G5 Waiting Discussion (again)

[invaLPsion]

I think it's about time one of these was posted again, because here we are without LONG overdue powermac updates and with few rumors that they will come anytime soon. I am starting to get pissed off because I have purchased about $600 worth of hardare to go with my new G5 and I don't have a G5 to plug them in to. This is the FIRST time I am actually seriously considering switching to PC. I can get a top-of-the-line Northgate PC for $2077 with a three year warranty. I don't want to do it, but quite frankly Apple is falling behind on price and soon even speed unless we see some updates. Is there anyone else out there waiting for powermac updates and how long do you think we are going to have to wait?

[floatingspirit]

Hang in there man. I'm waiting too. The Northgate won't be "future proof" as it's not ready to run 64 bit programs or OS (unless you use Linux or whatever). I'm with ya man...the pain...

[AWNR]

I could go down the street right now, and buy a top of the line parts for under $300 and build a PC from scratch. But that’s not what I want. That’s not what I *need*.

That’s probably the best advice when it comes to computer-buying. Do you really need those extra megahertz? Right now? At this very moment?

Because of money-issues, I’ll have to wait a couple of months anyway – but it *is* that time of year, and updated G5’s are substantially rumoured to be coming soon. Also, don’t forget that Steve promised us shiny new 3Ghz G5’s by the end of the summer. There are even reports that IBM has managed to reduce the production cost of the G5’s by quite a bit.

My argument for not buying a PC right now, and waiting for the Mac, is that with a 3 year warranty, I expect the computer I buy to be all I need for the next 3 years. Would you rather have a G5 in three years, or a Wintel stuck with a, by then, six year old OS? (Longhorn won’t be out until the end of your warranty on either machine anyway).

Personally, I’d wait a couple of weeks, at least. Especially with all the rumour-mongering that’s surrounded the G5 of late.

[invaLPsion]

I am not going to wait till summer, I am hoping for an update to 2.5 or 2.6 GHz within the next two weeks hopefully shipping at that time. It just seems to me like IBM has been slacking almost....

[Mr. Anderson]

It is frustrating - its an absurdly long wait for new machines - Since June of last year...

My thoughts on this is that its partly a marketing issue... the current push is for iPods, ITMS and iTunes. Once the hoopla for the music give away dies down some, we'll see new hardware.

I'm ready to buy something myself.....

D

[AWNR]

Actually, considering Apple’s heavy interest in iTMS+iPod promotion lately, we may not see any grand product changes during the run of the Pepsi-promotion.

Or, on the other hand, Apple is likely to have more visitors than usual to its website, so why *not* release new products?

Questions, questions, decisions, decisions…

[AWNR]

Originally posted by Mr. Anderson
It is frustrating - its an absurdly long wait for new machines - Since June of last year...


...Actually, the G5's have seen on update since then. The dual 1.8's.

[iGav]

Originally posted by AWNR
...Actually, the G5's have seen on update since then. The dual 1.8's.

and they were only announced in June, but not shipping till the September...

[Grimace]

wait it out. Apple has to wait until there is a turning point in the excitement over X release before releasing Y. iPods and G5s may not be directly related, but they get new customers into the Apple Stores.

[invaLPsion]

Originally posted by AWNR
...Actually, the G5's have seen on update since then. The dual 1.8's.

That wasn't a REAL update.

On another note, I think it's getting sad that Apple Computer is concentrating more on a non-computer product than their actual flagship line, which is what really shows he metal of a companyin this industry. Was it not the powermac G5 that sold 500,000 units since the introduction in June 03'? Why shouldn't Apple give people another reason to keep buying the G5? Unfortunately I have a feeling that Apple will not have a very good quarter 1 in 04'.:(

[Dont Hurt Me]

Having faster powermacs will be great but apple has a lot of things to work out. If they come out with say a 2.6 dual G5 where does this leave Imac? still at a single 1.25 G4? way to much gap when you can buy a single 1.8 G5 for that price today. If they give Imac a G5 then its faster then powerbooks? what about supply issues? how many G5's can Ibm build in a day?
so i think a big part of the puzzle will be not only faster G5s for the protowers but then they need to revamp all those G4 machines with slower G5s. so building all of those other products and getting new chips for them and then marketing all of it has to be a logistic nightmare. Sometime this Year all of that stuff has to go G5 and the 90nm G5s were just starting to ship in bulk this January. Hate to say it but it could be another month or two.

