[chrisplague]

i just ordered a new mbp so im gonna be selling my macbook


1.83 ghz intel core duo
1gb ram ( 2 512 sicks)
60 GB Hd
Currently running Tiger

 

[pigoo3]

Did you check out that link to craigslist that I posted? That's a bit steep...based on what you're saying.

I'm not totally familiar with eBay. And I'm tempted to go to a pawn shop.

The Craig's List posting contains more items than my earlier valuation includes.

The Posting has:

- a faster computer 1.8 vs. 2.0 ghz cpu
- it includes a 17" studio display
- the computer has an ATI 9800 video card (a pretty good card)

So these items do increase the value of the package. They are also including a bunch of software...but probably no original install disks...so the software would be unauthorized copies.

Basically...the computer by itself would be worth around $350-$400...then add the value of the other items.

Lastly...how the heck can you not be familiar with e-Bay?...did you just move to Earth from Mars???

And yes...a Pawn Shop would be a good place to look for used Mac's as well

- Nick

 

[rjroberts]

Those were indeed some steep prices on those links. Would love to get something like that for my iMac. Look at mac2sell.com for the real value (or, as close as one can get) of anything. You probably would do better right here and get fix-up parts to bring it into use.

I just bought a powerbook g4 (the very last ppc model before Intel) in beautiful shape for a reasonable price on the bst here. Replacing a battery and adding some memory and I'm good to go. You also have to consider the weight when you buy something, whether from store or individual. A Power Mac is going to be heavy and expensive to ship. If you can't get it locally it can be an issue. Look for shorter shipping distances at least. ANother person is selling a G5 Power Mac on here a couple of ads down. Letter10. Check with him. (Bought the pb in his post)

 

[Letter10]

I have a PowerMac G5 that I will sell for $375 shipped. I even have a couple of 20" monitors I can work into a deal if you are interested.

G5: dual 1.8ghz, 2.5GB of RAM, 150GB HD, 250GB HD, Airport, Bluetooth.

Works great, I use it as a media center system right now but I would like to downsize to a mac mini...only reason I am looking to sell it.

Jay

 

[Chris H.]

Just turned down a black MacBook with a 250gb HDD, 2.4GHz 2GB RAM...the base sell price (resale price) is $750. I don't have that kind of money LOL. If I did I would've gone for it.

And that Power Mac G5, that's a good deal. I'll think about it, but I'm still open to more, if anybody else is selling.

Oh and does anyone have Mac OS X 10.4 Server? I'm planning on turning my Power Mac G4 into a server.