n00b here.. IMAC vs G5 vs PBG4..

[jova007]

Hey guys.. my PC at home is outdated.. its running an old Pentium 2... it has served me very very well.. but it is time to let it go..

Im not new to Macs OS's or programs.. I've been using a Powermac for years at work.. OS9 and currently OSX .. (Graphic Designer) .. BUT I know nothing of the specs involved because our administrators at work do not let us fiddle with any system settings..

Im gonna buy a MAC tonight or tomorrow.. i've been researching andd heres what I have concluded.. based on my decision off of my work Power MAC..

My work PowerMac G4 is a 1.25 GHz with 1.25 GB DDR SDRAM.. an Im very happy with it. VERY.. its fast enough for my photo editing and graphics... but I cant find one for sale or on Ebay..

So im gonna buy one of these tonight.. but have a few questions because Im still a Mac n00b..

OPTION 1:
Imac G5 2.0Ghz 20". (I will upgrade RAM to 2 gig myself)
Questions:
- Is the TFT screen any worse and the Apple Cinema display versions? Will I regret this later on down the road. Im very picky about detail.. (Heavy Graphics Design/Photos)
- This should be enough processing power right? Compared to my work PMG4?

OPTION 2:
Refurbished Power Mac G5 Dual 2GH from APPLE..
Questions:
- Do I really need a Dual Processor? (I wont be doing anything other than Photo edits and design work.. no 3D or Music..) Is it overkill?

OPTION 3:
Refurbished Powerbook 15-inch 1.5GHz Combo Drive from APPLE..
- Whats the difference between Combo Drive / Super Drive?
- Can I hook up my current flatscreen CRT monitor at home to this unit? Or does it have to be Apple?

Im leaning very much towards the 3 because portability is key.. but I can live without it if the G5 is THAT much more powerful...

Well sorry for the long reply.. Im very behind on my photo edits and my phot shoots.. and have 2-3 clients waiting for thier Xmas portraits .. so I will be making a buy tonight or tomorrow...

Many thanks in advance!

 

[gwuMACaddict]

iMac

hands down

get an iMac

 

[iGary]

iMac

 

[katie ta achoo]

the G5 will be a HUGE difference from the G4 you're currently working on. I'd get the iMac, and then save up for a 12" iBook/PowerBook if you REALLY need a portable computer.

IMO, the PB G4 will be too slow for you. The G5 is just.. nuts.

 

[gwuMACaddict]

...unless you can find a ][e...

 

[edesignuk]

If portability is "key", then get the PB. I have an iMac G5 1.8Ghz and a PowerBook 1.5GHz, and honestly see very little speed difference between them (though maybe the 2GHz iMac is significantly faster ). Just make sure you fill the PB up with RAM and you'll be set.

To answer your PB questions...

Combo drive = CD-RW/DVD-ROM
SuperDrive = DVD-RW and CD-RW

You can plug just about any monitor you like in to the PowerBook.

 

[jova007]

Thank you thank you thank you.. ou guys have made my purchase more enjoyable..

I think I will be getting the Imac.. I was just worried about the screen resolution not being as good as it can be.. being a "consumer" model and all.. not tht it really matters to me.. I just need POWER to process 18meg photo files if needed.

Well thanks guys.. keep them coming.. I still have a few hours left of work before charging my new MAC..

 

[Chundles]

nitpick

Mac, not MAC
iMac, not Imac
PowerMac, not Power MAC

/nitpick

OK, for the money, the iMac is possibly the best computer Apple makes. It will be a huge jump up in speed from your current G4 and the 20" screen is gorgeous in the new version (with built-in iSight).

The PowerMac will be more expandable and upgradeable in terms of video cards and you can plug any monitor you like into it.

The PowerBook will also let you plug in another display and the portability can't be beaten however the other two machines will stomp it for speed.

I'd go with the iMac.

 

[iGary]

Thank you thank you thank you.. ou guys have made my purchase more enjoyable..

I think I will be getting the Imac.. I was just worried about the screen resolution not being as good as it can be.. being a "consumer" model and all.. not tht it really matters to me.. I just need POWER to process 18meg photo files if needed.

Well thanks guys.. keep them coming.. I still have a few hours left of work before charging my new MAC..

What does "process" mean? If you want to huge sets of batch actions, you will be disappointed. If you want to do minor retouching, you'll be fine. Good idea on the RAM.

Are these 18MB Photoshop files or 18MP images?

 

[jova007]

What does "process" mean? If you want to huge sets of batch actions, you will be disappointed. If you want to do minor retouching, you'll be fine. Good idea on the RAM.

