From what little I know about computer recording this struck me as an ebay hard sell that worked. So I'd like feedback for those who do know computer recording:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Mac-DA-G4-Tower-Recording-Studio-Computer-Extras_W0QQitemZ130184192888QQihZ003QQcategoryZ417 84QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Either way I figure it would be informative for me as well as those who know as little as I. I'd like to know cause it looks like I may actually end up with a computer for recording - once I've learned enough to commit to one.

For this piece you can buy an equivalent unit for 1/3 of that and the only software of any substance is on the computer and they're both outdated. My Bro's buddy will help me build a new more capable unit for that figure - probably cheaper.

what on earth do you mean?

whatever it is that you do mean, I wouldn't touch that system with a bargepole... not enough RAM or Processor speed.

I bought my ibook g4 for about $200 more than that, and it's got more than double the speed and ram, even with that, it struggles with too many things running in Logic 7

The point of the thread was to verify my impression that this was a highly inflated purchase - even knowing as little as I do.

A reminder it pays to be informed before you pull the trigger - whether you buy new or used (and that's not easy when it comes to recording gear).

A 533 MHz G4 sold for over 600 buck now? Without even a screen? Holly... You can get a very nice Core2 duo, which would be about 25 time faster, system built brand new for that money... My own Quad core DAW cost me just a little over 1000 buck (and it's pretty high end), including audio interface and software. Is it made of gold and platinum? Or is the old saying "a sucker born every minute" apply?

Or is the old saying "a sucker born every minute" apply?

if someone is foolish enough to buy this, then yes.

"History: 16 bids
Winning bidder: nyczmostfly( 9 ) "

Then, yes.

A 533 MHz G4 sold for over 600 buck now? Without even a screen? Holly... You can get a very nice Core2 duo, which would be about 25 time faster, system built brand new for that money... My own Quad core DAW cost me just a little over 1000 buck (and it's pretty high end), including audio interface and software. Is it made of gold and platinum? Or is the old saying "a sucker born every minute" apply?
Keep in mind this is a Mac. That price may seem ridiculous (and it is), but Mac people value their used hardware VERY highly. Mac people are also generally a little naive about the value of pirated software. I see Mac's being sold quite often with no software CD's but "preloaded" with tons of pricey stuff, and this illegal software is factored into the price (and people pay it!)! While someone with some sense in their head would look at this and realize it's a rip, some people really "think different" :)

What I find totally laughable is this list of reasons why his old ass Mac is so wonderful:

Consider the original price of just the computer alone was $2199, here's why…

1. Intel Pentium III, Pentium 4, and many other systems (including some Macs) only have 256K to 512K CPU cache…hmmm...so what you say ?! Well, the non-technical translation is that they are much slower at audio and video producing than a system with 1 MB cache, if you run multi-track recording, video editing, or other CPU intensive software then you want 1 MB backside cache like this baby has. And, of course, this "Digital Audio” model G4 has a Motorola 7410 CPU with an AltiVec Velocity Engine which drives software Applications even faster.
So a 7 year old processor is better than a new one because it has 1MB of "backside cache"? Funny because all brand new Macs have 4MB of L2 cache (backside cache is an old mac term for on-chip L2 cache, which all modern CPU's have on-chip L2 cache).

2. It boots to both OSX and OS 9, Not OS 9 Classic Crap but the real thing, Run New OS X Apps. or legacy versions (Protools, Cubase VST 5.0, Reason 2.5) on stable and super-fast OS 9. Unless you have a $3500 Dual CPU G5 setup, OS X basically sucks for audio, but not many admit it…it’s like running your multi-track music recording studio on a Linux box with extra pretty graphics, the slow system response of OS X and Win XP can get very frustrating when you want to record / edit the next hit song.

Just that he's comparing this system to another outdated system (Dual CPU G5) is pretty funny. He's also implying Linux is slow... And refers to running pro tools which would be impossible with the audio hardware he's providing.
3. Remember, On an IBM you cannot automate Direct X plugins (ex. Dynamically change the amount of delay send on a channel for mixer automation as the song plays back, Mac OS 9 and Cubase VST 5.0 with native VST plugins and instruments lets you automate everything, All parameters on Effects Plugins, audio channels, etc. Many producers feel a Mac is the only pro system for making music.
On an IBM lol.. That he refers to a windows PC as an IBM shows how dated this is. You can't automate direct X plugins? Oh well, good thing I don't use any.. His last sentence should read "Many producers in 1995 feel a Mac is the only pro system for making music."
4. ASIO Drivers - IBM Based PCs make plying virtual instruments and sound modules via an external MIDI Keyboard a nightmare due to latency (basicly, you hit a key and sometime later you hear the sound…ouch). ASIO 2 Drivers, Mac OS 9 and OMS (open Music System) work hand-in-hand and you hear virtual sound modules, drum machines, and synths instantly with no delay what so ever. Talk about mint, you can ebay all you MIDI sound modules and keep 1 cable to go from your MIDI keyboard to the Mac and use multiple virtual MIDI devices that sound pro (if you use the right ones).
His "IBM" is laggy, I'm gonna go ebay all my MIDI stuff right nowz!
5. Tracks, tracks, tracks, this baby is highly optimized and will playback 128+ tracks of 16 bit Audio or 80+ Tracks of 24 Bit Audio
He forgot to mention it will also start glowing red and emitting smoke, seconds before exploding.
6. Internal Burner - Backup Song Projects and create audio CDs
OMG SWEET! They don't make those on computers any more!
7. With Video Resolutions of 1280 X 1024 and above, you can fit plenty of windows on the screen
Yay! All those new computers with 2560 x 1600 support were making my eyes hurt.

Bummer the bidding is closed :( I cry.

I just gave away a G4 Mac tower that was faster, had more RAM, a bigger disk drive and a much better video card.

The G4's are almost obsolete. Don't invest any money in one.
Get an Intel Mac.

Bare with me here and put aside what's the point etc. and just give your take on this rig for recording:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190186046912&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=009

if it's been used for video post production, then it'll be more than capable. nice case too :)

edit: you'll need to buy an external soundcard with it though

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't bid on it let alone win it but I was following it. I figured it would be ample less the interface. Yeh some case. The dude knows his stuff and the unit was state of the art in '03. That motherboard still sells for $100 used. But a lots changed since then and this unit struck me as two steps behind current standards in many respects. I decided I'd rather apply $300 to a more current unit with fewer miles on it.

I'm still learning this stuff - which is why I bring this second unit up. It's helpful to get feedback from others to verify my assumptions.