Best Buy (through a class-action settlement with the state) will take up to 3 non-functioning electronic devices per day per family for proper e-waste disposal/recycling at no charge*. That’s what you do with a busted Mac.
I’m a mac fan. OSX is great. You didn’t mention your exact problem. If you know what the problem is, let us know.
If the problem is that it fails to boot, I generally think you are much better off doing the following rather than pay a hundred or more to get it repaired:
1. Back up important docs (if possible) and reinstall OSX. If reinstall fails, try a new hard drive (less than $30 online… https://bit.ly/aew23k ).
2. If you can’t backup and you need the files, install a new hard drive ($30), reinstall OSX. You can access your old hard drive using a usb enclosure ($10 online… https://bit.ly/cXaA6N ).
Did you drop it? Did your drive get corrupt? Did you break the screen?
If you broke the screen, you are probably better off buying a working used mac off ebay and selling your broken one on ebay for parts (better off than a repair, which can be expensive with this kind of part).
IMHO, there are few scenarios under which it is a good idea to get it repaired, unless you have lots of money to burn. But if you have that kind of money, you can just buy a new one. And you can always use your old hard drive in a usb enclosure. But that is just my personal opinion.
And you can buy a solid macbook on ebay for $300 or less.
This is a mac G5 tower, my everyday work computer, so buying a macbook won’t work (on one right now!
It turns out the logic board is fried and since apple considers my machine “vintage” a replacement is too expensive–better off with a new machine. I got 7 solid years out of the G5, so I suppose it’s time.
So now I’m debating between the 21″ imac or a new tower. imac has a 3.2 i3 processor, the new tower 2.66 quad–any know the difference? Because the hard drive is bigger on the imac and it comes with more RAM–at $1K cheaper. Also, is the iMac screen good enough for accurate color with graphic design?
Yeah, ditch the G5, they’re terribly power-hungry. A new MacPro will see you right. Buy as little RAM as Apple will sell you and buy your own. Apple’s memory prices are ridiculous.
I’d keep the G5, they are great! You can replace the logic board for cheap from ebay… https://bit.ly/ce2wqp
Rougement is right. The problem is that, yes, the G5s are a bit power hungry, and you will save $100 over the next few years in electricity alone is you get a macpro. And definitely buy ram elsewhere!
Don’t forget that power pc based macs are old news now. The last OS doesn’t even support them. I don’t see the benefit of spending money fixing old tech but YMMV.
Rougement is probably right. I just hate to see a G5 die for lack of a part that could be gotten cheap on ebay, but it probably isn’t worth the money or effort.
The 3.2 i3 processor on the iMac is dual core, the MacPro 2.66 is quad core. Basically the MacPros are a faster and have more horsepower than the iMacs.
Question is, are your running applications than need the extra horsepower? Stuff like cad programs or intense graphic/animation programs. The MacPros are more able to be upgraded in the future, add processors, RAM, drives.
I had various Mac store in Twin Cities fix my Mac numerous times.
I used to think I was the only one with problem with a Mac.
I had HUGE issues with my first Mac..ironic because I bought one bc that’s what I heard the photographers/journalist and graphic artists. It was also “unexpected quitting” of course with the Hillsider work load was the highest and the logicboard was replaced at least two times!!!! I bet I had the machine repaired 7 times in a space of two years.
Finally I phoned the MAC headquarters and demanded a new machine….when they saw how many times they had fixed the one I had…in a two year time…they replaced it…luckily I had purchased a three year warranty or you would have seen an editorial about it. Aaron and others had told me the magic number of repairs before Mac would replace it was three. I have used this one I am on now for over a year with no problems.
Kernel panics … Try removing the RAM, cleaning the contacts (carefully!) and reseating it. There are also diagnostic apps that can test memory, I think there is such an app on the discs that come with the machine.
Best Buy (through a class-action settlement with the state) will take up to 3 non-functioning electronic devices per day per family for proper e-waste disposal/recycling at no charge*. That’s what you do with a busted Mac.
*- some restrictions apply
Mac Doctor
3419 West Tischer Road
Duluth, MN 55803-9761
(218) 525-5743
I’m not exactly sure why, but for some reason I like TimK’s answer.
My iMac is at CW Technology at the moment. They have a nice, non-sketchy vibe.
The Mac Doctor is my boy.
I’m a mac fan. OSX is great. You didn’t mention your exact problem. If you know what the problem is, let us know.
