Poll: Are you buying a new PowerMac?

[MacRumors]

Vote: Poll: Are you buying a new PowerMac? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=417)

[wrldwzrd89]

I'm not in the market for a computer, so I voted No. I bought my 1.25 GHz iMac in February 2004 and don't intend to replace it until 2007.

[1macker1]

I voted no too. My 800Mhz I mac that i bought in 2003 is still working fine. I need a laptop, so i'm holding off for a PB.

[macridah]

I would consider, but I'm more in the market for the powerbook G5. I'll settle for my ibook for now. I know I'll need an upgrade soon, especially when 10.4 comes out.

It would be different if it was a dual 3GHz. If that was the case, then I would use my annual ADC discount for that.

[Knox]

Option #644 : No, I already have a Dual 2Ghz

:)

[ewinemiller]

It was in the budget, but I really expected dual layer DVD burners and just don't see a point for me to buy something new until that's built in and supported by iDVD.

[azdude]

Option #645: No... Only 2 weeks until I buy a 1.5GHz 15" Powerbook. :D

[broken_keyboard]

I already have a dual 2.0. I will upgrade when they release PCI Express.

[Laslo Panaflex]

Same here, already have dual 2, and not upgrading anytime soon.

[Bear]

My Dual 1.42GHz G4 has to last at least another year.

I think what I'm looking for is:
at least a dual 3.0GHz (Although the Dual 2.5GHz is starting to be tempting.)
Superdrive capable of writing to dual-layer media.
Newer flat panel technology and lower pricing.
Lower memory prices. (And possibly faster memory.)
Oh yeah, money to accumulate to pay for all of it.


I noticed the limitations of the G4 when I start doing heavy image editing and that's where a G5 would help with the ability to have more memory.

[Bunzi2k4]

well i still have my year old power book 12"... this thing has to last more than 2 years...

[ryanw]

I'm still not sure if the rumor sites help or hurt sales. I was thinking of getting a 3GHz with a Dual Layer SuperDrive. But if I didn't read the rumor sites I might have not anticipated this and possibly buy the Dual 2.5GHz.

[Bear]

I'm still not sure if the rumor sites help or hurt sales. I was thinking of getting a 3GHz with a Dual Layer SuperDrive. But if I didn't read the rumor sites I might have not anticipated this and possibly buy the Dual 2.5GHz.The question is, how long do you want to wait before you buy a new Powermac G%? Or for that matter, how long can you afford to wait?

As for what I would like to see, well, I'm not expecting all that in less than 6 months to a year.

[~Shard~]

They're nice but overkill for what I need. My 1.25 GHz G4 17" iMac will do me just fine for a couple more years - and then I'll pick up a nice new G6. :cool:

[punter]

my boss wanted a dual 2ghz but i told him to wait because new ones were coming. Now i don't know if he wants the new dual 2.5ghz, or an old model dual 1.8, or anything inbetween.

I guess it depends what I recommend ;)

[Wonder Boy]

i WANT a g5 but don't NEED anything. thats why im going to wait it out in favor of dual optical drives.

[pimentoLoaf]

I'm still waiting for dual-4ghz model with a $800 30" cinema display. :D

[FunkyChicken]

I've been waiting since the beginning of the year for updates, so yup, I'm definitely buying.

But since the 2.5's are not shipping till next month, I'll likely wait a few more weeks to see if there's any movement on the displays front.

I did notice that the PM G5's have been taken off the list of qualified purchase eligible for the RAM discount.

[copperpipe]

Man I am so happy I bought the Dua1 2Gz when I did. What an unbelievably fast machine. And it's gonna last, a long long time too. Best Mac Purchase I ever made. For those who are waiting, I say you might wanna reconsider your dual 2 Ghz choice.

[shamino]

But since the 2.5's are not shipping till next month, I'll likely wait a few more weeks to see if there's any movement on the displays front.
Well, there is this rumor (http://www.thinksecret.com/news/newdisplays.html). (Courtesey of ThinkSecret (http://www.thinksecret.com/))

[FunkyChicken]

Well, there is this rumor (http://www.thinksecret.com/news/newdisplays.html). (Courtesey of ThinkSecret (http://www.thinksecret.com/))
Yeah I saw that, which is why I remain hopeful that Apple will announce new displays at WWDC. What are the chances of Apple lowering the prices for the current displays lineup, should there be no new displays by WWDC?

[nyprospect]

The more i waited i began to spend money.Little buy little.60 bucks here 100 there.I notice now i have just enough for an emac :o

[kenaustus]

I bought a 15" PB last month (top of the line, except just 1 stick of memory) and will be very happy with that until the next generation of iMacs (G5s) are available - hopefully in a week! The PM is overkill for home, but would be nice as soon as MS delivers a version of VPC that can handle the G5 - hopefully right after XP SP2 is released.

While the PB is for business travel ( :D ) the iMac AIO is, for me, the perfect home computer. Minimizes cords & boxes - simply an elegant design.

[solaris]

Nope, my next Mac will be a PowerBook G5! :rolleyes:
Maybe sometime next year...

[wdlove]

I didn't vote, because I don't plan to purchase now. My plan has been to wait till late Summer or early Fall. As of now my interest would be in the 2.5, but would like to see that the reviews are like.

[Savage Henry]

As much as I have tried to support Apple during the recent under-par upgrades (PBs and PMs), the confirmed fact that the top spec is 2.5ghz has cooled my interest in buying better until about another 6-8 months.

