Free G3s and G4s - Macintosh Garden

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2013, July 25 - 4:03am

grawlix.computing

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Joined: 2009 Jun 1

Free G3s and G4s

I have 4 classic Macs available for the taking. Shipment should not be a problem, if you're willing to cover the carrier cost, and a few bucks for a can of spray foam. Standard USPS shipping to the continental U.S. is between $30 and $40, depending upon destination. That includes tracking, but no insurance.

All of the machines have seen some action, but I would describe them as more towards "good" than "fair," but definitely not pristine. I can send detailed pictures of specific machines if you're interested. Here's the list with some specs:

UPDATE 1: 3 of the 4 machines are gone. The Beige G3 is still available if someone wants to pay the shipping, which I would estimate to be about $45 in the continental U.S. I'm in the midwest and just shipped the G4, with $150 insurance to California for $40. The G3 is about 4 lbs heavier, so it will be just a bit more. Oh, and using spray foam as packing agent turns out to be a crappy idea.

UPDATE 2: I went ahead and listed the beige G3 on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Power-Macintosh-G3-266-Minitower-/121169350929
Wow! It sold 75 minutes after being listed.

Power Mac G3 (Beige)
Processor: PowerPC 750 (G3) 266 MHz
RAM Installed: 128 MB PC-66
RAM Slots Filled: 1 of 3
Video Card: IMS Twin Turbo (6 MB)
Hard Drive: 6 GB IDE
Optical Drive: 52x CD-ROM
Zip Drive: n/a
Floppy Drive: 1.44 MB
Ethernet: 10 Mbps
USB Ports: 0
Modem: n/a
Battery: 1/2 AA (New)
Mac OS: 8.0 to 10.2.8 (9.2.2 Installed)
Keyboard/Mouse: 3rd Party ADB
Weight: 36 lbs

This machine was apparently exposed to a damp environment at on point, because the external PCI slots show some corrosion. The inside is clean, however.

Power Mac G3 (Blue & White)
Processor: PowerPC 750 (G3) 300 MHz
RAM Installed: 128 MB PC-100
RAM Slots Filled: 1 of 4
Video Card: Rage 128 GL (16 MB)
Hard Drive: 6 GB IDE
Optical Drive: 32x CD-ROM
Zip Drive: 100 MB
Floppy Drive: n/a
Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps
USB Ports: 2
Modem: n/a
Battery: 1/2 AA (New)
Mac OS: 8.5.1 to 10.4.11 (9.2.2 Installed)
Keyboard/Mouse: 3rd Party USB
Weight: 32 lbs

There is a crack in the plastic side panel on this machine, from one of the hex mounting bolts to the corner. The defect is only cosmetic, and does not compromise the structural integrity of the case.

iMac G3 (Blueberry)
Processor: PowerPC 750 (G3) 350 MHz
RAM Installed: 128 MB PC-100
RAM Slots Filled: 2 of 2
Video Card: Rage 128 VR (8 MB)
Hard Drive: 8 GB IDE
Optical Drive: 24x CD-ROM (broken - eject motor belt too brittle?)
Zip Drive: n/a
Floppy Drive: n/a
Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps
USB Ports: 2
Modem: 56k
Battery: 1/2 AA (New)
Mac OS: 8.6 to 10.3.9 (9.2.2 Installed)
Keyboard/Mouse: Original USB
Weight: 36 lbs

~~There's a source on eBay that's selling slot-loader CD-ROMs for less than $13. I would be happy to install one in this iMac if you buy the part.~~

Power Mac G4 (AGP)
Processor: PowerPC 7400 (G4) 400 MHz
RAM Installed: 512 MB PC-100
RAM Slots Filled: 1 of 4
Video Card: Rage 128 Pro (16 MB)
Hard Drive: 10 GB IDE
Optical Drive: 52x CD-RW
Zip Drive: 100 MB
Floppy Drive: n/a
Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps
USB Ports: 2
Modem: 56k
Battery: 1/2 AA
Mac OS: 8.6 to 10.4.11 (9.2.2 Installed)
Keyboard/Mouse: 3rd Party USB
Weight: 32 lbs

Comments

2013, July 25 - 9:30pm

Nicolas Bahamondes

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Joined: 2011 Jun 16

Shipment to Chile?

