How long can one hold out?

[ottonian]

Just some venting. I'm on a Power Computing Power Center Pro with a Nupower 400 G3 card and an ATI Rage 128 graphics card. Needless to say I've held out a loooong time. Now with the IBM 970 buzz, looks like the end of 2003 before anything important changes. Every new rumor turns into a letdown. My feeling is to upgrade now, block out the emotional roller coaster of the latest/greatest around the corner and I'll still have a smoking machine...comments?

[morlium]

You answered your own question ...

quit reading these damn sites and buy what you need.

[oldMac]

You've held out too long. You deserve a nice new dual-proc G4.

[Mr. Anderson]

I just picked up a dual 1.25 yesterday that was left over from before the recent upgrade, so it was top of the line a week or so ago - 2MB level 3 cache, super drive, 120 gig hard drive, etc. for about 800 off what it used to be. You might want to look into finding one of those, or if you want to drop more money for the little extra you'll get for a Dual 1.42, bluetooth, firewire 800, etc.

Basically its all about what you're going to do with it. Even if you went and got an iMac it would make your current machine feel like a dog.

D

[ottonian]

I do deserve a machine now and I do need to stop reading these rumor sites. As soon as the ATI card is an available option, [did I do it again?] I'm commiting before I get commited!

[Das]

ru·mor
(n.) A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.

By the way, I'm loving my g5 sphere that came out in 1999 with its luxurious 3 ghz processor, it goes so well with my Newton 2.

[ottonian]

Time to get off the sidelines and get in the game...

[wdlove]

Let us know what you purchase. The lower price really makes these new machines atractive. Who knows 3rd quarter to come and still with disappointment. If our dream comes true you will have 6 months to enjoy your new machine!

[Dont Hurt Me]

Originally posted by ottonian
Just some venting. I'm on a Power Computing Power Center Pro with a Nupower 400 G3 card and an ATI Rage 128 graphics card. Needless to say I've held out a loooong time. Now with the IBM 970 buzz, looks like the end of 2003 before anything important changes. Every new rumor turns into a letdown. My feeling is to upgrade now, block out the emotional roller coaster of the latest/greatest around the corner and I'll still have a smoking machine...comments? Figure out your needs and wallet and go for it. There is allways going to be faster bigger and better around the corner and most of us allready are spoiled mac users.

[Bunzi2k4]

I have an old imac 350 mghz have no clue what kind of a video card... but its not enough to play any new games... and what sux about this comp is that i can't install a cpu upgrade... but when do you guys think i should upgrade... i kno the Emacs have dropped... but i want something really portable... mayb an ibook or the new 12"pw... nyways... what should i get, or wait?

[Freg3000]

Originally posted by Bunzi2k4
I have an old imac 350 mghz have no clue what kind of a video card... but its not enough to play any new games... and what sux about this comp is that i can't install a cpu upgrade... but when do you guys think i should upgrade... i kno the Emacs have dropped... but i want something really portable... mayb an ibook or the new 12"pw... nyways... what should i get, or wait?

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but there are upgrades for your machines.

I think I remember seeing G3 upgrades to about 600 Mhz, and even a tray loading Combo Drive. So you squeeze a little more life out of it.

Just so your decision is a bit harder...

(Buy a new computer) :)

[crazzyeddie]

Dont get the ATI 9700! Its just not worth it at this point. Get the Radeon 9000, its a great card, tons of performance for the money. The PowerMacs don't even have the AGP 8x for the 9700, its just not worth it at this point.

[MrMacMan]

Originally posted by crazzyeddie
Dont get the ATI 9700! Its just not worth it at this point. Get the Radeon 9000, its a great card, tons of performance for the money. The PowerMacs don't even have the AGP 8x for the 9700, its just not worth it at this point.

8x preformance is almost equivent to 4x performance.

The 9700 has little/no gain in preformance from going from 4-8. Check the PC places, it really does make a massive difference.

[garzy]

By the way, I'm loving my g5 sphere that came out in 1999 with its luxurious 3 ghz processor, it goes so well with my Newton 2.

ahaha that was so funny!!!


anyway, Bunz,

dont get an emac, they suck
im on one right now at school
save your money for something a little nicer

[crazzyeddie]

Originally posted by MrMacman


8x preformance is almost equivent to 4x performance.

The 9700 has little/no gain in preformance from going from 4-8. Check the PC places, it really does make a massive difference.

You do know that AGP 8x is more than twice the speed of 4x, right? And most PC tests using the 9700 are using 8x motherboards.

[Das]

Originally posted by crazzyeddie


You do know that AGP 8x is more than twice the speed of 4x, right? And most PC tests using the 9700 are using 8x motherboards.

I've read a few reviews ranging from Tom's to Extreme Tech which show both the 4x and 8x benches. They are dead even (well, the 8x did score as much as 1.2 frames over the 4x). I haven't read anything on the 9700 pro (this test was with nvidia's top ti cards).