Sorry Mr Jobs.

[numediaman]

No way. I find this a total non-event.

I need a new desktop desperately, but with the power supply problems (and other problems) of the rev.a G5s, and with only the top end being updated, I won't even consider a new desktop until next year (at the earliest).

(I could use a laptop update, as well. But until Apple starts getting serious about its hardware, I won't even look at 'em. I'll just keep updating my OS and continue to hope Jobs fires his engineering management.)

[bidge]

I don't know why everyone wants a dual layer dvd writer so quickly. As far as I'm aware the only available Dual Layer DVD Writer is the Sony one, it only writes to DVD+R DL Discs at 2.4x and WILL NOT write to DVD-R DL discs. Apple have been fully supporting DVD-R and I don't see them shipping a powermac with a drive that only does +R for DL discs. Also manufacture of DL writable discs hasn't really started yet and when they do they will be really expensive, over twice the price of getting 2 Single Layer Single Sided DVD-R discs. At the moment 8x single layer discs are twice the price of 4x SL discs.

I reckon it will be a year before we see DL discs become easily available.

[musicpyrite]

My iMac is handling everything I throw at it right now, I don't expect to get a new copmuter (Mac or PC) untill 2006. But I can tell you that it will deffinatly be a laptop.

[ryan]

Nope, my next Mac will be a PowerBook G5! :rolleyes:
Maybe sometime next year...Yup, me too. My 1.25GHz 15" is running well. A DP G5 desktop would be nice but I just wouldn't get as much use out of it as I do my PB.

[Kreger]

yeah, im looking for a g5, hell yes i am. got my tax return (when being a student is a good thing =) ) looking at the dual 1.8 with some goodies, 9600, 160, wireless keyboard and some 3rd party ram. but i think ill wait and see what wwdc brings us as far as displays go. i would love to get a dual 1.8 with a 20 inch monitor of love.

[Macmaniac]

I am going to buy one, I am going to get the 9600 video card option for mine. 8X DVD burning is going to be sweet for the huge projects I do. Dual layering still seems like its a year away to me, its just to darn expensive, the disks cost over $100 each, imagine burning $100 coasters. I will be content with 2.0ghz G5's, I can't wait to play Warcaft III on them!

[adamjay]

my vote for YES has now been suspended. i'm now a "maybe", and if there is a 20" G5 iMac at WWDC, my vote will be changed to HELL NO.

[BanditBill]

I will likely be purchasing a new Imac if they are G5.

If not, I will wait until the G5 3.0GHz Power Mac comes out and consider purchasing the 2.5GHz along with a monitor that matches the case design.

I never buy the latest and greatest and pay a premium.

I'm an average home user looking to switch over from PC to MAC.

[Steven1621]

alas mom and dad just got a PB for me....not more money in the computer fund.

[Analog Kid]

Not sure what to do... More than anything I'm kinda miffed I didn't pick up a dual 2GHz a year ago, but water under the bridge (or over the chips I guess it is now).

I was going on the theory that I'd pick up a rev B once the kinks got worked out of the cooling system and such (not that I know there were any, just figured there might be). Didn't think it would take a year to release a rev B!

I've got a 400MHz iMac G3, so I figure anything is going to be a significant jump. Love that machine, but it's really starting to struggle. Hard drive is dead (running off a firewire drive), display is starting to get noisy on occasion, and I'm playing with more digital media these days. Gotta change.

Also have a PB 1GHz that I bring home from work. I can use it for some stuff, but I need a stronger machine at home.

I feel pretty let down by the latest update. 20% improvement (or whatever it turns out to be) over a year is pretty unspectacular. I'm not so disappointed in the machines, because I think they're fine for what I want. What I'm disappointed about is that that it's clear we've lost what I was most excited about in the G5-- the roadmap.

What I was hoping for at WWDC was a dual 3GHz, 975 based machine, DDR2 RAM and, specifically, not liquid cooled. Oh, and new displays. Don't care about drives...

What I've got available now is either the same machine I could have bought a year ago, but for $500 less-- nothing to sneeze at but hardly compensation for a lost year, or a minor speed bump of the same chip with a faster bus to the same memory and that blasted liquid cooling.

I held off for Rev B to escape concerns about a brand new cooling system (9 fans) and then got an even more brand new cooling system. I could get a dual 2GHz, but I don't think my pride is going to let me wait a year to get exactly the same machine I could have gotten a year ago if I hadn't been so cautious.

This is really a no win. Right now I'm waiting for the displays to update, and then I'll have to hold my nose and jump in. A little part of me hopes against all common sense that Jobs tacks a 3GHz system onto the high end of the lineup before the displays arrive. I think that's called denial.

Anyway, just felt like a long aimless post explaining why "yes" and "no" didn't give me enough shades of grey in the poll... We need a "depressed and tortured" button.

[cb911]

well, i would, except that it doesn't fit in my backpack quite like my PB does. :p

[~Shard~]

As much as I have tried to support Apple during the recent under-par upgrades (PBs and PMs), the confirmed fact that the top spec is 2.5ghz has cooled my interest in buying better until about another 6-8 months.

Sorry Mr Jobs.

The PowerMac update is under-par?! Have you even read the spec sheets on the new 2.5 GHz G5s? Do you have any idea how powerful they are? And how is an update "under-par" when we see an increase of 2x500 MHz?! Not to mention faster FSB, updated video cards, updated SuperDrive. liquid cooling...

