In a move somewhat similar to the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program, some enterprising Mac users have suggested the One Used Mac Per Child program.  Having used my share of used Macs and discarded more than my fair share of computers and electronic devices, this looks like a useful and practical idea.

My efforts in this area have been limited to rescuing Macs (and non-Macs) from the trash for personal use, and rehabbing a pair of iMac G3s for a couple friends.  My only suggestion is to include graduate students (OUMPGS?); they may benefit the most from such a program.

Some discussion of the topic:

• Solving the e-waste dilemma with One Used Mac Per Child
• One Used Mac Discussion Group
• One Used Mac Can Make a Difference

Earlier this week I welcomed a new member to my pile of computers. This newest (and heaviest) system is one of the highly coveted ‘desk lamp’ iMac G4s. System specs are as follows:

• 1.25 GHz G4
• 1.25 GB RAM (post acquisition upgraded from 768 MB)
• 80 GB HDD
• 17″ (1440×900) widescreen LCD
• SuperDrive
• AirPort Extreme (added post acquisition)

So, this iMac would the penultimate G4 iMac, bested only by the similarly-equipped 20″ G4 iMac with the obvious exception of the 20″ 1680×1050 LCD display. This is the only iMac I currently own, previous iMacs were limited to the G3 15″ CRT iMacs.

With the addition of the iMac my Apple tally comes to eight:

The iMac has helped the G4 contingent make a strong showing in this random metric:

Analysis: The 68000-based Macs are going to have to greatly increase their numbers if there is any hope in rivaling the G4 or Intel Macs. The PowerPC-based Mac could conceivably form a coalition with the G4-based Macs to help push them closer to the top of the pile.

For those coveting my new iMac I’ll let you know how I obtained it and how you might: I had the good fortune to negotiate the acquisition of the iMac for the sum of an Epson photo scanner and an Epson photo printer. You don’t have a printer and/or a scanner that you’re willing to part with? You’re in luck. In a recent episode of The RetroMacCast it was made known that these G4 iMacs occasionally show up on the curb (much like my Trash Server). So, keep an eye out and you too could find yourself as fortunate as me.