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Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best iMac G3 Deals

2009.11.11 - updated monthly

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G3 iMacs are getting hard to find from online dealers - and shipping can cost nearly as much as the computer! Because of that, your local Craigslist might be a better place to shop - or not. (I bought a used 400 MHz CD-ROM iMac for $20 last winter, but prices vary quite a bit by region.) You might also want to check out eBay, but shipping tends to be costly.

CRT iMacs provide G3 power in a fairly compact package - along with the ability to run Mac OS X. (If you want to run OS X, you should have at least a 6 GB hard drive and no less than 192 MB RAM for version 10.2, 256 MB for 10.3, and 384 MB for 10.4. More RAM is much better, a bigger and faster drive is better, and the slot-loading iMacs are better OS X machines than the tray-loaders.) For more advice on choosing and configuring a CRT iMac for use with OS X, we recommend Is the Tray Loading iMac a Good Choice for OS X? and Why the Slot Loading iMac Is a Good Choice for OS X.

We don't recommend buying tray-loading (233-333 MHz) iMacs vs. slot-loading ones (350-700 MHz), as memory prices are much lower for the slot-loading models. The slot-loading iMacs support up to 1 GB of RAM and AirPort (with an adapter). 400 MHz and faster models include FireWire, and you may find DVD or CD-RW drives, which were never available for the tray-loaders. (Apple never built a G3 iMac with a Combo drive or SuperDrive, but third party upgrades are available from $149.)

Apple doesn't support OS X 10.4 "Tiger" on tray-loading (233-333 MHz) iMacs - it requires 256 MB of RAM and 3 GB of free hard drive space. Ryan Rempel's XPostFacto 4 permits Tiger installation on these iMacs.

Tiger is officially supported on iMacs with built-in FireWire. The 350 MHz slot-loading models are not officially supported but can run it. Tiger normally ships on DVD, but you may be able to find a CD install set. As most iMacs have CD-ROM or CD-RW drives, this is important. (For another option, see Installing OS X 10.4 'Tiger' on DVD-challenged Macs using FireWire Target Disk Mode.)

G3 iMacs are not supported by Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard", although Leopard can run on G3 iMacs that have a G4 upgrade installed (see our article on Unsupported Leopard Installation for details). For more on the place of G3 iMacs today, we recommend reading The Future of G3 iMacs in the Age of Leopard.

We suggest you think long and hard before investing in a CRT iMac.

See our Guide to G3 iMacs for a quick overview of each model and Which iMac Is It? A Quick Guide to Differentiating CRT G3 iMacs for more information on distinguishing the many versions. For alternatives with more power, see our eMac deals, iMac G4 deals, and Mac mini deals.

We try to factor in typical ground freight costs in choosing the best deals. Used Macs usually include a 90 day warranty. All iMacs listed here are used. Mouse and keyboard may be included - or not.

Best Deals

450 DVD, $55 + app. $34 shipping, MegaMacs
500 CD, $40 + app. $34 shipping, MegaMacs
600 CD, $230 shipped, Operator Headgap
700 CD-RW, $300 shipped, Operator Headgap

Recent RAM Prices

233-333 MHz (tray load): 128 MB, $7.89; 256, $15.99 (low profile, $19.99); 512 MB, $45 (512 MB CL2 modules for the Pismo PowerBook and 256 MB CL2 modules may be recognized at full capacity; CL3 modules in these sizes will not be recognized at full capacity.) One of the two installed RAM modules must be a low profile SO-DIMM, which may be more expensive.
350-700 MHz (slot load): 64 MB, $5.98; 128 MB, $7.50; 256 MB, $11.99; 512 MB, $23.95

Best Mac OS Prices

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Prices include mouse and keyboard unless otherwise noted.

Prices limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos.

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

Tray Loading iMacs (233-333 MHz)

Upgrading memory requires a fair bit of disassembly, and many tray-loading iMacs won't work with more than 256 MB of RAM (2 128 MB modules). 256 MB modules are not supported by Apple and may not be recognized as more than 128 MB. At current prices, we recommend slot-loaders over tray-loaders, especially for OS X. For an overview of upgrade options, see Upgrades for the Tray-Loading iMac.

Slot Loading iMacs (350-700 MHz)

The 350 MHz iMac doesn't include FireWire; all other slot-loaders do. Memory upgrades are easy with two slots and an easy access door, and slot-loading iMacs all support up to 1 GB of RAM (two 512 MB modules). For an overview of upgrade options, see Upgrades for the Slot-Loading iMac.

See Low End Mac's Quick Guide to CRT iMacs for full specs

LA Computer

Shipping can add $29 or more. 30 day warranty.

333 CD, 160/6, $99

MegaMacs

Shipping can add $34 or more. 30 day warranty.

333 CD carriage, 128/6, CD-ROM may not work, no enclosure/CRT/power supply, $9.99
450 DVD, indigo, 128/20, keyboard, mouse $54.99
500 CD, indigo, 256/20, keyboard, mouse, $39.99
other configurations listed, some damaged

Operator Headgap

Shipping included. Operator Headgap thoroughly refurbishes and tests every Mac they sell. When buying, please let them know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

333 CD, 160/6, blueberry, $119.77 shipped
500 CD-RW, 512/20, indigo, $199.77 shipped
600 CD, 512/30, snow, $229.77 shipped
700 CD-RW, 512/60, graphite, $299.77 shipped
AirPort Card with iMac adapter, $129.77 shipped
USB 802.11b/g WiFi adapter, $24.77 shipped
USB 802.11b/g/n WiFi adapter, $34.77 shipped
USB floppy, $39.77 shipped

PowerMax

Free ground shipping on orders over $100.

400 CD, 512/80, $289

Refresh Computers & Electronics

333 CD, 96/6, Mac OS 9.2, $49.99

Technology Surplus Depot

Shipping can add $40 or more. Mac OS X 10.3 installed.

400 CD, 512/10, $47.99
500 CD, 512/20, $59.99

Wegener Media

500 CD, 128/10, $79.95
500 CD, 128/60, $109.95
add $18.99 for mouse and keyboard

We also track prices G4 iMacs, eMacs, G5 iMacs, and Intel iMacs.

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