my first MAC?

[timswim78]

So, I am going to look at a used G4 tower tomorrow at someone's house. I've never used a MAC, but I want to learn. Here are the spec's and my questions:
Specs:
- G4 TOWER
- Single 800mhz Processor
- OSX 10.2 and 9.2 included on CD
- 80GB HDD
- CDRW drive
- Includes mouse and Keyboard
- 512MB RAM
- $300 cash

Questions:
- IS this a good price?
- Should this machine run Tiger OK?
- What should I look at when I turn it on? Is there a quick way to verify the CPU, HDD, and etc.?
- Is this a good starter machine?

 

[Goosemaster]

sepnd the $499 for a mac mini. seriously.

 

[crumpet19]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
sepnd the $499 for a mac mini. seriously.

might as well.. only $200 more.

 

[GhettoFob]

Originally posted by: crumpet19

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
sepnd the $499 for a mac mini. seriously.

might as well.. only $200 more.

but the mac mini has a smaller hd and less ram (faster processor though)

 

[angstsoldat]

macintrashs suck get a dell or build your own imo

 

[crumpet19]

Originally posted by: GhettoFob

Originally posted by: crumpet19

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
sepnd the $499 for a mac mini. seriously.

might as well.. only $200 more.

but the mac mini has a smaller hd and less ram (faster processor though)

But its MINI!!11

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: GhettoFob

Originally posted by: crumpet19

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
sepnd the $499 for a mac mini. seriously.

might as well.. only $200 more.

but the mac mini has a smaller hd and less ram (faster processor though)

You can always add extermal HDs and ram

 

[Falloutboy]

mac mini 4tw

 

[tami]

mac mini would be a better deal. but still, it will run tiger fine.

 

[Lorn]

Originally posted by: timswim78
So, I am going to look at a used G4 tower tomorrow at someone's house. I've never used a MAC, but I want to learn. Here are the spec's and my questions:
Specs:
- G4 TOWER
- Single 800mhz Processor
- OSX 10.2 and 9.2 included on CD
- 80GB HDD
- CDRW drive
- Includes mouse and Keyboard
- 512MB RAM
- $300 cash

Questions:
- IS this a good price?
- Should this machine run Tiger OK?
- What should I look at when I turn it on? Is there a quick way to verify the CPU, HDD, and etc.?
- Is this a good starter machine?

I'd say that's a pretty good deal. Yeah you can get a Mini for about $200 more BUT...

- It only comes with 256 RAM
- It is kinda difficult to install more
- It doesn't include a mouse and keyboard
- It has a slow hard drive
- It too has a G4, (but quicker)

For $300 that's a fantastic deal. It should run OSX Tiger just fine with 512 RAM. To look at what exactly you're running you can go up the Apple at the top left hand corner of the screen and go to "About This Mac". There it will tell you the processor and ram, and if you click the button below there it will tell you EVERYTHING about it.

Hope this helps.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: tami
mac mini would be a better deal. but still, it will run tiger fine.

Thank you to the first person to answer one of my questions!

I have considered a mac mini. However, I am just looking for a machine to learn on, and the extra $200 is not worth it to me.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Lorn

Originally posted by: timswim78
So, I am going to look at a used G4 tower tomorrow at someone's house. I've never used a MAC, but I want to learn. Here are the spec's and my questions:
Specs:
- G4 TOWER
- Single 800mhz Processor
- OSX 10.2 and 9.2 included on CD
- 80GB HDD
- CDRW drive
- Includes mouse and Keyboard
- 512MB RAM
- $300 cash

Questions:
- IS this a good price?
- Should this machine run Tiger OK?
- What should I look at when I turn it on? Is there a quick way to verify the CPU, HDD, and etc.?
- Is this a good starter machine?

I'd say that's a pretty good deal. Yeah you can get a Mini for about $200 more BUT...

- It only comes with 256 RAM
- It is kinda difficult to install more
- It doesn't include a mouse and keyboard
- It has a slow hard drive
- It too has a G4, (but quicker)

For $300 that's a fantastic deal. It should run OSX Tiger just fine with 512 RAM. To look at what exactly you're running you can go up the Apple at the top left hand corner of the screen and go to "About This Mac". There it will tell you the processor and ram, and if you click the button below there it will tell you EVERYTHING about it.

