Looking to get my feet wet with Apple, considering a used Mac to try things out, any recommendations?

Hi all, venturing into strange territory here...a lifetime PC user (well, I used an Apple II in middle school 30 years ago...) that's developing an interest in Mac, specifically the OS.

I'd like to try it out, live with it for a few weeks or months, to see if that's the direction I want to go to with my next purchase.

Since I've just made a huge investment in computer stuff (2 new desktops, 2 new laptops this year), buying a new Mac is out of the question. They are wildly expensive for the hardware you get, although I hear the OS makes it all worthwhile. I'm experienced with XP, really like Vista, and have used Linux on and off, but I want to get the Mac experience to see if it's something I'd prefer...without breaking the bank.

I considered making a Hackintosh out of a netbook, but would rather not bend the rules of the EULA. I've seen older Mac desktops on Ebay and Craigslist for around $100...G3s and G4s, IMacs and Emacs. Would any of these allow me to play around with the OS and see if I like the experience, or would the older hardware give me a artificially bad impression of what using a Mac is like? I'd probably only use it for email, web surfing, word processing, etc...basically a "home computer," not a gaming rig, home theater, or anything too hardcore (my current computers do fine with that stuff).

I'm a total Mac novice, any advice would be appreciated, which models, OS versions, hardware configurations, and software to avoid or hold out for.

Thanks,
Dave

 

a g4 would probably be okay for your needs and still give you that basic mac experience without breaking the bank. I'm currently in a similar situation, though i use os x at university so i know the system to some degree, but still i'd like to get a more recent macbook to triple boot windows/linux/osx. Best of all worlds in a portable package without breaking any WAY TO RESTRICTIVE *cough* EULAs or forum rules.
good luck with your search.

 

The Mac Mini might be worth a look. You can buy them refurbished from Apple.com. I did. They look new without the fancy packaging, plus you get the full warranty. It'd be around the same price as a Netbook provided you already have the monitor and stuff.

 

I did look at the Mac Mini, although it's a little more than I wanted to spend (a bit over $400 refurbished was the best price I could find).

Maybe I'm being a little unrealistic, but I wanted to try OSX and not spend more than a couple hundred dollars, hence my interest in either a hacked netbook (which I've pretty much ruled out), or a used desktop/laptop. I'm seeing G4 Emacs for under $100 on Ebay, and IMacs for a little under $200...I'm just wondering if that's enough computer to really get a feel for what using a Mac is like.

If I wind up loving the Mac, I'll probably go that route when I buy my next computer; I just want to see if the benefits outweigh the sacrifices for me personally. I don't want to get into a Mac vs PC debate, everyone's needs and preferences are different, I just want to see if it's for me.

Dave

 

I agree with Zaz and I think the Mac Mini is the best way to go, it'll get you all the power needed to run Mac OS X Leopard as smoothly as you'll get. I haven't tested myself but I don't know how well a G4 or $200 iMac runs Leopard.

 

I would suggest spending a bit more if you can to get the whole Mac experience. Sure, you could buy some ancient relic for $100 or so, but you'll be most likely stuck with an old OS and hardware.

The great thing about the Mac is how it holds its value. I'm sure if you spend $400 on a Mac mini today, you'll be able to sell it later for around that price.

 

Yep, I agree about the resale value. Mac's are like the Honda's of the car industry. Honda's hold 55% of their value for 5 years, and Mac's would have a comparable percentage, but on a smaller scale. It would be the equivalent of 80-85% for one year. With that being said, you could go with a better Mac such as the Mac Mini as Sam and ZaZ said, and you wouldn't have to worry about all your money going down the drain if you decided to sell it.

 

I agree with everyone about investing in a refurb Mac mini. Yes, the OP wants to spend around $100 but be honest with yourself, what do you expect to get for $100? I checked out the Emacs on Ebay, although they offer fair power for the price however the shipping is bringing it to nearly $200 and there's no warranty or restore disc and it's Tiger installed.
A refurb Mac mini will get you a fully supported Mac with warranty, Leopard installed, a restore disc and the latest version of iLife so you can get the full experience that you want out of Mac OS X.
Why invest ANY money in a "throw away" computer like the Emac.

 

Okay, after a bit more research, I'm leaning toward an off-lease Imac with either the G5 or Intel processor. I think I'll wind up with the Intel, since I need it to run Boot Camp (right?), and if I like OSX and my Windows apps work in Boot Camp, I'll be a convert.

Seem to be a few Core2Duos in the $400-500 price range, although the G5 for under $400 shipped is tempting as well...little more than I wanted to spend, but I'm impulsive by nature.

Dave

 

Just make sure it ships with a Leopard restore disc.

 

if you want a true, current, Mac experience, you do need an intel Mac... Some older ones would be ok... mainly G5s, but you'd be limited on things you can do with it.... G3s and G4s aren't worth spending money on.

Boot Camp is a program that helps you install Windows on your Mac.. when you boot into Windows, its a normal Windows machine... I find it more fun to use a virtual machine... VMware runs good.. and if you have like 5 email addresses you can go through like 5 months of "free trials" I like doing that for non-games better, since I don't lose my OSX just to run a program, and with Unity mode, it hides Windows from view and you just have the Windows app running like its running in OSX.... but I rarely use Windows in any way, even like that.

 

Yes, Boot Camp only runs in Intel Macs, and there is speculation (or maybe confirmation, I'm not sure) that the next version of Mac OS X, Snow Leopard, will be Intel-only!

 

also,there is a speculation that Snow Leopard will be 64-bit Intel only...

 

Considering the developer seeds run on 32-bit Intel...

 

really?do you have a link?

 

Go through MacRumors.com - there are release notes of a popular seed which request developers to test it in 64-bit mode. Also I do believe foul people who have broken an NDA or two have used it on Core Duo machines.

 

OS X should run fairly well on older machines like the G4. You might need to add RAM if it has less than 1GB though. The OS won't be as shiny/responsive as it would on a modern computer, but you can get a general feel for it.

 

Is there a 3g/4g limit to RAM on the 32 bit OSX, or is that a PC only thing?

My windows boxes all dual boot 32/64 bit, since I didn't want to be limited to 3g or RAM, and for gaming it makes a world of difference.

 

32-bit only being able to adress a specific amount of memory is physical, mathematical. Be it Windows, Mac OS, Solaris, FreeBSD, Fedora or Ubuntu.

Leopard is a hybrid 64-bit OS of sorts.

 

Leopard is a multi-bit OS, running 32-bit and 64-bit applications side-by-side. Therefore, it can recognize all 4GB that you put in it. On the Mac Pro, it can recognize 32GB because of a special firmware.