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I need a fast Mac
- Thread starter Lycanthrope
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You Can Never Have Too Much RAM.
You can never have too much ram. So adding 2GB instead of 4GB would be counter productive. Especially when the extra 2GB only cost $265.
Here's my story, maybe it'll help you. I'll outline my thinking/thoughts as I go along.
I recently switched over to the Apple camp. I have a Mac Mini, which I love, but it couldn't cut it as my main computer. I have an older fairly tricked-out gaming PC rig, P4 3Ghz, X800 video card, 1TB Raid0, couple megs of ram, tons of storage. It handled Vista with all of its eye candy with ease. After seeing that Vista was not going to meet my needs and just loving OSX, I decided to switch.
The iMac was a dead end for me. I didn't want a system that I couldn't upgrade down the road. The mini was too lightweight. That left only the Pro.
I debated on waiting for the 8 cores. I decided not to wait for a number of reasons:
1) God only knows when the new ones will be released. There's always something better around the corner when it comes to computers.
2) The clovertowns have been confirmed working in the current Pros. I can upgrade to octo-core if I feel the need to down the line.
3) I dig the cheese-grater look. Sexy, sexy beast. Mmmmm. Who knows if they will re-design for the next machine. Sure, it may be even sexier, but the devil you know, yada yada.
So, I went with the Pro with the ATI video card. I used aftermarket materials to bump it up to 3GB ram, and added 3 500GB drives. I already had a Dell 24" monitor. Upgrading the machine is a snap - the interior design is pure sex. Upgrading the ram and HDs took me literally 5 minutes, start to finish.
I love it. For single tasks, it doesn't feel that much faster than my gaming rig. If multitasks much better, naturally. I just love all of the OSX software, and have had no need to boot into Windows, even though I bought Parallels. I can easily add tons more ram, more hard drives, a new video card, and new processors.
Did I mention it's pure unadultered sex?
I recently switched over to the Apple camp. I have a Mac Mini, which I love, but it couldn't cut it as my main computer. I have an older fairly tricked-out gaming PC rig, P4 3Ghz, X800 video card, 1TB Raid0, couple megs of ram, tons of storage. It handled Vista with all of its eye candy with ease. After seeing that Vista was not going to meet my needs and just loving OSX, I decided to switch.
The iMac was a dead end for me. I didn't want a system that I couldn't upgrade down the road. The mini was too lightweight. That left only the Pro.
I debated on waiting for the 8 cores. I decided not to wait for a number of reasons:
1) God only knows when the new ones will be released. There's always something better around the corner when it comes to computers.
2) The clovertowns have been confirmed working in the current Pros. I can upgrade to octo-core if I feel the need to down the line.
3) I dig the cheese-grater look. Sexy, sexy beast. Mmmmm. Who knows if they will re-design for the next machine. Sure, it may be even sexier, but the devil you know, yada yada.
So, I went with the Pro with the ATI video card. I used aftermarket materials to bump it up to 3GB ram, and added 3 500GB drives. I already had a Dell 24" monitor. Upgrading the machine is a snap - the interior design is pure sex. Upgrading the ram and HDs took me literally 5 minutes, start to finish.
I love it. For single tasks, it doesn't feel that much faster than my gaming rig. If multitasks much better, naturally. I just love all of the OSX software, and have had no need to boot into Windows, even though I bought Parallels. I can easily add tons more ram, more hard drives, a new video card, and new processors.
Did I mention it's pure unadultered sex?
Here's my story, maybe it'll help you. I'll outline my thinking/thoughts as I go along.
I recently switched over to the Apple camp. I have a Mac Mini, which I love, but it couldn't cut it as my main computer. I have an older fairly tricked-out gaming PC rig, P4 3Ghz, X800 video card, 1TB Raid0, couple megs of ram, tons of storage. It handled Vista with all of its eye candy with ease. After seeing that Vista was not going to meet my needs and just loving OSX, I decided to switch.
The iMac was a dead end for me. I didn't want a system that I couldn't upgrade down the road. The mini was too lightweight. That left only the Pro.
I debated on waiting for the 8 cores. I decided not to wait for a number of reasons:
1) God only knows when the new ones will be released. There's always something better around the corner when it comes to computers.
2) The clovertowns have been confirmed working in the current Pros. I can upgrade to octo-core if I feel the need to down the line.
3) I dig the cheese-grater look. Sexy, sexy beast. Mmmmm. Who knows if they will re-design for the next machine. Sure, it may be even sexier, but the devil you know, yada yada.
So, I went with the Pro with the ATI video card. I used aftermarket materials to bump it up to 3GB ram, and added 3 500GB drives. I already had a Dell 24" monitor. Upgrading the machine is a snap - the interior design is pure sex. Upgrading the ram and HDs took me literally 5 minutes, start to finish.
I love it. For single tasks, it doesn't feel that much faster than my gaming rig. If multitasks much better, naturally. I just love all of the OSX software, and have had no need to boot into Windows, even though I bought Parallels. I can easily add tons more ram, more hard drives, a new video card, and new processors.
Did I mention it's pure unadultered sex?
Well there are four reasons why I'm waiting for the next version of the Mac Pro:
- Quad core option - if it's not too expensive then why not
- New design might be even better - and will be current for 5 years
- Leopard and iLife '07 on-board
- If the quad is too expensive and the new case not as nice or perhaps even Leopard still isn't released then there's a fair chance the pricing of the existing Pros will drop and it will be a great moment to get one anyway
Otherwise I'd get it today. For monitor I'd like an ACD, especially as they are about the same proce as the Dell equivalent here in Europe, but don't have the cash for that as well right now so I'll just borrow a cheapo flat-panel to use ad-interim.
I'll cerainly put the XT1900 GPU on it though.
