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New Laptop setup

Fiveos22

Fiveos22

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 20, 2003
1,080
1
I have been a desktop pers on for my entire college career. I am very much a fan of both the power and expandabiliy that desktops offer. However, I need to switch to a laptop for the next four years (portability, cleanliness, classwork...). I do not want to take a step back from my current hardware (in any fashion) which is the cause of my problem.

My current setup is:

PM single 1.8 G5 processor
1 gig RAM
320 gigs hard drive
ATI 9600 64meg

With the new intel processors and the availability of universal binaries, I am no longer concerned about the processor/power issue. RAM is not an issue with the MBP, nor is gfx card. The problem is I have a large music library (~60 gigs), and a growing photo library (+5 gigs), and want to leave my options open for toying around with DV or multiple operating systems. Furthermore, I am very hesitant to just toss all of my personal files (music, photos) onto an external drive, because I want to be portable (taking a laptop around is one thing, taking a laptop+hardrive+powersupply+whatever is unacceptable). The problem here is hard-drive space.

What should I do?

Option 1) Buy a MBP with the big harddrive (120gigs) and sell my PM, hoping that the 120gigs will suffice.
Option 2) Buy a MBP and keep the PM as a server (but adding to the clutter of my small apartment).
Option 3) Buy a MBP, sell the PM, and get an external harddrive.
Option 4) ?

Convince me.
 
Fiveos22 said:
I have been a desktop pers on for my entire college career. I am very much a fan of both the power and expandabiliy that desktops offer. However, I need to switch to a laptop for the next four years (portability, cleanliness, classwork...). I do not want to take a step back from my current hardware (in any fashion) which is the cause of my problem.

My current setup is:

PM single 1.8 G5 processor
1 gig RAM
320 gigs hard drive
ATI 9600 64meg

With the new intel processors and the availability of universal binaries, I am no longer concerned about the processor/power issue. RAM is not an issue with the MBP, nor is gfx card. The problem is I have a large music library (~60 gigs), and a growing photo library (+5 gigs), and want to leave my options open for toying around with DV or multiple operating systems. Furthermore, I am very hesitant to just toss all of my personal files (music, photos) onto an external drive, because I want to be portable (taking a laptop around is one thing, taking a laptop+hardrive+powersupply+whatever is unacceptable). The problem here is hard-drive space.

What should I do?

Option 1) Buy a MBP with the big harddrive (120gigs) and sell my PM, hoping that the 120gigs will suffice.
Option 2) Buy a MBP and keep the PM as a server (but adding to the clutter of my small apartment).
Option 3) Buy a MBP, sell the PM, and get an external harddrive.
Option 4) ?

Convince me.
Click to expand...

My choices would be 3 and 2...If you have a need for a dedicated desktop machine, then I would pick #2, but if you only need the storage, then #3 might work a bit better for you. One benefit of #2 is that the PM could be kept on the network 24/7 (in a closet or something) and you could have constant wireless access to it. With #3, you need a physical connection, so you can only connect while at desk.
 
My solution has always been to keep whatever computers I already have and add more computeras as my needs change. I haven't thrown away a computer yet...

So I would say keep the PowerMac G5 and buy a MacBook Pro.
 
I suppose what I am also ignoring here is that I do not currently have a router (wireless or otherwise) and I want to keep things simple. The fewer connections to worry about, the better.
 
You could replace the internal drive with a 160GB laptop drive from seagate. I think it's the largest available atm
 
haha why are so many ppl eager to sell thier PM G5s for a MBP? you spent quite a bit im sure on buying the G5 in the first place, and that computer was built to last a very long time. down the road, you can upgrade everything about it....but you cant with a MBP. just b/c apple presents you with a new toy doesnt mean you have to buy it. the single 1.8 G5 is still a capable machine in all respects and i wouldnt expect you to be disapointed with its speed even 2-4 years from now. if you want a boost, then get a better video card asap
 
jamesi said:
haha why are so many ppl eager to sell thier PM G5s for a MBP? you spent quite a bit im sure on buying the G5 in the first place, and that computer was built to last a very long time. down the road, you can upgrade everything about it....but you cant with a MBP. just b/c apple presents you with a new toy doesnt mean you have to buy it. the single 1.8 G5 is still a capable machine in all respects and i wouldnt expect you to be disapointed with its speed even 2-4 years from now. if you want a boost, then get a better video card asap
Click to expand...

Um...he needs portability. As great as the PMs are, I don't think he'll be able to carry them to the class room. And I don't really think he's looking for a "boost".

I say go with #1, the upgrade isn't THAT outrageous. If you're using UB apps, you'll be fine with speed (although Office is a bit slower). And finally, if you need more room, you can buy an external harddrive later on down the road. Try it out without one, get one later if you need one...

That way, you have the least connections, and you can just sell the G5, making the MacBook Pro's cost a bit easier to swallow ;) :)
 
jamesi said:
haha why are so many ppl eager to sell thier PM G5s for a MBP? you spent quite a bit im sure on buying the G5 in the first place, and that computer was built to last a very long time. down the road, you can upgrade everything about it....but you cant with a MBP. just b/c apple presents you with a new toy doesnt mean you have to buy it. the single 1.8 G5 is still a capable machine in all respects and i wouldnt expect you to be disapointed with its speed even 2-4 years from now. if you want a boost, then get a better video card asap
Click to expand...

1) I use computers to do work (word processing, communication, statistical analysis, reference journal mining, schedule planning, presentations...) IN ADDITION TO entertainment such as dvds, music, and photo storage. I do not use computers as toys.

2) I got my PM for 20% off the sticker price when I bought it from Apple...I wasn't just throwing money into the fire to have the latest and greatest.

3) I have never been disappointed with the speed of my PM. I have had it for three years and it is a very capable machine. However, buying a G4 laptop would be taking a step backwards in overall computing power, which I am unwilling to do.

4) As I said before, I'm moving to a laptop for portability. A G5 powermac is not remotely portable and I do not want to have it around when I have to move.


What I am looking for is advice for a setup featuring a MBP...not your critique of whether I should get the MBP.
 
Wait...

I would wait for Apple to update the MacBooks at which point they may offer larger internal drives. Seagate recently announced a 160Gb drive and they are supposedly going to release a drive that is ~200Gb. Alternately, you could buy the current 160Gb, install it in your MacBook, and put the "old" 100Gb/120Gb drive in an external firewire enclosure that requires no external power. I'm about do to this for myself as my 100Gb is getting to small. This will give me a very portable "extra" 100Gb of storage that is easily toted about. Futhermore, you can place less necessary data on the external drive...perhaps your music if you are carrying an iPod around...or photos...etc.
 
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