[spencecb]

I am with you guys also...I want a G5 badly, and I habe the money to make the purchase...I am, however, not sure if I want to buy the Rev B PowerMac whenever it comes out. I would love to buy one at the end of the summer, when we are supposed to by at 3 GHz. But i know how future plans go for Apple...they never quite stay on target and usually fall behind in speed bumps. Any advice on what to do? I think the only way I will buy a Rev B is that if the middle of the lineup is a dual 2.4. That would make it a substantial increase over the original top of the line. I dunno....any thoughts?

[Grimace]

There are always going to be new products down the road!! People whine about the G5s being delayed - but the MOMENT they are, people ask if they should wait for the next revision.

Buy the friggin computer when you need it. If you are always waiting for the next best thing, YOU will become obsolete.

[invaLPsion]

I hoping for a dual 2.3 or dual 2.4 when the Rev B comes out. I'm pretty sure that machine will handle any game or application thrown at it for the next 3 years. On the same note, do you guys think that a dual 1.8 could last that long?

[cubist]

Originally posted by Dont Hurt Me
... getting new chips for them and then marketing all of it has to be a logistic nightmare. Sometime this Year all of that stuff has to go G5 and the 90nm G5s were just starting to ship in bulk this January. Hate to say it but it could be another month or two.

You know, DHM, I have been right with you in wanting the G5 iMac, but recent history has shown that "logistic nightmare" to be a serious problem. I don't think Apple can release more than one product per two months or so. We may not see updated G5 towers until late March... and I'm losing heart on the G5 iMac. I don't think we'll see it until September.

I think I'm going to have to make room for a refurb 1.8 tower. Not happy with it at all, because the thing is enormous. But what can one do?

[MacsRgr8]

Originally posted by Dont Hurt Me
If they come out with say a 2.6 dual G5 where does this leave Imac?

I think this is the problem. The G4 probably won't clock higher than 1.33 GHz (or maybe, maybe 1.42 GHz) leaving the gap between a G4 and a 2+ GHz G5 far, far too big (huge, really).

So what you do???

Wait for iMac G5 and PowerBook G5 before updating the PowerMacs? Or, lower the G4-Mac range's price considerably? Make a high-end iMac G5?

I wouldn't know..... :rolleyes:

[Dont Hurt Me]

There has to be a lot of people that are doing as we are and that is sitting on that credit card or cash until Apple does something. I hope it doesnt take apple till summer for a G5 Imac. I think if done right this could be a huge success for Apple. as i said before the chips were shipping in bulk in jan so a month to get them, a month to install them and a month to get them out so im still hoping for a on the shelf date of March for the Pro's. I only see lower sales for imac and emac if they dont get those speeds up.

[numediaman]

I'm in the same boat as invaLPsion. I have a new printer, a new scanner, an analog to digital converter, and some software waiting for speedbumps on the G5.

But I've already given up on seeing speedbumps to this generation of G5s. Don't we, instead, expect that the next G5s will have the same family of chips as the servers? In that case, we might expect other major changes: a new optical drive, etc.

Reviewing the Apple discussion boards, a large number of G5 owners are having troubles with iLife04 -- especially the new iDVD and iMovie. Apple has already asked G5 owners to downgrade their QuickTime. I want these problems solved by the time of the new G5s -- that may mean March . . . at the earliest!

[invaLPsion]

I have a 17 inch LCD, a Revolution 7.1 sound card, and JBL Invaders (all new) waiting for a new rev B powermac. They don't like to be kept waiting, and neither do I...

[Jonnod III]

Well, I've been waiting for a G5 since dec 12th. Ordered, paid for...

either they have no stock or they have a huge Xmas backlog, or they are going to update...

[invaLPsion]

Originally posted by Jonnod III
Well, I've been waiting for a G5 since dec 12th. Ordered, paid for...

either they have no stock or they have a huge Xmas backlog, or they are going to update...

Let's hope for the latter. After all, there are still two rumor sites of which I know that believe in an early February release, tomorrow maybe?:confused:

[cubist]

Originally posted by Jonnod III
Well, I've been waiting for a G5 since dec 12th. Ordered, paid for...

You'd better check your shipping tracking. It may have been stolen in transit. :(

[Jonnod III]

...not shipped yet

delay emails received etc etc

[Mac]

I have a nagging feeling that the reason for things to drag on and on and on - is a quality issue.

Steve would not release a product he is not positively sure of its quality.

He can speedbump the PM but he needs to get the consumer series up to G5. A speed bump AND a 90nm chip takes some time logistically to incorporate.

Thus the question lies in whether to go for the speed bump first and then possibly the iMac G5 (as some have noted) or go directly for the iMac G5 before the PM speed bump.

