Low End Mac Reader Specials
Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core 8GB kit $232 / 4GB kit $116 / 2GB kit $72. New Macbook 2GB DDR3-$65. HARD DRIVES available -- Free shipping / LIfetime warranty.
Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com
LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, iMac's, MacBook Pros and more. Optical Drives for Apple iBooks, Powerbooks, MacBooks, MacBook Pros in Stock. Call 1-800-941-7654 Click Here.
OWC: Big Drives, High Performance - Not High Prices! SATA 3.5" up to 1.5TB. Notebook up to 500GB. FW up to 6.0TB. 1.0TB Drive Models from as low as $97.99 www.MacSales.com
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Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
Compare products like desktop computers, apple laptops, apple macs, and LCD Monitors side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for new mobile phones, sat nav systems, or MP3 players. The Ciao online shopping community makes searching products easy for you.
Low End Mac's Best Deals
Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals
2009.02.27
The Power Mac G4 offers a lot of value with power, expandability, and upgradability. 450 MHz Sawtooth models start as low as $89, and we've found some of the best prices we've ever seen for dual processor models - 1 GHz for $300 and 1.42 GHz for $400. Unless that's more than your budget permits, dual processor Power Macs are the ones to buy.
Over the life span of the Power Mac G4, speeds ranged from 350 MHz to 1.42 GHz, and most of these can be upgraded as far as 2 GHz (or dual 1.8 GHz) if you need more speed.
If you're using (or plan to use) OS X, consider dual processor models, which can offer significantly more performance under OS X than single processor models - usually at a small difference in price. As a very rough guide, a dual CPU model will outperform a single CPU model with a 60-70% higher MHz rating under OS X (we'd pick a 533 dual over a 733 single at the same price, and we're currently using a 1 GHz dual at LEM headquarters).
You really need 256 MB to run OS X through version 10.3, 512 MB to run 10.4 decently, and more yet if you want to run 10.5. For our perspective on the various G4 Power Macs in the Age of Leopard, please see:
- The future of early G4 Power Macs in the Age of Leopard
- The future of 'Digital Audio' Power Macs in the Age of Leopard
- The future of 'Quicksilver' Power Macs in the Age of Leopard
- The future of 'Mirror Drive Door' Power Macs in the Age of Leopard
Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" is supported on all 867 MHz and faster Macs (including slower G4 Power Macs with upgrade CPUs 867 MHz and faster) with at least 512 MB of RAM and the ability to run the DVD-based installer, so G4 Power Macs with CD-ROM or CD-RW drives will need an optical drive upgrade.
Although Apple has coded the Leopard installer to require an 867 MHz G4, there are a few ways around that, and our readers report successfully running Mac OS X 10.5 on pretty much every unsupported Power Mac G4 with AGP graphics. To date, we have no reports of Leopard running on the Yikes! model with PCI graphics. See our article on Unsupported Leopard Installation for more information.
If you're looking for maximum memory at minimum price, you can bring a Quicksilver to 1.5 GB for $45 and a Mirror Drive Door to 2 GB for $60 at today's RAM prices. Upgrading memory in older Macs is more costly.
We try to factor in shipping costs, which vary by weight and distance. Numbers we use are for shipping to Low End Mac headquarters in Michigan. Ground shipping may add $20 to $60 to your cost. Used Macs typically come with a 90 day warranty. Memory and drive size reported as RAM/hard drive size.
Cube
- 450, $250, DV Warehouse
Single CPU
- HOT 400 MHz AGP DVD, $50, BetaMacs
- 450 MHz AGP DVD, $135, MegaMacs
- 466 MHz DA CD-RW, $169, DV Warehouse
- HOT 733 MHz QS DVD, $180, MegaMacs
- HOT 933 MHz QS SD, $200, Mac of All Trades
- 1.25 GHz MDD SD, $319 shipped, Power Max
Dual CPU
- HOT 450 MHz dual AGP DVD, $200, MegaMacs
- 500 MHz dual AGP Combo, $270, MegaMacs
- HOT 1 GHz dual QS SD, $339, DV Wareouse
- 1.25 GHz dual MDD SD, $400, Beta Macs
- 1.42 GHz dual FW800 SD, $529, Baucom
Recent RAM Prices (per module)
- PC100 (AGP): 128 MB, $5.89; 256 MB, $9.79; 512 MB, $23.89
- PC133 (DA, AGP, QS): 64 MB, $6; 128 MB, $7.89; 256 MB, $9.79; 512 MB, $21.49
- PC2100 (867 MHz MDD, 1 GB FW800): 128 MB, $6.95; 256 MB, $7.89; 512 MB, $13.99
- PC2700 (1.0-1.25 GHz MDD, 1.25-1.42 GHz FW800): 256 MB, $7.89; 512 MB, $13.99
Mac OS and OS X Server Prices
- Best Classic Mac OS Deals (use 9.2.2 for Classic Mode)
- Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 Deals
- Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' Deals
- Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' Deals (requires 512 MB of RAM, AGP graphics, and DVD compatible drive for installer)
Note that some vendors are selling PC2700 RAM that is listed at PC2100. These modules can only work on Power Macs that support PC2100 RAM if all PC2100 modules are removed. PC2100 and PC2700 RAM cannot be combined in the same Mac.
