Used Mac mini = nice price?

I’ve decided I’m in the market for a MacTel Mini if only because I’m going to need to be writing about that Intel processor in the near future. Not thrilled with the prices in the Apple Store, I decided to surf eBay a bit; of course, I’ll probably convince myself that I have to go with the more expensive Intel Duo Core model because of the performance issues I’ve experienced with Intel Single Core processors. I have a feeling that the Single Core Mini is one of those transitional machines that Apple will quietly disown in a few more months.

But, meanwhile, I realized what I could get if I wasn’t Intel focused; how about a *very* serviceable G4 machine for $320, including a SuperDrive. Yowza.

And why not? The G4 system seems faster than the Intel Single Core, particularly with older, non-Universal applications. And, those older Minis have better graphics subsystems and they use less RAM for day-to-day tasks. If you don’t need a MacTel Mini to run Windows — and you’ve got keyboards and monitors hanging out, like I do — then you might just have quite a bargain machine in one of those used G4 Minis.

July 25, 2006 · Filed Under General Stuff