The PB G5 was promised before Christmas 2004 - so he still has some time there, although an upgrade would normally come to the PB before the iMac.

1st Quarter 2004:
If you want quarterly sales to be at their best a speed bump for PowerMac comes first in this round I believe. The 90 nm processor will probably not be used for the PM´s until 2nd Quarter.

2nd Quarter 2004:
Then the iMac will come with 90 nm G5 (heat, noise and size issues are vital to this product). An iMac is an excellent 20th Anniversary present for us. PM´s will have 90 nm´s incorporated.

3rd Quarter 2004 (possibly 4th):
Then at last the PowerBook will arrive in late fall with 90 nm G5.

But the quality issue for the product comes first. PowerMacs generate more dough than iMac. A speed bump in 1st Quarter will keep interest up, until all quality issues with the 90 nm are totally secure.

We will all soon find out.

[invaLPsion]

I don't care about 90nm. If there is any powermac speed bump, I would buy instantly.

[Skiniftz]

To go past 2Ghz with sensible heat dissipation and power consumption, the chip will have to be the 970FX 90nm version.

Incidentally the 970FX has a 1.1Ghz bus (i.e. 2.2Ghz CPU) and is officially listed by IBM as going "2.0+Ghz" with less than half the power consumption of the 130nm chip when matching it at 2Ghz.

I've had the cash to buy a G5 since the middle of last month and have been upgrading my studio as I'm switching to Mac from PC, however this waiting is starting to very much annoy me.

For the people who say "buy now" etc, I want you to imagine spending over $4100, (£2299 in the UK) then finding out next week that you just wasted $1000, or could have got the new top of the line for the same price by waiting a week. That's what this is about.

[tdhurst]

Originally posted by invaLPsion
I think it's about time one of these was posted again, because here we are without LONG overdue powermac updates and with few rumors that they will come anytime soon. I am starting to get pissed off because I have purchased about $600 worth of hardare to go with my new G5 and I don't have a G5 to plug them in to.
Did you buy furniture for your house before you bought one? Why would you buy software for a machine you don't have?

[Skiniftz]

Originally posted by appleretailguy
Did you buy furniture for your house before you bought one? Why would you buy software for a machine you don't have?
He said he bought hardware, not software.

I too have just spent $1000 on hardware (namely a MOTU 828MkII) to use with my non-existant G5, but am presently forced to use it on the PC (not the best platform for it but it works).

[Foxer]

Originally posted by appleretailguy
Did you buy furniture for your house before you bought one? Why would you buy software for a machine you don't have?

As a matter of fact, we did. Family room and dining room sets delivered two months before we closed. We knew we were going to need something to sit on.

Regarding the product line. PowerMacs should all be dual-processor machines, while iMacs keep the single processor. That way, you can have both running G5, but a major power edge to the pro machine. They have dileniated the laptop market by keeping Superdrives and FW800 out of iBooks, so there is a precedent.

[Edot]

The PowerMac G5 did not start shipping until Sept. This would place Apple's normal cycle of updates in Feb/March. Why is everyone so upset!? Besides when they do release the next revision it is going to be at least 400Mhz update to make their 3Ghz prediction this fall. This is WAY more than the 200Mhz max per revision that we have been seeing from Moto. the last few years. Calm down, they will be coming, and if you really need it now than just get one.

[numediaman]

By the way, I'm the one who said that they bought software before the computer.

The reason is simple: I own more than one Mac -- so the software won't just sit there. The new stuff would not have been bought if I didn't think I'd get a new computer -- but since I know a new G5 will be coming (at some point) I might as well buy the stuff when I find the best deal -- no reason to wait and pass up a rebate or a price reduction, right?

[Mav451]

Originally posted by AWNR
I could go down the street right now, and buy a top of the line parts for under $300 and build a PC from scratch. But that’s not what I want. That’s not what I *need*.

That’s probably the best advice when it comes to computer-buying. Do you really need those extra megahertz? Right now? At this very moment?

Because of money-issues, I’ll have to wait a couple of months anyway – but it *is* that time of year, and updated G5’s are substantially rumoured to be coming soon. Also, don’t forget that Steve promised us shiny new 3Ghz G5’s by the end of the summer. There are even reports that IBM has managed to reduce the production cost of the G5’s by quite a bit.

My argument for not buying a PC right now, and waiting for the Mac, is that with a 3 year warranty, I expect the computer I buy to be all I need for the next 3 years. Would you rather have a G5 in three years, or a Wintel stuck with a, by then, six year old OS? (Longhorn won’t be out until the end of your warranty on either machine anyway).

