• iBook G4 Owners: Is it time to cut bait?

    From ianpower@ianpower@gmail.com to comp.sys.mac.system on Thursday, April 06, 2006 20:13:48
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Hello all,

    I'm a first time poster, devoted mac user, currently using an iBook G4
    12", 1.33ghz.

    Appleinsider.com is reporting that the "Intel iBook" (or whatever Apple
    will call its new entry-level notebook), will start shipping in June.
    The source, as usual with such rumours, is not disclosed, and not
    necessarily reliable.

    However, with the launch of the "Intel iBook" iminent, I am considering
    selling my iBook while I can. I have a limited budged for electronic
    goodies (student), and it seems to me that selling now (or within the
    next couple of months) would help to protect my investment. I typically
    keep a laptop for 2-3 years, but I don't want to end up with a system
    that's on the fast track to obscelescence.

    I bought the iBook in September for $1388 (tax in, Canadian$), it's
    still in mint, and I'm thinking I could get about $1000-$1100 for it
    now.

    I'm really indecisive, so I need opinions on this:

    The question(s): firstly, do you think it's worth the hassle of
    selling? Secondly, when do you think the optimal time to sell would be? Thirdly, anyone care to throw out predictions on the price difference
    between the current iBook and the upcoming "Intel iBook"?

    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Davoud@star@sky.net to comp.sys.mac.system on Thursday, April 06, 2006 23:49:27
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    ianpower@gmail.com wrote:

    ...

    However, with the launch of the "Intel iBook" iminent, I am considering selling my iBook while I can. I have a limited budged for electronic
    goodies (student), and it seems to me that selling now (or within the
    next couple of months) would help to protect my investment. I typically
    keep a laptop for 2-3 years, but I don't want to end up with a system
    that's on the fast track to obscelescence.

    I think that your iBook is on the /slow/ track to obsolescence. That
    has been the history of Macs for some years.

    I bought the iBook in September for $1388 (tax in, Canadian$), it's
    still in mint, and I'm thinking I could get about $1000-$1100 for it
    now.

    I'm really indecisive, so I need opinions on this:

    The question(s): firstly, do you think it's worth the hassle of
    selling?

    No. The buyer will find that the e, n, o, r, t, a, i, and s keys show
    more wear than the j and z keys, and will be upset about that. Then she
    will notice that the metal prongs on the power plug show signs of wear
    from having been plugged in and removed repeatedly, and be upset about
    that. And so on.

    Secondly, when do you think the optimal time to sell would be?

    Never. Use it until you just can't use it anymore, then give it away if
    you can, throw it away if you can't.

    Thirdly, anyone care to throw out predictions on the price difference
    between the current iBook and the upcoming "Intel iBook"?

    Not a prediction, a guess. The "Intel iBook" will cost a very few $
    more than the present iBooks. We know that while Macs (or Pee Cee's,
    for that matter) don't go down in price very much, the bang for the
    buck increases. I can buy a dual-core 20" iMac today for the same price
    I paid for my Mac Plus in '86.

    Davoud

    --
    usenet *at* davidillig dawt com
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Doug Anderson@ethelthelogremovethis@gmail.com to comp.sys.mac.system on Thursday, April 06, 2006 22:17:28
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    ianpower@gmail.com writes:

    Hello all,

    I'm a first time poster, devoted mac user, currently using an iBook G4
    12", 1.33ghz.

    Appleinsider.com is reporting that the "Intel iBook" (or whatever Apple
    will call its new entry-level notebook), will start shipping in June.
    The source, as usual with such rumours, is not disclosed, and not
    necessarily reliable.

    However, with the launch of the "Intel iBook" iminent, I am considering selling my iBook while I can. I have a limited budged for electronic
    goodies (student), and it seems to me that selling now (or within the
    next couple of months) would help to protect my investment. I typically
    keep a laptop for 2-3 years, but I don't want to end up with a system
    that's on the fast track to obscelescence.

    Every computer you buy is on the fast track to obscelescence the
    moment you take it out of the store.

    I have a tough time imagining that this particular computer will be
    any more obselete in 2 years than a typical computer of its age. (But
    then I too have an investment in powerpcs.)

    I bought the iBook in September for $1388 (tax in, Canadian$), it's
    still in mint, and I'm thinking I could get about $1000-$1100 for it
    now.