Oh, let me guess, in your mind anything other than a 3 GHz G5 update is under-par - kay, nevermind then. :rolleyes: Some people are never happy....

[ZildjianKX]

The PowerMac update is under-par?! Have you even read the spec sheets on the new 2.5 GHz G5s? Do you have any idea how powerful they are? And how is an update "under-par" when we see an increase of 2x500 MHz?! Not to mention faster FSB, updated video cards, updated SuperDrive. liquid cooling...

Oh, let me guess, in your mind anything other than a 3 GHz G5 update is under-par - kay, nevermind then. :rolleyes: Some people are never happy....

Barely updated videocards, not too super super-drives (12X burners and dual layer burners are out). A 500 Mhz speedbump really isn't all that impressive after an entire year, not to mention the the middle and lower models weren't improved.

[happo]

I already have Dual 1.8 GHz G5, but I'll consider to swap it to one of these rev. B Dual 2 Ghz G5's, if chirping noise and audio problems are solved.

[edesignuk]

Despite the mundane video card and laughable level of standard RAM, I'd still love to order a 2.5 dualie...but I’m lacking funds at the moment :(

[tveric]

There needs to be a fifth option:

No, I'm waiting for the new LCDs before I get a new PowerMac.

[Windowlicker]

no. instead, i'm buying a spankin' 2x1.8GHz OLE'd G5! I get it for the same price as the new 1.8ghz ;) can't wait to get this baby home!

[~Shard~]

Barely updated videocards, not too super super-drives (12X burners and dual layer burners are out). A 500 Mhz speedbump really isn't all that impressive after an entire year, not to mention the the middle and lower models weren't improved.

See my last statement in my previous post. ;)

[QuiteSure]

I'm still not sure if the rumor sites help or hurt sales. I was thinking of getting a 3GHz with a Dual Layer SuperDrive. But if I didn't read the rumor sites I might have not anticipated this and possibly buy the Dual 2.5GHz.

Rumor sites unquestionably hurt sales. Furthermore, I think that this site is one of the most singly destructive influences on the Apple world and culture, even though I greatly admire Arn's efforts and level-headed point of view.

[shamino]

Not sure what to do... More than anything I'm kinda miffed I didn't pick up a dual 2GHz a year ago ...

I've got a 400MHz iMac G3 ... Hard drive is dead (running off a firewire drive), display is starting to get noisy on occasion, and I'm playing with more digital media these days. Gotta change.
...
I feel pretty let down by the latest update. ...
...
What I was hoping for at WWDC was a dual 3GHz, 975 based machine, DDR2 RAM and, specifically, not liquid cooled. Oh, and new displays. Don't care about drives...
...
This is really a no win. Right now I'm waiting for the displays to update, and then I'll have to hold my nose and jump in. A little part of me hopes against all common sense that Jobs tacks a 3GHz system onto the high end of the lineup before the displays arrive. I think that's called denial.
You're coming from a 400MHz G3 iMac, and you're making purchasing decisions based on the fact that the new machine is only 2.5GHz instead of 3?

You do realize that any currently shipping model will be many times (if not dozens of times) faster than the machine you've got now.

If you spend all your time waiting for the next big thing, you'll never buy anything. I guarantee you that on the day a 3GHz machine is shipped, there will be new rumors about 3.5, or 4 or more. On the day they ship a 30" monitor, there will be rumors of a 40" or something equally huge. Will you all of a sudden change your mind and decide to keep waiting?

In the meanwhile, you're using a 400MHz G3 with a fried internal hard drive and a flaky monitor.

Upgrading to anything new is a good idea for you. Go with a new iMac (so you won't need to buy a monitor as well) or a G5 tower and be happy. I guarantee you'll get at least 5 good years out of it, if not more. So it won't be the fastest thing on Earth when the next new model ships in a few months - big deal - that's the way the computer biz works and it's not about to change now.

If you're worried about displays, then buy that later. Buy a tower now and buy a cheap CRT monitor from your local Best Buy or something and buy a display later on when you make up your mind on that. Whatever you get, it will be better than the flaky 15" display you're using now. There's nothing magical about an Apple display - I've been using an NEC 22" CRT (purchased used for $150) for two years now and have been quite happy with it.

[ingenious]

Nah, I don't need a PowerMac. What I will need in awhile is a new laptop. Hopefully by then it will be a 12" PowerBook G5.

[wdlove]

No way. I find this a total non-event.

I need a new desktop desperately, but with the power supply problems (and other problems) of the rev.a G5s, and with only the top end being updated, I won't even consider a new desktop until next year (at the earliest).

(I could use a laptop update, as well. But until Apple starts getting serious about its hardware, I won't even look at 'em. I'll just keep updating my OS and continue to hope Jobs fires his engineering management.)

Now I'm confused. I thought that this is the Rev. B update that we have been waiting for, meaning that problems are fixed. Are you saying that only the 2.5 is Rev. B? :confused:

[gopher]

I'd buy one, except I'm saving for a new car. I love my Powerbook G4 17" 1.33 Ghz.

[iJed]

I was going to buy a PowerMac as soon as they announced but, when I saw that the models I could afford were just last years, I thought I'd wait until the next revision. I was really looking forward to getting this too. The lack of PCI-Express is what put me off. :(

[gopher]

I was going to buy a PowerMac as soon as they announced but, when I saw that the models I could afford were just last years, I thought I'd wait until the next revision. I was really looking forward to getting this too. The lack of PCI-Express is what put me off. :(

How is PCI-Express different from PCI-X?