Personally, I’d wait a couple of weeks, at least. Especially with all the rumour-mongering that’s surrounded the G5 of late.

It is not good to generalize the Wintel world as simply "more megahertz" -- otherwise everyone would be wasting their money on Celerons (and wasting is a kind euphemism for those who suffer with Celerons).

For 300 dollars, you cannot get either side, AMD or Intel's, "top of the line". You CAN build yourself a solid 2-year Athlon XP or Pentium 2.4C based system.

Top of the line with Intel is exorbitant, while on the AMD side, you can get literally half a step from the best for only 400 dollars (Athlon64 3400+) and for 200 dollars less, the true equivalent to the 3.2Ghz Pentium 4, the Athlon64 3200+.

Mind you, it is not "megahertz" as the normal Mac generalization goes. The Athlon64 3200+ is world's different from the several month old Athlon XP 3200+. While the Barton Core was the last gasp of breath for the aging XP platform, the Athlon64 is fresh with an on-die memory controller (along with SSE2 instructions, 1MB L2 cache).

The Athlon64 3200+ runs only at 2ghz, and yet can beat a 3.2Ghz Pentium 4. The considerably older XP Barton 3200+, running at 2.2ghz, is more comparable with the 3.0Ghz Pentium 4.

The "its only more megahertz" argument has been over since the introduction of the 32/64 bit lineup by AMD.

But...if you only look at Intel's lineup, i would be inclined to agree with you.

A few pictures from Firingsquad.com illustrate the dying "its only megahertz" myth as we know it. Pay close attention to where the XP 3200+ scores are in comparison to the similarly clocked Athlon64 3400+ (runs at 2.2ghz as well).

http://firingsquad.com/hardware/amd_athlon_64_3400_review/images/bot1024.gif
Also take note of the Athlon64 3200+ (running at only 2ghz) which runs at a lower clock than the XP 3200+, and still has a considerable lead on the old XP 3200+

http://firingsquad.com/hardware/athlon_fx_preview/images/botmatch1024.gif

A gamepc.com review also illustrates this point...simple look at the the Photoshop test: http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=athlon64&page=8

and the UT2003 botmatch:
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=athlon64&page=6

[invaLPsion]

Originally posted by Mav451
It is not good to generalize the Wintel world as simply "more megahertz" -- otherwise everyone would be wasting their money on Celerons (and wasting is a kind euphemism for those who suffer with Celerons).

For 300 dollars, you cannot get either side, AMD or Intel's, "top of the line". You CAN build yourself a solid 2-year Athlon XP or Pentium 2.4C based system.

Top of the line with Intel is exorbitant, while on the AMD side, you can get literally half a step from the best for only 400 dollars (Athlon64 3400+) and for 200 dollars less, the true equivalent to the 3.2Ghz Pentium 4, the Athlon64 3200+.

Mind you, it is not "megahertz" as the normal Mac generalization goes. The Athlon64 3200+ is world's different from the several month old Athlon XP 3200+. While the Barton Core was the last gasp of breath for the aging XP platform, the Athlon64 is fresh with an on-die memory controller (along with SSE2 instructions, 1MB L2 cache).

The Athlon64 3200+ runs only at 2ghz, and yet can beat a 3.2Ghz Pentium 4. The considerably older XP Barton 3200+, running at 2.2ghz, is more comparable with the 3.0Ghz Pentium 4.

The "its only more megahertz" argument has been over since the introduction of the 32/64 bit lineup by AMD.

But...if you only look at Intel's lineup, i would be inclined to agree with you.

A few pictures from Firingsquad.com illustrate the dying "its only megahertz" myth as we know it. Pay close attention to where the XP 3200+ scores are in comparison to the similarly clocked Athlon64 3400+ (runs at 2.2ghz as well).

http://firingsquad.com/hardware/amd_athlon_64_3400_review/images/bot1024.gif
Also take note of the Athlon64 3200+ (running at only 2ghz) which runs at a lower clock than the XP 3200+, and still has a considerable lead on the old XP 3200+

http://firingsquad.com/hardware/athlon_fx_preview/images/botmatch1024.gif

A gamepc.com review also illustrates this point...simple look at the the Photoshop test: http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=athlon64&page=8

and the UT2003 botmatch:
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=athlon64&page=6

Back to discussing waiting for the new G5s then...:p :D

[Sun Baked]

Originally posted by AWNR
...Actually, the G5's have seen on update since then. The dual 1.8's. That's a product realignment...

But it does seem to have done it's job of sucking the newbies into thinking it's an update.

