[BlueSkyJaunte]

I have a 24" with the Core2 Duo processor in it. It runs like a dream. And the screen is GORGEOUS.

I have a Mac Mini with a Core Duo processor in it. Runs pretty well, makes for a good DVD player replacement.

I have an iMac G5 17" that is a screaming (as in, loud as hell) POS. It's with Apple right now, while they try to reproduce the overheating problem I've had since they replaced the whole motherboard 3 weeks ago to fix a known "bulging capacitors" issue.

I have an aluminum PowerBook G4 that was a crash-o-matic for a year until I finally got Apple to replace the motherboard. After that it has run flawlessly despite my wife dropping it multiple times and dripping yogurt on it, and my kid either tearing all the keys off or shoving pennies in the CD slot.

So, my experience says if you stay away from G5-powered machines, you'll do fine. The only way to get one of those is to buy a used computer.