I have 2 iMac G3s, both "Indigo" - One Summer 2000, the other Early 2001. They both need minor work doing to them, but the trouble is that I don't know about how to get spares. Sure I could butcher 2 other iMacs and steal their speakers and plastics (the main issues with both machines), but I was wondering if there was any way of sourcing 'New' versions of these parts? The main point being, does anyone (Preferably in Australia) make replacement Plastics/Speakers for these machines or is there some stock of old spares somewhere? I see no sense in butchering 4 iMacs only to end with 2 'Working' machines. The other issue is that one has visible burn in on the CRTs and I was wondering if perhaps there was somewhere to source a new CRT from? Any and all help/advice is appreciated.
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I think that "butchering" is your best option.
Aside from ebay, there's a few places that sell iMac internal parts, like welovemacs.com, but the $30 they charge for an internal speaker pair could possibly source you an entire iMac locally.
I don't know what resources you have available in Aus, but here in Canada I'd be hitting the local dump (even though you can't officially remove items from the dump, they sometimes turn a blind eye); and posting a wanted ad on Kijiji, a free (and far superior) Craigslist equivalent.
And there's the wanted forum here and at the 68kmla.
I suppose when it comes down to it, If I was to buy a whole machine, I would probably buy either a B/W G3 or a G4 tower of any variant. That way I could still use my Existing Pro Keyboard and Mouse (I worked so hard to get them), as well as a monitor and speakers of my choice. It seems a more logical and longer lasting choice then repairing a couple of iMacs which were both second hand when I got them. Any advice on which G3/G4 towers were the better of the lot?
I love my B&W G3. Pretty much the only variants are the processor and the optional SCSI card (usually found in the B&W server). I've also had good luck with Quicksilvers and Quicksilver 2002s. Spring for a dual processor model if you can find one.
Yikes, Sawtooth, Digital Audio and Gigabit are the grey "pinstripe" models. Externally they are very similar, but many of the internal parts are not interchangeable. If you intend to swap parts around, make absolutely certain they're the same model.
MDDs are VERY LOUD. The fans run constantly, and the technology wasn't there yet to spin the fans down (like in the G5s and Mac Pros) when all that airflow isn't necessary. They're quick machines (especially the dual core models), but all that fan noise gives me a headache. Also, they tend to fry logic boards an processors easily.
On just about all the G3/G4s, there are some fairly simple hacks to replace a dead PSU with a standard ATX power supply. Only downside, really, is that an ATX does not supply the 28V used to power an ADC monitor. Unless you *need* the 28V in the ADC video connector, I'd recommend saving hassle and money looking for a factory PSU and just go ATX when the time comes.
If you go for a B&W G3, make sure it's the later revision with the improved IDE bus.
I think you'll be happy with any of the G4 series. Each revision has its own benefits and quirks.
Digital Audios maintain that nice Graphite look of the Sawtooth, but have a faster 133MHz bus.
The Quicksilvers and Mirror-doors can be noisy, but a little modding and fan swapping can fix that.
I will wait and see what happens but I think that this Summer (Australian Summer) I will offload my iMacs (or at least one of them) and find myself a late model B&W G3 or a Mid Model G4 (something like a Digital Audio would be nice). I suppose I might be able to pick something up at the local Schools computer sale (They were still getting rid of G3 machines up until last year). Anyway I suppose its a case of waiting and seeing what happens. Also, any more advice is still welcome - and thanks to those who have helped so far.
hello swinsor,
just a bit thought loud by myself.....
New Zealand and Australia were both formerly active in Commonwealth.... so probably the transportcost between New Zealand and Australia is probably still affordable....
and in New Zealand there are several local Apple Communities still active.... probably it might be a good idea to do some internet research for them and get in contact with the Kiwi´s.... maybe that expanding your limit of search to New Zealand might solve some problems.....
sincerely speedyG
I had a look at shipping from Kiwi land for something else a while back, it was ridiculously high. Although with a small local user base (The local Apple store opened the day the white Macbooks were discontinued - Last year sometime?) it is hard to track local parts, so your right in thinking that international may well be the way to go. Also, with the size of Australia, it can occasionally be cheaper to ship from NZ then from say, Perth (I'm west of Sydney).
hello swinsor,
just did some research along with International Apple Core ( International Apple User groups )
and collected the following User groups active in Australia ( Mac-related )
and New Zealand:
http://www.apple.com/nz/usergroups/
http://www.appleusers.co.nz/index.php
http://www.welmac.org.nz/
http://www.appleusers.org/mug-listings/
http://www.nzmac.com/features/macs-in-new-zealand/user-groups.html
http://www.hawkesbay-appleusers.org.nz/index.html
http://www.appleforums.net/forum/australia-nz-dedicated-apple-forum/
http://www.ausom.net.au/
http://www.apple-q.org.au/
http://www.mactalk.com.au/forum.php
http://hbmug.com/resources
http://www.clubmac.org.au/
I guess these links are worth a short examination and probably a entry in the related forums....
sincerely speedyG
For spare parts, you might try dropping an email to PowerMax. (http://www.powermax.com)
They deal in used Macs and likely have a bunch of defunct units and/or spare parts.
If nothing else, they might be able to point you in the right direction for parts.
Good luck!