Sort of like putting curb feelers, fuzzy dash mat, and neon racing stripes on a Bently and calling it the all new GTX.

err.... Maybe not quite like that, that's more of a GM thing.

[Downdivx]

If we don't see a PM update soon, I don't think there will be one until June. If there is going to be a stepping stone up to 3GHz, it has to come soon, otherwise everyone will just look at it and say "well, there will be 3GHz's in June, so I'll just stick it out."
Honestly, I want PM updates, but I don't think we'll see it. Right now the PM is selling like crazy (check out the shipping waits), so there really isn't any motivation for Apple to upgrade them. Why go through the time and expense of designing and testing new/faster chips when they are going to be replaced again in only 4 months.
Instead I'm afraid apple will just wait until WWDC 2004.

W

[AWNR]

Originally posted by Mav451
It is not good to generalize the Wintel world as simply "more megahertz"

That wasn't what I was implying. But the general notion here, is that we're waiting for a Rev-B G5.

I'm pretty sure most people know about the megahertz myth by now. That's the whole reason why AMD started grading their systems by performance isntead of Mhz.

But, yeah, back to waiting for a G5 update.

[invaLPsion]

Does anybody think that the painful wait will end and we will have new powermacs tomorrow or next week? (according to two rumor sites)

[amnesiac1984]

Originally posted by AWNR
That wasn't what I was implying. But the general notion here, is that we're waiting for a Rev-B G5.

I'm pretty sure most people know about the megahertz myth by now. That's the whole reason why AMD started grading their systems by performance isntead of Mhz.

But, yeah, back to waiting for a G5 update.

only people who read mags about computers and who go to forums like these. It still is a wide spread myth.

[aswitcher]

Originally posted by invaLPsion
Does anybody think that the painful wait will end and we will have new powermacs tomorrow or next week? (according to two rumor sites)

My view is that unless ThinkSecret post something, it has little weight...

[wdlove]

Originally posted by numediaman
By the way, I'm the one who said that they bought software before the computer.

The reason is simple: I own more than one Mac -- so the software won't just sit there. The new stuff would not have been bought if I didn't think I'd get a new computer -- but since I know a new G5 will be coming (at some point) I might as well buy the stuff when I find the best deal -- no reason to wait and pass up a rebate or a price reduction, right?

I agree, it's good to purchase an item when you can get the best price. At least your are getting some use out of your purchases. I hope that your wait for a G5 won't be too long. ;)

[invaLPsion]

MacOSRumors now believes that 10.3.3 is being almost specifically made to address G5 issues and to be able to take advantage of the new technology in the new 90nm processor. Apple wants to get the 10.3.3 update out so it will ship with new powermacs at speeds up to 2.6GHz.

If you think about it, a lot of stuff has been going around about the size of this update and how big it will be for Panther. It is also possible that the reason the G5s have not been released is because the new update will greatly improve new G5 performance and Apple wants updated G5s to take advantage of this. IT ALL MAKES SENSE!:)

[invaLPsion]

Originally posted by invaLPsion
MacOSRumors now believes that 10.3.3 is being almost specifically made to address G5 issues and to be able to take advantage of the new technology in the new 90nm processor. Apple wants to get the 10.3.3 update out so it will ship with new powermacs at speeds up to 2.6GHz.

If you think about it, a lot of stuff has been going around about the size of this update and how big it will be for Panther. It is also possible that the reason the G5s have not been released is because the new update will greatly improve new G5 performance and Apple wants updated G5s to take advantage of this. IT ALL MAKES SENSE!:)

This is backed up by MacOSXRumors.com. They are saying that multiple sources have informed them that Apple has ordered over 500,000 90nm G5 processors for the quarter alone, with possible increases to the order. With that amount of G5s coming it can be assumed that iMacs, too could be waiting for 10.3.3 to see an update to their line.

[Skiniftz]

Right that's it. I'm going to make do with my PC and wait it out. :mad:

[tdhurst]

Originally posted by numediaman
By the way, I'm the one who said that they bought software before the computer.

The reason is simple: I own more than one Mac -- so the software won't just sit there. The new stuff would not have been bought if I didn't think I'd get a new computer -- but since I know a new G5 will be coming (at some point) I might as well buy the stuff when I find the best deal -- no reason to wait and pass up a rebate or a price reduction, right?

My apologies. I mistakenly assumed you were either a PC user or had a fairly old Mac. I completely understand your reasons for buying the software, and I second your frustration with the absence of a G5 upgrade.

[numediaman]

No problem.

