If it's any consolation I'd probably run the G4 800 and go wooh a lot because I always wanted one when they came out but this was a period with no funds available for me.
As for computer recycling, their objective is simply to get someone to pay them to take the hardware away and then get someone to pay to take the hardware off them. The only loss is when you have to send it off to be properly recycled under WEEE regs.
Lump sum purchase is a good point however. It's not easy to come across £250 for a lot of people.
Anyway certainly very off topic! I hope the PCI USB card works out
