Poll: If you've bought or are going to buy a PowerMac G5, Which Model?

[MacRumors]

Vote: Poll: If you've bought or are going to buy a PowerMac G5, Which Model? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=213&ref=forums.macrumors.com)

[Bunzi2k4]

hmm... i would have to see how much money i have to spare... but i'm in no condition to buy something right now

[nascarcm24]

I am getting the Dual 2ghz for Christmac, err.. Christmas... gonna have to wait on one of those cool lcds though.. I will have to settle with a CRT till i can get the money for a 20" LCD..

[neutrino23]

I'm buying the next version 15" PB.:cool:

[MikeH]

It's interesting to see that three times as many people are going to buy the dual 2ghz version than the 1.6/1.8 (according to the poll when I looked). It'll be interesting to see whether this is true or just wishful thinking/bullsh*****g.

Personally I'd go for the 1.8 - I'd like the dual 2ghz, but price wise it's out of my reach.

[Bear]

Originally posted by MikeH
...
Personally I'd go for the 1.8 - I'd like the dual 2ghz, but price wise it's out of my reach.
Some things for you to think about:[list=1]
How many years are you going to be using a new machine for?
Is it worth an extra $600 (+tax) to get the fatest machine posisble when you will be keeping and using it for a while?
[/list=1]If they were both single or both dual processor machines, then it wouldn't matter so much. Hoever, since you are talking a hefty processor differece (single 1.8 versus dual 2.0) it matters a whole lot more.

[MikeH]

Some things for you to think about :

I see what you're getting at, but past experience has shown dual processor machines not to be significantly faster than single processor machine. Of course these new G5's might change all that.

I have no plans to buy until at least September and by then there will be plenty of independant reviews about - I'd be prepared to reconsider my oppinion then.

[Bear]

Originally posted by MikeH
I see what you're getting at, but past experience has shown dual processor machines not to be significantly faster than single processor machine. Of course these new G5's might change all that.
...
I'm running a dual 1.42GHz system. For what I am running, it does make a major difference.

So I guess it does depend on what you'll be running as well. I should've indicated this in my last post.

[QuiteSure]

The G5 is obviously designed to appeal to content creators: video, graphics, audio, science, etc., those who require very powerful machines. That's great, and obviously a very important part of Apple's market.

I'm a lawyer:eek: so I don't need all that power; I'm looking for the fabled iBox, a sub $1000 box to put on my secretary's desk. What may entice me, though, would be if the G5 ran VPC with considerably more success than the G4 predecessors. Then I could run the windows software that is more and more only available for the legal community.

Are there any benchmarks/specs/thoughts on how the G5 should expect to run VPC?

[ScottyBoyMn]

Not really interested in G5 right now. I've been waiting for an update to the PB 15" since the beginning of 2003. Hopefully see one soon--my resistance is decreasing quickly--I might break down and buy a DELL.

[kb9000]

Originally posted by QuiteSure
What may entice me, though, would be if the G5 ran VPC with considerably more success than the G4 predecessors. Then I could run the windows software that is more and more only available for the legal community.

Long ago there was a rumor (I couldn't find the article) that the successor the the G4 (we didn't know it was the G5 then) would run VPC very very well because of specific architecture, not just the fact that it's much faster than a G4. I don't know what, if anything, became of this and the future of VPC itself is uncertain. In 1998 my Beige G3 ran Windows 95 faster than most PCs I used.

[fixyourthinking]

to wait for the first generation to work out any bugs or kinks then buy that model from the middle in the speed bump. That way, you pay less, have less service hassle, most likely fewer updates, and a machine that will last 3-4 years (or more if the speed is fine);)

[Laslo Panaflex]

I ordered a 2gig dualie, in my opinion with the time that I will save in rendering, it will pay for itself in no time.

