Best Power Mac G4 Deals

Low End Mac Reader Specials

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2008.05.09

The Power Mac G4 offers a lot of value with power, expandability, and upgradability. 450 MHz AGP models start as low as $105, and we've found some of the best prices we've ever seen for dual processor models - 867 MHz for $379 and 1.42 GHz for $600. 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:

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 $75 and a Mirror Drive Door to 2 GB for $100 at today's RAM prices. Upgrading memory in older Macs is more costly.

Used Macs typically come with a 90 day warranty. Memory and drive size reported as RAM/hard drive size. UK and Canadian dealers are listed separately.

Cube

450, $480, We Love Macs

Single CPU

HOT 400 PCI, $70, Beta Macs
HOT 450 AGP, $105, Midwest Mac
500 AGP, $125, Midwest Mac
VERY HOT 733 DA CD-RW, $150, Mac of All Trades
HOT 867 QS SD, $200, Mac of All Trades
HOT 1 GHz FW800 Combo, $250, Mac of All Trades

Dual CPU

450 dual AGP DVD, $295, DV Warehouse
533 dual DA, $348, Mac-Pro
867 dual MDD, $369, Baucom
HOT 1 GHz dual SD, $400, Mac of All Trades
HOT 1.42 GHz dual FW800 SD, $600, MegaMacs

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)

Recent RAM Prices (per module)

PC100 (AGP): 128 MB, $6.89; 256 MB, $12.95; 512 MB, $38.99
PC133 (DA, AGP): 64 MB, $7.00; 128 MB, $8.99; 256 MB, $17.95; 512 MB, $39.79
PC2100 (QS, 1 GHz MDD): 256 MB, $9.95; 512 MB, $19.89
PC2700 (1.25 GHz MDD, FW800): 128 MB, $12; 256 MB, $13.99; 512 MB, $19.89

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. 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 to Dan Knight .

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

Profiles

Cube (450/500 MHz)

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

US Dealers

933 MHz QS SD, 256/160, $390

500 MHz AGP DVD, 512/20, Zip 100, $170

dual

867 MHz dual MDD, 512/60/Combo, $369
1.42 GHz dual FW800, 512/60/Combo, $679

30 day warranty

400 MHz PCI CD, 128/10, Zip 100, $69.99
400 MHz AGP DVD, 256/10, Zip 100, $199.99
1 GHz MDD Combo, 256/60, $349

dual

867 MHz dual MDD Combo, 256/60, $449

400 MHz PCI CD, 256/10, $109
400 MHz AGP DVD, 256/20, $179
466 MHz DA CD-RW, 256/30, $179
500 MHz AGP DVD, 256/20, $198
533 MHz DA CD-RW, 256/30, $199
733 MHz DA CD-RW, 256/40, $279
733 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/40, $279
800 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/40, $329
867 MHz QS SD, 256/60, $369
933 MHz QS SD, 256/40, $549
1 GHz MDD Combo, 256/60, $399

dual CPU

450 MHz dual AGP DVD, 256/30, $295
500 MHz dual AGP DVD, 256/40, $349
800 MHz dual QS CD-RW, 256/40, $399
867 MHz dual MDD Combo, 256/60, $469
1 GHz dual QS SD, 256/80, $499
1 GHz dual MDD SD, 512/80, $579
1.25 GHz dual MDD Combo, 512/80, $699
1.42 GHz dual FW800 SD, 512/120, $789

1 GHz FW800 Combo, 512/60, $399
1.25 GHz dual MDD Combo, 512/80, $599

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, $99.99. AirPort card, $79.

733 MHz DA CD-RW, 512/40, no mouse or keyboard, $149.99
867 MHz QS SD, 512/40, no mouse or keyboard, $199.99
1 GHz MDD Combo, 512/60, no mouse or keyboard, $249.99

dual CPU

1 GHz dual MDD SD, 512/80, no mouse or keyboard, $399.99

400 MHz AGP DVD, 256/10, $277.77
450 MHz AGP DVD, 256/20, $297.77
466 MHz DA CD-RW, 256/40, $297.77
800 MHz QS SD, 256/40, $397.77

dual CPU

450 MHz dual AGP DVD, 256/30, $367.77
500 MHz dual AGP DVD, 256/40, $377.77
533 MHz dual DA CD-RW, 256/40, $347.77
800 MHz dual QS SD, 256/80, $497.77
867 MHz dual QS Combo, 1 GB/60, $577.77
1 GHz dual QS SD, 512/80, $597.77
1.25 GHz dual FW800 SD, 512/80, $697.77
1.42 GHz dual FW800 CD-RW, 512/120, $997.77

30 day warranty.