There just isn't enough data to send to warrant an 8x agp right now.

[crazzyeddie]

The reason that those tests didn't show any improvement was because none of Nvidia's cards (that are currently shipping) use AGP 8x. Only CARDS that support AGP 8x actually use it, 4x cards will see no improvement from it.

[aethier]

Originally posted by Dont Hurt Me
Figure out your needs and wallet and go for it. There is allways going to be faster bigger and better around the corner and most of us allready are spoiled mac users.

I just thought that you would want to know that you are able to upgrade your 350Mhz imac. http://eshop.macsales.com/ is a link to a site the sells many products including cpu upgrades for imacs emacs ibooks pbooks g4 towers. so i hope there is something there for you. PS; im on a 333Mhz tangerine iMac right know so i know how you feel.. lol

Anyways my dad orderd a 17'AlPB (through the apple online store) wich is schedualed to arive the 20th of march.. it is maxed out on all features ie: 1 gig of ram ect. but apple wa so kind as to send us the extra power adapter..lol
anywayys have a nice week everyone

[aethier]

Originally posted by Bunzi2k4
I have an old imac 350 mghz have no clue what kind of a video card... but its not enough to play any new games... and what sux about this comp is that i can't install a cpu upgrade... but when do you guys think i should upgrade... i kno the Emacs have dropped... but i want something really portable... mayb an ibook or the new 12"pw... nyways... what should i get, or wait?

Oops sorry people this is the guy i meant to quote... (its my first time posting a reply i thought the quote button was ontop of the post not the bottm..)

[Das]

The cards I'm referring to are the Ti4200 and the MX440 (the only two nvidia 4th gen cards that were made to 8x to my knowledge, the rest stayed 4x).

Again, this was just for those two cards and not for the 9700 pro. I haven't seen any benchmarks comparing the two boards (4x and 8x) with a 9700.

[austincpy]

dude, i know what you mean. I’m still stuck with a 8600 with a G3 400 card in it. But, I’ve decided that I am going to wait for the 970 PM, because the machine still works. BTW, I use Final Cut Pro, and although it’s freakin’ slow, I would hold out.

[aethier]

Originally posted by austincpy
dude, i know what you mean. I’m still stuck with a 8600 with a G3 400 card in it. But, I’ve decided that I am going to wait for the 970 PM, because the machine still works. BTW, I use Final Cut Pro, and although it’s freakin’ slow, I would hold out.

On that note, does anyone have a good idea on the speeds of the 970?? i have being hearing mixed comments so..

i think it would be wise on apples part to start 970 at a speed that will get the attention of PC users. because.. lets say that the 970 starts at?? ~1.5. even if it is faster then a 2.5 P4 they wouldnt know or care. PC people never wached apples presentation on the MHZ myth. they do not understand the motorola and ibm chips arent intel or amd chips.. they just see numbers they dont make the conection that it is possible to have smaller GHz and still be faster due to architecture disign but whatever... let then stay with there crapp PC"S they will be the ones with errors and stuff..

[Bunzi2k4]

i am a ... wait... I was a serious gamer, and 600 is just on the line of requirements. I'm even lagging in Diablo II!!! i'd much rather save some money for a better comp...

i think i can get a new comp around summer... hopefully...

[Bunzi2k4]

i checked the link... and well all it shows for acclerators are firewire ports w/ not enought information... whoopdedoo lol

[patrick0brien]

Originally posted by Das
ru·morI'm loving my g5 sphere that came out in 1999 with its luxurious 3 ghz processor, it goes so well with my Newton 2.

... and the floor every time it rolls of your desk. :p :D

[FelixDerKater]

Originally posted by Das
ru·mor
(n.) A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.

By the way, I'm loving my g5 sphere that came out in 1999 with its luxurious 3 ghz processor, it goes so well with my Newton 2.

Just like I am loving my PowerMac with the 1GHz X704 chip that was supposed to arrive in 1997. Heck, even MacUser had it in their magazine.

[law guy]

Originally posted by Das
I've read a few reviews ranging from Tom's to Extreme Tech which show both the 4x and 8x benches. They are dead even (well, the 8x did score as much as 1.2 frames over the 4x). I haven't read anything on the 9700 pro (this test was with nvidia's top ti cards).

There just isn't enough data to send to warrant an 8x agp right now.

PC Mag and Extream Tech have been writing about PCI Express as a replacement for AGP (both 4 and 8); While 8x AGP is now the PC workstation standard, it appears that Intel has come a long way in developing its successor. Will apple just wait for express pci?

PC Mag link:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,906093,00.asp

Extream Tech background story:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,522303,00.asp

[-hh]

Originally posted by austincpy
dude, i know what you mean. I’m still stuck with a 8600 with a G3 400 card in it. But, I’ve decided that I am going to wait for the 970 PM, because the machine still works. BTW, I use Final Cut Pro, and although it’s freakin’ slow, I would hold out.

