Michael Harris

Re: New owner of Old G-4

I may have paid too much but at least I'm actually enjoying using it. Imagine how I would have felt if I came to the realization that the Apple Mac OS was a load of crap. Also, looking and playing with keyboards and mice at the Apple store, I would have replaced those as well. Hell, I still miss the classic industrial strength IBM keyboards that made a real "click" when the key was pressed but then again I learned to type on a manual typewriter.

Carl Johnson

Re: New owner of Old G-4

What's interesting (to me) is that Mr. Harris is the second person here to recently buy a used G4 system

And I am the first. Since hindsight is 20/20 I'm going to back up and tell the story of my search for a new computer from six months ago.

The Windows ME enabled PC that I've been using since 2001 is dying a slow death. The video card, the monitor, and the hard drive are all shot. I've heard that the release of Windows Vista is around the corner so that's what I'm waiting for. Don't know if I'll get system running Vista or an XP system that's on clearance to make way for the Vista but either way I come out ahead.
While debating XP vs Vista the option of going with a Mac comes into the picture when I hear that theirs is the most user friendly OS available. I've also heard that Linux is great for those willing to put the time and effort into figuring out how to use it but that's not me. At this point all I want is a system that can surf the internet quickly and effortlessly. Anything on top of that is gravy.
In this thread
[link]http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/showthread.php?t=247481[/link]
I said that I had decided to go with a Mac and asked for advice. I was told that eMacs are stable machines, that I should wait for Leopard, and that I could just as easily stick with Windows because a $2500 PC is just as reliable as a $2500 Mac. The cheapest iMac that I was willing to consider was the $800 model that came equipped with a DVD burner. When I found a gently used $400 eMac that came with a DVD burner I jumped on it.
In the end to get an iMac I would have had to spend twice as much on the hardware plus the cost of a monitor to get the same features I got on the eMac. Sure I knew that the iMac would be faster and more reliable, but if the eMac lasts at least 12 months I will consider it a good investment. By this time next year $800 will buy me a Mac that comes prepackaged with 1 gig of ram, a DVD burner, the Leopard OS, and maybe a TV tuner too

By the way I've seen multiple advertisements on ebay and elsewhere for a keyfob that has a USB conector on one end and a coaxial connector on the other that will turn any computer into a television / Tivo. Does it, or anything like it, actually work?

Michael_K_Sr

Re: New owner of Old G-4

You're talking about Elgato's EyeTV Hybrid. One of my colleagues owns one and thinks it's amazing. It can even handle OTA HD broadcasts. Here's a quick review of it.

Ted Todorov

Re: New owner of Old G-4

EyeTV's software is certainly very nice. I have the EyeTV 500, their previous generation firewire HD DVR and it works flawlessly.

Ted

Hold on tightly, let go lightly.