[HoserHead]

Anyway, just felt like a long aimless post explaining why "yes" and "no" didn't give me enough shades of grey in the poll... We need a "depressed and tortured" button.
This is probably the best message I've ever read on a forum anywhere. I get so discouraged by the quality of comments on forums; yours restores my faith in the medium!

Thanks Analog Kid!

[~Shard~]

Rumor sites unquestionably hurt sales. Furthermore, I think that this site is one of the most singly destructive influences on the Apple world and culture, even though I greatly admire Arn's efforts and level-headed point of view.

I agree. I think the rumor sites are great, but only if used wisely and as a forum for speculation, discussion, information on factual material released and updates, and perhaps the odd scoop. It is an excellent resource, full of good discussion, exchanges of knowledge, and many intelligent people, however many people use it destructively. They build up rumors until they almost consider them as fact, and then when reality does not align with their fantasy-world ideas of what should be, they start slamming Apple and start whining. They start thinking that whatever is mentioned in the rumors will come to pass, and when it doesn’t, they act like babies.

I find this site an excellent resource and I truly enjoy being a member here, yet I always shake my head at the naïveté which some members possess – it never ceases to amaze me!

[arogge]

The new PowerMac cooling system (http://www.apple.com/powermac/design.html) is neat, but I'm still not getting a new Apple desktop system until I can have a professional graphics card with it. :(

[PowerMacMan]

OH YEAH!

My first EVER Mac!

Power Mac G5 Dual 2 GHz (Rev. B)
Dual 2 GHz PowerPC G5
512MB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 2x256
160GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm
8x SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon 9600 XT w/128MB DDR SDRAM
Bluetooth Module
AirPort Extreme Card

SWEET!

[Analog Kid]

You're coming from a 400MHz G3 iMac, and you're making purchasing decisions based on the fact that the new machine is only 2.5GHz instead of 3?

:D
Pretty crafty use of ellipses there! Lemme guess-- you're the guy who does the review excerpts to put on book jackets?

Anyway, let me just fill in some of the text that got replaced with dots and maybe you'll reread my post and understand it better...
I've got a 400MHz iMac G3, so I figure anything is going to be a significant jump.
Also have a PB 1GHz that I bring home from work. I can use it for some stuff, but I need a stronger machine at home.
I'm not so disappointed in the machines, because I think they're fine for what I want. I held off for Rev B to escape concerns about a brand new cooling system (9 fans) and then got an even more brand new cooling system.

What I find so hysterical is I don't think you intentionally edited my post to remove contradictory material, I think it's just a case study in the dangers of incomplete references...

[Sol]

I voted no because I would not do anything with a new PowerMac that my dual 800 MHz PowerMac cannot does not do now. If Apple announced a 3 GHz PowerMac I would still not buy it since my current computer is so reliable.

All these people who think that a 2.5 GHz PowerMac is not good enough are not being realistic in their expectations. Does the current PowerMac line lack performance in any way?

[macnews]

How is PCI-Express different from PCI-X?

I had this same question and can't give you the best answer but will try. First, PCI-X right now is better than PCI-Express. It is slightly faster but PCI-Express is supposed to have a better road map.

What is happening is PCI-X is for servers where speed and networking is critical - thus, why Apple used it for the G5. PCI-Express can not, right now, meet the server needs but is geared for the desktop market to replace AGP. That is why I think people on here are bitching about wanting PCI-Express - the PC people are adapting it because it is cheaper than PCI-X components.

Also, to explain the speed difference (as I understand it) PCI-X uses serial technology where PCI-Express uses parallel. Parallel is faster but right now PCI-X has faster speeds so is faster, but that could change in a few years. Most articles I have read expect PCI-Express to catch up in performance to PCI-X by end 2005 or 2006. However, as I see it, this could be like the old beta or vhs debate. Beta was better but vhs got the market. I can understand people complaining if PCI-Express WAS the standard, but right now there is a fight between AGP and the other two. Oh, the major problem with PCI-Express it is not backward compatible at all, where as PCI-X is. So for computer manufactures the question is do the put in one PCI-Express slot and hope people don't get pissed the graphic card they have or want doesn't work, or put in both a PCI-Express and PCI-X slot (thus negating PCI-Express cost savings).

[macnews]

I don't know why everyone wants a dual layer dvd writer so quickly. As far as I'm aware the only available Dual Layer DVD Writer is the Sony one, it only writes to DVD+R DL Discs at 2.4x and WILL NOT write to DVD-R DL discs. Apple have been fully supporting DVD-R and I don't see them shipping a powermac with a drive that only does +R for DL discs. Also manufacture of DL writable discs hasn't really started yet and when they do they will be really expensive, over twice the price of getting 2 Single Layer Single Sided DVD-R discs. At the moment 8x single layer discs are twice the price of 4x SL discs.

Thank you for saying this. I also want to know why some people on here insist Apple should include dual layer DVDs but don't expect any other computer maker to have them as a standard feature. I did some quick checking on a few sites and I couldn't find anyone that even offered it as a build to order option. Dell sells the burner but you have to install it yourself. Again, from what I can tell. I don't have enough time to check out all the options. And bidge's point about not supporting DVD-R is very valid. Apple sits on the board for DVD-R standards, they start putting in those sony drives and it would not look good. Maybe once a standard is set...

