I'm not entirely happy with my computer situation... I've got a PowerBook G4 that's got a severely fucked up screen, and an iBook which has a functional screen, but has a loose harddrive that becomes disconnected if I carry it around the wrong way (and will only reattach if I bang the whole thing the right way). Fixing either of them is out of the question, since it's not cost effective.
Basically, I want something faster than my iBook (600MHz G3, 256MB of RAM), and a decent sized screen (say, at least 1280x960), preferrably an LCD. It would be nice to have a SuperDrive, but that's not essential. Right now, I'm trying to decide between the following options:
- Get an external 19" monitor and keyboard for my PowerBook. Use it with the display shut, and forget the fact that it's a laptop.... cost: <$300
- Buy an iMac with a 17" LCD.... cost: $1500 for a refurbished 17" iMac with SuperDrive
- Buy a 12" PowerBook and a monitor... cost: $1200 for a refurbished 12" PBG4 1GHz + $600 for a 17" Apple Cinema Display
- Buy a 15" PowerBook cost: $1500-1900 refurbished
The problem with getting a new machine is that I'll still have two semi-functional (but unsellable) laptops. Besides, the first option is the only financially sound option I have, unless I come across a hidden stash of cash somewhere. Or maybe I can get my grandma to sell those 150 shares of AAPL that she bought me for ~$18/share, and is now worth ~$32/share. Oh, and I wonder what happened to my tax returns... Hmmm... Sometimes being poor isn't so cool.
