What Mac should I buy?

[LauPiazza]

Hello,
I have just started a new job and am working with my new company to pick out the perfect Mac for the job. I am the graphic designer at a college and am the first in-house designer they've had, so we are starting from scratch. I want to suggest the perfect machine for my/our needs and want to be sure not to skimp or over-buy. Money is always a factor, but I need a starting point. Here is a description of what I will be doing....

- Graphic design of all print publications using InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Web design doing design in photoshop and at some point will be using flash or dreamweaver.

So I will not be using Illustrator for anything huge as I am not much of an illustrator. But I may, at somepoint, have some pretty large photoshop files and use filters and actions in photoshop.

I was thinking I should go with the PowerMac, but....

does it have intel yet? If not, anyone know when? Also, if not, is it worth getting it or waiting or going with the MacBook Pro? Also, Dual or Quad processor? I would not ever use the machine for 3D, video or music editing, so think that'd not be something worth spending the extra bucks on.

I am a professional photographer as well and at home use a iMac G5 with 1.5GB of RAM. works ok for big actions and big photo files, but is not ideal, so think, maybe i should stay away from the iMac.

Any help would be very appreciated!

 

[wordmunger]

The PowerMac G5 will be the fastest computer for the job right now. Photoshop is still slow on all the intel macs, and will be for a good year. Start with about 2GB of RAM; you can upgrade later if need be.

G5s don't have intel chips, but the world of graphic design moves slowly: some folks aren't even using Mac OS X yet. So I wouldn't worry about your computer going obsolete anytime soon.

There's lots more advice about macs for graphic design on the forums already. Do a search!

 

[munckee]

Go with the powermac, unquestionably. Despite not being an intel machine, it's still the best bet for a designer.

 

[Abulia]

PowerMac without a doubt. Get refurb to ease the cost.

Intel versions will probably be announced at WWDC, ship 30-60 days later. Until Adobe's apps are Universal, performance will be better on a PPC PowerMac.

So I'd go refurb G5 to bridge the gap and revisit in a year or so (or more) when Adobe is finally Universal.