So - selling the older G4's....

[Richard Lyon]

So, how well do you think the older G4's are going to hold their value? I'm looking forward to the PC game Vanguard, and I was going to build a windows box specifically for the game. Now I'm thinking that a top end Macbook Pro might be the ticket. That would mean selling my G4 1.5ghtz 12 inch powerbook.

Opinions?

[Michael Henigan]

So, how well do you think the older G4's are going to hold their value?

Now, that is a very good question indeed.  Chris or Doug might be ones to ask as they are more knowledgable about these types of things.

Chris?  Doug?

Mike

[Robert Mitravich]

I think the older G4s will hold their value as long as they can still run the latest mac OS.  Leopard will definitely support PPC, thus I would expect at least a another two years at least.  Macs have always retained value relative to PCs of similar age, and I have no doubt they will continue to do so. 

[Chris Waldrip]

Yeah, like Robert says - as long as Apple includes them with future software updates they should maintain their value.

10.5 will support at least all the G4's out there. G3 support is questionable. The biggest reason being the demands of the video software.

I'm surprised the resalve value of older machines is still as respectable as it is after the release of the Mac Mini. I surely thought the low-end system resale market would have practically collapsed.

Doug will have more first-hand market experience though.

[Michael Martin]

I've seen the market for the Aluminum PB's swing greatly .. since I've been tracking it over the past 90 days.

I was expecting that some folks would be upgrading to the MBP and selling the old G4 PB's.  I lucked out and got a 12" G4PB for $600 (had to add in a AE card for WIFI, bought a larger HD, and waiting for more loose cash before I get more memory and a SD equivalent replacement HD).  For me -- playing with the mac, mostly using day to day stuff (email, browsing, etc), and some light photo work (and some PHP tinkering), it's perfect.

I've seen PB12's for $500 (broken) to $1000, midpoint is about 700-800
PB15's are in the 800-1200 range
and PB 17's seem to be in the 1200-1500 range .. (YMMV)

and I've seen a lot of folks ask almost RETAIL for their used equip -- which unless there's a sucker borne every minute, they may have a hard time selling.

Are they moving -- yes .. at about 50% of origional retail ..

compare that to your run of the mill XP laptop (thinkpads, etc), and the Mac is holding value VERY WELL.

Mike

[Richard Lyon]

Hmm. Well it makes the most sense to me to start high (near retail) and drop the price until it sells.

After all, in this case, we are talking 1.25 gig ram, Superdrive, 2 years of Applecare left, Ilife 06 (I upgraded, and the MBP will have it), plus a few other minor baubles.

Honestly, in terms of NEED, I don't NEED a MBP - but when did a computer geek ever let that stop him? Still, lots to ponder.