    Hmm. I was going to say I'd buy it for $500(US). It would suprise me if
    you could get as much for it now as you think you can, but I don't
    know from used ibooks.

    I'm really indecisive, so I need opinions on this:

    The question(s): firstly, do you think it's worth the hassle of
    selling? Secondly, when do you think the optimal time to sell would be? Thirdly, anyone care to throw out predictions on the price difference
    between the current iBook and the upcoming "Intel iBook"?

    I'll make a wild guess that the price differences will be $100 or
    less.

    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From TaliesinSoft@taliesinsoft@mac.com to comp.sys.mac.system on Friday, April 07, 2006 00:23:00
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On Thu, 6 Apr 2006 22:49:27 -0500, Davoud wrote
    (in article <060420062349274482%star@sky.net>):

    I can buy a dual-core 20" iMac today for the same price
    I paid for my Mac Plus in '86.

    My Mac 128K which I bought the first day they were available, along with an ImageWriter dot matrix printer and an external floppy drive came to well over $3,000. Amazing what advances technology provides in a bit over two decades!

    --
    James Leo Ryan ..... Austin, Texas ..... taliesinsoft@mac.com

    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Garner Miller@garner@netstreet.net to comp.sys.mac.system on Friday, April 07, 2006 12:57:43
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    In article <1144379628.041675.258870@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>, <ianpower@gmail.com> wrote:

    I'm a first time poster, devoted mac user, currently using an iBook G4
    12", 1.33ghz.

    However, with the launch of the "Intel iBook" iminent, I am considering selling my iBook while I can ... to protect my investment.

    Don't look at computers as an investment -- they aren't. They're
    obsolete while they're still in the showroom, as new developments are
    *always* coming down the line.

    Buy it as a tool, and use it as long as you can. Rather than use your
    money for incremental upgrades, use that money instead to save up for a significant upgrade near the end of its useful life. The longer you
    can hold out, the more machine you'll be able to get for the money
    you'll spend at that point.

    In our house, we have two main computers: An 800MHz iMac G4 (the first generation of the flat-panel iMac), and an 800MHz 12" iBook G4, very
    similar to the one you're using. Both machines are running great, four
    and not-quite-three years after purchase, respectively.

    Aside from processing video, this four-year-old iMac still does
    everything as fast as I need it, and I see no reason to replace it in
    the near future. I've spent a little over $100 to put a faster hard
    drive and a much faster DVD burner inside; that's about it.

    I'll probably get an Intel Mac as my next machine, but I'm no rush --
    partly because this one's running fine, and partly to give a little
    more time for more applications to become Universal.

    I typically keep a laptop for 2-3 years, but I don't want to end up
    with a system that's on the fast track to obscelescence.

    As Davoud pointed out, you're on the *slow* track to obsolescence, just
    as every computer is. As long as software is still written for the
    PowerPC -- and I'm quite sure it will be for the 2-3 year timeframe you
    mention -- your computer is every bit as viable now as it was
    yesterday.

    The question(s): firstly, do you think it's worth the hassle of selling?

    Borderline, but I really don't think so. See above; it's still a
    terrific machine.

    Secondly, when do you think the optimal time to sell would be?

    Either before the one-year warranty period has expired, or several
    years down the line for a couple hundred dollars. I wouldn't bother
    with anything inbetween, as nobody's going to buy your iBook with no
    warranty for $1000 when they can get a brand new, faster one for $1300.
    You're much better off, financially, keeping it yourself for a few
    years at that point.

    Thirdly, anyone care to throw out predictions on the price difference
    between the current iBook and the upcoming "Intel iBook"?

    If they use a Core Solo chip, I'd venture the price will be the same.

    --
    Garner R. Miller
    Clifton Park, NY =USA=
    http://www.garnermiller.com/
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Tim McNamara@timmcn@bitstream.net to comp.sys.mac.system on Friday, April 07, 2006 08:38:22
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    In article <1144379628.041675.258870@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
    ianpower@gmail.com wrote:

    I'm a first time poster, devoted mac user, currently using an iBook
    G4 12", 1.33ghz.

    Appleinsider.com is reporting that the "Intel iBook" (or whatever
    Apple will call its new entry-level notebook), will start shipping in
    June. The source, as usual with such rumours, is not disclosed, and
    not necessarily reliable.

