In the early 1990s, we got the parents-in-law a Mac. It's been replaced since then, in 2001, with a $100 PowerMac. Then, about four years ago, I replaced it again with a $100 G3 Blue&White.

Still runs OS9, still works great, and support is perhaps 2-3 telephone conversations a year. Except when the printer hardware died -- that took a little longer to resolve, but OS9 compatible USB printers still exist, thank goodness.

If/when the mother-in-law finally gives in and wants more compatibility with the web and/or email attachments, we're going to put Ubuntu onto the G3, and tell her it's Mac OS/X.

Cheers