Wild Thing...!
Okay, okay. So I just bought my G5 iMac a few months ago. I’m still thinking about either selling it or trading it for one of the new 2.0 Ghz G5 models. I’ve got enough spare funds for one more computer “hoorah!”. While all its changes are evolutionary rather than evolutionary, I like them all; and they add up to a machine I’d be more comfortable keeping without upgrading for a while (like 3-5 years).
The new iMac’s speed increase is minimal. In real world usage, I suspect it will be on the order of 10%. Still, that’s enough to make a machine feel snappy sometimes; and I like the round 2.0 number. I don’t have Bluetooth in the Mac I have now; that would be something to grow with. And while I’m only using about 40GB of the 160GB hard disk in my current machine, a 250GB hard drive simply means I would be able to go a very long time without worrying about upgrading. I’d also like to have the 8X and double-layer Superdrive in the newer models, though I acknowledge I could stick one in my current machine for less than $180.
It’s the whole package that makes me want it. Will I go for it? Who knows?
I always watch market values on Macs, and recent Macs are not holding value like they used to. Apple’s constant updates are driving the used machine market prices down. While that’s desirable from Apple’s viewpoint (I’m sure they’d like to see every old machine made obsolete), it means that upgrading to a newer model will be more expensive then it used to be. I doubt if I can get more than $1300 for my machine, and $1100-1200 is a more likely number. That’s if I sell it on eBay myself and take the risk of not getting paid or it being damaged in shipment. On trade-in, I’m willing to bet the offer would only be $1000. I’ll let you know; I have contacted PowerMax to see what they would give me. Once I get that offer, I’ll decide if I want to trade my old system in, sell it online, or not pursue a newer machine at all.
There are times, actually, when I consider going a completely different direction. I sometime feel I’d like to simplify my computing life by selling my iMac, buying a new 20 inch display, and then run my PowerBook on the big display along with a regular keyboard and mouse. Believe it or not, my wife fusses at me when I broach that. She can’t believe I would ever consider giving up my iMac and is convinced I need one; I’m convinced she does and she’s projecting her need on me. But that’s a whole ‘nother story. I do have some hesitation due to the limited size of my PowerBook’s hard drive and its lack of a SuperDrive. Still, it would make my life quieter and simpler and actually reduce the risk of damage to my G5 PowerMac. Right now, I’ve got it and my PowerBook hooked to a 20 inch Apple Cinema Display via an IOGEAR ADC KVM switch; and I don’t totally trust that switch. I’m concerned I’ll get some kind of power feedback between the two machines.
Yes, the new iMac idea is a bit of a wild hair for me.
Heh, maybe I really do need to change directions….and buy another new 12 inch PowerBook. I’d give my 1.5 Ghz 12 inch to my wife and she could give hers to an upcoming college grad on her side of the family. I’d leave the iMacs where they are and just stick an 8X SuperDrive in my machine later. And, then, if I wanted to just use a PowerBook and a PowerMac, all I’d need is a screen. And with Apple’s 20 inch display priced at $800, that’s not an outrageous expense.
In either case, whatever I did would be the last big thing for several years or more. All my computer money for big purchases would be all gone!
It’s no wonder the song “Wild Thing!” keeps rolling through my head!
The new iMac’s speed increase is minimal. In real world usage, I suspect it will be on the order of 10%. Still, that’s enough to make a machine feel snappy sometimes; and I like the round 2.0 number. I don’t have Bluetooth in the Mac I have now; that would be something to grow with. And while I’m only using about 40GB of the 160GB hard disk in my current machine, a 250GB hard drive simply means I would be able to go a very long time without worrying about upgrading. I’d also like to have the 8X and double-layer Superdrive in the newer models, though I acknowledge I could stick one in my current machine for less than $180.
It’s the whole package that makes me want it. Will I go for it? Who knows?
I always watch market values on Macs, and recent Macs are not holding value like they used to. Apple’s constant updates are driving the used machine market prices down. While that’s desirable from Apple’s viewpoint (I’m sure they’d like to see every old machine made obsolete), it means that upgrading to a newer model will be more expensive then it used to be. I doubt if I can get more than $1300 for my machine, and $1100-1200 is a more likely number. That’s if I sell it on eBay myself and take the risk of not getting paid or it being damaged in shipment. On trade-in, I’m willing to bet the offer would only be $1000. I’ll let you know; I have contacted PowerMax to see what they would give me. Once I get that offer, I’ll decide if I want to trade my old system in, sell it online, or not pursue a newer machine at all.
There are times, actually, when I consider going a completely different direction. I sometime feel I’d like to simplify my computing life by selling my iMac, buying a new 20 inch display, and then run my PowerBook on the big display along with a regular keyboard and mouse. Believe it or not, my wife fusses at me when I broach that. She can’t believe I would ever consider giving up my iMac and is convinced I need one; I’m convinced she does and she’s projecting her need on me. But that’s a whole ‘nother story. I do have some hesitation due to the limited size of my PowerBook’s hard drive and its lack of a SuperDrive. Still, it would make my life quieter and simpler and actually reduce the risk of damage to my G5 PowerMac. Right now, I’ve got it and my PowerBook hooked to a 20 inch Apple Cinema Display via an IOGEAR ADC KVM switch; and I don’t totally trust that switch. I’m concerned I’ll get some kind of power feedback between the two machines.
Yes, the new iMac idea is a bit of a wild hair for me.
Heh, maybe I really do need to change directions….and buy another new 12 inch PowerBook. I’d give my 1.5 Ghz 12 inch to my wife and she could give hers to an upcoming college grad on her side of the family. I’d leave the iMacs where they are and just stick an 8X SuperDrive in my machine later. And, then, if I wanted to just use a PowerBook and a PowerMac, all I’d need is a screen. And with Apple’s 20 inch display priced at $800, that’s not an outrageous expense.
In either case, whatever I did would be the last big thing for several years or more. All my computer money for big purchases would be all gone!
It’s no wonder the song “Wild Thing!” keeps rolling through my head!
posted by Andy Foster at
2:22 AM
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