iMac G3: Buying Tips?

[wardsenatorfe92]

For a little time now I've looked at buying an iMac G3.

I've searched locally and haven't been too conclusive with finding what I want (or much less, reasonably priced) so I'm thinking about resorting to probably picking one up off of ebay. Does anyone have any tips on buying one off of ebay, experiences, etc? I've tried searching around google and here but I didn't really find much. Whatever I buy I'll probably end up maxing out and installing OS X. I don't have any experience personally buying computers off ebay, I had a friend buy an iBook G3 for me (ended up being junk... i have a thread on that somewhere) but I just want to know the general pitfalls to look for so I don't get screwed over again.

Thanks :approve:

Jake

 

[jsarchibald]

Don't pay too much for one. Computers in Australia are more expensive than in the US, and we can pick up G3s for anywhere between $10 and $50. Often, they are given away free, maybe someone on here can help?

 

[mac2geezer]

I have a G3 iMac (slot load, 400 DV model, 512MB, 10GB HD) that I would probably part with for about $25 plus shipping in the original box. But of course, shipping would be the killer.

 

[Unknown_K]

As for one on freecycle, and check the local computer recycling centers.

 

[wardsenatorfe92]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Not necessarily looking for a free hand out, just wanting to get some general advice on what I should look for.

I think for the moment I'm going to continue to browse around and look at options (also see if some come up for sale locally.. theres a few for sale but for some reason people think they are really valuable..). My main curiosity is if there were certain problems that I should look out for with the iMacs.. i know the iBooks had the GPU problems, G5's and the capacitors/ cooling systems, so that way I don't have any unexpected surprises . I don't really know much about the iMac G3s because most of the schools that got them here switched over to PC's and surplussed them off before I really got to use any.

My other question that I thought of, would these be capable of hooking up to a wireless network (Wireless G, protected?).. I know they take the first gen. airport cards.. are their any that also don't accept airports? (assuming that they would still accept a USB wifi dongle would be OK tho).

Thanks for the help!

 

[waynestewart]

The tray loading iMacs(233, 266 & 333mhz) aren't equipped for wireless. The slot loading iMacs except for the early 350mhz models can use the original 802.11b airport card but requires a harder to find adapter.

 

[tmtomh]

I would recommend waiting for a local pickup - these things are old and their video/analogue sections are fragile enough as it is, without the extra trauma and risk of shipping. Not to mention that shipping a large, 40lb. box is likely going to make it cost more than it's worth.

In (or near) any large U.S. urban area, you're likely to find one sooner or later by posting on freecycle and monitoring Craigslist.

I would recommend going for a slot-loader with a speed of 400MHz or faster. That will ensure you a firewire port, easier opening up for RAM upgrades and servicing, the ability to run OS X Tiger, and (assuming it has original accessories) no awful puck mouse. (And the later models come in some pretty cool colors, like graphite, snow, ruby, and sage...)

If you really want one, I'd say you can pay up to about $50 (or perhaps $65 or so if it's in great condition with lots of RAM and original keyboard and mouse included).

But you can probably get one for somewhere between free and $40 if you're patient.

Good luck!

 

[Unknown_K]

The reason I mentioned freecycle and recycling centers is because I have seen tons of them in both places, nobody wants them. Recycling centers will not bother selling an imac because there is no money in it, they get stripped as soon as possible and tend to show up by the skid load (same with B&W's actually).

I would feel bad asking for a MDD G4 on freecycle since those still have value, but would have no issues asking for any iMacs. CRT AIO machines tend to take up some space and people get tired of looking at them.

 

[Bunsen]

The internal plastics on the slot-loaders are notorious for crumbling into dust. If you pick it up and shake it and you hear pieces moving around inside, that's probably bits of the plastic frame. Unfortunately, the outer plastics (from memory) all clip onto this one inner moulded piece that's known to rot. It won't cause the Mac to fail, unless one of the metal screws comes loose and causes a short. Also, the slot-loader's components won't fit into the much more robust tray-loader shell without a lot of surgery, which is a pity. Even opening the slottie to check the state of the plastics can cause them to crumble. Darn things.

The slotties are obviously better machines in every other sense than the original tray loaders. Faster, better video, and they take desktop RAM (as opposed to the laptop 144 pin SODIMMs in the trays), and with the exception of the very first slotties, they have a VGA plug on the back which makes re-casing them much easier (in case of failed plastics, power supply, CRT or analog board).

The Rev.A tray loader has a number of mods which can be done to it - floppy, external (Mac) video, Mac serial, ADB (iirc), second hard drive (externally, using a long 2-drive IDE cable and a Y power extender). If you find a 233MHz or 266MHz tray, it can be upgraded to 333MHz by swapping the CPU/RAM module.

 

[CJ_Miller]

I understand that you are not "looking for freebies", but just consider that G3s are generally considered disposable these days by the public at large. They are fairly easy to find if one lucky, or can be had for asking/minimal price. Unless you are in a remote area, so far as recycled tech is concerned, I recommend finding one in person. Shipping for a G3 iMac is going to dwarf the asking price in most situations. Also I try to avoid having monitors shipped without some insurance, because they can be delicate. Personally I would rather score a cheap B&W Rev2 and have it shipped, or if I craved a similar all-in-one I would go for an eMac G4 - which are also cheap, plentiful, and a bit more useful IMO

 

[CJ_Miller]

I would feel bad asking for a MDD G4 on freecycle since those still have value, but would have no issues asking for any iMacs. CRT AIO machines tend to take up some space and people get tired of looking at them.