I'm running an 8500 w/400MHz G4 on OS 9. No gaming, no FC (yet). The chassis turns 6 years old this summer.

The thoughts that I've had have been to obviate the 970 issue by considering getting a laptop this time around (12" PB), but there's been two small obstacles.

First, a hands-on with the PB (and first real X exposure) gave me the impression that the machine's not really any faster. I attribute this to X being more stable but slower than 9, and makes me tempted to move up to the 1GHz 15" or 17", but I doubt the wife would approve of the extra $$'s.

Second, the wife's asking "but why do we need a laptop to begin with?" Her inclination would replace the 8500 with another PowerMac tower configuration (or possibly a 17" iMac).

Okay, I can negotiate around the dollars to a degree -- what I really need help with is the answers for the second one. Any help here guys?


FWIW, one thing that I have been looking at is to include Airport in the upgrade, so that I can sit with her in the TV room while surfing or whatever...she says I'm "ignoring her" when I'm in the office, instead of sitting in the TV room and tuned out because I'm reading a book. Go figure.



-hh

[TheMightyG]

Originally posted by -hh
I'm running an 8500 w/400MHz G4 on OS 9. No gaming, no FC (yet). The chassis turns 6 years old this summer.


Okay, I can negotiate around the dollars to a degree -- what I really need help with is the answers for the second one. Any help here guys?


FWIW, one thing that I have been looking at is to include Airport in the upgrade, so that I can sit with her in the TV room while surfing or whatever...she says I'm "ignoring her" when I'm in the office, instead of sitting in the TV room and tuned out because I'm reading a book. Go figure.



-hh
I would say go for a portable for all the reasons that you mentioned and more. You just have to ask yourself, do you really need the AP extreme, DDR Ram on crippled bus, new chassis, etc etc with the 12"? If no, and you don't want to pony up the $$ for the 1Ghz 15", you may want to look at an older model Tibook. The older generation 800Mhz TiBooks with the 32 Meg Radeon 7500 are cheap (<1900 bucks) and will certainly be light years ahead in speed compared to your old Mac (and about the same price as a new 12" PB). Unlike the Albook, the 800mhz model includes an Airport card. I think that the addition of the 1meg L3 cache in the 800mhz and 15" 1Ghz model makes a HUGE difference (my old 667Mhz gigabit ethernet model with no L3 cache showed spinning beachballs all the time). Note that there is no L3 on the 12".
I just bought the 1Ghz Tibook last week (yeah, yeah, I've read all about the rumours about the "upcoming" 15" Albook, but don't need the rumoured new features and I got a killer price with AppleCare using my edu discount) and the performance increase is far superior than I would have suspected with just a 333 increase in Mhz. I think a lot of it is due to the L3.

Anyways, a good Apple portable really can be a good desktop replacement for most non-power (ie highe end audio/video/prepress) users and certainly is much more flexible. I don't think I'll ever need to get a desktop.

[mindlace]

Speaking of waiting, I'm very close to buying the 2nd up from the bottom iBook. Should I wait for a bump?

(no, I won't be buying the 12" powerbook - $400 difference is too much for too little. The benchmarks I've seen are 5-15% performance difference for non-altivec operations.)

[TheMightyG]

Originally posted by mindlace
Speaking of waiting, I'm very close to buying the 2nd up from the bottom iBook. Should I wait for a bump?

(no, I won't be buying the 12" powerbook - $400 difference is too much for too little. The benchmarks I've seen are 5-15% performance difference for non-altivec operations.)

Remember that OS X itself is optimized for AltiVec.....not just commercial programs like Photoshop. You may want to compare finder functions (window sizing, copying, burning etc) between a G3 IBook and a G4 Albook before buying.

You can always wait for a bump, depends how patient you are and how strongly you believe in rumor sites......:D

[cubist]

Hey, why don't you fence-sitters consider getting a used G4 tower and beefing up the RAM? A 400 or 500MHz G4 will make your old machines look sick, and will only set you back $500-$600 or so. Then whenever the 970s show up, you'll have some cash banked up to take the plunge!

Another thought, I was just at Micro Center today, and the guy there said they had some refurb eMacs for $650 or so. The eMac might hold you for a while. After all, if you bought the G4 tower you might spend too much on upgrading it, which would defeat the purpose of just tiding you over.

[Dont Hurt Me]

cubist makes a nice point, for hh you better pay attention to the wife. I think the 1 giger imac is a awsome machine for home/home office use and it will handle everything software wise today. The question is as you allready know what about tomorrow. Its so nice to have a chassis that can be upgraded. man i love the imac Lcd but if they announce 970 only in powermacs and keep it that way i dont know if i could get a nonupgradable machine ever again. I would like to replace my powermac 800 but am going to just wait and see what apple does. Going to the imac 1 giger wouldnt get me much but a 970 powermac or 7457 imac in the future would.Listen to your wife thats half the battle,Listen to your wallet thats the other half.