Getting a used Mac?

WarriorJoe7 · #1 08-26-2009, 05:17 PM

So I want to pick up a used mac G4 if I can get one under $200. For your replies please pick a question number and answer as best you can.

i have read a few threads on here and have more questions.

I am looking at one and have a few questions. I mainly use PC so I am pretty much only going to be using it for garageband, and other music applications that I don't know about yet. This particular machine was used for video editing.

PowerMac G4
1 GHz, single core
Bus 133 GHz
L2 and L3 cache
1.25 GB RAM
180 GB Hard Drive
DVD +/-RW
OSX Leopard 10.5.8 latest update
Pinancle Firewire
Microsoft Office, Garage Band and MORE
disks not included

1. Would this be a decent computer for audio and musical stuff or am I wasting my time? I have used macs before but probably under 100 hours total... and never for audio.

2. If I could get something like this for under $200 with all the hardware but the screen would it be worth it?

3. Should I be concerned about not getting any disks with it? Should I be concerned about wiping the computer clean (I keep my PC very clean.)

4. Can I save my whole hard drive as an image and then reload the image if I have problems later? (option since I don't have disks)

5. Is Leopard a good OS or is Tiger (10.4) better? Both from an audio point of view and an overall stability view.

6. Does DVD +/-RW mean it will also handle CDs (spec only says DVD?)

7. For musical software for mac what else can I get for a good price that is worth looking into? (I don't plan on making it into a studio, just something that I can record bass, synth, or a few other instruments one at a time, use loops, organize them, and add effects. Would love to use the mac for midi stuff... both in and out... and get midi instruments for it. I actually need some kind of midi sequencer too so I will need the software and box for it.)

lm183902 · #2 08-27-2009, 01:51 AM

Personally, I would wait and save until you can find something a bit more powerful. It sounds like what you're looking at is a bit limited.

A lot of DAW's nowadays are recommending at least 2G of ram, and it's a good idea to have a powerful processor as well.

Swin · #3 08-27-2009, 02:01 AM

1. Yes it will be enough for basic music recording/ editing....but i would suggest more power if you want it for video too etc...

2. Yeah mac's hold their value better than the usual dell/hp/ibm etc...so it's usually worth it.

3. Not unless it alters the overall price. You can always buy a retail or oem version of the os disks if required later

4. Yes. but better...OSX Leopard has a feature called Time Machine, go to apple's webpage and read into it...it's quite handy!

5. Both are great os' Leopard is just newer and more refined...and snow leopard is out later this month so if you need install disks just go buy a copy of SL.

6. it will play and record both CD's and DVD's

7.check out 'Logic' it might just be what your looking for....i'm running Logic and Guitar Rig on my Macbook and it's pretty much all i need for practice and basic recording...great for bringing new material to reh's etc...

WarriorJoe7 · #4 08-27-2009, 05:04 AM

Thanks swin. I am not going to use it for video just audio.

The seller ended the listing unfortunately. It looked like I was going to get it for around $200 plus shipping.

Thanks also LM. I don't want to invest alot of time or money in mac at the moment so that is why I am only going after a G4. If it runs garageband and logic easily enough and will record one track at a time and allow me to use midi sequencing, loops, and effects then that's all I need.

**TheMutt** · #5 08-27-2009, 05:48 AM

TBH, you probably dodged a bullet. I'm not saying that Macs break down all the time, but when they do it's pretty expensive outside of the warranty.

I've had a few friends that didn't invest in Apple Care and each one has eventually needed something replaced just due to wear and tear. Most things are not that expensive, but one guy needed a new main board ($500 plus repair work) and another needed a new 15" screen ($600 plus repair work).

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Macs (using a Macbook Pro 17" non-unibody right now

) but I would never buy one used unless it was guaranteed by Apple and qualified for an extended warranty. The way that I look at Macs is like a BMW. You buy it knowing the costs involved, and milk the free warranty repair service for all it's worth. Should you need major repairs enough, it bumps into lemon laws (at least here in California) and you get a new one with which to purchase the extended warranty, and the cycle continues. Otherwise, you have a very sturdy laptop that never breaks down on you and needs only slight maintenance to upkeep for a long long time. Win-win if you ask me.

WarriorJoe7 · #6 08-29-2009, 03:22 AM

I ended up getting this for $149...

PowerMac G4 Quicksilver
1 GHz, dual core
1.5 GB RAM
80 GB Hard Drive
CD/DVD +/-RW
OSX Tiger 10.4
Firewire
Modem & Ethernet
Keyboard and Mouse
disks not included

No monitor, good condition. Seller said it works great!

Swin · #7 08-30-2009, 06:07 PM

sounds like a good deal...enjoy your mac!

depalm · #8 08-30-2009, 06:30 PM

+ G4s are one of the most reliable machines produced by Apple.

Mine is about 5 years old and is still working like new!

If you want to record audio it's ok but not very powerful to work with soft synths etc…

Will work fine with tiger.

best