Be sure to factor in shipping costs and possibly sales tax. Your best value depends on whether you need/want a color printer, 256-512 MB extra RAM, etc. Note that G4 models before the Quicksilver 2002 do not support internal drives larger than 128 GB without additional software or a separate hard drive controller. (See How Big a Hard Drive Can I Put in My iMac, eMac, or Power Mac? for solutions to this problem.)
There should be no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not generally included. Shipping can easily add $30 to $50 to your final purchase price. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.
Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toDan Knight .
Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.
Profiles
These models have a single media bay for CD-ROM, DVD, etc.
- PCI = Yikes!/PCI Graphics (350-400 MHz), PC100 RAM, 4 PCI slots
- AGP = Sawtooth/AGP Graphics (350-500 MHz), PC100 RAM, 3 PCI + 1 AGP
- Mystic = Mystic/Gigabit Ethernet (Dual 450-500 MHz), PC100 RAM, 3 PCI + 1 AGP
- DA = Digital Audio (466-733 MHz), PC133 RAM, 4 PCI + 1 AGP
- QS = Quicksilver 2001 (733/867/dual 800 MHz), PC133 RAM, 4 PCI + 1 AGP
- QS = Quicksilver 2002 (800/933/dual 1000 MHz), PC133 RAM, 4 PCI + 1 AGP
Mirror Drive Door (MDD) models have two full-sized media drive bays. Models with FireWire 800 cannot boot the classic Mac OS. Dealer websites do not always distinguish models, so be sure to ask before buying.
- MDD = Mirror Drive Door (DDR, dual boot), PC2100 RAM
- FW800= MDD/FW 800 (January 2003, OS X only), PC2100/PC2700 RAM
- MDD = Mirror Drive Door (June 2003, dual boot), PC2100 RAM
Baucom Computers
- 1.25 GHz dual MDD Combo, 512/60, $459
- 1.42 GHz dual FW800 SD, 2 GB/180, $529
Apple Palace
Shipping may add $37 or more. 60 day warranty.
single CPU
|
dual CPU
|
Beta Macs
Shipping may add $35 or more. 30 day warranty.
single CPU
|
dual CPU
|
DV Warehouse
Shipping may add $40 or more.
single CPU
|
dual CPU
|
Mac in the Box
Shipping may add $35 or more.
- 1.25 GHz dual FW800 Combo, 512/80, $499
Mac of All Trades
Shipping may add $43 or more. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any site we track. Units do not include keyboard or mouse. Macally mouse/keyboard combo, $39. Used 17" Apple Studio Display with ADC connection, $199.99; Cinema Display with DVI connection, $299.
- 350 MHz AGP DVD, 512/10, keyboard, mouse, $99.99
- 933 MHz QS SD, 512/60, $199.99
Mac-Pro
Shipping may add $45 or more.
single CPU
|
dual CPU
|
MacResource
Shipping may add $45 or more. Barebones models include and optical drive and video but do not include RAM or a hard drive. All units can be customized for RAM, and non-barebones models can be customized for optical drive as well.
single CPU
|
dual CPU
|
MegaMacs
Ground shipping may add $40 or more. 30 day warranty.
single CPU
|
dual CPU
|
Operator Headgap
Shipping included. These Power Macs have been upgraded with a 20x Pioneer SuperDrive and a new 7200 rpm hard drive (80 GB and up). Price includes keyboard and mouse but may not include a modem (available for $20 additional).