About the rumor . . . If true (and I repeat, if true) this would be very good news. The next round of G5s will be not be purchased by first adapters. They, like me, will want a rock solid machine. Shipping new G5s after the release of 10.3.3 makes a lot of sense in this regard.

The bad news is, however, that Apple Insider reports today that 10.3.3 has been pulled off the developer site (or something like that). Sounds like they still have some work to do before they can release the next OS update.

Having said all that . . . if you are waiting to buy a G5, I recommend spending a good amount of time in the advice forums here, and at Apple support. You'll hear a lot of bad things -- but this is fairly normal at troubleshooting forums. But it will prepare you for some of the possible problems you may encounter. The ones that worry me the most include graphic card issues (black screen, sleeping issues), iDVD4 and iMovie4 issues, and random freeze issues. I think that a revisionb G5 and new fixes to the OS should solve many of these problems -- but it is good to be prepared.

As I've stated before, look for the new G5s in March -- if before, great. (I just looked at the calendar -- my birthday is on a Tuesday in March -- is this a sign?)

[Dont Hurt Me]

considering the fact that apple sells about 200,000 powermacs per quarter then where does that 300,000 chips go? Imac? lets hope so. xserve sales have to be very very small so either a G5 imac or a new G5 product has to be on its way.

[invaLPsion]

Originally posted by Dont Hurt Me
considering the fact that apple sells about 200,000 powermacs per quarter then where does that 300,000 chips go? Imac? lets hope so. xserve sales have to be very very small so either a G5 imac or a new G5 product has to be on its way.

Don't forget that the chips for the Xserve were already ordered in 4th quarter to be ready for them to ship at MWSF. So all of those chips could go towards powermacs or iMacs. I hope will will see a major revamp of Apple's desktop lineup soon, as it is in need of an update. In addition, to keep the powerbooks on track, maybe we could see dual processor powerbooks or low speed G5 powerbooks.

[Sun Baked]

Originally posted by Dont Hurt Me
considering the fact that apple sells about 200,000 powermacs per quarter then where does that 300,000 chips go? Imac? lets hope so. xserve sales have to be very very small so either a G5 imac or a new G5 product has to be on its way. :rolleyes:

And how many of those are DP PowerMac G5s?

They do happen to eat up TWO CPUs per machine.

So some of those 300,000 CPUs are likely to end up in DP PowerMacs, DP XServe G5, and/or SP XServe G5.

Which might leave 100,000 for iMacs or less. :confused:

[Dont Hurt Me]

out of the 500,000 970's we have 200,000 powermacs sales. so i would say less then 100,000 are duals and the other singles so that uses about 300,000 chips or less. that leaves 200,000 G5s. out of those i would say maybe 25,000 to xserve and that has to be very generous. so we now have 175,000 left over G5s(970s). If Apple comes out with a new product it would be about right. If apple comes out with a G5 Imac it probably will sell next to the current G4 Imac for awhile and again it will be about right. then again maybe a new powerbook G5. anyway you look at it we have a new G5 product coming. now the question is what is it?

[Hackcomic.com]

I finally did it- couldn't wait on the rumors anymore- I bought a G5 1.8 single for $1699 with printer. Which means 2 things- #1 I wont be reading this anymore, I dont want to know when the new ones come out. #2 The new ones will come out the day my G5 arrives.

[Dont Hurt Me]

cool :cool: I know you will love it and you are spared our madness trying to figure out what the heck Apple is doing.:confused:
(edit) in reference to haccomic.com giving this all up and buying a 1.8 G5):)

[invaLPsion]

The 10.3.3 seed has vanished from the Apple Developer's server for an unknown reason. This could mean something special or there may have been a critical problem with the update. But if it is getting all of this attention it must be one special update... As stated before, maybe Apple wants to get this just right for new G5 powermacs and G5 products (i.e. iMac or Powerbook). I am now optimistic that we will see an update this month (if 10.3.3 gets out soon).:D :)

[~Shard~]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If you're always waiting for the next best thing, you'll always be waiting. Buy the computer you need, when you need it, and you will NEVER be disappointed. And specifically with regard to the PowerMacs, is a DP 2.0 GHz really too slow for you? Sure, the 2.6 GHz (or whatever the new top end becomes) will be faster, but what do you really need? If you need more power than the 2.0 can deliver, then by all means, wait. But if you really don't need that extra 600 MHz, just buy your system and start enjoying it! It sounds like you've already bought $600 of hardware for it that's just sitting there, so you've already lost money by waiting. You could've bought those components for a little less by now, possibly, or at least put the money to better use in the interim.