Lycanthrope, you are of course correct - if you have the patience you should wait. I did not have that patience
I don't, that's the problem
I'm contenting myself with buying some peripherals - I just got mself an M-Audio Keystation 61es and I've ordered some Altec Lansing FX6021's
I think my mate has a 21" LCD he's not using, I'll blag that off him to use until I can afford the ACD...
Lycanthropem, you're probably a bit like me. Deep down I know that an iMac would probably do pretty much everything I want at an excellent speed, but I still want (and plan to get) a Mac Pro.
The opportunity to own arguably the best looking computer on the planet (inside and out) is too good to pass up. Just tell yourself what I keep telling myself, that it makes good sense to have a computer that can be expanded and upgraded and a separate monitor is also a good thing (should it ever pack up). iMacs look fantastic, but I'm not a fan of "combination computers" where everything is "under one roof" - however fine they look to the eye.
My Mac Mini G4 is 2 years old now and although my (original Core Duo) MacBook is much better than the Mini in apps like iPhoto I want my main computer to be my workhorse. So, if anyone from Apple is reading this (and let's face it, they haven't got anything else to be doing right now so they might be ) get on and upgrade the Mac Pro. Oh and while you're at it Leopard would be nice... and how about cleaning my car........
Ok, I admit it, so I'm trying to convince myself so I won't feel too guilty when I buy my Mac Pro because like you, my friend, it's going to happen!! Just accept it and move on
The opportunity to own arguably the best looking computer on the planet (inside and out) is too good to pass up. Just tell yourself what I keep telling myself, that it makes good sense to have a computer that can be expanded and upgraded and a separate monitor is also a good thing (should it ever pack up). iMacs look fantastic, but I'm not a fan of "combination computers" where everything is "under one roof" - however fine they look to the eye.
My Mac Mini G4 is 2 years old now and although my (original Core Duo) MacBook is much better than the Mini in apps like iPhoto I want my main computer to be my workhorse. So, if anyone from Apple is reading this (and let's face it, they haven't got anything else to be doing right now so they might be
) get on and upgrade the Mac Pro. Oh and while you're at it Leopard would be nice... and how about cleaning my car........Ok, I admit it, so I'm trying to convince myself so I won't feel too guilty when I buy my Mac Pro because like you, my friend, it's going to happen!! Just accept it and move on
Good argument. But the way I see it is now they have core 2 duo. New week they'll have core 3 duo. Then 4, 5, 6 7, 8, 9, and so on. There's no end to the upgrades. The guy at the apple store said they're now inventing extended or something like that. So there's no end.
Just get enough for now and wory about horse power until you really need it in a few years.
Thanks,
ivnj
Just get enough for now and wory about horse power until you really need it in a few years.
Thanks,
ivnj
Generally I would tend to go with that but the possibility to get an 4CD for the price of a 2CD or alternatively a lower price for the 2CD is so close that I think it's worth the wait.
Perhaps they'll announce the 4CD's at this up and coming event and already drop the pricing on the 2CD's - would make sense because I can imagine Mac Pro sales are stagnant right now...
Ill take my now 3.2GHz C2D Hackintosh over your 1.8GHz Macbook anyday of the week. God Bless Zalman coolers.
They may never have 4 cores or more. Infact they may even switch the names.
Moron for beginners, expertz for the more advanced.
Ok bad joke, sorry. Just kidding.
But the point is my Pismo is 6 years old and I can still reply this thread here.
So at least for travel if it's still doing the job why upgrade. C2D is great, but just for web browsing and E-Mail.
So if I decide to do any heavy games or Video in the GB with 3D and heavy stuff then I wory about it then.
Thanks,
ivnj
Moron for beginners, expertz for the more advanced
. Ok bad joke, sorry. Just kidding.
But the point is my Pismo is 6 years old and I can still reply this thread here.
So at least for travel if it's still doing the job why upgrade. C2D is great, but just for web browsing and E-Mail.
So if I decide to do any heavy games or Video in the GB with 3D and heavy stuff then I wory about it then.
Thanks,
ivnj
That's really not that impressive. Of course you would be able to, a Pismo is still officially supported by the current Mac OS. You can reply to these threads on something twice as old running Mac OS 7, if you wanted to.
Um no you can't. Cuz something twice as old won't run OSX. And OS 7 through 9 classic doesn't have a browser that will work on most of today's sites. IE is not supported anymore and is based on an outdated engine. So it is no good anymore. And Icab is the only one still being updated now adays. But it keeps saying my trial has expired.
So OSX 10.3.9 or higher is the only way to browse here properly.
Thanks,
ivnj
So OSX 10.3.9 or higher is the only way to browse here properly.
Thanks,
ivnj
Yeah indeed, I am running a [H]ac now too, until Apple releases machines with real specs, not "pro" machines that are 6 months out of date.
yeah i know...ive got 2 hd's in my pismo. one internal 60gb and 1 12 gig in the expansion bayBut the Pismo can take 2 Hard drives!
Um, yes you can. And not using iCab either.
But the Pismo can take 2 Hard drives!
So can any laptop for which a third party makes an expansion bay hard drive. At one time you could get them for 3400s, 1400s, 5300s, 190s, even the 500 series.
I think it's far more impressive that the Pismos can take two batteries.
Yeah, I love the two battery option. Man talk about long lived for 10+ hours for a lappy!
Well, if you're running Mac OS 7.6.1, Netscape 4.8, Opera 5, and Internet Explorer 5 will all allow you to post to MacRumors. There may be more that I haven't tried before.
What does that have to do with posting to MacRumors, which you said you were impressed that your Pismo could do, and insisted that I couldn't do from Mac OS 7, unless I was using iCab, to which I responded by naming three non-iCab browsers anyone can use with Mac OS 7?
Thanks,
dpaanlka