[Analog Kid]

This is probably the best message I've ever read on a forum anywhere. I get so discouraged by the quality of comments on forums; yours restores my faith in the medium!

Thanks Analog Kid!
Wow! One user complimenting another rather than trying to flame them to shreds?! You have restored my faith in the medium!

[Analog Kid]

Rumor sites unquestionably hurt sales. Furthermore, I think that this site is one of the most singly destructive influences on the Apple world and culture, even though I greatly admire Arn's efforts and level-headed point of view.

I disagree-- I don't think there's a better sales tool for Apple than a bunch of rabid users all hanging out in the same place posting lists of their Apple equipment in our sigs for others to be jealous of and spinning any tidbit of information in the most pro-Apple way possible.

If you read these forums, it really does sound like the average machine is a dual G5 with a top end LCD and all the trimmings. Live in this environment for a while and you're bound to start thinking that's normal...

I've certainly bought far more Apple hardware and software since I've started reading the rumor sites. Can't help it with all the hype and the feeling that everyone around you is doing it.

Sure there's loose talk about what might come next, and maybe people will time their purchases based on conference schedules or whatever, but for Apple I don't think it really matters so much whether you buy this month or next-- it's whether you stay with Apple.

[QuiteSure]

I disagree-- I don't think there's a better sales tool for Apple than a bunch of rabid users all hanging out in the same place posting lists of their Apple equipment in our sigs for others to be jealous of and spinning any tidbit of information in the most pro-Apple way possible.

If you read these forums, it really does sound like the average machine is a dual G5 with a top end LCD and all the trimmings. Live in this environment for a while and you're bound to start thinking that's normal...

I've certainly bought far more Apple hardware and software since I've started reading the rumor sites. Can't help it with all the hype and the feeling that everyone around you is doing it.

Sure there's loose talk about what might come next, and maybe people will time their purchases based on conference schedules or whatever, but for Apple I don't think it really matters so much whether you buy this month or next-- it's whether you stay with Apple.

Well...maybe. You presume that non-apple users don't read rumor sites, and I just don't know if that's true. These sites, with their disappointed crankiness, may certainly dissuade potential switchers.

Besides, I think it was Joswiak who referred to the Apple faithful as the "low hanging fruit" who are the real target market for the new G5s. Rumor sites do nothing but harm to Apple's likelihood of reaching that market.

That said, there is some legitimate disappointment that Steve's prediction of 3GHZ has fallen short.

I think that the most interesting aspect of all this is the way the computer industry has messed with all of our heads. At home I have a refurb'd 2.0 that I bought in January as an upgrade to a dual 500 mhz. Truly love the increased power. At the office I have a dual 867 that I bought in 2002 that is perfectly functional. Yet, I'm still thinking of upgrading to a dual 1.8, really for no good reason.

[shamino]

Besides, I think it was Joswiak who referred to the Apple faithful as the "low hanging fruit" who are the real target market for the new G5s. Rumor sites do nothing but harm to Apple's likelihood of reaching that market.
Maybe. They also help.

For instance, if not for rumor sites, and the fact that they cause me to constantly re-visit Apple's home page, I would never know abut the Xserve RAID. Knowing about it, I've managed to convince one of our IT people to begin investigating it as an upgrade to our file server at work. (We're currently running a Network Appliance box, which is a PC running UNIX integrated into a RAID chassis.)

I have never seen the Xserve RAID advertised anywhere and wouldn't even know about it if not for these rumor sites and the web-surfing they cause me to take on a regular basis. In other words, if not for my reading rumors sites, the Xserve/Xserve RAID possibility would never have even been considered for our file server upgrade.

I don't know if we'll end up buying it or not, but the fact that it's being considered at all is good for Apple. I'm sure my company isn't the only one that fits this description, and I'm sure that some of them will actually buy into the product line.
That said, there is some legitimate disappointment that Steve's prediction of 3GHZ has fallen short.
No disagreement here.

It was well-understood that IBM would be able to deliver 3GHz chips by now. They didn't - developing them was more difficult than expected. Nobody expected this, but Jobs should've known better than to make promises (or public statements that people will treat as promises) based on this kind of assumption. R&D is never an exact science, and Jobs should've known that there was a real possibility of IBM slipping its schedule.
I think that the most interesting aspect of all this is the way the computer industry has messed with all of our heads. At home I have a refurb'd 2.0 that I bought in January as an upgrade to a dual 500 mhz. Truly love the increased power. At the office I have a dual 867 that I bought in 2002 that is perfectly functional. Yet, I'm still thinking of upgrading to a dual 1.8, really for no good reason.
I know the feeling. My dual 1GHz G4 tower (purchased as soon as it was released, when it was the fastest Mac available) does everything I need without any problem. It actually runs faster today than it did when I purchased it (as a result of upgrading from the 10.1 it shipped with to 10.2 and 10.3), but seeing all these new products discussed at length ends up creating the feeling of "well maybe I do want to upgrade".

Fortunately, my wallet speaks louder - there's no way I'm going to impulse-buy anything that costs thousands of dollars, and the non-impulse side of my brain says "you're crazy to upgrade until you find that your existing computer no longer does everything you want it to do."

[iJed]

I had this same question and can't give you the best answer but will try. First, PCI-X right now is better than PCI-Express. It is slightly faster but PCI-Express is supposed to have a better road map.