    However, with the launch of the "Intel iBook" iminent, I am
    considering selling my iBook while I can. I have a limited budged for electronic goodies (student), and it seems to me that selling now (or
    within the next couple of months) would help to protect my
    investment. I typically keep a laptop for 2-3 years, but I don't want
    to end up with a system that's on the fast track to obscelescence.

    Every computer is on the fast track to obsolescence, including the Intel
    iBook (IntBook?) which will become obsolete between the time they start
    being manufactured and the time they hit the stores. That's the nature
    of the computer business.

    I bought the iBook in September for $1388 (tax in, Canadian$), it's
    still in mint, and I'm thinking I could get about $1000-$1100 for it
    now.

    Nope. You might get US$750. Maybe. Used computers have practically no value, even relatively new ones.

    I'm really indecisive, so I need opinions on this:

    The question(s): firstly, do you think it's worth the hassle of
    selling? Secondly, when do you think the optimal time to sell would
    be? Thirdly, anyone care to throw out predictions on the price
    difference between the current iBook and the upcoming "Intel iBook"?

    The optimal time to sell a computer is when it can no longer do the
    things you need it to do. And then, if it is still sound and
    operational, you should consider giving it to charity so it can go to
    someone who doesn't have a computer and whose needs might be simpler
    than yours.
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Tim McNamara@timmcn@bitstream.net to comp.sys.mac.system on Friday, April 07, 2006 08:39:16
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    In article <060420062349274482%star@sky.net>, Davoud <star@sky.net>
    wrote:

    I can buy a dual-core 20" iMac today for the same price I paid for my
    Mac Plus in '86.

    Talk about your pithy summations!
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From ianpower@ianpower@gmail.com to comp.sys.mac.system on Friday, April 07, 2006 08:31:33
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Thanks for all the comments. I can appreciate that "every" computer is
    on track to becoming obscelete, but in this case I think the change is
    a little more drastic than a faster processor or a bigger hard drive.
    However, I do appreciate the comments from people with older macs, who
    say that they are still serving the purpose.

    So, I've decided what I'm going to do. I'll try to sell before the
    warranty runs out, as suggested. There's still four months warranty
    remaining on it. I'll advertise it for $1000. I might just happen upon
    somebody who is planning a purchase anyway, who would be glad to save
    the $388.00.

    If it doesn't sell for the price I want, I'll keep it. Sound good?

    Ian

    Tim McNamara wrote:
    In article <1144379628.041675.258870@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
    ianpower@gmail.com wrote:

    I'm a first time poster, devoted mac user, currently using an iBook
    G4 12", 1.33ghz.

    Appleinsider.com is reporting that the "Intel iBook" (or whatever
    Apple will call its new entry-level notebook), will start shipping in
    June. The source, as usual with such rumours, is not disclosed, and
    not necessarily reliable.

    However, with the launch of the "Intel iBook" iminent, I am
    considering selling my iBook while I can. I have a limited budged for electronic goodies (student), and it seems to me that selling now (or within the next couple of months) would help to protect my
    investment. I typically keep a laptop for 2-3 years, but I don't want
    to end up with a system that's on the fast track to obscelescence.

    Every computer is on the fast track to obsolescence, including the Intel iBook (IntBook?) which will become obsolete between the time they start
    being manufactured and the time they hit the stores. That's the nature
    of the computer business.

    I bought the iBook in September for $1388 (tax in, Canadian$), it's
    still in mint, and I'm thinking I could get about $1000-$1100 for it
    now.

    Nope. You might get US$750. Maybe. Used computers have practically no value, even relatively new ones.

    I'm really indecisive, so I need opinions on this:

    The question(s): firstly, do you think it's worth the hassle of
    selling? Secondly, when do you think the optimal time to sell would
    be? Thirdly, anyone care to throw out predictions on the price
    difference between the current iBook and the upcoming "Intel iBook"?

    The optimal time to sell a computer is when it can no longer do the
    things you need it to do. And then, if it is still sound and
    operational, you should consider giving it to charity so it can go to
    someone who doesn't have a computer and whose needs might be simpler
    than yours.

    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From mjd1969@aol.com@mjd1969@aol.com to comp.sys.mac.system on Friday, April 07, 2006 14:04:17
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    I bought the iBook in September for $1388 (tax in, Canadian$), it's
    still in mint, and I'm thinking I could get about $1000-$1100 for it
    now.