[Veldek]

Although I see the point in ordering the top hardware, so it lasts longer, I think the dual 2 GHz is an overkill for some people who don't render all day or do immense Photoshop work. Just like me. That's why I chose the 1.8GHz. I think it will also keep me up-to-date for a while. And playing games like Doom3 should be possible on this machine, especially if you order an ATI 9800.

Anyone who wants to disagree, so I can change my order...? ;)

Edit: But who buys the 1.6GHz??? Add the same amount of RAM and the same harddisk like the 1.8GHz and you almost have the same costs, but without DDR400 and PCI-X!

[yossele]

Actually; I'll probably wait for 2.5 or 3ghz with the new lcd's

[gopher]

http://www.lowendmac.com/musings/03/0625.html

And that's particularly interesting given the site's normal content.

[edenwaith]

I'm in the market for a new machine, but I'd like to get something which won't become obsolete within three years. If the 2GHz machine can do that, then I'll probably go for that. Sadly, I can see 1.6 GHz just not being enough power in a few years. Mac OS X is sluggish in comparison to OS 9, but OS X is a speed demon in comparison to Win XP. Windows XP is still flawed like 9x in that when too many programs are put on a machine, it severely lags down the machine. My 3 year old 400 MHz PowerMac is more responsive than my fiancee's 1.6GHz Dell with XP Home.

I do wish Apple had the 1.8 in a dual configuration, but I'm guessing they are trying to get as much money as possible and realize that more people will go for the dual-processor model. But as I mentioned, I'd like to have an amazing machine and still be very proud of it 3 or 4 years down the line. Even my current machine is fast enough for me 90% of the time. I would like a faster machine for a few things like VPC performance and time required to open larger programs like Photoshop.

[scem0]

argh all these dual 2GHz are making me have computer envy.

This is what i'm getting:

• 1.8GHz PowerPC G5
• 512MB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 2x256
• 160GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm
• ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
• Combo (CD-RW/DVD-ROM)
• Apple Keyboard & Apple Mouse - U.S. English
• Mac OS X - U.S. English
Subtotal $2,129.00

Still haven't bought it though. Its too scurry..... :(

scem0 :)

[Veldek]

Originally posted by scem0
argh all these dual 2GHz are making me have computer envy.

This is what i'm getting:

• 1.8GHz PowerPC G5
• 512MB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 2x256
• 160GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm
• ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
• Combo (CD-RW/DVD-ROM)
• Apple Keyboard & Apple Mouse - U.S. English
• Mac OS X - U.S. English
Subtotal $2,129.00

Still haven't bought it though. Its too scurry..... :(

scem0 :)

Same with me. I only added an ATI Radeon 9800 for gaming (bet it will be useful for Doom3), Bluetooth and Airport Extreme.

You're right, though. Seeing all these DP 2GHz buyers makes me think about my order, but I still think it's enough for my needs and will keep me happy in the next years.

[scem0]

Yeah, are you getting an educational discount?

I am, my sister goes to the Univ. of Texas :).


I really want a DP 2Ghz but that is soooo expensive, expecially for me - I have to buy my own computer and I don't have a job (although I can work for my dad for $8.50/hour whenever I want pretty much).

scem0

[job]

Originally posted by scem0
I really want a DP 2Ghz but that is soooo expensive, expecially for me - I have to buy my own computer and I don't have a job (although I can work for my dad for $8.50/hour whenever I want pretty much).

if you don't have a job, where the heck are you getting the 2k+ to pay for the tower? :eek::confused:

does working for your dad really pay that much?

[jayscheuerle]

Originally posted by adzoox
to wait for the first generation to work out any bugs or kinks then buy that model from the middle in the speed bump. That way, you pay less, have less service hassle, most likely fewer updates, and a machine that will last 3-4 years (or more if the speed is fine);)

Stop being so darn rational! :D

Apple still needs a contemporary tower in the $1000 range. Home users are not looking to spend $2k+ to surf the web and manage their music. Ebay should be declared an official Mac Reseller!