Adding: I'm interested in the Power Mac G3 (Blue & White).

2013, July 26 - 3:08pm

(Reply to #2) #3

grawlix.computing

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Joined: 2009 Jun 1

Shipment to Chile?

I would have guessed it would be expensive to ship to Chile, but I'm surprised just how expensive. Using these criteria:

Destination: Santiago, Chile
Weight: 32 lbs
Dimensions: 21" x 14" x 18"
Declared Value: $50

Here are the price estimates from the big 4 carriers:

USPS: about $400
DHL: about $750
FedEx: about $850
UPS: about $850

Wow! I'm assuming that is more than you want to spend to obtain a 14 year old computer?

2013, July 25 - 9:21pm

nhannon9

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Joined: 2013 Jul 25

Hey grawlix, I'd love the blueberry, it would complete my collection as I've never got to have one, can you ship to Connecticut?

2013, July 25 - 11:07pm

(Reply to #3) #5

grawlix.computing

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Joined: 2009 Jun 1

I'd love the blueberry

Do you want me to put in a new slot-loading CD-ROM?

2013, July 25 - 11:06pm

grawlix.computing

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Joined: 2009 Jun 1

US Postal Service, 36 lbs, 21"x18"x18", tracking but no insurance:

To Hartford, CT: about $30
To Chile: about $500

I'm obviously looking into other options for Chile.

2013, July 25 - 11:43pm

Nicolas Bahamondes

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Joined: 2011 Jun 16

Thanks.

2013, July 26 - 5:31am

nhannon9

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Joined: 2013 Jul 25

Hi,

Thanks for your reply! Adding in the drive isn't needed, as I will probably take one out of a machine I already have to stick in it.

Anyway, I know this will probably not be possible, well, because it's $30, but is there any way you would be able to cover the costs? I just saw this post and I love the G3 line and created an account because it was worth a shot. If you can't do it, don't worry. It's no problem, I just haven't got the money to pay for shipping, but I've always wanted a blueberry. Thanks for your reply, and I hope you can do it. Like I said, if you can't, don't worry.

Thanks very much.

2013, July 26 - 7:19am

grawlix.computing

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Joined: 2009 Jun 1

I'm sorry, no. My over-arching goal in this project is to put this hardware into the hands of someone who values it, and will not just discard it when they tire of it. Unfortunately, I've found that a good way to insure that, and to weed out those that uncontrollably salivate at the sight of the word "free," is to have a nominal fee involved. In this case, it's abundantly reasonable that the recipient would pay the shipping after I've put the time in to vet and prep the machine.

2013, July 26 - 7:45am

(Reply to #8) #10

nhannon9

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Joined: 2013 Jul 25

Okay, fair enough.

Hope you find someone who is willing to take the machines. I'm to have the money to buy one soon enough, but at the time I do, this will probably be gone. I'll probably just purchase one off eBay.

Thanks again.

2013, July 30 - 5:23am

(Reply to #8) #11

grawlix.computing

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Joined: 2009 Jun 1

I've found that a good way to insure that, and to weed out those that uncontrollably salivate at the sight of the word "free," is to have a nominal fee involved.

I should have followed my own advice. At this point, my bet is that the Blue & White and the Blueberry are destined to be shoved in a closet, garage or backyard after the recipients figure out that "free computer" isn't going to let them play games on facebook.

If you're new to the world of Classic Macs, and have just received a free one from a concerned geek in Illinois, please post here and prove me wrong.

2013, July 26 - 3:53pm

#12

Euryale

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Joined: 2009 Jul 22

How about Cancún Mexico?
without the monitor.

