Diane, If it is at all possible (selling other machines to help, etc), the small iBook introduced this week is about the best value I've ever seen from Apple. You get a 1.2GHz G4 with a combo drive and airport extreme for a thousand bucks. It can easily replace any of the desktops you currently have, and will be current for years to come. It even comes with that new-computer smell.
I bought a new 12" PowerBook in February (the 1GHz model) and while I've enjoyed it the last 8 months, were I shopping today I wouldn't even consider the iBook offering so much for an even larger savings than before. Anyway, among the machines you mentioned, I'd skip the WallStreet completely and see the prices on the other two. All things being equal (repaired optical drive on the iBook) I'd go for the iBook on account of the faster processor and smaller and lighter package. Andrew -----Original Message----- From: G-Books [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of diane Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 11:53 AM To: G-Books Subject: Looking for recommendations on secondary machine Hi folks, I've been a Mac user since 1987 but always desktops. I currently run a dual 1.42 FW800 machine (although I still use my Yikes! and PM6500 for my home business). Considering how long my other machines have lasted, I expect this one to last for many years as well. I've love to pickup an *book in the near future. Primary uses would be Illustrator/Photoshop (have both OS9 & X versions), email, web and maybe Quickbooks. I can see this being used for my business more than personal use. I have an old 540C that I was using for QB and web browsing but it's incredibly painful for the web. Using X on it isn't a requirement but it would be nice (I still use 9 on the other two machines). I am using a 350mhz iMac at work with X and it's slow, but tolerable. It only has 192mb so I think an increase would speed it up. Firewire and USB would be nice but I know I can add a card if I have to. I don't have wireless at the house so it's not a necessity but again, the ability to add it would be nice. With that in mine I asked a friend who works with Macs if he knew what the used prices were these days, the sites I used to use (American Computer Exchange and one other) are now defunct. He came back with a few machines that he, his family and friends may be convinced to part with. In a nutshell they are: Wallstreet Original Blueberry iBook iBook 600mhz (icebook from what I can tell) Pismo 400mhz A couple need batteries, the 600mhz needs a new combo drive, all are running X right now. It seems like400 mhz Pismo's are averaging $500 or so on ebay Some Icebooks are going for over $600 Of course, with that in mind it's almost worth looking for closeouts on new machines isn't it! Especially if you have to consider a battery or additional RAM. Is it even possible to get an X-capable *book for under $500? Sorry for the long winded post but TIA for any advice! Diane -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com --------------------------------------------------------------- -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
