Seriously clueless...

[nater.]

Hi, this is my first time posting on here.

I've been reading these forums for a while but now I have a reason to post. I have a decision to make and it needs to happen soon.

I am a Graphic Design student - about to graduate and my dad was going to buy me a Mac. Kind of got a price range out of him - seems to be total spending lower then $3,000 more towards the mid 2,000.

My question is what should I get? I use all adobe programs and I want this machine to run great now and for a while - till I can afford my own haha.

Currently cursed to use a Dell P4 2.6 with a gig of ram....I want a Mac...
Is a G5 a stupid choice? I prefer desktops...

Please help!

 

[steamboat26]

Wait for the Mac Pro (basically a Powermac G5 with an intel chip), which should be out around August-September. How soon do you need to make a decision? because the powermac G5 IS going to be replaced soon by an intel powermac. If you can't wait, a Powermac G5 will run all those apps fine.

 

[mark!]

Even though Adobe Photoshop isn't universal, it is deffinitely usable (and actually fast) on an Intel Mac. I would get a loaded 20" iMac which will come to a total around $2,300 (USD). (500 GB HD, 2 GB RAM, 256 MB VRAM)

Or I would get a refurbished G5 tower.

 

[nater.]

Holy cow, you guys are fast!

Basically, I have to figure this out before I am done, I guess. Which is early Sept. I kind of wanted to take advantage of the little Edu discount there is...

Is the imac going to get a revision soon? Isn't it about time?...

I just don't want problems to happen with those new Mac Pros or whatever. It's a first gen product. Always heard that was kinda risky. But those things so AMAZING! But the G5's are solid machines - have been out for a while and thats a nice thing to know, its reliable.


Although, when the new Mac Pros come out, could be a nice time to pick up a G5 super cheap.

Thanks for the fast replies, this is really helpful! - I just want my very own Mac!

 

[baby duck monge]

Do you already have a monitor? You can get a lot of G5 with a bit over $2K and the education discount (dual 2.3 new for $2,300). As far as the high-end machines go, you don't have the option of Intel in the PowerMac yet, though that may be changing in the near future.

You could go the iMac route if you want Intel, but you're going to come out with a lot more computer in the end with the PowerMac if you have a monitor (or can get one for cheap) - especially since a lot of the programs you will be using as a design student will not be universal for a while.

My real advice would be to wait as long as you can before buying to see if they have released the new PowerMac yet. If they have and you can afford it, I would go for one of those. It should have enough power to make it through the emulation for the time being, and will shoot far ahead once you end up going universal. Of course, you will have to buy new software at that point... If it hasn't come out, I would look hard at the G5 PowerMac unless you want to shell out for the universal software with the money you save going for the slower iMac. The G5 PM is still a beast of a machine, and unless you absolutely must have the latest and greatest will do well by you.

I'm a bit tired now, so I hope that was mostly clear and not too rambling. Anyway, it's just my $0.02 USD, so take that for what you will.

 

[trainguy77]

Even though Adobe Photoshop isn't universal, it is deffinitely usable (and actually fast) on an Intel Mac. I would get a loaded 20" iMac which will come to a total around $2,300 (USD). (500 GB HD, 2 GB RAM, 256 MB VRAM)

I would do that. Also you could sell the the PC later on to buy UB version of the mac software.

 

[nater.]

I have a decent monitor - nothing to fancy but I would love to get two! Dual 'em! That would be awesome.

I was actually thinking of maybe trying to find a good refurbished or used one or something. Since this will be my first mac, if it's cheaper - I won't feel as bad for messing it up or playing around on it.

Although it would be nice to get something brand new!

Thanks for all these quick replies! This place is really helpful and I think its got the best info/advice compared to other mac forums i have read.

 

[mark!]

I think the intel iMac would be good (like i said earlier) again because then since it already has a moniter, you won't need to buy another one & can do dual screen & have the latest that runs photoshop fast! & for a little under the price range you are looking at!

 

[tedrjr03]

i personally would wait for the mac pros

 

[nater.]

I think I will wait this out for a bit. See what WWDC brings

Just kind of tired using my PC...

I am not someone that has to have the best technology but I just want to make sure it works giving me good speed. I want something though that will last me like 2-4 years or something. Doesnt have to be the fastest thing out there but still good, you know.

 

[nater.]

How does the MBP handle compared to the imac? Would that be a better investment? I dunno, just trying to look at every option in every angle.

I have never owned a notebook before - but it could be cool, i guess.

 

[steamboat26]

I heard Macbook Pros were pretty HOT.
Sorry i couldn't resist.
Anyways, MBP are designed more for professional usage, whereas iMacs are more for regular consumers.

 

[mark!]

How does the MBP handle compared to the imac? Would that be a better investment? I dunno, just trying to look at every option in every angle.

I have never owned a notebook before - but it could be cool, i guess.

I run (ran) Photoshop on my MacBook Pro a lot and it is only the 1.83 GHz version. I make desktops for my MacBook Pro (1440x900) & it is fast.

 

[Shotgun Pete]

The heat on the MBP is WAY WAY WAY better than any heat ever made on a PC notebook, if you are a student and need something mobile then I would get the MBP, but make sure you get the 256mb video card

 

[mark!]

The heat on the MBP is WAY WAY WAY better than any heat ever made on a PC notebook, if you are a student and need something mobile then I would get the MBP, but make sure you get the 256mb video card

OMG YOU WERE BORN WHERE MY BEST FRIEND WHO MOVED TO MICHIGAN WAS. GASP GASP!!!!

Anyway, why the 256 MB vRAM?
I LOVE my MacBook Pro, besides the fact that I had to send it in (in repair now). It worked great for 3 or 4 or 5 months (idk). I was having a SWEAT on the way to pick it up from FedEx. I thought it was gonna have 15 dead pixels and MOO & HEAT & WHINE & RAWR but it didn't....'till 3 weeks ago or so

I would be confident buying a MacBook Pro right now though.