A Rotten Apple

Got a call from the Mac service center and was informed that the Logic Card on my iBook G4 is had to be replaced and its warranty had expired. That would mean approximately 900USD just for the repair. I was infuriated to say the least. We bought the iBook G4 in May 04for 2500SGD and now they are telling me that the CPU has crashed beyond repair. #*)&@. So much for my good impression of Apple products. Well at least the hard disk can still be salvaged. Alot of Mei Xi's photo in her first two months are in there and has not been backed up.

Now I am left with the following options:

1. Repair the iBook G4 for 900USD.
2. Get a new iBook G4 for 1000+USD.
3. Get a iMac Mini for 500USD (at least I can salvage the Airport Express) and transfer the hard disk info into the new iMac Mini.
4. Give up on Apple and get a Intel machine instead.

I am currently looking into option 3 and 4. 3 because it is still within budget and iMac Mini is quite cool. 4 because I am very disappointed with Apple and should never have migrated to them. But not sure if I can salvage the Apple hard disk which might not be compatible with PC hard disk. Still thinking about my options.......Grrrr.