What is happening is PCI-X is for servers where speed and networking is critical - thus, why Apple used it for the G5. PCI-Express can not, right now, meet the server needs but is geared for the desktop market to replace AGP. That is why I think people on here are bitching about wanting PCI-Express - the PC people are adapting it because it is cheaper than PCI-X components.

Also, to explain the speed difference (as I understand it) PCI-X uses serial technology where PCI-Express uses parallel. Parallel is faster but right now PCI-X has faster speeds so is faster, but that could change in a few years. Most articles I have read expect PCI-Express to catch up in performance to PCI-X by end 2005 or 2006. However, as I see it, this could be like the old beta or vhs debate. Beta was better but vhs got the market. I can understand people complaining if PCI-Express WAS the standard, but right now there is a fight between AGP and the other two. Oh, the major problem with PCI-Express it is not backward compatible at all, where as PCI-X is. So for computer manufactures the question is do the put in one PCI-Express slot and hope people don't get pissed the graphic card they have or want doesn't work, or put in both a PCI-Express and PCI-X slot (thus negating PCI-Express cost savings).

Actually PCI-X is the parallel technology (just like the original PCI.) PCI-X is more or less like EISA: one of the last breaths for an obsolescent standard. Saying parallel is faster than serial is a very misleading thing to say since one transfers in small chunks at a higher speed - serial - and the other tends to transfer big chunks at a lower speed - parallel). It seem that everything is going serial nowadays with standards like Firewire, USB and SATA. Therefore making PCI serial (as in PCI-Express) too seems like the way to go for the future. Of interest to some is that PCI-Express is 1, 4, 8, or 16 bit whereas PCI-X is 64-bit. Don't be fooled by these numbers though because the former is serial and the later parallel.

If you want to talk about compatibility: not all parallel PCI versions are compatible, and when it comes to graphics cards, PCI-Express is the way to go. Note that some PCI cards (and slots) use different voltages and some don't even physically fit certain cards. PCI is quite fragmented nowadays.

I'm all for Apple trying to integrate both into the PowerMac mobo - if they can; but I'd rather have PCI-Express (so that I can use the latest graphics cards) than some ageing standard for devices that I don't even have.


More importantly for the PowerMacs: Apple put a decent graphics card into every model. Having cards that you'd get on a $500 PC on a $3000 PowerMac is not going to do your reputation much good.

[iLilana]

well.. I want one. we'll see if we get one.

[QuiteSure]

shamino, by your reasoned response to my moderate flamebait you've restored my faith in MacRumors and other rumor sites.

For now :)

[sockeatingdryer]

IMO, you don't really need a G5 right here,right now unless you do some serious, high-end work.
Also, the price tag... not something you should buy on impulse just because you have this little nagging feeling of slight obsolescence.
I don't think I'll be buying a new Mac until 2006, my graduation, when I'll be needing a portable. Maybe an iBook/PowerBook G6 by then?
I held on to my Bondi Blue (Rev. B) until a few weeks ago... served all my needs.
I think it's unhealthy for one to just rush out and buy the latest and greatest all the time, every time. It seems like such a waste of hard-earned cash and work.

[ITR 81]

Well I'll be buying a new 2.5 G5 this July..mostly because I need it for my business...not including a 15inch iMac with a possibly fitted touchscreen.

Looking at the 17 and 23 inch displays but I may go for something else.

Thinking 30-40+inch right now.

Probably will add a 3Ghz once it comes out in Dec or Jan.

[PowerMacMan]

IMO, you don't really need a G5 right here,right now unless you do some serious, high-end work.
Also, the price tag... not something you should buy on impulse just because you have this little nagging feeling of slight obsolescence.
I don't think I'll be buying a new Mac until 2006, my graduation, when I'll be needing a portable. Maybe an iBook/PowerBook G6 by then?
I held on to my Bondi Blue (Rev. B) until a few weeks ago... served all my needs.
I think it's unhealthy for one to just rush out and buy the latest and greatest all the time, every time. It seems like such a waste of hard-earned cash and work.

I say we'll be in the PB G5 era still, as the desktops will be G6... Like now except everything is kicked up a notch...

[sambo.]

very shortly, two G5's will enter my life as the pain and abomination that is "Win'98 underPowered Celeron 500" will depart it.

can't justify the 2.5, prolly won't be able to justify the 30" monitors (shucks, 23" only.... and heres me now with 15"), can justify the 9600 graphics card for both ($88- already, still pretty lame)

will get 1 gig ram in each to start and keep putting more in each as funds become avail until both full.

but yah, you can keep waiting for the "next big thing" or just bite the bullet and buy.

stuff it, i'll try to get away with justifying the 2.5's and 30" monitors, but doubt i will have success. will keep you posted. :D

[Anonymous Freak]

I've already been put on the list for a dual 2.5Ghz model (third on the list,) at a local Apple reseller. (The Mac Store - Portland, OR.) They estimate mid to late July before they actually come in, so I'm hoping that by then updated displays come out.

This will be a replacement/addition to the new eMac we just got. So the house will have:

12" 867MHz PowerBook G4 (mine for use on the road, got it almost exactly a year ago. Replaced a Sony 'PictureBook' subnotebook.)
1.25GHz SuperDrive eMac (about a month old, primary home-business computer, replaced a 233MHz beige G3 MT.)
Dual 2.5GHz G5 (primary 'home' computer, replacing an Athlon XP system.)

A year ago, I had the Athlon, a beige G3, and two old iMacs. (one original 233Mhz, one first-gen slot-load 350MHz.)

