[herkalees]

In the interest of upgrading my computer to something else someday, I've been wondering what I might be able to sell my current setup for. Please take a moment to look at my current setup and tell me what you would pay for it.

Please give me your suggested price with two considerations in mind:

1. Pretend it's something you want/need
2. Pretend shipping is going to be free

-- Details --

• 1.6 GHz PowerPC G5 (Single processor)
• 512 KB L2 cache
• 2 GB of RAM (PC3200)
• 800 MHz bus speed
• (1) 74.5 GB Serial-ATA hard drive
• DVD-RW drive
• Bluetooth included w/external antennae
• GeForce FX 5200 w/64 MB of RAM & (2) DVI outputs
• Internal Airport Extreme card
• (2) Dell 1905FP 19 inch flat-panel monitors (1280 x 1024) [See more: http://www.dell.com/html/us/products...ls/1905fp.html]

-- Disadvantages --

• No install DVD included, though Tiger is installed and up to date
• The fan inside the power supply is slightly loud (more so than normal), but works perfectly.

-- Pictures --
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcamos/975003890/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcamos/876909320/

If there are any more details you'd like to know before giving your opinion, just ask and I'll get the answers.

[Hunch]

I'm sure it was the dogs danglies in its day, but bear in mind the bottom of the line iMac has a significantly better dual core processor, bigger hard drive, better graphics card, 20" screen (although only one), bundled Leopard.

I think you'd be lucky if you got more than $500. Personally, as long as you're not finding it painful to use, I think you're better off keeping it and getting every last cent out of it until it drops dead on you.

[Transmogrify]

$500? £250? Come on guy! That's ridiculous. It's a Powermac - it's far more expandable/upgradable than the iMac and despite it having a 1.6 G5, those are still pretty decent processors.

Take a look on Ebay for similar systems and that'll give you a rough idea of what people will be willing to pay.

For example: Find Apple Powermac G5 1.8ghz Excellent condition on eBay within, PowerMac, Apple Macintosh, Computing (end time 11-Nov-07 16:51:40 GMT)

It's a slightly faster machine, but without screens at 14 people have bid for it up to £400. If that sells for much less than 500/600, I'd be surprised. The great thing about Macs are they really hold their value. Over here, I reckon you could get as much as £800 for that system.

[Hunch]

I said $500, not 250 quid. It might well get a little more in the UK but he's in Massachussets. It's funny how people moan about how much cheaper things are in the US, but then rely on the exact exchange rate as an accurate comparision of price when it suits their purpose. I'd be surprised if his free shipping extends to international, and if it does, he's going to get a nasty shock when he finds out how much it would cost. (I've shipped a PC internationally before - it ain't cheap).

Regardless, it has a shelf life, and the fact that it's non-Intel means that it's slowly fading into obselecence with every month that passes. He might find some mug that is willing to pay more, but since most of the upgradability you mentioned still wouldn't bring it up to the spec of an iMac, I can't see what extra value that's going to add.

Edit: Sorry - that sounded a little more terse than I'd intended.

[herkalees]

No worries folks, I'm just seeking a wealth of opinions... keep 'em coming please!

[Transmogrify]

Originally Posted by Hunch

I said $500, not 250 quid. It might well get a little more in the UK but he's in Massachussets. It's funny how people moan about how much cheaper things are in the US, but then rely on the exact exchange rate as an accurate comparision of price when it suits their purpose. I'd be surprised if his free shipping extends to international, and if it does, he's going to get a nasty shock when he finds out how much it would cost. (I've shipped a PC internationally before - it ain't cheap).

Regardless, it has a shelf life, and the fact that it's non-Intel means that it's slowly fading into obselecence with every month that passes. He might find some mug that is willing to pay more, but since most of the upgradability you mentioned still wouldn't bring it up to the spec of an iMac, I can't see what extra value that's going to add.

Edit: Sorry - that sounded a little more terse than I'd intended.

Well, whatever. You can still find similar systems on Ebay.com going for considerably more than you quoted with plenty of bids.

And no, the upgradability wouldn't take the processor up to the spec of an iMac but it's not an iMac and you can't compare the two machines.

[Hunch]

Originally Posted by Transmogrify

Well, whatever. You can still find similar systems on Ebay.com going for considerably more than you quoted with plenty of bids.

And no, the upgradability wouldn't take the processor up to the spec of an iMac but it's not an iMac and you can't compare the two machines.

I disagree. I think you can compare any two computers in terms of what they are capable of. The point you made was that the G5 is expandable/upgradable. My response was that even if you do expand it, fill up its slots etc, it's still probably going to fall short of what a basic iMac can do. So, once you've upgraded to the max, and it has nowhere left to go, it's basically in the same position as an iMac with no further room for expansion. His original question was 'what would you pay for it'. Personally I wouldn't even go to $500 but he might find someone that would.