Hope this helps.

Awesome! Thanks for all of the answers!

 

[Quasmo]

I hate the macs I use at work (dual G5s) they totally suck compared to my athlon 3200.. just using photoshop seems to take the processor a month to open... I t really hurts to use them... I gave them a chance. I willingly used them with out bais, but I cant stand them.

 

[Lorn]

Originally posted by: Quasmo
I hate the macs I use at work (dual G5s) they totally suck compared to my athlon 3200.. just using photoshop seems to take the processor a month to open... I t really hurts to use them... I gave them a chance. I willingly used them with out bais, but I cant stand them.

Try pushing 1GB files and see how well that 3200 works.

Edit: Here's some backup for my argument.
Dual G5 vs Fast PCs
Once and a while the Opteron beats out the Dual G5 system, but even the Athlon FX55 2.6 GHz doesn't even stand a chance.

Besides, what does that have anything to do with this?

 

[Quasmo]

I do video editing on both computers whats your point, I still have better performance on my PC.

 

[Lorn]

Read my edited post. I didn't know that opening an application was a solid basis for measuring true performance. My apologies. :laugh:

 

[keeleysam]

Thats a really good deal, the mini has a better priceerformance ratio, but at $200 less, get the tower.

 

[timswim78]

My plan is to really just use it for learning the MAC OS and to see if I like it. I have a 2800+ Barton and a 3200+ Athlon 64 for my regular PC and my HTPC.

 

[Excelsior]

Considering Tiger runs even faster than 10.2 and panther, yes, it will run Tiger just fine w/ 512MB ram. Also, the RAM is cheap for that machine. PC133 is all it needs..should be able to pick up at least another 512 stick of it for really cheap.

Oh, and to answer your questions:

Yes
Yes
Yes, just open up the system information under the apple menu to the top left.
Yes

 

[Lorn]

Originally posted by: timswim78
My plan is to really just use it for learning the MAC OS and to see if I like it. I have a 2800+ Barton and a 3200+ Athlon 64 for my regular PC and my HTPC.

Despite Quasmo's trolling, the system you're going to look at would be a perfect buy for your needs. Plus, at that price, you could make some profit if you don't end up liking the OS or the system at all.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: angstsoldat
macintrashs suck get a dell or build your own imo

He's looking to learn how to use a mac. a homebuilt PC or a dell won't help him.


CAN YOU EVEN FVCKING READ?!


jesus, sometimes ATOT just takes my faith in humanity down 50 notches or so.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus

Originally posted by: angstsoldat
macintrashs suck get a dell or build your own imo

He's looking to learn how to use a mac. a homebuilt PC or a dell won't help him.


CAN YOU EVEN FVCKING READ?!


jesus, sometimes ATOT just takes my faith in humanity down 50 notches or so.

The dipsh!t actually said "Macintrashs" so...he is obviously retarded.

 

[mobobuff]

First off you'll want to start out by not capitalizing every letter in "Mac", because when you do it becomes an entirely different thing still dealing with computers. I've seen too many people constantly capitalize the A and the C, and it takes its toll on a man.

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus

Originally posted by: angstsoldat
macintrashs suck get a dell or build your own imo

He's looking to learn how to use a mac. a homebuilt PC or a dell won't help him.


CAN YOU EVEN FVCKING READ?!


jesus, sometimes ATOT just takes my faith in humanity down 50 notches or so.

The dipsh!t actually said "Macintrashs" so...he is obviously retarded.

No different than the tools who say "Windblows", "Micro$oft", "Windoze" etc. But I agree that it is fscking obnoxious.

 

[Lorn]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
First off you'll want to start out by not capitalizing every letter in "Mac", because when you do it becomes an entirely different thing still dealing with computers. I've seen too many people constantly capitalize the A and the C, and it takes its toll on a man.

Wait, he's not talking about his ethernet card?

 

[BillyBobJoel71]

get a mac if you want slow!! thats what they are best known for. also, if you get angry, just freeze it with a few key strokes, then unplug it, then turn it back on. they are virtually indestructable.