Which mac?

[Cloudgazer]

My wife's PC looks like it died, and i was thinking of getting her a mac.

My budget is limited.
She is an occassional gamer, but not hardcore. She likes NWN and other RPG and strategy games.
She will use the mac for games, word docs, surfing, emailing, iPhoto and possibly a teeny weeny bit of video editing.

My first thought was an iBook since it does have a dedicated graphics card.
Its still a bit out of my price range, but I might be able to sell my mother-in-law.

In SA they're still selling the G4 minis.

Which is a better choice for her?
The G4 Mini or the Intel Mini?

The G4 mini has dedicated graphics - but the Intel version has BootCamp.
mmmmm.

Please help.

 

[yellow]

Keep in mind that (particularly if you're going the PPC route), you will have to purchase all new Mac versions of the software. Check first to make sure that the software she's interested in using is actually available for Mac (like NWN, I have no idea if there's a Mac version).

If you get an Intel version of a Mac and use BootCamp or Parallels or something, then you can use your PC version of the software, but will have to switch back and forth with a reboot (using BootCamp). Also you will need to buy a copy of Windows XP Pro to install.

 

[smwatson]

Im pretty sure there is a PPC Neverwinter nights. I would say go for the Intel if you can afford it, having the intel chip should mean you will be able to take the most up to date software for longer. Eventually Apple will stop making Universal and just make intel only. I dread that day, but it will come.

 

[Cloudgazer]

Keep in mind that (particularly if you're going the PPC route), you will have to purchase all new Mac versions of the software. Check first to make sure that the software she's interested in using is actually available for Mac (like NWN, I have no idea if there's a Mac version).

If you get an Intel version of a Mac and use BootCamp or Parallels or something, then you can use your PC version of the software, but will have to switch back and forth with a reboot (using BootCamp). Also you will need to buy a copy of Windows XP Pro to install.

There is NWN for mac - I got a copy.
Lets assume that the software is not an issue.
Which is the best machine for her?

 

[yellow]

Lets assume that the software is not an issue.
Which is the best machine for her?

OK..

Then IMO, it's worth the eextra money to get in bed with the new tech from Apple. Spending cash on antiquated tech (G4s) is just not worth it, IMO.

 

[arcobb]

Im pretty sure there is a PPC Neverwinter nights. I would say go for the Intel if you can afford it, having the intel chip should mean you will be able to take the most up to date software for longer. Eventually Apple will stop making Universal and just make intel only. I dread that day, but it will come.

Probably when that day comes the current intels will be to slow to run the new apps and you'll be in for a new computer anyway.

 

[NATO]

I'd go for the Intel mini any day. Not only do you get better performance but you get the Bootcamp possibility, so those Windows games won't be wasted, you can just boot into Windows when you want to play a game.

Of course OS X is what you want for everything else, but you get that whether you go PPC or Intel.

 

[FF_productions]

I think the MacBook would be the best replacement, lots of speed inside that little machine.

 

[kyleaa]

Good call. If you've already got the monitor for the intel mini, then it might be a good deal, but if you are thinking about buying a monitor, it becomes cheaper to go with the MacBook, or an iMac if you can afford it.

PS - I have had horrible luck with Parallels and gaming. I enjoy Empire Earth, which is a really old game with practically no system reqs, and it crashes in parallels.

I think the MacBook would be the best replacement, lots of speed inside that little machine.

 

[4God]

Well, you probably already have a monitor, so with that in consideration
you would be best suited with a Mini. I would recommend an Intel iMac if you
can afford it though.

 

[dmw007]

I say go for the Mac Mini with an intel chip (core duo or core solo).

 

[Cloudgazer]

I'm leaning towards the core duo mini.

Price been the overriding factor here, and we've already got a monitor,keyboard and mouse.
Although, i'm sure she'd love a macbook.

But... back to the mini.
Will it play NWN and other rpgs and strategy games with Win XP?

She's not a hardcore gamer, and is not gonna be buying the latest and greatest games.
But she does spend a lot of time playing.
How will the mini fair with say Age of Empires III or Battle for Middle Earth?
I think thats as hardcore she'll go.

 

[smwatson]

Not sure how integrated graphics will fare with Battle for Middle-Earth, thats a fairly graphics intensive game. however, if she isnt a hardcore gamer as you said, I doubt toning down the graphics settings will be a massive problem.

 

[catracho]

The 1.83 intel iMac is perfect for you.

 

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

Yeah I'd recommend looking at the Apple refurbished store online if you're on a tight budget...

...to be honest, my sister's Mac Mini struggles quite a bit with most games she throws at it. An iMac, on the other hand, would be a very good option for a moderate gamer.

The Apple Refurbished site has an iMac G5 (which is still a very good computer...) for 949 - and the Mac Mini's on that site are cheaper as well (closer to 500 bucks for the solo, for example).

Shrug, just my advice .