2013, July 26 - 5:31pm

(Reply to #11) #13

grawlix.computing

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Joined: 2009 Jun 1

How about Cancún Mexico? without the monitor.

The only machine that has a monitor in this list is the iMac All-in-One, and that's (obviously) not seperable. I can do some price estimations if you like, but it'll most certainly be hundreds of (US) dollars to ship one of these machines out of the states.

If you want to do the estimations yourself, use Chicago IL as a shipping location. The weight is listed--either 32 or 36 lbs. The iMac will fit in an 18" cube, and the minitowers will fit in a 21" x 14" x 18" box. A declared value of $50 would both be accurate, and of little consequence to the overall shipping cost.

I hate to have to put these things up on eBay, but it's progressively looking like that's what will happen. Craigslist looks like a crappy option. I would have to wade through the people hoping for a handout, that would almost immediately decide the hardware is not worth anything to them and throw it in a ravine after it gets dark.

I swear, if I were to put up a wheel barrow full of burning horseshit into the free section on Craigslist, I would have someone there for it before it burnt out. Or, at least I would have someone calling me to ask if I would deliver it to them on the other side of the state. For some people, free is just not enough of a bargain.

2013, July 26 - 4:16pm

#14

Greatbob

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Joined: 2013 Jul 26

Any kind of international shipping is going to be expensive - I moved to the UK and it cost me nearly $500 to ship my desktop and flatscreen. That was Fedex air, but prior research had shown that other options (even non-air, so a month to arrive) weren't much cheaper.

While I'm not interested in one of these machines, I would like to ask a question: Does the Blue & White G3 have an ADP port? IIRC the wikipedia has that line as the last with it. This matters (to me, at least) because of N-Key rollover; I'll never forget when I moved from a 6100/66 to a G4 and couldn't play Mars Rising anymore.

2013, July 26 - 5:17pm

(Reply to #12) #15

grawlix.computing

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Joined: 2009 Jun 1

Does the Blue & White G3 have an ADP port?

It has a single ADB port, if that's what you're asking. The ports tab on this page has lots of good information.

2013, July 26 - 5:19pm

#16

Nicolas Bahamondes

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Joined: 2011 Jun 16

It's better I get out of this. Thanks anyway, Grawlix.

2013, July 26 - 5:31pm

(Reply to #14) #17

grawlix.computing

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Joined: 2009 Jun 1

Thanks for your interest Nicolas. If you're going to be in Illinois, shoot me an email. Maybe I can buy you lunch and give you a Macintosh.

2013, July 26 - 7:20pm

#18

rlawson

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Joined: 2009 Sep 3

hahah oh man the wheel barrow of burning horseshit made me blow coffee out my nose! Thanks for that!

If I didn't already have around 8 old macs, I'd take one but I am going to have to join old macs anonymous as is

2013, July 26 - 8:47pm

#19

Nicolas Bahamondes

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Joined: 2011 Jun 16

You're so kind. Thanks Maybe in a not-so-far future I could travel to Illinois.
In the meantime, I'll continue protecting my iMac G3 Blueberry and my iBook G3 Clamshell.

2013, July 27 - 6:48pm

#20

Cubist

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Joined: 2010 Mar 8

I'm interested in taking the G4 off your hands. I'm in California; US Postal Service charges at least $70 to deliver to my ZIP code from Chicago… FedEx ("end of day, 4 Business Days") charges a minimum of $45… UPS charges $178 and up. DHL is right out, of course. So it looks like FedEx would be the way to go. If your offer is still good, please to continue via private email; my address is [cubist[at]aol[dot]com].

2013, July 27 - 9:39pm

(Reply to #19) #21

grawlix.computing

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Joined: 2009 Jun 1

We can probably do it more cheaply than that through the U.S. Postal Service--particulars have been sent to your email.

2013, September 3 - 8:09am

#22

themacmeister

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Joined: 2009 Oct 26

The rear cover of the PCI slots in a Beige G3 (pizza box) rust so easily. Is not an issue if you don't have the rear of the computer on display.