Operator Headgap thoroughly refurbishes and tests every Mac they sell. When buying, please let them know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!
single CPU
- 400 MHz PCI SD (Pioneer), 384/30, Rage 128, no modem, $249.77 shipped
- 500 MHz AGP SD (new 20x Pioneer), 512/new 80, Zip 100, Rage 128, no modem, $349.77 shipped
- 667 MHz DA SD (new 20x Pioneer), 512/new 80, Zip 100, GeForce2 MX, no modem, $349.77 shipped
Power Max
Free shipping on orders over $50. Power Max has the widest selection of Power Macs among the dealers we track.
AGP (Mystic/Gigabit Ethernet)
- 450 MHz dual AGP, 640/30, Zip 100, no keyboard, $319 shipped
Digital Audio
- none listed today
Quicksilver
- 867 MHz QS Combo, 768/60, Zip 250, GeForce 2MX, no keyboard, $339 shipped
- 867 MHz dual QS SD, 256/60, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $379 shipped
- 1 GHz dual QS SD, 1 GB/60, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $439 shipped
- many other configurations listed
Mirror Drive Door
- 1.25 GHz MDD Combo, 512/120, Radeon 9000, no keyboard, $319 shipped
- 867 MHz dual MDD Combo, 256/60, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $399 shipped
- 1 GHz dual MDD SD, 256/120, Radeon 9000, keyboard, mouse, $399 shipped
- 1.25 GHz dual MDD SD, 1 GB/180, Radeon 9800 Pro, no keyboard, $779 shipped
Teksale
Ground shipping may add $40 or more. Used Macs include new Macally iKey keyboard, USB optical mouse, and have Mac OS X 10.3 installed. Many other configurations listed.
single CPU
|
dual CPU
|
Wegener Media
Ground shipping may add $30 or more.
- 400 MHz AGP DVD, 128/0, no hard drive, mouse, or keyboard, $89.99
- 400 MHz AGP DVD, 128/10, no mouse or keyboard, $109.99
- 400 MHz AGP DVD, 128/60, no mouse or keyboard, $149.99
- 400 MHz AGP DVD, 256/120, no mouse or keyboard, $169.99
- add USB mouse and keyboard for $19.99
- upgrade to 16x SuperDrive for $59.99
We Love Macs
single CPU
|
dual CPU
|
AGP Video Cards
Except for the Yikes! model, all of these Power Macs accept one AGP video card. If you want to replace that card, there are plenty of options. Be sure to check compatibility with your model. If you want to add a second video card, it has to be a PCI card - see our Power Mac G3 Deals for a listing of PCI video cards.Applemacanix
Shipping adds about $7.50. Applemacanix sells flashed PCI and AGP video cards.
- Radeon 7000 AGP, 32 MB, VGA, $23.50
- Radeon 7000 AGP, 64 MB, dual VGA, $44.50
- Radeon 9200 AGP, 64 MB, VGA/DVI, $59.50
- Radeon 8500 AGP, 64 MB, VGA/DVI, $77
- GeForce 6800 GT AGP, 256 MB, dual DVI, $274.50
- GeForce 7800 GS AGP, 256 MB, VGA/DVI, $289.50
Operator Headgap
When buying, please let Operator Headgapknow you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!
- ATI Rage Pro AGP, 16 MB, ADC/VGA, $49.77 shipped
- SALE GeForce 2MX, 32 MB, ADC/VGA, $50 shipped
- GeForce 4MX, 32 MB, ADC/DVI, $139.77 shipped
- NEW ATI Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition, 128 MB, VGA/DVI, $269.77 shipped
Power Max
Free shipping on orders over $50.
- ATI Radeon 9600 Pro PC/Mac Edition, $205.76
- ATI Radeon 9800 Pro PC/Mac Edition, $228.53
Wegener Media
- ATI Rage 128 16 MB AGP video card, VGA only, $14.99
We Love Macs
- Rage 128 Pro, 16 MB, VGA/DVI, $49.49
- Rage 128 Pro, 16 MB, ADC/VGA, $69.95
- Radeon 7500, 32 MB, $129.95
- Radeon 9000, 64 MB, $179.95
- GeForce 2 MX, 32 MB, $149.95
- GeForce 4 MX, 64 MB, $179.95
- GeForce Ti4600, 128 MB, $269.95
Need more power? See our Power Mac G5 Deals. Don't need this
much power? Check out our Power
Mac G3 Deals.
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