iMac 233 for 80 bucks. Is it worth it?
I have a friend in New Mexico who wants to sell me his iMac 233 with cds, keyboard and mouse and all for 80 bucks +s/h. The only problem is the network adapter every once in a while does not work, but otherwise it is fine. Ideas/feedback would be greatly appreciated, as I only know about the DV and up models. Also info about upgrades, etc, is also cool.
***EDIT***
Forgot to say the whole reason for this thread. Is it worth it?
***EDIT***
Forgot to say the whole reason for this thread. Is it worth it?
Comments
Like model said.. double check the iMac before giving out any ca$h.
Ran Quark 3.32 like a dream...
Oh and BTW, if you do buy it, and want to replace the HD, do not follow the instructions at theimac.com. Those people are smoking some laced crack. Find an Apple service manual and go off of that, and avoid completely tearing apart the logic board/drive assembly for nothing.
I'd say go for it. That's a great deal. If you make the hard drive bigger you could use it as an iTunes server for your house. Or an email server. Or another computer that can run Unreal Tournament or Starcraft if you ever hold LAN parties (it should run UT fine at minimum settings). Maybe as a computer for the kids. Or a recipe server for your kitchen (although even an old Mac Plus, SE or Classic would work for that).
Right now there are plenty of upgrade options for the tray-loading iMacs. There are G3 and G4 upgrades. The Sonnet HARMONi G3 is 500 or 600 MHz and also adds Firewire to the computer, for $250 or $350. PowerLogix has the iForce G4/500 for $370. And TechnoWarehouse has a G3/500 for $200 and a G4/433 for $300. I think you might even be able to remove the 233 MHz processor and put in a pulled 333 MHz processor from a later tray-loading iMac. That would give you a little boost in speed for even less money. Another option is to just sell it immediately, I'm sure you could get $200 if you sold it on eBay. I don't know if it would be worth spending so much money on it, but it really depends on your situation.
Also, even if the onboard ethernet doesn't work, you can get a USB to Ethernet adapter. I think there's only one that is currently Mac compatible, but I looked for it and I couldn't find it anywhere.
What I'm going to do is use the previously mentioned dual HD ATA cable trick and hook up a Lite-On drive. Much cheaper, and faster too...and doesn't destory the looks of the machine itself.
It died on me in September though. It was a great workhorse while it lasted, on every day for four years.