Mac advice please

[Horse with no Name]

I found a used Mac at the Salvation Army for $40.
I don't know how to run one, but have wanted to learn.
This is an older computer--the only thing I could find is it said it had 340 (est) mb.
Would this be worth buying or not?

[bpilgrim]

1. whats the model?

if it isn't a G3 or above i'd pass as it won't run the new operating system and apps.

peace

[Horse with no Name]

3. I don't know--where would I find the model number?

I have never operated one, so not sure at all how to navigate it.

[bpilgrim]

7. it is often on the front or back of the machine

or if it boots up you can get more info under 'about this mac' in the apple menu at the top of the screen.

peace

[MadHound]

8. Model number should be on the front. or back

If not, go under the apple icon on the top menu bar, and on the menu that appears, click on "About this Mac". That will give you all your basic specs.

[MadHound]

2. Turn it on, see if it boots up

If it does, yeah, forty dollars is a good price. 340 MB? Sounds like an old Power Mac 6100. Macs are easy and intuitive to learn, in fact I first learned how to run Macs with a 6100. Rock solid machines. You'll be running the older OS, 7.x, but once you learn that, it is a snap to learn OSX. The only drawback with this old of a machine is that it is no longer fast enough to do any serious web surfing, but other than that, you should have no problem.

I'd say check to see if it runs, and if it does, pick it up and go with it. Macs are notoriously forgiving for newbies, but see if you can pick up an old copy of Norton's Disc Doctor program, just to keep your machine in tip top order.

The one thing to look out for is to see if the fan is running, after eleven-twelve years, the fans sometimes burn out. Other than that, it should be rock solid. I've still got my old 6100, and it runs just fine.

[LostinVA]

4. Beginning Mac Question

I may have to start using on occasionally at my job. Is there a quick and dirty book or website for basic Mac instruction? I've NEVER touched one before. Thanks!

[NYCGirl]

5. "The Macintosh Bible" is always a good one to start with...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0321213491/qid=1114613849/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-8288357-4682201?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[MadHound]

6. Well, let's see

I'm sure that there are some type of Mac for Dummies books out there, but in all reality, I don't think you'll need one. There is a pretty good instruction book that comes with Macs, and if you need to, you can download it from the Apple website<http://www.apple.com>. Also, there is an entire Help section in the menu bar up at the top. Macs are very intuitive to learn, very easy to figure out. But if you need a specific book recommendation, I can't help you, as I never used anything other than the Help section and the instruction book.

[bpilgrim]

9. here is an excellent site that compares mac and windows XvsXP.com

http://XvsXP.com

peace

[Toots]

12. The great thing about Macs is how User Friendly they are

They explain everything to you as you go along.. You can be a complete computer illiterate and still operate a Mac...

[bpilgrim]

10. os 9 and earlier is nothing like os X

so i would not recommend learning a dead OS in order to learn a brand new and radically different OS.

if you use os X there is plenty of online help but os 9 and earlier is very hard to find help on and becoming more so as time marches on.

peace

[MadHound]

14. OS 9 isn't radically different

Hell, I went from OS 7.5 on my Power Mac 6100 straight into OSX.3 with very little trouble. Apple was very kind about keeping the basics of the OS the same, while upgrading some of the problem areas and appearances.

And you can still find instruction manuals for earlier OS's at the Apple site, and if all else fails, use the Help menu. After all, the Help feature on OS 7.x will take you through step by step, and even draw red circles around things your supposed to click on, etc.

[bpilgrim]

15. where are the control panels and extensions manager?

two key components OS pre OS X days and there are numerous interface differences and finally under the hood is a RADICALLY different OS (UNIX)

sorry, but IMO, they are VERY different and i wouldn't recommend someone learn a dead OS with very little help online not to mention no applications.

anyone interested in getting a mac should get one that at least runs OS x so they aren't disappointed when no one knows what they are talking about when asking for help.

peace

[LostinVA]

20. Great! Thanks for all of your replies

I consider myself pretty PC savvy, but I was worried about the Mac. That one website link was great.

Again, thanks to all!

[DS1]

23. OS9 should've been called POS-9

I can't wait to never ever ever ever ever ever have to use it again

:puke:

[Texas_Kat]

11. What color is it?

Many early Mac G3's were 'bondi blue' -- kind of a turquoise color.

G4's were mostly grey. They all had the 'rounded back' monitors and came with towers.

IMacs started out as G3's. iMacs didn't have towers.

Old Mac's (pre-G3's) were typical beige square monitors.

It might be the simplest way to tell what kind of Mac it is if you can't turn it on.

[Texas_Kat]

13. There is a Mac Users forum at DU

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=233

There's also the forums at Apple Insider:

http://www.aimug.org/

Mac people are famous for helping other Mac people.

[Lone Pawn]

16. If you want to learn how to run a Mac,

buying this Mac would be sort of like buying a 386 running Windows 3.1 to learn how to use XP. OSX is exceedingly different from OS7.5, which is what this machine is likely runnning.

[bpilgrim]

17. true

but we don't even know what model it is yet.

anyways, hows it feel to be agreeing with a crazy person :evilgrin:

peace

[Lone Pawn]

21. That's true, but I don't think there exists a Mac model that

came with less than a 1GB HD standard that can even run OSX.

[alfredo]

18. I always told people that

Windows was like taking the Mac OS and turning it upside down and backwards, then adding a layer or two of difficulty and instability.

I would suggest bypassing that old machine, holding out for something like a slot loading iMac or one of the new world desktops.

[earth mom]

19. I'm no Mac expert

but if it's a bondi blue iMac, you can go to http://www.apple.com/ click on "support" then "downloads" here's the link http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ and progressivly upgrade-meaning upgrade the oldest OS after OS 7 first and keep going all the way up to OS 9.2 for free! You may want to add some more memory also. I'm running OS 9.2 on my 4+ year old iMac. It runs very well, though I'm having issues with real player right now. I plan on getting a new mac later this year-I love my Mac! :)

Good Luck!

[Horse with no Name]

22. Thanks for all the help everyone

It is an older machine and is square grey which means it is an older machine.
I will definitely look when I head into town tomorrow.
You guys are great--thanks.