Trying to buy a Mac

But I can't afford a lot so I'm buying used in Craigslist. I'm not too familiar though.

I can get a used 21 inch with 2.16ghz intel core 2 Dou, 1.5 gb 667 mhz ddr2 sdrram and 10.5.8 on it for $400,

OR

PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0GHz processors, a 1.0GHz system bus, 512kb L2 Cache (per CPU) 2GB RAM, Superdrive along with a 160GB HD, 128MB ATI Radeon 9600 XT video card installed, Leopard OS 10.5.8, No monitor. For $250

I already have a 21 so don't really NEED the monitor, so aside from the risk of robbery or murder, what do you all think?

Don't go with the G5. You'll be shut out of all of the Intel stuff.

And hit up Apple's refurbish stuff. You can find a generation back iMac for like 700.00 with a warranty. I'd pay the extra money for the peace of mind of being able to get it serviced.

I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but if you're already with monitor, keyboard and mouse, why not go Mac Mini? I just got a generation back for like 540.00 from Best Buy.

400 is definitely the upper limit of what I can afford at the moment, I'm using it for video editing mostly

If you really need it, I have a Mac Mini that I can sell to you. When do you need it exactly?

Yes, you need Intel these days. I'm on a ppc G5, lovely machine but as Gerbs says there's a lot of stuff won't run.

I really appreciate the kind offer Gerbick. What it has helped me do is re-evaluate my impulse to buy. This should be an investment, not just on a whimsy. I'm not sure I can justify the purchase to myself, so I'll have to wait. You're a stand-up dude.


And the Intel's a great tip that I was vaguely aware of, but didn't really know why. Now I know.