On eBay just now, there were several dual processor G5s (his is a single) with larger hard drives sitting in the $500-600 bracket. Granted the auctions weren't yet closed, but several were in the last hour. Similar machines priced around the $1000 mark had received no bids. I hope (as I'm sure we all do) that herkalees gets a great price when he finally comes to sell it, but if I were in his position I would err on the side of conservatism.

[iblastoff]

i think you'd also have to consider that those auctions probably didn't have 2 very decent 19" dell monitors included.

[another™]

well if a brand new 20" imac is about 6-7 times faster than my dual 1.8ghz powermac, then i'd price mine at less than that. buy about 10-20% less.

it's well shit. cos i was looking to upgrade until i realised how little i'd get for it. just going to augment it with a MBP, until i have a boat load of money to replace this with a mac pro

[Transmogrify]

Originally Posted by Hunch

I disagree. I think you can compare any two computers in terms of what they are capable of. The point you made was that the G5 is expandable/upgradable. My response was that even if you do expand it, fill up its slots etc, it's still probably going to fall short of what a basic iMac can do. So, once you've upgraded to the max, and it has nowhere left to go, it's basically in the same position as an iMac with no further room for expansion. His original question was 'what would you pay for it'. Personally I wouldn't even go to $500 but he might find someone that would.
.

I'd disagree too. You can't compare an iMac - intel or ppc - with a Powermac like you can't compare an iMac/Powermac with a Powerbook/Macbook Pro. A Powermac, slower processor otherwise, is capable of doing tasks an iMac is unable to as is a Powerbook/Macbook Pro capable of doing tasks an iMac is unable to - namely operate on batteries, to give an example.

An iMac would make a far less effective RAID-enabled file or web server than a 1.6 Ghz Powermac, simply because an iMac can not attach a hardware RAID system internally or externally. Obviously an Intel iMac is capable of doing things a G5 Powermac is incapable of doing also but the point being, you can't compare the two machines. They're designed for completely different markets and mostly different tasks.

[Hunch]

Originally Posted by Transmogrify

You can't compare an iMac - intel or ppc - with a Powermac like you can't compare an iMac/Powermac with a Powerbook/Macbook Pro.

I see... So you can't compare them then...

A Powermac, slower processor otherwise, is capable of doing tasks an iMac is unable to as is a Powerbook/Macbook Pro capable of doing tasks an iMac is unable to - namely operate on batteries, to give an example.

And yet... that's exactly what you've just done...

you can't compare the two machines.

There's nothing like being consistent.

[JonoMarshall]

I sold my dual 1.8 G5 (2gb 2x160gb 64mb) in March for £700, that was a fair amount back then... to be honest I wouldn't expect you to be able to get a penny over £500, no doubt you'll get many many lower offers.

You should've upgraded when the Intels went C2D and PowerPCs were still the rage for most folk... ah well.

[herkalees]

Thanks for all of this, just opinions is all I'm after really. I know I won't get much for it... In fact, only a few months ago did I pay $200.00 for the tower, and $125.00 for the 2nd monitor (I already had one).

[samuelcotterall]

I'd pay £500, or there abouts.

It's a PowerMac after all, and the average print/web guy isn't going to need any more than that. Especially when the only thing that Apple offer new, in that price range, is the C2D Mini.

[Hunch]

Originally Posted by herkalees

Thanks for all of this, just opinions is all I'm after really. I know I won't get much for it... In fact, only a few months ago did I pay $200.00 for the tower, and $125.00 for the 2nd monitor (I already had one).

I'd keep it then. It'll run most of your apps for plenty of years to come, and the value you'll get out of it would outweigh the small amount of return you'd get from selling it.

[herkalees]

Originally Posted by Hunch

I'd keep it then. It'll run most of your apps for plenty of years to come, and the value you'll get out of it would outweigh the small amount of return you'd get from selling it.

Yeah, that's what I've been thinking lately, especially after asking ya'll your thoughts. I've been hit with the MacBook Pro bug... and I was just speculating.

[Hunch]

Originally Posted by herkalees

I've been hit with the MacBook Pro bug

Given that you've got the two monitors, I'd go the extra mile and get a Mac Pro if you're gonna spend that much.

[herkalees]

Originally Posted by Hunch

Given that you've got the two monitors, I'd go the extra mile and get a Mac Pro if you're gonna spend that much.

I considered that also, but I want the portability - I find myself going to web dev & UI conferences often, and it would be really nice to have a notebook. Also, when I visit client's offices, etc.

[Hunch]

Yeah, I will admit, my Pro doesn't score highly on portability. Actually I think it has to be the heaviest machine I've ever come across.