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

Poker Mac Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker application such as Full Tilt Poker Mac.

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 iMac G5 Deals

2009.05.13

For those who still need the classic Mac OS or depend on PowerPC applications, the G5 iMacs with Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" can be a much better choice than the newer Intel-based models. Intel Macs don't support Classic mode without performance robbing third-party emulation, and PowerPC apps are run through Rosetta, which increases memory requirements and is less efficient than a true PowerPC Mac. Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" doesn't support Classic Mode at all; emulation is your only option.

All 17" models have a 1440 x 900 display, and the 20" iMacs have 1680 x 1050 screen. The 1.6 GHz model and the 2005 17" 1.8 GHz model shipped with a Combo drive; all other G5 iMacs include a SuperDrive. The 1.9 GHz and 2.1 GHz iMacs have built-in iSight.

Apple introduced the last iMac G5 in October 2005. These iMacs have built-in iSight, Radeon X600 graphics, and dual-layer SuperDrives on both models. The October 2005 iMac G5 is a is slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessors. For our take on the value of the upgraded models, see The October 2005 iMac G5 Value Equation.

Apple introduced the first Intel-powered Mac at the January 2006 Macworld Expo, the iMac Core Duo. According to Apple, the Intel Core Duo is 2-3x as powerful as the single-core G5 at the same GHz rating. For our comparison of the iMac G5 to the Intel Core Duo models, see The iMac 2006 Value Equation: Intel Changes Everything. In brief, we saw the iMac G5 as overpriced in comparison to the Core Duo models at the same price.

Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" is supported on all G5 Macs with at least 512 MB of RAM and the ability to run the DVD-based installer.

Refurbished iMacs are a real steal when available from the Apple Store (free shipping, too). Apple refurbs include the same one-year warranty as new units, and we find the iSight models to be the best deals of the bunch.

For those who don't need G5 power, a used iMac G4 is a viable option ($300 and up), as is the heavier CRT-based eMac. Early G5 iMacs can run Mac OS X 10.3; later ones require 10.4 or later.

We try to factor in shipping costs in choosing the best values, but these vary by model/weight and distance. Rates we use are for a 20" iMac being shipped ground rate to Low End Mac headquarters in Michigan.

iMac G5Best Used iMac G5 Prices

* RAM upgrades for iSight iMacs cost less than RAM for earlier G5 iMacs.

Recent Memory Prices (per module)

Best Mac OS X Prices

Used Macs usually have a 90 day warranty. 802.11g AirPort Extreme WiFi is standard on all configurations except for the 1.6 GHz model, so we only note models where it is not included.

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and ground shipping typically adds from $35 to $60. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order.

Store refurbished items may vary. Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toa Dan Knight .

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Apple Palace

Ground shipping may add $22 or more. Prices do not include mouse or keyboard.

Baucom Computers

DV Warehouse

Ground shipping may add $42 or more.

LA Computer Company

LA Computer collects sales tax on orders shipped within California.

Mac in the Box

Ground shipping may add $35 or more.

Mac of All Trades

Ground shipping may add $50 or more. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.

Mac-Pro

Ground shipping may add $40 or more.

MacResource

Ground shipping may add $45 or more.

MegaMacs

Ground shipping may add $35 or more. 30 day warranty.

Power Max 17" - 20"

Free ground shipping.

We Love Macs

We also track the iMac G4 deals and the Mac mini deals for those who don't need G5 power. For more power, see the Best Intel iMac Deals. LEM

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