If eBay is any indication, the asking prices of MDDs is dropping quite briskly. I was looking for MDD bits about a year ago and the only ones I was finding for less than $200US were the 867MHz type. Looking this week I have seen even 1.25GHz duals in this range. The supply is growing much faster than the demand. Even later G5s are starting to show up in the $300-$500 range, and quads for less than 1k$.

This might be the time to buy/salvage new world PPCs, before most of them get scrapped. 5-10 years from now they will be getting expensive again.

 

[MacJunky]

second hard drive (externally, using a long 2-drive IDE cable and a Y power extender).

I am certain you could stay internal if you used a CF card and small adaptor.

 

[Unknown_K]

MDD are getting cheap because mac OSX is x86 only these days. If you wait for the bottom to fall out you can get any mac for next to nothing, but at that point does anyone still want it?

I got the Quickisilvers because I like native OS 9.x booting macs, after the early MDD models I don't think they do that anymore. My B&W g3's were free or close to it when I got them, and my G4 sawtooth was pretty much just for shipping (got it to do a dual g4-500 upgrade but the board revision won't allow it).

 

[kem554991]

If you want it to be usable under Panther (10.3) or Tiger (10.4), I wouldn't buy anything less than a slot loading with a processor in the 400-500MHz range. I use my iMac G3 "Blue Dalmatian" (500MHz) for some light tasks under Tiger, but if that is what you get, expect quite a bit of lag when it comes to the internet. Also, if you choose to run Tiger, you should probably disable Spotlight and Dashboard with a program like IceClean.

 

[MacJunky]

Leaving spotlight is fine, after it does it's initial index it should not bother you much.(and on a machine this slow it is useful imo)

As for dashboard, just do not leave any widgets open and it should not cause any issues.

 

[wardsenatorfe92]

Thanks for all the input. I still haven't bought one yet. I think I decided against ebay and I'm just waiting to see what appears locally. I've always found the G3's to be neat but it sounds like they are starting to become a lot of work. But then again, if its something you enjoy, then its not work .

I found out one of my friends has a 400MHz iMac running 10.4 and he said it was ok. He offered to sell it to me for about $100.. but i was like "um, no thanks". I'm starting to see more pop up on craigslist but they are either ridiculously high or its someone who has no idea what they are selling and you're risking buying something thats probably not working. Gov. Surplus sites also look like they would be good for finding macs, but none of them offer shipping.

 

[bibilit]

hi,

Here are some tips concerning the Imac G3:

As everybody says, go for the slot-loading if you want a decent usable machine, the quicker the better... and i don't think this will show on price tag.

Concerning this price tag, i think you can find something from nothing to 50/65 $ (except maybe for some unusual colors such as "Dalmatian" or the "Flower power")

For the above price, you will probably find a complete unit, including mouse and keyboard and maybe the original software.

I you go ahead, keep in mind that an upgrade to X will need a firmware upgrade first (from Mac Os 9.1 or above) ... the CRT screen will go black if not done properly (but this is quite easy to do anyway... the upgrade not the black screen)

Once this done, you can go for a bigger HD, more ram and X install.

Concerning wireless, you need an adapter and the original airport card (this can be sourced via Ebay but will be quite expensive).Usb sticks are the affordable option as some are quite cheap (the D-link DWL-G122 is one of those, if you find the Mac Os supported one) and will be far better.

The other option is ethernet, except if wireless is mandatory, as this is standard.

The G3 is prone to power supply failures, you should be aware that the power supply is located near the CRT tube, meaning this is quite difficult to remove and to fit back again.

Moreover, you should discharge the CRT first.

this is due to the fanless building of the G3, the Flyback transformer is the first to go.

One again, try to find one which has been pampered, and not one of those running 24 hours a day and 7 days a week (school ones or internet facilities)

You will probably find one for free soon, as those are quite heavy and bulky, if you are not in a hurry

I found my first, one evening in a street corner, complete with mouse, kb and software (Mac Os 9 cd was stuck in the drive) half an hour later it was up and running :b&w:

I was given 3 afterwards, one was missing the HD and the remaining 2 were suffering from the FBT failure, so remain confident but be careful.

 

[mcdermd]

I'll attest to the FBT problem. I have a 700MHz Graphite with a failing FBT. It sits there and squeals/rings for a while while warming up. Anyone know of a cheap replacement part to solder in?

 

[kem554991]

I've owned my Blue Dalmatian G3 for most of my life, and if I can tell you one thing, it is not to bother with less than a slot-loading 400MHz machine if you want something at least semi-usable under Tiger. Mine is a 500MHz version, and it runs Tiger just fine. As a standard procedure I use IceClean to kill Dashboard (it can be relaunched through IceClean), which seems to have a pronounced effect on speeds in general. Also, watch out for shipping. The shipping tends to amount to two or three times (or more) the cost of the unit. It may help to watch Craigslist a bit more, but I know you mentioned most people are too high on prices or don't know what they're selling. I honestly saw someone here in San Antonio ask (if I remember correctly) $500 for a Bondi tray-loader (the original). I think it had the box and disks, but that is no reason for that kind of price.