[azdude]

No... Only 2 weeks until I buy a 1.5GHz 15" Powerbook. :D

Following up on myself: Did it!

Only had it 1 day... best computer purchase I've made. Perfect! ;)

EDIT: I *just now* noticed, but it appears the Apple Store messed up my total--- they gave me an extra $100 off.

Because of my education discount, it should have been:

$2499
-(200)

...but he did:

$2499
-(300)

Oops! Guess I'm getting more RAM! :D

[PowerMacMan]

Following up on myself: Did it!

Only had it 1 day... best computer purchase I've made. Perfect! ;)

EDIT: I *just now* noticed, but it appears the Apple Store messed up my total--- they gave me an extra $100 off.

Because of my education discount, it should have been:

$2499
-(200)

...but he did:

$2499
-(300)

Oops! Guess I'm getting more RAM! :D

Wow, hard to believe, but cool on your part! :)

[azdude]

Wow, hard to believe, but... :)

Forgot to specify... Apple Retail Store... simple human error.

He looked in his book to see that the EDU price is $2299. He forgot that the SD config recently dropped in retail price from $2599 to $2499. He said "Alrighty... $300 off, then."

I was too excited about the PB, and shocked by the sticker, that it didn't hit me until this morning that he goofed.

Regardless,... cool indeed.

[nyprospect]

Im still on my pc.Why? Well because everytime im set on making the switch.Some one mentions that apple g4 chips are crippled emacs are just as good as paper weights.Im a pc user and i read mac rumor forum threads. :)

[~Shard~]

Im still on my pc.Why? Well because everytime im set on making the switch.Some one mentions that apple g4 chips are crippled emacs are just as good as paper weights.Im a pc user and i read mac rumor forum threads. :)

So? Buy a G5 - problem solved. :cool:

[themadchemist]

So? Buy a G5 - problem solved. :cool:

can you really argue with such lucid thinking?

[rendezvouscp]

No, as I have a Dual 2 now. But my dad is thinking about it.
–Chase

[toontra]

Rumor sites unquestionably hurt sales. Furthermore, I think that this site is one of the most singly destructive influences on the Apple world and culture, even though I greatly admire Arn's efforts and level-headed point of view.

I guess you're talking about people holding off for the 3GB G5s affecting sales. The trouble with your argument is that this problem wasn't created by rumour sites - it was Steve Jobs who trumpeted their arrival in summer 2004 - lay the blame where it lies!

[sorryiwasdreami]

Not in the market for a powermac, but when those highly anticipated iMac G5's come out, I'll be jumping all over Apple like a mother.

I can't wait to see what June 28th brings! (it's begining to look a lot like Christmas...everywhere you go...)

;)

[jimjiminyjim]

This poll has been here long enough for the cookies set by this poll to expire, allowing me to vote "no" a second time. It gave me some small pleasure.

[sambo.]

this whole whinge about no 3Ghz G5's.
people, mac users at that, still buy the MegaHertz Myth?
sheesh, it'll get here when it gets here. if you can wait, wait. first rule of computing (imo), if ya don't NEED to upgrade ya kit, keep it and wait until you do NEED to upgrade.

i havn't gotten less than fiver years service out of any mac i have ever owned.

same thing for the G5 PowerBooks..... :eek:

[bidge]

I don't know if you watched the actual keynote, on the keynote webcast, he said 'today we are announcing...' something apple never do.

I totally agree with what you are saying about not upgrading the machine until you need to etc. and definitely the Dual 2.5's are plenty fast enough if I decided to get a G5 powermac but I'm happy with my Quicksilver, they rock, both my Quicksilver and the G5's.

If I heard Bill Gates say something like today we are announcing [insert something that MS will/could never do here] then it would be different.

But when Steve Jobs says something like that you would generally believe it.

[g4cubed]

No. I just upgraded my cube to a 1.2GHz from Power Logix. :D That, to me, is blazing fast comparing it to the 450Mz that was in it. Now for a new video card :confused: just not sure which one yet.

[Windowlicker]

Not in the market for a powermac, but when those highly anticipated iMac G5's come out, I'll be jumping all over Apple like a mother.

I can't wait to see what June 28th brings! (it's begining to look a lot like Christmas...everywhere you go...)

;)

only 11 more days.. wonder if they can really add anything to panther to make Tiger seem much better. but more than wwdc i'm waiting for tomorrow. we'll probably be receiving new 1.8 and 2.0 G5s and I can take the current rev a 2x1.8ghz machine (that we have as a demo machine now) home. SO TOMORROW --IF NOTHING GETS WRONG-- I'LL FINALLY BE A HAPPY OWNER OF A G5-BABY!

[Luke04]

I'm getting ready to purchase MY first mac (I've been mooching off of my sister for over a year now and using her powerbook). Anyway, I'm wanting to get a new dp 1.8 ghz powermac g5. I also want to get one of the new 20" displays whenever they come out. I'm considering getting applecare for both, but is it really worth waiting until the displays are released just to be able to get applecare on my display as well? I've never really had an LCD, so I don't know what kind of problems I may run in to. Could someone tell me what's the best to do? Thanks.

Luke

[redeye]

I'm buying a 2.0 to be on the safe side.
We're very happy that the update is finally here.
Dont be so hard on Apple.
The country is just coming out of a depression,
republican style.

