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PowerMac G4 dual 1ghz vs. "Stealth" Mac Mini 1.5 ghz

Kirkman

Kirkman

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 27, 2002
60
0
Okay, I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck. Here are the two systems I'm considering:

PowerMac MDD G4, dual 1 ghz
* 1.25gb RAM
* Combined total of 220gb of HDD space (120gb+100gb)
* ATI Radeon 9000 w/64mb (DVI+ADC)
* Apple2x Superdrive
* Mad-Dog 16x Dual Layer DVD-RW (in second bay)
* Comes with Tiger 10.4 Upgrade Disc.

"Stealth" Mac Mini
1.5 ghz G4
512 ram
Combo drive
Stock 80gb HD + ministack2 120g hd
ATI Radeon 9200 64MB

Neither comes with keyboard, peripherals, etc.

My primary application uses:
Internet (Firefox, Entourage, Transmit, Adium, Terminal)
Print design (InDesign 2, Illustrator(classic))
Web design (TextWrangler, Fireworks MX, Photoshop 6(classic))
Audio (iTunes, Amadeus
Video (iMovie, HandBrake)

I'm very tempted by the powermac, but I'm worried that I can't really take advantage of the dual processors. The 1.5 ghz speed of the mini sounds significantly faster. The PowerMac's ability to boot into OS9 is also good for me since Illustrator seems to choke in Classic mode.

What do you guys think? I appreciate your thoughtful advice.

--Josh
 
chasemac said:
I don't see any $ tags but I'd have to agree on the PowerMac.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it really depends on the price, man. I've seen those Power Macs break $1k, in which case, I would just go for the mini as it's newer hardware and less likely to fail.
 
The other thing is the amount of RAM in there. The PM has 1.25GB - compared to the 512 of the mini that's a world of difference.

In general though dual 1.25's should perform significantly better than a single 1.5. You did say "bang for the buck" though so whether "significantly better" is equal to the cost difference For YOU is the question.
 
The prices for both are in the same range, around $600.
 
Thats an ok price on the powermac. if anything, a bit high but it's in the ballpark.

The other thing is, with the powermac if, down the line you want to upgrade there are processor upgrades available that will exend its life some... if you're up to that sort of thing.
 
Aztechian said:
The other thing is the amount of RAM in there. The PM has 1.25GB - compared to the 512 of the mini that's a world of difference.
Click to expand...

Yes, totally.

In general though dual 1.25's should perform significantly better than a single 1.5. You did say "bang for the buck" though so whether "significantly better" is equal to the cost difference For YOU is the question.
Click to expand...

Well, the PowerMac is actually 1ghz, not 1.25. If it was 1.25, I wouldn't even hesitate, I'd go with the PowerMac.
 
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