Apple Macs

[KITT]

Being a Windows person I'm not at all familiar with these computers but the company I work for is looking at expanding our product range by developing for them.

We're looking to buy a cheap Mac to start developing on (we're a small company of 6 people). Can anyone tell me what would be best for around £600-£700 max? I see you can get a brand new eMac for this or a second hand PowerPC. To me the PowerPCs for this range don't look as powerful as the eMac but I could be wrong here. Any pointers as to what to go for?

[m-five]

I would look for a 1ghz G4 on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2796115404&category=4607) as it has a proper video card as well and you can run OS-X (which is the current operating system).

[Bacardi]

If you only have that kind budget it becomes Hobson's choice. The eMac is fine, though no speed freak by to-days standards but I imagine fine for dipping your toe in the water and typing code.

You could also try and pick up a bargain here:

http://promo.euro.apple.com/promo/refurb/uk/

HTH

[sjg]

eMac would suit you fine, or www.cancomuk.com are selling refurb G4 towers (and all sorts of other stuff) if you want a separate monitor. Boggo 650 quid eMac would be plenty quick enough though, spend the change on some more memory.

If you're looking secondhand, pick up the current issue of MacUser magazine - they have a big buyer's guide in this issue.

[maddog[uk]]

You will need some software to make it talk to your windows boxes. We use DAVE or AdmitMAC by thursby. www.thursby.com. Its money well spent, trust me, we have 3000 windows boxes and 20 macs and this solved the issues we had making them talk to each other.

regards

Simon