400 MHz AGP DVD, 256/20, Zip 100, keyboard & mouse, $99.99
450 MHz AGP DVD, 256/10, keyboard & mouse, $129.99
466 MHz DA CD-RW, 384/30, $159.99

dual

1.42 GHz MDD SD, 256/20, $599.99
several other configurations listed

1.42 GHz dual FW800 SD, 1 GB/120, Radeon 9000 Pro, OS X 10.4, $799

450 MHz AGP DVD, 256/10, $105
500 MHz AGP DVD, 512/10, $125
533 MHz DA CD-RW, 512/30, $189
733 MHz QS CD-RW, 512/40, $249
800 MHz QS CD-RW, 512/40, $259
other configurations listed

PowerMax

Power Max has the widest selection of Power Macs among the dealers we track, including many configurations not listed here.

AGP (Sawtooth & Mystic)

500 MHz AGP Combo, 192/60, Radeon 9000 Pro, no keyboard, $209
500 MHz AGP SD, 128/30, Zip 100, Radeon, no keyboard, $229

Digital Audio

466 MHz DA DVD, 768/120, Zip 100, Rage 128, no keyboard, $229
466 MHz DA CD-RW, 512/30, Zip 250, Rage 128, no keyboard, $239
533 MHz DA SD, 128/30, Zip 250, Rage 128, keyboard and mouse, $299
533 MHz DA SD, 640/40, Zip 250, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $339
733 MHz DA SD, 512/60, GeForce 2MX, keyboard and mouse, $349
533 MHz dual DA SD, 512/40, GeForce 2MX, no keyboard, $379

Quicksilver

733 MHz QS CD-RW, 128/40, GeForce 2MX, keyboard and mouse, $389
733 MHz QS SD, 512/40, Zip 250, GeForce 2MX, no keyboard, $539
800 MHz QS CD-RW, 768/40, Radeon 7500, no keyboard, $439
933 MHz QS SD, 256/60, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $539
1 GHz QS SD, 1 GB/30, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $599
800 MHz dual QS SD, 512/80, GeForce 3, no keyboard, $649
1 GHz dual QS SD, 512/80, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $659

Mirror Drive Door

1 GHz MDD Combo, 256/60, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $479
1.25 GHz MDD Combo, 256/80, Radeon 9000 Pro, no keyboard, $589
867 MHz dual MDD Combo, 512/60, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $669
1 GHz dual MDD SD, 256/80, Radeon 9000 Pro, no keyboard, $699
1.42 GHz dual FW800 SD, 256/250, Radeon 9000 Pro, keyboard and mouse, $779

Prices reflect 3% cash discount.

733 MHz QS Combo, 512/40, Zip 100, keyboard and mouse, $497

Used Macs include new Macally iKey keyboard, USB optical mouse, and have Mac OS X 10.3 installed. Many other configurations listed.

400 MHz AGP DVD, 256/20, Rage 128, $199
450 MHz AGP DVD, 256/30, Rage 128, $245
466 MHz DA CD-RW, 256/30, Rage 128, $275
500 MHz AGP DVD, 256/30, Rage 128, $279
667 MHz DA DVD, 256/30, $369
733 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/40, ATI RV200 video, $499
733 MHz DA SD, 512/80, GeForce2 MX, $549
800 MHz QS CD-RW, 512/80, ATI RV200 video, $599
867 MHz QS CD-RW, 512/80, ATI RV200, $649
933 MHz QS SD, 512/80, GeForce4 MX, $675
1 GHz MDD SD, 512/60, GeForce4 MX, $699

dual processor

450 MHz dual AGP DVD, 256/30, $399
500 MHz dual AGP DVD, 256/30, $449
533 MHz dual DA CD-RW, 512/30, $499
800 MHz dual QS SD, GeForce2 Twinview, 512/80, $749
867 MHz dual MDD CD-RW, 768/60, GeForce4 MX, $819
1 GHz dual MDD SD, 1 GB/80, GeForce4 MX, $949

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
Twin Turbo 128 8 MB PCI video card, $14.99
ATI Rage 128 16 MB PCI video card, $34.50
ATI Rage 128 16 MB AGP video card, $14.99

450 MHz Cube DVD, 64/10, $479.99
400 MHz AGP DVD, 128/20, $349.95
450 MHz AGP SD, 128/20, $399.95
500 MHz AGP SD, 256/27, $429.95

dual CPU

1 GHz dual MDD SD, 512/80, $595.95
1.25 GHz dual MDD SD, 512/120, $795.95
1.42 GHz dual FW800 SD, 512/120, $895.95

Canadian Dealers

800 MHz QS Combo, 640/40, C$349

1 GHz dual MDD SD, 1 GB/160+80, C$595/US$591
1.25 GHz dual MDD SD, 1 GB/160+80, C$695/US$691
add Leopard for C$99
add 17" Cinema Display for C$99

Need more power? See our Best Power Mac G5 Deals. Don't need this much power? Check out our Best Power Mac G3 Deals.

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