Is a used 170 worth it?

[Pete Helgren <Pete@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Sorry for the duplicate post.....I sent the original with the wrong 
profile and it may be delayed for "administrative approval"....

I have a customer that is willing to give me a used Model 170 (V4R5M0)

that is "surplus" to them for the cost of shipping.  Initially I  
thought, sure!  But I began to wonder about the cost and the lifespan of 
the model.  I have been pretty actively moving to RPG IV and using Java 
and other Open Source technologies on the iSeries.  I don't want to 
invest in something that will quickly dead-end.

Things I was thinking about:  What OS version is supported on the 170? 
What would be the cost to purchase the OS and get it on SW maintenance?  
It has an integrated PC server.  What version of OS is supported in the 
integrated PC ? (running WinNT right now....)

Anyway, I know it has useful life left (given the number of recent posts 
about 170's....), but if I want it to be current OS-wise, I just wonder 
what the cost would be.  Entry level i5's are *relatively* cheap and 
they rock!

Any WAG's on what it would cost and what the downside would be?

Thanks,

Pete Helgren