    Sory to tell you, but you'll get nowhere near that for your Ibook. A
    new 12" 1.33GHz Ibook can be bought from Apple brand new for $999. It's
    only $799 if you can handle one of Apple's official refurbs.

    I have the same Ibook Model as you. I bought it used (1 month old) for
    $700 in February.

    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Garner Miller@garner@netstreet.net to comp.sys.mac.system on Friday, April 07, 2006 21:06:49
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    In article <1144443857.826344.249040@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>, <"mjd1969@aol.com"> wrote:

    I bought the iBook in September for $1388 (tax in, Canadian$)....

    Sory to tell you, but you'll get nowhere near that for your Ibook. A
    new 12" 1.33GHz Ibook can be bought from Apple brand new for $999.

    Keep in mind he's talking *Canadian* dollars. A new iBook 12" 1.33 is
    $1249 Canadian plus tax, not $999.
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From ianpower@ianpower@gmail.com to comp.sys.mac.system on Friday, April 07, 2006 21:11:42
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system


    Garner Miller wrote:
    In article <1144443857.826344.249040@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>, <"mjd1969@aol.com"> wrote:

    I bought the iBook in September for $1388 (tax in, Canadian$)....

    Sory to tell you, but you'll get nowhere near that for your Ibook. A
    new 12" 1.33GHz Ibook can be bought from Apple brand new for $999.

    Keep in mind he's talking *Canadian* dollars. A new iBook 12" 1.33 is
    $1249 Canadian plus tax, not $999.

    Phew! Thanks Garner. He scared the crap out of me for a second there.

    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Darrell Greenwood@darrell.usenet5@telus.invalid to comp.sys.mac.system on Saturday, April 08, 2006 23:58:25
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    [[ This message was both posted and mailed: see
    the "To," "Cc," and "Newsgroups" headers for details. ]]

    In article <1144379628.041675.258870@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>, <ianpower@gmail.com> wrote:

    Hello all,

    I'm a first time poster, devoted mac user, currently using an iBook G4
    12", 1.33ghz.

    I have the same model.

    Appleinsider.com is reporting that the "Intel iBook" (or whatever Apple
    will call its new entry-level notebook), will start shipping in June.
    The source, as usual with such rumours, is not disclosed, and not
    necessarily reliable.

    However, with the launch of the "Intel iBook" iminent, I am considering selling my iBook while I can. I have a limited budged for electronic
    goodies (student), and it seems to me that selling now (or within the
    next couple of months) would help to protect my investment. I typically
    keep a laptop for 2-3 years, but I don't want to end up with a system
    that's on the fast track to obscelescence.

    I bought the iBook in September for $1388 (tax in, Canadian$), it's
    still in mint, and I'm thinking I could get about $1000-$1100 for it
    now.

    I'm really indecisive, so I need opinions on this:

    The question(s): firstly, do you think it's worth the hassle of
    selling?

    No

    I am very happy I have the last PPC iBook.

    It doesn't have the Trusted Computing chip in it.
    http://tinyurl.com/pb5hz

    It runs OS9

    It is not 'first generation hardware'

    *All* Mac programs run well on it.


    Secondly, when do you think the optimal time to sell would be?

    No optimal time.

    Thirdly, anyone care to throw out predictions on the price difference
    between the current iBook and the upcoming "Intel iBook"?

    Identical.

    Cheers,

    Darrell

    --
    To reply, substitute .net for .invalid in address, i.e., darrell.usenet5 (at)  telus.net
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Barry Margolin@barmar@alum.mit.edu to comp.sys.mac.system on Monday, April 10, 2006 23:24:37
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    In article <1144423893.697215.81720@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>,
    ianpower@gmail.com wrote:

    Thanks for all the comments. I can appreciate that "every" computer is
    on track to becoming obscelete, but in this case I think the change is
    a little more drastic than a faster processor or a bigger hard drive.

    Why? Do you think software companies are going to stop shipping
    universal binaries any time soon? I expect you'll continue to be able
    to get updates and new software for the old computer for several years.
    There are millions of PPC-based Macs already out there, and most of them
    are not going to be replaced right away, and they'll continue to need software.

    --
    Barry Margolin, barmar@alum.mit.edu
    Arlington, MA
    *** PLEASE post questions in newsgroups, not directly to me ***
    *** PLEASE don't copy me on replies, I'll read them in the group ***
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113