I can't afford any of these. :(

But I may have to upgrade my beige box someday....:cool:

And that's when you find a way to afford something... - j

[wdlove]

I'm seem to be in that vast minority again, 10.65%. Still undecided on when and which model to purchase. I do plan to use my wife's educational discount and an Apple Loan!

[Veldek]

Originally posted by scem0
Yeah, are you getting an educational discount?


No, I finished my studies 9 months ago and am working now. That's why I can afford it.

By the way, I noticed you don't get a superdrive, so that's another difference. Well, at least, it's good to see there are some people who also think 1.8GHz is enough for a home user.

Originally posted by jayscheuerle
Stop being so darn rational!

Apple still needs a contemporary tower in the $1000 range. Home users are not looking to spend $2k+ to surf the web and manage their music.

But Apple doesn't supply these users with a Power Mac. They deserve the iMac!

[jayscheuerle]

this one!

[jayscheuerle]

Originally posted by Veldek
But Apple doesn't supply these users with a Power Mac. They deserve the iMac!

Just because somebody has simple uses for a machine, doesn't mean that an all in one unit would serve their needs. I've got a nice display and externals. An iMac of any sort would not suit me.

I had some hopes with the CoreCrib (http://www.2khappyware.com/order/) boxes, but it looks like that isn't an option anymore (http://www.2khappyware.com) .

[Centris 650]

Originally posted by Veldek
Edit: But who buys the 1.6GHz??? Add the same amount of RAM and the same harddisk like the 1.8GHz and you almost have the same costs, but without DDR400 and PCI-X!

I did the same research and decided with the 1.8. Though I'm probably going to wait until the next speed bump to get my G5. The reasons are simple 1. I'm waiting to sell my old house. (My wife and I are already in a new house and really need to sell our old one before I buy a $3k computer!) and 2. I got frustrated at the USB speeds on the RevA iMac. I probably won't buy a RevA again.

[Dont Hurt Me]

i think they will all kick butt, look at the bus speed, look at the memory even the 1.6 holds 4 gig. i only have 1, 800 bus, this machine will beat a dual 1.42 in every test i would think and its cheaper. ( 256 memory does kind of suck though.

[ryan]

I'm waiting on some benchmarks, and even then I won't probably buy a G5 until it shows up in a PowerBook. Now if the $2000 1.6GHz model was a dual processor machine then things might be different.

I keep looking at the G5s at the Apple store and I keep coming to the conclusion that the 1.6GHz model is overpriced by $500, and the 2x2GHz model is underpriced by $500. Seems as though Apple really wants to drive the sales of the top level model, or that the additional G5 processor doesn't cost Apple all that much and that 80% of the G5 machines cost is not the processor(s). So if the latter is the case, why aren't the 1.6GHz & 1.8GHz machines duals?

[wdlove]

Originally posted by jayscheuerle
this one!

So now we have an updated Cube. They could call this the Grater!

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by neutrino23
I'm buying the next version 15" PB.:cool: buying a G4 laptop with a new processor just out? why?

[jbomber]

whatever's top-of-the-line when the rev.b comes out.

[tysonrinderknec]

Its gonna be a dual 2.0 for me, radeon 9600 (don't see the point in upgrading to another gaming card...hopfully upgrade to a workstation class card in the near future), standard 2x 256 PC3200s and 2x Crucial 512s (under a hundred bux a piece www.crucial.com)

Yep, thats looking good...add a 20in Cinema display on top of that, a 15in DVI studio display LCD to the side, and a microslop mouse in the bag and im good to go :)

Cant say my oder is placed...i'll order mine as soon as they are close to shipping (end of august) screw paying tax at the retail locations. heh, getting my monitor now though...just gonna sit it on my desk and look up at it making mouse movements with an empty hand :P

[voyagerd]

I just bought my 1.8 GHz G5!

[Bunzi2k4]

sweet