iBook G4 owners...can you advise?

Found this locally on Craigslist. Unit can be looked at before purchase. We're looking to jump into Apple's and I thought this would be a good, inexpensive way to do it.

We basically surf, email, download photos and kids watch streamed videos.

Here it is:
"Apple iBook G4 for sale. Barely used at all, in very good condition. Used this unit to get acquainted to Mac OS and switched to a pricier model shortly thereafter.
14 inch LCD
1.33 GHz PowerPC
60 GB HDD
512 MB RAM (expandable)
CR-RW/DVD-ROM 8123
Airport Extreme (Wireless)
Ethernet / 56 k Modem
Mac OS X 10.3.9 installed & on Install Discs
PowerAdapter
Would ship the unit in the original box including the proof-of-purchase, handbook etc"

Asking price is $220. Mods, please move if it's in the wrong forum.

Thanks in advance.

 

I say that you should go for it at that price.

I owned a similar model to that in 2007 (i think?) that had a 1.42 PPC processor and it was a decent performer. I would also suggest considering upgrading the ram to the max 1.5GB.
Apple is gradually beginning to stop supporting the PPC processors though and in Snow Mac OSX i believe that they will no longer support the PPC processors.
For this system i would say that Tiger was the optimum OS to use anyway.

 

I wouldn't pay money.. at any price.. for an old PPC based Mac... if you want an older machine to use, find one that has an Intel processor. Seen some old Macbooks (ibook or powerbook = PowerPC, Macbook or Macbook Pro = Intel) on ebay for 300-400... that are a MUCH better machine... I wouldnt get much past that though in price... without just getting a Mac Mini

 

I think that's not a bad price at all, only if you're doing non-intensive things such as video encoding. I would certainly pick that up just for a decent machine as my first Mac, and then I would work my way up the "Mac Ladder" if I liked it. It's going to be a decent machine, and I'm sure it will be great for you!

 

You don't need an Intel based Mac for a starter Mac. The iBook is a good deal for web surfing, email and picture management. Leopard should run fine on it, unless it already comes with a Tiger disk you can't get Tiger anymore other than Ebay and I wouldn't trust it there either. And yes, max out ram.

 

I agree with this. You get more bang for your buck, even though you are paying more. The old PPC processors are obsolete.

 

If you want to jump into the Apple world, get something with a intel. Stay away from PPC.

 

How can the processor be obsolete? That's nonsense. Many people are running Leopard perfectly on PPC G4 Macs. The minimum system requirement is a 867 Mhz PPC G4. The OP's G4 more than exceeds that.

 

obsolete doesn't mean that it can't be used... or someone might be able to get by with it...

 

For a starter, that is a great price. That G4 would do plenty for the use you have listed. Remember to max out the RAM though. Overall, Intel processors would be a better choice than a G4 but for 220. You can't beat it. I would go for it.

 

You're quoting and correcting the wrong person. If you had read my post you'd see that's exactly what I was saying. The old PPC processors are perfectly usable. That's why I'm recommending the iBook to the OP.

 

Well it depends. I guess in the OP's situation, it wouldn't be a bad buy just to test out Mac OS.

But I wouldn't buy it to use as my main computer.

Perhaps if the OP bought an intel Macbook, and ends up liking Mac OS, he would not have to spend more money to buy another...just keep that Macbook.

But then I suppose he could sell the ibook for $200 regardless...

The PPC processors are outdated and slow compared to intel. Period.

 

A lot of new apps do not support the PPC Macs but for that price its not too bad at all.

 

What's the old saying?...."If it seems to good to be true......"

I've yet to get a response from 2 emails.

Oh well, maybe I'll still hear from him.