[Robo]

I'm getting my first Mac. (I know, I know, about bloody time, eh?) Now I just need to decide which one I should get.

If I can find a new 1.25 GHz iMac G4, I'm jumping on it. It has the same screens as the iMac G5, and it'd suit me well enough, since it has USB 2.0.

But I might not be able to. I should have about $1,000 to spend, which means I have three Macs to choose from: the Mac mini, the eMac, or the iBook.

The Mac mini would be the fastest option (1.5 Ghz), but by the time you factor in the keyboard and mouse and about $200 for a 17" LCD (I wouldn't have my Mac mini next to a CRT), it comes out to about $950. A.K.A., the price of an iBook.

There's just one problem: The 12" iBook doesn't come with a Superdrive. I'll be doing video editing with this, and I really need a DVD burner. If the iBook got an update with a Superdrive - hell, even if they just made the Superdrive standard - I'd totally spring for one. But it isn't, and I don't have the money for an external DVD burner, nor would I want to have to carry one around.

There is a dark horse candidate: The eMac. It would be faster than the iBook, and it has a great big hard drive (I'd be looking at the Superdrive model). Unlike some of you, I'm not repulsed by the eMac styling - it's not my favorite Mac, but I like its quirkiness. (I mean, come on - giant pictures of planets and flowers on its packaging? Please tell me it still has that.) The Superdrive model originally cost $999, but if I hurried, would there be any chance of catching one with a reduced price?

What do you guys think I should go for? Thanks for reading, and post away!

[DMBand0026]

No money for an external burner? I can put one together for around $30. You can too if you look around for deals.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Apple Store "Special Deals" Refurbished eMac 1.25GHz/ 256MB/ 80GB/ SuperDrive/ E/ 56K Learn More • Save 33% off the original price Original price: $999.00 Your price: $679.00 Estimated Ship: Within 24 hours Free Shipping Add Refurbished eMac 1.42GHz SuperDrive 17-inch flat CRT display 512MB DDR333 SDRAM 160GB Ultra ATA hard drive 8x SuperDrive (double-layer) ATI Radeon 9600 Learn More • Save 21% off the original price Original price: $999.00 Your price: $799.00 Estimated Ship: Within 24 hours Free Shipping Refurbished iMac G5 1.8GHz/ 256MB/ 160GB/ SuperDrive/ 56K/ 20-inch Learn More • Save 40% off the original price Original price: $1,899.00 Your price: $1,149.00 Estimated Ship: Within 24 hours Free Shipping

There are other good deals if you look around long enough. Are you or anyone you know in college? You can get additional discounts if you convince them to order the computer for you...

[DMBand0026]

I totally forgot about the refurbished section. Check those out and than pick up an external burner. Easy as pie, and just about as cheap too.

[torifile]

I picked up a refurb emac 1.25 ghz w/ superdrive for $799 about a year ago. Popped in 1 gig of RAM and it's been running happily ever since. I highly recommend the refurb route.

[torifile]

Refurbished iMac G5 1.8GHz/ 256MB/ 160GB/ SuperDrive/ 56K/ 20-inch Learn More • Save 40% off the original price Original price: $1,899.00 Your price: $1,149.00 Estimated Ship: Within 24 hours Free Shipping

If had the $$ I'd do this one.

[switchr92]

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...12.1.5.1.3.5.0

This is exactly what you need.

[chucker]

Originally Posted by switchr92 http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...12.1.5.1.3.5.0 This is exactly what you need.

Please note that Apple Store links expire, and quickly so.

For reference, this link is a refurbished SuperDrive eMac with 1.42 GHz.

[Koodari]

Get the mini, iBook + external drive, or find a special deal. All options are fine, but if you are not going to actually carry a laptop around (and most people will not) go for the desktop, it's a lot better at the desk.

[Robo]

Maybe I should have...um...mentioned that I hate used things. Hate hate hate. I really don't like owning them (I'm kinda OC like that), especially not for Apple stuff (and especially not for my first Mac!).

I'm going to call my local Mac reseller tomorrow and ask if they have any new 1.25 GHz iMac G4s. I know they don't sell a ton of Macs. If they do, and the price is right ($800? $900? I feel cheap, but it was introduced over two years ago, and it'll cost me $130 to bring OS X and iLife up to date...).

I just wish I had some time this weekend to go to the Twin Cities and look through all the computer stores for one (or for a new eMac, or something). Alas, I just happen to be working my first Friday and Saturday in over a month. eMacs are still easy to find online, but if I wanted a discount...

New Powerbooks just showed up in Apple's Sale page - that's the first time they've had anything there for a long time. I wish they'd put new discontinued products there more.

[L'Angelo Misterioso]

you do realize that refurbished apple computers are basically new. new packaging and everything, just a machine that has basically been tested and fixed.

if anything, a refurbished system may be a more sure bet since it's been through more QA

[Robo]

Originally Posted by L'Angelo Misterioso you do realize that refurbished apple computers are basically new. new packaging and everything, just a machine that has basically been tested and fixed. if anything, a refurbished system may be a more sure bet since it's been through more QA

Yeah...but...still...

...they've been touched. By people.

[PB PM]

So are the new machines, after all someone had to put it into the box.

[byzantium]

Well Roboman, you have a choice:

Buy an old system like an iMac G4 1.25 Ghz, or get a practically new system (the refurbs), which are much faster for nearly the same price.

Don't let your pride get in the way of sense.

[BlueRabbit]

Originally Posted by PB PM So are the new machines, after all someone had to put it into the box.

You're lying! I have it on good information that all Macs are packaged by giant robots that look vaguely like this, except with arms:

[PB PM]

Well I guess Apple had to find some use for those old Classic SEs.

[Robo]

I know, I know, I'm considering getting a refurb. I'm not sure. Part of me hopes they give the iBook a teeny upgrade next month - if they would just let you get a Superdrive on the 12" model, it'd be perfect.

[PB PM]

They better not upgrade the ibook till sometime next or I'll not be a happy camper since I just got a new one last Friday.

[Banana]

Originally Posted by BlueRabbit You're lying! I have it on good information that all Macs are packaged by giant robots that look vaguely like this, except with arms:

*gasps*

How dare you! This is a copyrighted picture of me, and rightly so!

I'm suing you!

[PB PM]

I think Microsoft would not like it if you tried to copyright an image they already own.