[Downdivx]

This is a rumor site: Someone here is always looking for the next best thing. And someone will always be waiting for the next best thing. Your philosophy works for you, let the rest of us enjoy the speculation.
W

[aswitcher]

Originally posted by invaLPsion
SNIP I am now optimistic that we will see an update this month (if 10.3.3 gets out soon).:D :)

I wish I had your confidence...

[Jonnod III]

Originally posted by ~Shard~
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If you're always waiting for the next best thing, you'll always be waiting. Buy the computer you need, when you need it, and you will NEVER be disappointed.

Not really true - there's a world of a difference between ordering the top-of-the range machine and having it so for 6 months, or buying the top-of-the-range machine and having it so for one week. Not to mention the likely price drop in the machine you just had delivered.

missing a speed bump by 1 week would really suck. Especially as Macs last longer in use than PCs. This is written on a 500mhz Pismo. If I had a Lombostreet or a Wallard then it wouldn't have lasted as long. I wanted a top-of-the-range at the time I ordered, I got one.

which is why I'd be really hacked off if my dual 2ghz arrived and the 2.6 (3.0, 2.4) was the top of the range the week after.

[themadchemist]

Originally posted by invaLPsion
MacOSRumors now believes that 10.3.3 is being almost specifically made to address G5 issues and to be able to take advantage of the new technology in the new 90nm processor. Apple wants to get the 10.3.3 update out so it will ship with new powermacs at speeds up to 2.6GHz.

If you think about it, a lot of stuff has been going around about the size of this update and how big it will be for Panther. It is also possible that the reason the G5s have not been released is because the new update will greatly improve new G5 performance and Apple wants updated G5s to take advantage of this. IT ALL MAKES SENSE!:)

MacOSRumors said it? Oh, ok, then I guess that means we can rule out at least ONE theory.

[numediaman]

The longer the wait, the more I am encouraged that Apple is fixing the bugs found in the first generation of G5s, the new iLife, and Panther. Normally I would agree with the idea of "buy the computer when you need it" philosophy -- but in this case, if you really need a desktop now buy a dual G4, not a G5. The dual G4s appear to be rock solid -- unlike the G5s.

If you can wait, the new G5s may make all those G5 first adapters jealous. I think the new G5s will ship with 10.3.3 installed, new QuickTime installed, and a revised iLife4 suite. You'll also get a guitar to go with GarageBand. ;)

I continue to say . . . March for new G5s. (But I check here every day, just in case!)

[neonart]

Man, I'm about to freak out waiting for these G5 updates...
MacConnection now has a great deal going. A 1.8G5 with 1GB free extra RAM for $1699 after rebate. I'm tempted to jump on this right away, but I want it for Gaming so the next revision of G5's will surely have faster clock speeds at same or lower prices.

What do you guys think? I can wait, but it sure is nerve wreckin'!

[invaLPsion]

Originally posted by neonart
Man, I'm about to freak out waiting for these G5 updates...
MacConnection now has a great deal going. A 1.8G5 with 1GB free extra RAM for $1699 after rebate. I'm tempted to jump on this right away, but I want it for Gaming so the next revision of G5's will surely have faster clock speeds at same or lower prices.

What do you guys think? I can wait, but it sure is nerve wreckin'!

I want a G5 for gaming and editing as well. This is why I am very concerned about waiting for the next update because I want a gaming G5 that will last me for at least another 3 years. Do any of you think that a dual 1.8 would last that long?

[PHARAOHk]

Even if the updates are announced soon how long until they actually ship?

[neonart]

Originally posted by PHARAOHk
Even if the updates are announced soon how long until they actually ship?

This is one of the reasons I'm close to making the jump on a disc model, but on the flipside, if new machines get announced, you miss out on the price drop!

[numediaman]

Revision b models are usually not announced until they are ready to ship or in store.

In the case of the June G5 announcement, this was a whole new model, so they announced a future ship date.

If Apple announces new speeds (even with a new chip), and continues to call them G5, then I would expect to be able to get these fairly quickly. And you're right, at that point the old models will drop in price immediately.

I've always bought the old model when new ones were announced in order to save $$. Right now, the best buy seems to be the single 1.8 G5 (along with the refurb dual 2.0 models on the Apple web site). But I want the new models this time.

[macrumors12345]

I can state with absolute certainty that the new G5s will be released in 15 days.

Why? Well, my friend's family asked me about purchasing a G5 back in December, and I advised that he wait and see what revisions were released at or around Macworld. It is now Feb 4, and the waiting game is growing old, especially since it seems like the 90 nm processors are available right now to Apple, but Apple may be delaying the release for strategic timing or whatever. Bottom line is, today he decided to just go ahead and order the Dual 1.8. If I recall correctly, there is a 14 day grace period during which Apple will allow you to "trade up" to the new model for free (if a new model is released during that period), so therefore I'd have to guess that the new models will be released in 15 days.

