Powermac G4 450MHz for $ 530. Do I get the money's worth?

[iMan]

Is it worth it to buy an powermac 450mhz and the buy a processor upgrade for another $350? Isn't it better to take that money and buy a new but still used powermac G4?! You'd get AGP x4 slot, faster bus. That's what I'd do.

Just a thought

Viktor

[andychrist]

Also, have you inquired where you work about trading in your iBook, or have you looked to see how much you could get for it on eBay? I bet that with the money you'd make on that, combined with your savings, you could get that used QuickSilver plus a nice display, or a brand new eMac, right now.

Cheers!

[MacMuppet]

iMan, those were considerations for me too. I could have got an eMac (the 17" screen would certainly be better quality than my current Dell one) but I wanted expandability, I now have two HDs in there, a graphics card and wanted the option of adding a TV card among other things. Sure the eMacs got enough FW and USB ports but I like my kit internal, not loads of peripherals. I also want to go up to 19" or 21" this year.
As far as bang-for-your-buck goes, the eMac is certainly better value, but if you like to get inside your machine a lot, and you're more likely to 'acquire' components 'free' for your upgrades rather than taking out a second mortgage, then the G4 is a workhorse that will stand you in good stead. The amount of complaints I hear from my mate with the Cube just becuase he can't do much to it to improve its spec, its a consideration.
Even if I had managed to sell my g3s for what they were actually worth (rather than having little option but to trade them to reach G4 value), I would have got a Qucksilver 1Ghz, or even a Mirror Drive 733Mhz, for the expansion ability.
Maybe you can do quite a lot to eMacs, but seeing as it takes most people an hour to find the power switch I'm guessing its even harder to get inside one of those than a tray-load iMac......

[Ifrit]

Ok, you're right andychrist, it might be that I got to obsessed by the possible ownership of a powermac system (even if it is a obsolete G4 450MHz powermac). To be honest in most cases I am rather a impulsive buyer, this means if a product is just necessary its no problem (lets say you have to buy a car which will bring you from point A to point B and you also know you have to spend a lot of money on it)
I know how to handle such situation calm, comparing various offers etc. BUT the opposite happens if I am excited, if I am really looking forward for this product and playing around with this powermac didn't help either. I might have ended with an obsolute machine which isn't capable of doing the things I want.
Thats one reason I purchased a overpriced G3 clamshell powerbook around 2 years ago which I sold for around $ 800 on ebay > although I even made some momey out of it. Yeah, I know it might sounds like I didn't learn from the mistakes I made. So I think I am back "on track".

I really don't want to sell my ibook, because I really need it for my two jobs (and without ical I would forget my own head if it wasn't attached to my body).
A display is no problem I have enough spare 15'' CRTs in my room, including two 19'' screens (currently both are connected to my main PC)
(And not long ago I got a graphite airport station as birthday present so this "investment" wouldn't be usefull anymore)

The only thing I thought about is selling my ibook + spending the money in order to get a new, more powerfull portable G4 system. But I don't know if a 12 inch powerbook is a good replacement for a desktop system. Others might argue that even a G4 ibook would be better replacement. I am confused now.

I rather prefer the idea of a seperate portable and a seperate desktop system.

[karavite]

I owned that exact machine - G4 450 sawtooth - and I did sell it and upgraded to a DP G4 1 GHz DP primarily for video editing. I loved that G4 450 for many years, but it really isn't up to what you need. Sure, you could upgrade the processor to 1 GHz, but what is the cost of all that? At the same time, I goofed around with a friends 800 MHz G4 Emac and thought it was plenty zippy for most video and FCP work.

As a fellow impulsive person (my friend's nicknamed me "Mr. Instant Gratification), I know exactly where you are at! Just take your time - it can only get better (price wise and choice wise) as you wait. I think you will want dual monitors and a tower vs an emac is the way to go there. Perhaps a faster used G4 desktop is the answer. 886 (or whatever weird speed that was), 1 GHz single processor or something like that is sure to come along in the used market. I'd go for a faster clock speed single over a slower speed dual too. For example, rule out a dual 500.

[andychrist]

Hey Ifrit, don't feel bad, I spent $950 just in the past year alone upgrading my obsolete G3 iMac, for which I originally payed ~$1300. It is now worth maybe $400. Thus is writ my folly, that some might draw a leaf.

A new 12" or even 14" (!) 1 GHz G4 iBook would certainly be able to handle the applications you describe, and would allow you to trade in your G3 700 MHz without sacrificing the portability that you need for your job. I dare say you could get as much for that G3 on ebay as you did for your clamshell; again, the proceeds combined with your present savings could get you a new, top of the line, fully warranteed product.

On the other hand, there are obvious advantages to owning both a portable and a separate desktop. That $800 QuickSilver certainly does have potential, but if you can't swing it right now it may be gone when you can afford it.

The iBook and eMac will always be there, their prices falling, beckoning you...