If the problem is that it fails to boot, I generally think you are much better off doing the following rather than pay a hundred or more to get it repaired:
1. Back up important docs (if possible) and reinstall OSX. If reinstall fails, try a new hard drive (less than $30 online… https://bit.ly/aew23k ).
2. If you can’t backup and you need the files, install a new hard drive ($30), reinstall OSX. You can access your old hard drive using a usb enclosure ($10 online… https://bit.ly/cXaA6N ).
Did you drop it? Did your drive get corrupt? Did you break the screen?
If you broke the screen, you are probably better off buying a working used mac off ebay and selling your broken one on ebay for parts (better off than a repair, which can be expensive with this kind of part).
IMHO, there are few scenarios under which it is a good idea to get it repaired, unless you have lots of money to burn. But if you have that kind of money, you can just buy a new one. And you can always use your old hard drive in a usb enclosure. But that is just my personal opinion.
And you can buy a solid macbook on ebay for $300 or less.
Thanks for the tips, everyone.
This is a mac G5 tower, my everyday work computer, so buying a macbook won’t work (on one right now!
It turns out the logic board is fried and since apple considers my machine “vintage” a replacement is too expensive–better off with a new machine. I got 7 solid years out of the G5, so I suppose it’s time.
So now I’m debating between the 21″ imac or a new tower. imac has a 3.2 i3 processor, the new tower 2.66 quad–any know the difference? Because the hard drive is bigger on the imac and it comes with more RAM–at $1K cheaper. Also, is the iMac screen good enough for accurate color with graphic design?
Yeah, ditch the G5, they’re terribly power-hungry. A new MacPro will see you right. Buy as little RAM as Apple will sell you and buy your own. Apple’s memory prices are ridiculous.
I’d keep the G5, they are great! You can replace the logic board for cheap from ebay… https://bit.ly/ce2wqp
Rougement is right. The problem is that, yes, the G5s are a bit power hungry, and you will save $100 over the next few years in electricity alone is you get a macpro. And definitely buy ram elsewhere!
Don’t forget that power pc based macs are old news now. The last OS doesn’t even support them. I don’t see the benefit of spending money fixing old tech but YMMV.
Rougement is probably right. I just hate to see a G5 die for lack of a part that could be gotten cheap on ebay, but it probably isn’t worth the money or effort.
The 3.2 i3 processor on the iMac is dual core, the MacPro 2.66 is quad core. Basically the MacPros are a faster and have more horsepower than the iMacs.
Question is, are your running applications than need the extra horsepower? Stuff like cad programs or intense graphic/animation programs. The MacPros are more able to be upgraded in the future, add processors, RAM, drives.
Wow–thanks everyone. Great responses.
I went ahead and ordered the iMac–I use nothing more ambitious than the CS suite. Gonna keep my sweet mac monitor and run two monitors.
Still need to take the hard drive from the G5 and retrieve the last few week’s worth of work–can I do this myself?
And lately my Powerbook G4 has been experiencing “kernel panics.” need to keep this backup going until I can afford a new one. Any suggestions?
Have worked on Macs before but have only owned a Mac until recently, best thing I have ever done.(So far)
I went with the mac pro (refurb). In the long run it seems like the better machine: more power, more flexibility, longer lifespan.
I use Arron at CW Tech http://www.cwtechnology.com he is good.
I had various Mac store in Twin Cities fix my Mac numerous times.
I used to think I was the only one with problem with a Mac.
I had HUGE issues with my first Mac..ironic because I bought one bc that’s what I heard the photographers/journalist and graphic artists. It was also “unexpected quitting” of course with the Hillsider work load was the highest and the logicboard was replaced at least two times!!!! I bet I had the machine repaired 7 times in a space of two years.
Finally I phoned the MAC headquarters and demanded a new machine….when they saw how many times they had fixed the one I had…in a two year time…they replaced it…luckily I had purchased a three year warranty or you would have seen an editorial about it. Aaron and others had told me the magic number of repairs before Mac would replace it was three. I have used this one I am on now for over a year with no problems.
Kernel panics … Try removing the RAM, cleaning the contacts (carefully!) and reseating it. There are also diagnostic apps that can test memory, I think there is such an app on the discs that come with the machine.
You can get a USB enclosure for the old hard drive, and continue to use it.
Call Tig at Jeff Frey photography:
722-6630