- Jan 11, 2006
- 17,124
- 12
- 81
My wife and I had been talking about getting new computers. We both have been using matching seven-year-old Dell laptops and they were showing signs of being on their last legs (I also use an old Shuttle desktop that needs replacing). After some discussion, we had settled on getting Macs. After further discussion we settled on getting two laptops (even though I really wanted a new Mac desktop, too, but could not justify the extra expense). I know someone who knows someone who can get me a good deal on the Mac laptops I want, but I have had to wait for my friend to talk to his friend, etc., so there has been some delay. In the meantime, with all that in mind, the following happened:
I was at a deposition yesterday and was talking with a co-defendants counsel when he mentioned that he had this ?old Mac? that he was not using and his wife wanted him to get rid of (out of their home office). I never turn down old computer hardware (I build computers and give them to people who otherwise would not have one, like families of kids my kids go to school with). So, I told him I would take it off his hands, thinking it was some crappy old thing I could play with or fix up for someone else.
He lives near where the depo was held, so, when the depo ended, he said I should follow him home, he would give me the computer, and then we could have lunch. So I go to his house, again expecting to get just an old tower, and he brings out all of this. I almost fainted.
I did a little research and it looks like I have the following:
** Circa 2003 Power Mac G5 (A1047)
** CPU: 1.6GHz PowerPC G5
** RAM: 256MB PC2700 (333MHz)
** HD: 80GB Serial ATA; 7200 rpm (with one open bay)
** Optical: SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
** Interface: Apple Keyboard, Apple Mouse
** Monitor: Apple Cinema Display (20-inch)
(http://support.apple.com/kb/SP96))
I have a 500GB SATA HD that I was planning on putting in my current desktop PC until I decided to go Mac, so, instead, I put it in this Mac for some extra storage.
So, it is not the latest or greatest, but after I upgrade the RAM to about 2GB, I figure I will have a pretty nice machine to compliment my soon-to-acquired new Mac laptop.
Like I said in the title, ?This kind of thing happens to me every week!?
Cliffs: I was given a 2003 1.6GHz Mac G5 and 20" Apple Cinema Display with key/mouse.
MotionMan
UPDATE (05/31/2009):
About a week or two after the events in the original OP (yes, I know that seems redundant), I went to a deposition at the office of the attorney who gave me the G5. During a break, we went from the conference room to his office to talk. On the floor near the door was an LCD monitor. I asked him about it and he said that he had bought it a few years ago and it had never really worked right. When he first bought it, when it was first turned on, "cold", the picture would flip like a TV with a broken vertical hold. The problem got worse and worse until, finally, the picture flipped around the screen all the time.
He said his "computer guy" tried everything, including upgrading video cards. Eventually, he gave up and it has been sitting on his floor for months (if not years).
He asked if I wanted it. Since I know nothing about repairing monitors, I turned him down.
However, when the deposition ended a couple hours later, I changed my mind, for no good reason, and just grabbed the monitor on my way out and thanked him.
I got it home and, since the only open spot on my video card was RGB, I removed the DVI cable and connected up an RGB cable I had. I turned on the monitor and saw...
a beautiful picture.
So far, after much use, the thing works perfectly. Maybe the DVI cable was bad? LOL
Cliffs: I was given a ViewSonic VP201b (20")
MotionMan
UPDATE (06/26/2009):
I sold the G5 and Apple Display monitor and bought a Mac Mini.
The monitor from the 5/31 update is in the verticle position on the right.
The Mini is on a shelf to the right of the desk.
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/motionman/desk.002.jpg
(Ignore the bright red background. It is not nearly that bright. The combination of an iPhone camera and bad lighting makes it look that way.)
MotionMan
I was at a deposition yesterday and was talking with a co-defendants counsel when he mentioned that he had this ?old Mac? that he was not using and his wife wanted him to get rid of (out of their home office). I never turn down old computer hardware (I build computers and give them to people who otherwise would not have one, like families of kids my kids go to school with). So, I told him I would take it off his hands, thinking it was some crappy old thing I could play with or fix up for someone else.
He lives near where the depo was held, so, when the depo ended, he said I should follow him home, he would give me the computer, and then we could have lunch. So I go to his house, again expecting to get just an old tower, and he brings out all of this. I almost fainted.
I did a little research and it looks like I have the following:
** Circa 2003 Power Mac G5 (A1047)
** CPU: 1.6GHz PowerPC G5
** RAM: 256MB PC2700 (333MHz)
** HD: 80GB Serial ATA; 7200 rpm (with one open bay)
** Optical: SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
** Interface: Apple Keyboard, Apple Mouse
** Monitor: Apple Cinema Display (20-inch)
(http://support.apple.com/kb/SP96))
I have a 500GB SATA HD that I was planning on putting in my current desktop PC until I decided to go Mac, so, instead, I put it in this Mac for some extra storage.
So, it is not the latest or greatest, but after I upgrade the RAM to about 2GB, I figure I will have a pretty nice machine to compliment my soon-to-acquired new Mac laptop.
Like I said in the title, ?This kind of thing happens to me every week!?
Cliffs: I was given a 2003 1.6GHz Mac G5 and 20" Apple Cinema Display with key/mouse.
MotionMan
UPDATE (05/31/2009):
About a week or two after the events in the original OP (yes, I know that seems redundant), I went to a deposition at the office of the attorney who gave me the G5. During a break, we went from the conference room to his office to talk. On the floor near the door was an LCD monitor. I asked him about it and he said that he had bought it a few years ago and it had never really worked right. When he first bought it, when it was first turned on, "cold", the picture would flip like a TV with a broken vertical hold. The problem got worse and worse until, finally, the picture flipped around the screen all the time.
He said his "computer guy" tried everything, including upgrading video cards. Eventually, he gave up and it has been sitting on his floor for months (if not years).
He asked if I wanted it. Since I know nothing about repairing monitors, I turned him down.
However, when the deposition ended a couple hours later, I changed my mind, for no good reason, and just grabbed the monitor on my way out and thanked him.
I got it home and, since the only open spot on my video card was RGB, I removed the DVI cable and connected up an RGB cable I had. I turned on the monitor and saw...
a beautiful picture.
So far, after much use, the thing works perfectly. Maybe the DVI cable was bad? LOL
Cliffs: I was given a ViewSonic VP201b (20")
MotionMan
UPDATE (06/26/2009):
I sold the G5 and Apple Display monitor and bought a Mac Mini.
The monitor from the 5/31 update is in the verticle position on the right.
The Mini is on a shelf to the right of the desk.
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/motionman/desk.002.jpg
(Ignore the bright red background. It is not nearly that bright. The combination of an iPhone camera and bad lighting makes it look that way.)
MotionMan
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