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Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best iMac G5 Deals

2009.11.12

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For those who still need the classic Mac OS or depend on PowerPC applications, the G5 iMacs with Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" can be a better choice than Intel-based iMacs. Intel Macs don't support Classic mode without performance robbing third-party emulation and run PowerPC apps using Rosetta, which increases memory requirements and is less efficient than a true PowerPC Mac. Also, Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" doesn't support Classic Mode at all; emulation is your only option.

Early G5 iMacs can run Mac OS X 10.3; later ones require 10.4 or later. Mac OS X 10.5 is supported on all G5 Macs with at least 512 MB of RAM.

All 17" models have a 1440 x 900 display, and the 20" iMacs have 1680 x 1050 screen. The 1.6 GHz model and the 2005 17" 1.8 GHz model shipped with a Combo drive; all other G5 iMacs include a SuperDrive. The 1.9 GHz and 2.1 GHz iMacs have built-in iSight.

Apple introduced the last iMac G5 in October 2005. These iMacs have built-in iSight, Radeon X600 graphics, and dual-layer SuperDrives. The October 2005 iMac G5 is a is slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessors and uses less costly memory. For our take on the value of the upgraded models, see The October 2005 iMac G5 Value Equation.

According to Apple, the Intel Core 2 Duo is 2-3x as powerful as the single-core G5 at the same GHz rating. For our comparison of the iMac G5 to the Intel Core Duo models, see The iMac 2006 Value Equation: Intel Changes Everything. At the time we saw the iMac G5 as overpriced in comparison to the Core Duo models at the same price.

For those who don't need G5 power, a used iMac G4 is a viable option ($200 and up), as is the heavier CRT-based eMac.

We try to factor in shipping costs in choosing the best values, but these vary by model/weight and distance. Rates we use are for a 20" iMac being shipped ground rate to Low End Mac headquarters in Michigan.

Best Used iMac G5 Prices

HOT 17" 1.8 GHz Combo, $300, Mac of All Trades
17" 1.8 GHz SD, $349, LA Computer
17" 1.9 GHz iSight SD*, $400, Mac of All Trades
HOT 20" 1.8 GHz SD, $500, Mac of All Trades, MacResource
20" 2.0 GHz SD, $449, LA Computer
20" 2.1 GHz iSight SD*, $699, DV Warehouse (app. $45-50 shipping)
20" 2.1 GHz iSight SD*, $749 shipped, Power Max

* RAM upgrades for iSight iMacs cost less than RAM for earlier G5 iMacs.

Recent Memory Prices (per module)

PC3200 (pre-iSight): 256 MB, $9.95; 512 MB, $14.99; 1 GB, $33.89
PC4200 (iSight): 512 MB, $8.79; 1 GB, $19.39; 2 GB, $38.99

Best Mac OS X Prices

Used Macs usually have a 90 day warranty. 802.11g AirPort Extreme WiFi is standard on all configurations except for the 1.6 GHz model, so we only note models where it is not included.

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and ground shipping typically adds from $35 to $60. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order.

Store refurbished items may vary. Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toa Dan Knight .

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

2004: 17" 1.6 GHz, 1.8 GHz, 20" 1.8 GHz. Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme optional. nVidia GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics with 64 MB. 4x SuperDrive on 1.8 GHz models.
May 2005: 17" 1.8 GHz, 2.0 GHz, 20" 2.0 GHz. Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme standard. ATI Radeon 9600 with 128 MB. 8x SuperDrive on 2.0 GHz models.
Oct. 2005: 17" 1.9 GHz, 20" 2.1 GHz. Built-in iSight. ATI Radeon X600 graphics with 128 MB. 8x dual-layer SuperDrive on both models. PCI Express architecture. No modem.

Baucom Computers

site has been hacked

DV Warehouse

Ground shipping may add $42 or more.

17" 1.8 GHz Combo, 512/80, $399
17" 2.0 GHz SD, 512/160, $499
20" 1.8 GHz SD, 1 GB/160, $629
20" 2.0 GHz SD, 512/250, $649
20" 2.1 GHz isight SD, 1 GB/250, $699

LA Computer Company

LA Computer collects sales tax on orders shipped within California.

17" 1.8 GHz SD, 1.25 GB/80, $349
20" 2.0 GHz SD, 2 GB/250, $449

Mac in the Box

Ground shipping may add $35 or more.

17" 1.9 GHz iSight, 512/160, $525

Mac of All Trades

Ground shipping averages $40. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.

17" 1.8 GHz Combo, 1 GB/160, APX, $299.99
17" 1.9 GHz iSight SD, 1 GB/160, APX, $399.99
20" 1.8 GHz SD, 1 GB/160, $499.99

Mac-Pro

Ground shipping may add $40 or more.

17" 1.8 GHz SD, 512/80, $550
17" 2.0 GHz SD, 512/160, $977.77
17" 1.9 GHz iSight SD, 512/160, $997.77
20" 1.8 GHz, 1 GB/160/SD, $577.77
20" 2.1 GHz iSight, 512/250/SD, $1,177.77
Apple Remote, $9.77

MacResource

Ground shipping may add $45 or more.

17" 1.6 GHz Combo, 256/80, $399.99
17" 1.8 GHz SD, 256/80, $449.99
17" 2.0 GHz SD, 512/160, APX, $499.99
17" 1.9 GHz iSight SD, 512/160, $529.99
20" 1.8 GHz SD, 256/160, $499.99
20" 2.0 GHz SD, 512/160, $529.99

MegaMacs

Ground shipping may add $35 or more. 30 day warranty.

17" 1.8 GHz Combo, 512/250, $439.99
20" 1.8 GHz Combo, 1 GB/250, $559.99
20" 1.8 GHz SD, 1 GB/250, $689.99

Power Max 17" - 20"

Free ground shipping.

17" 1.8 GHz Combo, 1 GB/160, APX, no keyboard, $609 shipped
17" 2.0 GHz SD, 1 GB/160, APX, no keyboard, $659 shipped
17" 1.9 GHz iSight SD, 1.5 GB/160, APX, no keyboard, $649 shipped
20" 1.8 GHz SD 256/160, APX, no keyboard, $639 shipped
20" 2.0 GHz SD, 1 GB/80, APX, no keyboard, $709 shipped
20" 2.1 GHz iSight, 1.5 GB/250/SD, $749 shipped
many other configurations listed

We Love Macs

17" 1.8 GHz Combo, 256/80, $729.95
17" 1.9 GHz iSight SD, 512/160, $649.95
20" 1.8 GHz SD, 256/160, $629.95
20" 2.0 GHz SD, 1 GB/160, APX, BT, $999.95

We also track the iMac G4 deals and the Mac mini deals for those who don't need G5 power. For more power, see the Best Intel iMac Deals.

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