Even if it's just fine except for the small hard drive or slow processor, you will probably do better to buy a more recent Mac than to upgrade the hard drive or processor. You are buying a computer system, not just a computer. This strategy doesn't work so well. Small differences in CPU performance and features that most buyers won't get value from often translate into large differences in price. Also, CPU prices jerk down in large amounts at unpredictable intervals.
Peripheral prices tend to be much more stable.
If you're a little short, wait a month or two and the CPU will drop in price to meet your budget. For more on these topics, see my recent BMUG column in Microtimes . Copyright 1998 by Sam Penrose. All rights reserved.