[Sun Baked]

Originally posted by macrumors12345
I can state with absolute certainty that the new G5s will be released in 15 days.

Why? Well, my friend's family asked me about purchasing a G5 back in December, and I advised that he wait and see what revisions were released at or around Macworld. It is now Feb 4, and the waiting game is growing old, especially since it seems like the 90 nm processors are available right now to Apple, but Apple may be delaying the release for strategic timing or whatever. Bottom line is, today he decided to just go ahead and order the Dual 1.8. If I recall correctly, there is a 14 day grace period during which Apple will allow you to "trade up" to the new model for free (if a new model is released during that period), so therefore I'd have to guess that the new models will be released in 15 days. As long as the machine hasn't entered production, or is still unopened.

One it ships AND gets opened, they sack you with a 10% restocking fee.

[invaLPsion]

Does anyone have more educated guesses as to when the new G5s are coming out? I wish NeatGekko would give us some information, even though he was wrong about a release last week....

[numediaman]

For those hoping for new G5s very soon . . .

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93665

Like I've been saying, let Apple work out their problems with the G5, then hope for new releases. I suspect that when you see a new OS update you will see new G5s.

EDIT: If, despite what I've said above, you are still hoping for updates, there is one sign of hope. As of tonight, the Apple Store no longer has any refurbished G5s available. Have they simply sold out what they had available? Or . . .

[invaLPsion]

Originally posted by numediaman
For those hoping for new G5s very soon . . .

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93665

Like I've been saying, let Apple work out their problems with the G5, then hope for new releases. I suspect that when you see a new OS update you will see new G5s.

EDIT: If, despite what I've said above, you are still hoping for updates, there is one sign of hope. As of tonight, the Apple Store no longer has any refurbished G5s available. Have they simply sold out what they had available? Or . . .

That's what I am hoping for, a powermac update along with 10.3.3. It seems that this update has been worked on for a while and that they are nearing completion. I believe that the new update will come out in the next two weeks, along with new powermacs.

As for the refurbished G5s, my brother did buy a single 1.6 this afternoon...

[aswitcher]

Originally posted by invaLPsion
SNIP

I believe that the new update will come out in the next two weeks, along with new powermacs.

SNIP

Yeah, another prediction :p

Lets hope your right.

[Mav451]

More than anything, I would watch the AMD processors, as their clock speeds follow very closely with IBM's 970FX line...

The top line for AMD is only at 2.2ghz (for Apple it is 2.0ghz).

When AMD hits 2.6ghz and Apple is still sitting on a Dual 2.0, then i'd start complaining...

AMD Athlon 64 FX-55 2.6GHz 1MB Q4 '04
AMD Athlon 64 FX-53 2.4Ghz 1MB Q2 '04

This is taken from Anandtech: http://www.anandtech.com/cpu/showdoc.html?i=1947

If AMD is not even close to 3.0Ghz by the end of year, I'm not quite so sure 3.0Ghz will happen by June-August...

*should it happen, there is no doubt in my mind that the G5 will be the performance leader...but with the processes for both the Athlon64 chip and 970FX coming from IBM, it will be a surprise.

And again, this is not taking any consideration of how far the Prescott will hurry/threaten AMD's offerings...it's pretty much all on Intel's table if the performance race will be heading into overdrive :)

[NeatGekko]

Originally posted by invaLPsion
Does anyone have more educated guesses as to when the new G5s are coming out? I wish NeatGekko would give us some information, even though he was wrong about a release last week....

I said my hopes were high for a release last week. It didn't happen. I have no new info beyond the basic why they weren't released already.

[Skiniftz]

Originally posted by NeatGekko
I said my hopes were high for a release last week. It didn't happen. I have no new info beyond the basic why they weren't released already.
Well assuming that they exist and could be shipped, the only logical answer is "Pepsi".

[invaLPsion]

Originally posted by NeatGekko
I said my hopes were high for a release last week. It didn't happen. I have no new info beyond the basic why they weren't released already.

I supppose you can't tell us where you're getting your info from, can you?:D

Oh well, I still think you will be correct about the speeds up to 3 GHz eventually. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks as you posted somewhere else. (YOu were correct about the mini iPods)

Do you believe that the release of new powermacs is tied to 10.3.3 now that Apple is shipping iLife with all new macs?