11-05-2010, 06:43 PM
Sell and buy a used mini or imac. I don't use garage band but a core duo mini or imac should be more than sufficient for anything other than World of Warcraft type games.
I'd actually recommend a used imac since there is still a premium on used intel minis. Back in July, I bought a 17" 1.83ghz core duo imac w/radeon x1600 that needed a new HD for $200 on CL. Last month I bought another for $100; the display was bad but apple fixed it for free. These were great deals, but prices are really dropping on what I consider a great machine that should last 2+ years. I often see people asking $350 for used core duo imacs ($400 for 2.0ghz C2D) so you should be able to find one for under $300 with a little effort. It runs Snow Leopard just fine and my kids love photo booth and the sound on the imacs is decent for music and movies.
The G5 might be appealing to people with legacy apps or who think "dual 2.0ghz" outperforms a 1.83ghz intel. I wouldn't waste time or money on the graphics issue but rather disclose and sell it that way. Someone may want to put a better card in there anyway. Either way, the G5 is loud and an energy hog/heater (winter is coming, though!) that'll be stuck at Leopard. iLife'11 and the new garage band requires at least an intel core duo.
I'd actually recommend a used imac since there is still a premium on used intel minis. Back in July, I bought a 17" 1.83ghz core duo imac w/radeon x1600 that needed a new HD for $200 on CL. Last month I bought another for $100; the display was bad but apple fixed it for free. These were great deals, but prices are really dropping on what I consider a great machine that should last 2+ years. I often see people asking $350 for used core duo imacs ($400 for 2.0ghz C2D) so you should be able to find one for under $300 with a little effort. It runs Snow Leopard just fine and my kids love photo booth and the sound on the imacs is decent for music and movies.
The G5 might be appealing to people with legacy apps or who think "dual 2.0ghz" outperforms a 1.83ghz intel. I wouldn't waste time or money on the graphics issue but rather disclose and sell it that way. Someone may want to put a better card in there anyway. Either way, the G5 is loud and an energy hog/heater (winter is coming, though!) that'll be stuck at Leopard. iLife'11 and the new garage band requires at least an intel core duo.