Are these 18MB Photoshop files or 18MP images?

I dont batch process.. i actually hate it.. I process photos and files individually.
And these are 18Meg Photoshop files.. but are 8 meg files straight out of my camera.

 

[dragula53]

my .02

The Imac 20" apparently has a better display than the 20% cinema display.

your screen real estate will be the same as a powermac with a 20" except better.

you will have a slower bus speed, and only a single processor. But unless you plan on spending considerably more, your screen will be fine.

 

[adam-uk]

Get the memory bumped up, get the 20" new imac, which comes with better graphics, hell I love mine the screen is blemish free and by far the best one I've ever used.

I guess its a half-way house between the portable laptop and the powerful tower macs. Its powerful, slim and easy to move, did I mention you'll love working on it due to its looks and feel?

heh, good luck with your choice

 

[iGary]

I dont batch process.. i actually hate it.. I process photos and files individually.
And these are 18Meg Photoshop files.. but are 8 meg files straight out of my camera.

The iMac is a PERFECT machine for you, if you do not have to have portability.

That or do what Katie said and get an iBook for location shooting, which is what I do.

 

[jova007]

Awesome.. thanks guys/gals for the replies..

Im gonna purchase the refurbed model from Apple.. and 2x1gb sticks of ram from 18004memory.com.

Woo.. cant wait to get it..

 

[jova007]

**UPDATE**

Well thanks guys for all the advice earlier.. heres what Im typing on right now..!!!

Brand New iMac G5 20 Inch 2.1Ghz with 1gig of ram. The screen is gorgeous.. and the best part? I ran into a friend at Apple and he worked there.. he hooked me up with his 15% discount and a free $169 Apple Care Protection Plan..

So man I really cant complain..

Thanks again guys.. loving the iMac..

 

[kretzy]

**UPDATE**

Well thanks guys for all the advice earlier.. heres what Im typing on right now..!!!

Brand New iMac G5 20 Inch 2.1Ghz with 1gig of ram. The screen is gorgeous.. and the best part? I ran into a friend at Apple and he worked there.. he hooked me up with his 15% discount and a free $169 Apple Care Protection Plan..

So man I really cant complain..

Thanks again guys.. loving the iMac..

Congrats on the new Mac! I'm sure it's making you very happy....now if only I could convince mum to buy an iMac

 

[joepunk]

Well, congratulations on purchasing you new computer w/those great discounts from your friend.

And don't forget to consider an iBook for travel purposes. I might consider an older G3 iBook for when I go to Europe next year. That is if I purchase a Nikon D50 by then.

Well, have a blast w/your new computer.

 

[adam-uk]

**UPDATE**

Well thanks guys for all the advice earlier.. heres what Im typing on right now..!!!

Brand New iMac G5 20 Inch 2.1Ghz with 1gig of ram. The screen is gorgeous.. and the best part? I ran into a friend at Apple and he worked there.. he hooked me up with his 15% discount and a free $169 Apple Care Protection Plan..

So man I really cant complain..

Thanks again guys.. loving the iMac..

maaan thats nice! Free applecare. Im sure ur glad you bought the new series of the imac, the extra Ghz, Graphics, etc.

Enjoy as i have!

Nice buy!

 

[Counterfit]

Free stuff and/or discounts = teh win.

 

[katie ta achoo]

**UPDATE**

Well thanks guys for all the advice earlier.. heres what Im typing on right now..!!!

Brand New iMac G5 20 Inch 2.1Ghz with 1gig of ram. The screen is gorgeous.. and the best part? I ran into a friend at Apple and he worked there.. he hooked me up with his 15% discount and a free $169 Apple Care Protection Plan..

So man I really cant complain..

Thanks again guys.. loving the iMac..

They never let me use their discount..

but! enjoy the mac!! Time to update your sig, man.

 

[wkw]

you got a great deal. enjoy the iMac!

 

[lucface]

Congrats on the new Mac! I'm sure it's making you very happy....now if only I could convince mum to buy an iMac

dude, i know! ive been trying to hook up my mom for a wile. i gave her my old titanium, bought her an airport card, and gave her one of my wireless routers. for christmas im giving her "Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual" and lessons(pesonal).

 

[mikaelrules]

nitpick

Mac, not MAC
iMac, not Imac
PowerMac, not Power MAC

/nitpick

Actually there's supposed to be a space in Power Mac.

 

[ortuno2k]

Enjoy your new iMac. I have the model previous to the current (iSight) and I absolutely love it. It was my first Mac too, so I'm very[/] happy with it.