+- MacResource (https://forums.macresource.com)
+-- Forum: My Category (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Tips and Deals (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: Search is on... mom-friendly laptop (/showthread.php?tid=55286)
Search is on... mom-friendly laptop - RecipeForDisaster - 05-20-2008
Just putting my quest out there again... need a decent, reliable laptop that can run OSX (doesn't need to have it, I can install), has Airport, and that's probably it. Under $350(well under if possible!)... cosmetic issues welcomed as long as the display isn't on its way out. Pick-up in New England would be excellent, but I know I'll have to have it shipped from East Gigordia.
I finally sold my iBook after a billion really bad inquiries(I'll give you $10, I'd have to meet you an hour away NOW or in 2 weeks, etc.).
I've been looking on eBay but the machines keep going way out of my pricerange these days. When I wasn't looking, they were affordable... isn't that always the way.
Thanks,
rfd
Re: Search is on... mom-friendly laptop - kj4btkljv - 05-20-2008
Decent, reliable laptop that can run OSX for under $350...
Good luck on your quest! It's going to be very difficult. The cheapest G4 iBook I can find starts at $600.
Jeff
Re: Search is on... mom-friendly laptop - cbelt3 - 05-20-2008
How patient is your Mom ? The Clamshell iBook SE (G3, 466Ghz) I sorta fixed up and gave my son was used for about the 15 minutes it took for his mom's Macbook to free up. It's sooooooo slow. I should just put it back into OS9 world, but I won't.
College graduation is here- you might find some of those college kids selling off their older Macbooks, but I doubt it.
Re: Search is on... mom-friendly laptop - PeterB - 05-20-2008
I would say hunt around on your local CL for a G4 iBook. Those have been going for about $300 or so... stay away from the G3 iBooks, other than the Clamshell that cbelt3 is talking about. (Which, by the way ... I've got 10.4.11 running on mine, and they run great... nice and fast... so not sure why yours is running so slow.)
Re: Search is on... mom-friendly laptop - Filliam H. Muffman - 05-20-2008
Give her a Hackintosh. There were some Core Duo laptops for around $350 on Black Friday.
Re: Search is on... mom-friendly laptop - Paul F. - 05-20-2008
I concur with the General of the Carnivorous-Cyborg-Hamster Army ( ;-) )
Stay away from the G3 iBooks, and start a long patient search for a G4 iBook or really great deal on a MacBook (which would be really unlikely at $350, but stranger deals have happened!).
Re: Search is on... mom-friendly laptop - RecipeForDisaster - 05-20-2008
She's not THAT patient... she was frustrated with our old Dell running Windows ME, always thinking it wasn't working.
I was finding suitable machines in my pricerange, just don't see any now. For $600 some pretty spiffy new-ish machines can be had on eBay. I'm keeping an eye on CL but haven't seen anything yet-I don't see my area as very Mac-enthusiastic, though. Is there a sales arena for Macs or something? Otherwise I guess I need some patience(or, she does!).
Thanks,
rfd
Re: Search is on... mom-friendly laptop - PeterB - 05-20-2008
Paul F., they aren't carnivorous, but as for the cyborg and army bits, who knows.
Here's an example of a possible nice find: http://neworleans.craigslist.org/sys/633072656.html
Re: Search is on... mom-friendly laptop - RecipeForDisaster - 05-20-2008
I have a Powerbook 1400 in front of me-I wish it was easily feasible to make that into her machine. Should I not go for a newer Powerbook if one becomes available that fits?
Out of curiosity... I should avoid G3 iBooks for reasons of durability or... ?
Thanks,
rfd
Re: Search is on... mom-friendly laptop - RecipeForDisaster - 05-20-2008
Crud, that sound like an excellent deal(thanks!)-just wish it was closer! I'm a little leery of asking him to ship unless he's knowledgable enough to do it safely. What do you think? He probably doesn't want to anyway(of course I'd be happy to pay shipping costs).
Thanks,
Skye