Dual Core G5 or intel iMac

[Convoy]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I've recently sold my G4 mini to a friend, and am going to upgrade my main machine. Currently, I'm using a stock 1.33 ghz iMac. I used to work at a small newspaper, and was able to do the layout, photo retouching, and ad creation on my G4 867 12" Powerbook G4.

I'm still working in publishing, and I have a PeeCee to do the heavy lifting at work, but I need something with oomph at home.

I do some freelance desktop publishing, design, and photo manipulation. I make decent money every month, but its not my bread and butter. I just bought a new Sony camcorder so I can get back into video editing. It's been ages since I've used FCP or Premiere, so I'd need to work my way back into those programs.

I have a 19" CRT and 17" CRT. I eventually want to upgrade to LCDs to use with the new machine.

I'm considering:

1) Refurb 20" intel iMac. I'd boost the ram to 2 GB and buy one of these LCDs to make an extended desktop. The total price of this package would be about $2K.

2)Refurb G5 2.3 DP from Smalldog. I can get one for $2150 shipped. Then, toss in 2 gigs of memory. The cost here would be about $2350-$2400. (I'd need a VGA-Mini-DV adaptor.)

What's the catch?

I have a huge trip coming up in July. The computer needs to be paid off by June 1 so the CC is clear. Also, I tend to update machines every 2 years or so. Ideally, in late 2007/early 2008, I'd update this powerbook to an intel. then, the desktop would get updated in late 2008/early 2009.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[dmw007]

Being a owner of a 2.3GHz DP Power Mac G5 I would have to recommend that you go with option #2. The Power Mac G5 is faster and more expandable.

 

[leekohler]

Being a owner of a 2.3GHz DP Power Mac G5 I would have to recommend that you go with option #2. The Power Mac G5 is faster and more expandable.

I second that. I just got (today) a dual core G5 and it's awesome to say the least. And you can expand it to 16 Gb RAM. Do the G5 tower.

 

[Demoman]

I have seen many dual PM's at very good prices ($1600-$1900). E-Bay has some good deals and so do local classified ads. I have a PM 2.0 x 2 that I am typing on right now. I use the entire FCS Suite, Adobe Suite, Macromedia Suite. Sitting right next to it I have a G5 2.5 x 4. It has the same SW configuration. I use either one because both are great machines. The reason I have two is because when I am doing high quality video compression, I can bring 6 processors and 16 GB of RAM to the show. Point is, any deal you can find on a dual G5 is a good deal. Memory upgrades for the older G5's are pretty reasonable too (especially if you see this as a two year-type of investment. The 256M & 512M chips can be found pretty cheap).

In short, I would not hesitate to jump on any PM dual 2.0 or better. I keep my eye out for great deals now, even though I have two. I plan to buy another machine by year's end. Like almost everyone, I am just waiting to see what the Intel quad offering looks like. I also have a Mini and a G4 1.5 Powerbook. I am also going to get a new PB when the 17" is available. Damn I love these machines! It is a good thing they do not come as a suppository.

 

[QCassidy352]

I say refurb dual 2.7 Ghz from apple. $2150, same cost as the dual core 2.3, and it will crush either that or the imac.

 

[Convoy]

I say refurb dual 2.7 Ghz from apple. $2150, same cost as the dual core 2.3, and it will crush either that or the imac.

Apple's out of the 2.7. I thought about grabbing one of those, then tossing an X800T in it this summer. Smalldog also has this deal. 2.5 DP with 4 gigs of ram for $2339.

I wish the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue knew when they were having their refurb sale... They say it's the last weekend of the month, but when I called today, they weren't sure if that meant this weekend or next weekend.