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New Intel iMac or G5 Quad?

C

CrazyIvan

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 29, 2006
14
0
Hello everyone!

This is my first post here and I'm starting right off with a question. I work in a small communication agency as a graphic designer. Recently, we took the desicion to upgrade our production machines. Now, here is the trick, we can't get any definitive say on buying either the new Intel iMac (faster and open for future software development) or Quad G5 (more suitable for studio production but on the verge of extinction). Knowing that we are used to work on large Photoshop files, what do you think is the best option? Any input from you guys would be welcomed!

Juan
 
Without a doubt go for the Power Mac G5 Quad. That machine is nowhere near extinction. The PowerPC architecture will be long-supported for a while to come. And plus, you mentioned you are used to working with large Photoshop files. That right there says to get the Quad, since the Adobe suite is not Universal yet, and most likely won't be until early 2007.

Hope that helps! :)
 
yes, quad for sure. Adobe CS is not universal yet, and may not be for a while. So performance on the imac is not going to be that great for some time now. And even if CS were universal, the quad would still blow the imac out of the water. Intel doesn't have anything as fast as the quad yet. Don't let Steve's RDF influence you too much. The core duo is a great chip, but faster than the quad? Nowhere close.

PPC will be supported for a few years at the least. Get the quad and be very happy. :)
 
i think i would get an imac just to buy time until the intel powermac comes out.
 
Juan, the decision is NOT between the iMac and the Quad. The decision is between a G5 Dualcore or Quad now, and an intel MacPro Tower machine in (6 - 8 - 12 months) when both the intel Pro machine is released and Adobe has released (and tested) the Universal Binaries.

If you absolutely need to have a machine now, and can't decide on the G5 Quad, then spend $14-1600 on a closeout iMac G5 17" or 20" (not a intel) and reassign that machine or sell it off when the "real" intel Pro machines arrive.

Today, the iMac intel running Photoshop under Rosetta is not a step ahead of your existing G4 towers with CRT monitors you have calibrated and are used to. Photoshop performance is compromised by Rosetta, and the LCD, while bright and attractive, is not as colour-accurate as you want for longterm professional PS work.

If you have the cash to be considering the Quad, you're also considering a high-quality colour-accurate monitor. The iMac isn't it.
 
DON'T get Intel for as long as Adobe has to be run under emulation (Rosetta). Get a PowerPC iMac or Power Mac.
 
Go with the PPC. You will be much happier today. In a couple of years when everything is UB, then transition. I can't imagine somebody in graphic arts, who relies on a computer to pay the bills, considering moving to Intel at this time.
 
Wow! Thanks for all the replys!

Yeah, it seems that the decision for us right now would be if we want to make a long term or short term investment. CanadaRAM, you make good point also on monitor accurency. Thanks everyone and keep it coming!

Juan
 
CrazyIvan said:
Wow! Thanks for all the replys!

Yeah, it seems that the decision for us right now would be if we want to make a long term or short term investment. CanadaRAM, you make good point also on monitor accurency. Thanks everyone and keep it coming!
Click to expand...

What are your current machines? At this point, it may be smarter to not upgrade at all and just hold out for intel towers.
 
Hello Milo!

Weuh! What if I told that our machines are all over 4 years old?:eek:

In our studio, mine is the most powerfull and it's only manages to be a 867 Mhz G4! I don't know much about upgrading it, but if it's much simpler to buy a new one that can afford us 2 or 3 years of solid work before any upgrade, I think we are more than ready for it.

Thanks for all the replies. I think with your help I can now convince my boss for our next buy! ;)

Juan
 
Well, I just went through a similar decision making process.

Although I did not go for a Quad (I'm not a pro), I decided to go for a PPC dual core PowerMac for the following reasons:

1. Better video card choice and upgradability than iMac. With the iMac, you are limited to 2gig RAM - with the PowerMac, you can have up to 16gig.
2. Although the intel chips look like they have great potential, we still don't know how photoshop will run (although theoretically it should be great) or when PS will be UB.
3. PPC is tried and true technology - intel chips are still new and will still have teething problems and little glitches along the way. Maybe nothing major, but tedious nonetheless. Once the Quads are ready to be put out to pasture, then the intel powermacs will be sweet.

This is a summary of some of the advice I have received in this forum and a bit of my own opinion.

Cool.

Rob
 
I agree with the previous posts. If you are doing heavy Photoshop work, Rosetta will not run it well in the Intel iMac. The G5 Quad or Dual G5 PowerMac will both be supported for a long time being that they still haven't been switched to Intel. I'd say at least 2 years after the PowerMac is switched over, and that is still not yet, so...
 
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