New Mini vs used G5, which to buy?

[chefhow]

Hi all, I am looking at buying my first Apple and I have $700 to spend. I have done endless pricing research and am at an impass. I can get either a used iMac G5 basic model from eBay or off Craigslist or I can get a new Mini at my local store. I have an LCD screen already so that is not part of the equation. The computer will be for home use with minimal web updates but nothing major. Lots of music, photo and video, some business application, and I would like to hook it up to the stereo. Should I go ahead and get an unwarranted iMac or buy a new Mini. Thanks in advance for helping a noob :D

[arjen92]

This question has been asked before, mostly the advice is: go for the mini. It's faster (processor) and probably has more ram. Plus, if something is wrong you have your first year of warranty. The mini has more power.

Good luck choosing.

edit: as the others tell you: wait for the update

[Pixellated]

What kind of condition is the iMac? If it is a Rev. B (With iSight), and has leopard and some more RAM, I'd go for the G5

[chefhow]

What kind of condition is the iMac? If it is a Rev. B (With iSight), and has leopard and some more RAM, I'd go for the G5

No iSight, 1gb RAM, 1.8GHz, 80gb HD with Leopard and the dics.

[Hawkeye411]

:):apple:

[Dont Hurt Me]

G5 is a dead end plus a new Mini should be coming after a year and a half of nothing. Wait a few weeks and get the new Mini or whatever replaces it.

[California]

I went the G5 route. Got a 1.8ghz single that takes eight gigs of ram.

Happy. Paid 550. Put five gigs in and very happy.

[jojo13]

get the mini:D

[11800506]

I went the G5 route. Got a 1.8ghz single that takes eight gigs of ram.

Happy. Paid 550. Put five gigs in and very happy.

The OP is talking about an iMac G5... not a PowerMac.

I would go with the Mini since Snow Leopard likely won't support PPC if you ever want to upgrade plus the Mini is definitely faster than the iMac.

[velocityg4]

With the iMac you are also paying for a screen but since you already have a screen I would go with the mini.

The only G5 I would consider at $700 would be a dual CPU Powermac G5. Since it is highly upgradeable: 8GB RAM, 2 SATA HD's, upgradeable video, other expansion slots. But if you are not looking to tinker with upgrading then a Mini would suffice.

Though unless you need it immediately the mini is using very old tech for a new computer. I would wait for a refresh.

[Desamell]

Go for the Mini because the POwerMac wont support Snow Leopard

[tompon1923]

Go for the Mini because the POwerMac wont support Snow Leopard

You can't say that for sure, because there are some files in snow leopard that indicate ppc support, check this out http://tinyurl.com/4olghz until snow leopard is released this is all speculation but your safest bet is on the mini.

[alexlovesmacs]

Have you considered the white intel iMac?

[chefhow]

Have you considered the white intel iMac?

Thats what I have been talking about. Im not sure where the idea of a PowerMac came from. I am trying to compare an iMac G5 to a NIB Mini base model w/superdrive.

[slu]

This is a no brainer if you already have a display: get the new mini.

I say this as a iMac G5 user myself. In my opinion, the only G5 I would consider is a a dual processor PowerMac.

[BlizzardBomb]

No iSight, 1gb RAM, 1.8GHz, 80gb HD with Leopard and the dics.

That sounds like a Rev. A iMac G5 (and a rather unfortunate misspelling of discs), which I'd personally avoid. Early iMac G5s are known for logic board problems and many other issues. Wait, and hope a new mini comes out soon

[cmcbridejr]

Go for the new Mini.

The processor screams, the included applications and OS will be up to date (with more functionality), you will get a one year warranty with the purchase, and you can run multiple operating systems on it.

The only major weakness of the Mini is the graphics card. So, as long as you are not using Final Cut Pro or plan on doing intense gaming, then you should be fine with the Mini.

Let me know what you think.

[Cave Man]

The only major weakness of the Mini is the graphics card. So, as long as you are not using Final Cut Pro or plan on doing intense gaming, then you should be fine with the Mini.

An Intel-based Mini runs FCP as well as any other 1.83 or 2 gHz Mac.

[cmcbridejr]

An Intel-based Mini runs FCP as well as any other 1.83 or 2 gHz Mac.

Then, why does Apple's website say it is not compatible?

[SnowLeopard2008]

An Intel-based Mini runs FCP as well as any other 1.83 or 2 gHz Mac.

It does "run" FCP, but there is a graphics chip requirement. Unless you mean just FCP, and not the entire suite. Advice for the OP, just go for the mini, but wait until october 14, apple is long overdue for a major update. older machines aren't worth it, you're better off with warranty and a brand spankin new machine that has newer tech inside it.

[chefhow]

What happens on 10/14?

[akm3]

What happens on 10/14?

Either the laptop line gets updated or everyone speculates they will be on a future Tuesday.

[Cave Man]

Then, why does Apple's website say it is not compatible?

I don't know. Why does Apple's web site also say the Mini can take only 2 gigs of RAM and the MacBook Pro can only take 4 gigs, when they can take 3.1 and 8 gigs respectively?

It does "run" FCP, but there is a graphics chip requirement. Unless you mean just FCP, and not the entire suite.

The poster did not say Final Cut Studio, he said Final Cut Pro, which works perfectly well on a Mini. There are a couple of filters that leverage the gpu (as do Color and Motion) that would be slowed down, but otherwise it's all done by the cpu.

[donga]

What happens on 10/14?

possible updates to macbooks/macbook pros/mini

you can wait a few weeks to see what might come, right?

[Vulcan]

Go for the mini, it's newer and comes with a warranty.

[chefhow]

I found a local guy who just sold me a 20" iMac dual core with all the bells and whistles that is still under warranty for $700. I went with that. Thanks for all the help

[Deanster]

Super-easy decision - the Mini is a dual-core Intel, and the G5 is a single-core PowerPC...

dual core or dual CPU is just so much faster, and less likely to bog down when you try to switch tasks, or do several things at once, it's ridiculous.

The G5's are on their way out... the last ones produced are pretty good, but the early ones are past their prime.

The current Mini is a fine little machine. Fast, slick, powerful, and other than the lack of a video card, it's as good as (or better than) the iMac in every way...

[leekohler]

This is a no brainer if you already have a display: get the new mini.

I say this as a iMac G5 user myself. In my opinion, the only G5 I would consider is a a dual processor PowerMac.

Agreed. Do not not buy a single core/processor computer at this point in the game. Go for the Mini.

[madfresh]

The core duo mac minis are faster than the old g5s. It is up to you. I'd personally just go with the newer iMacs.

[Vulcan]

I found a local guy who just sold me a 20" iMac dual core with all the bells and whistles that is still under warranty for $700. I went with that. Thanks for all the help

Congratulations, you got a great deal for the price, enjoy your new Mac :)

[The Awesome]

I found a local guy who just sold me a 20" iMac dual core with all the bells and whistles that is still under warranty for $700. I went with that. Thanks for all the help

I was about to tell you to get the mini (power savings, better processor, a bit more future-proofed) but yeah, you got a good deal on that one. :D

Will get my first mac before New Year! (October 14 refresh/upgrades: please be true!)