[rendezvouscp]

I'm getting ready to purchase MY first mac (I've been mooching off of my sister for over a year now and using her powerbook). Anyway, I'm wanting to get a new dp 1.8 ghz powermac g5. I also want to get one of the new 20" displays whenever they come out. I'm considering getting applecare for both, but is it really worth waiting until the displays are released just to be able to get applecare on my display as well? I've never really had an LCD, so I don't know what kind of problems I may run in to. Could someone tell me what's the best to do? Thanks.

Luke

We have no clue when the displays will come out, so I would not wait on the current rumors to get a display. I have an original Dual 2 with a 20" Cinema Display, and they actually look fine together. AppleCare is totally worth it, just because the coverage is good and you never know what kind of problems you could have later on with your purchase.
–Chase

[wdlove]

I'm buying a 2.0 to be on the safe side.
We're very happy that the update is finally here.
Dont be so hard on Apple.
The country is just coming out of a depression,
republican style.

That comment is uncalled for in this thread. You should post that in the political forum. By the way you are wrong, check your facts.

[themadchemist]

That comment is uncalled for in this thread. You should post that in the political forum. By the way you are wrong, check your facts.

oh brother, let's just nip this in the bud.

[invaLPsion]

That comment is uncalled for in this thread. You should post that in the political forum. By the way you are wrong, check your facts.

Seconded...

*Begins long rant*

[Toe]

I've been spopiled. If I can't fit it in my backpack, I don't want it.

In fact, I'd really prefer my Mac to wrap around my wrist. I'd even settle for a slight decrease in speed (than G5s at 5GHz) for that.

[thogs_cave]

I bought a Dual 2.0Ghz G5 a little over 9 months ago. I'm still totally happy, so no need to upgrade. Apple did an excellent job - I have had zero problems, and many happy months.

[Luke04]

We have no clue when the displays will come out, so I would not wait on the current rumors to get a display. I have an original Dual 2 with a 20" Cinema Display, and they actually look fine together. AppleCare is totally worth it, just because the coverage is good and you never know what kind of problems you could have later on with your purchase.
–Chase

Thanks for the input. My only problem with the current displays is that they are too expensive for me. Since I'm a student, cost is pretty important. Maybe, once the new displays finally come out I can buy an old 20" display on ebay for a decent price. If anyone here is trying to get rid of one for....let's say $800 or $900 let me know. I suppose if I get really deperate I could just buy a 17", but I'd much rather get the 20".

-Luke

[rendezvouscp]

I have a 20" (as I posted), and the 20" is totally worth the cost, whenever you can get one. I find 17" not too small, but if you are going to get a display, you'll want the 20". I believe the 20" is slightly brighter too, but it all adds up to a better display. Good luck with your future purchases.
–Chase

[Analog Kid]

this whole whinge about no 3Ghz G5's.
people, mac users at that, still buy the MegaHertz Myth?

Can't speak for everyone, but I've been throwing some assumptions in when I refer to the 3GHz G5. SMT for one. That's an architectural improvement beyond clock speed...

I also wasn't expecting to have to worry about the reliability of a water pump in my desktop...

SMT might have been wishful thinking, but even with the rumors of liquid cooling I didn't expect it in a desktop and the reliability issues didn't hit home until I thought about buying one...

[Wonder Boy]

This poll has been here long enough for the cookies set by this poll to expire, allowing me to vote "no" a second time. It gave me some small pleasure.

haha me too.

[Ninja_Turtle]

so how bout a new poll??? you know...just for a change... :p

[CTerry]

Im still on my pc.Why? Well because everytime im set on making the switch.Some one mentions that apple g4 chips are crippled emacs are just as good as paper weights.Im a pc user and i read mac rumor forum threads. :)
Im a PC user too, but talking to other Apple fans I have to disagree. I know two people online with iBooks, one the 800 MHz G4, and the other the 1 GHz G4. Neither exactly estimates the iBooks as the fastest computers on Earth, but the first reckons his iBook clocks around the same speed a 1.8 GHz P4, at least. The second reckons his 1 GHz G4 outspeeds his 2400+ Athlon XP. (The difference is probably due to the higher cache on the newer iBooks). With the CPUs in the eMacs, they should, by my reckoning be a good match for the sort of low end CPUs that tend to end up in similarly low priced PCs. The PowerBooks and iMacs I have my doubts about how they stack up against similarly priced Windows Machines, the PowerMac however stacks up against high end PCs a lot better than people give it credit for, especially if you BTO it up a tad.

Frankly, from my POV everyone I know with a Mac and a PC says their Mac has aged better. Frankly it isnt getting masses of speed NOW that matters to me. After all, if Photoshop takes 30 seconds on one CPU to do something and 40 on another you're hardly going to notice are you? Its tomorrows benchmarks that matter to me. How will that Dual 2.5 PowerMac run tomorrows version of Photoshop? My research seems to indicate slightly better than the current crop of x86 processors. This is good, because it means you wont have to buy a new computer so often so it ends up cheaper.

There are people here saying their Dual 800 MHz PowerMacs still run fast enough to be functional, even doing intensive stuff. There are people here, and others, which have only just now given up use of G3 iMacs, which in terms of common domain tasks are only really beginning to reach the end of their usefulness. The G4 may not be the worlds fastest chip, and maybe the G5 isnt either. But they are both fast ENOUGH for the markets these machines tend to be aimed at.

Personally I have future plans to purchase a 15 inch PowerBook. I dont want it for raw power. If I wanted that Id buy some massive Alienware thing that would crush my legs. I want it because its design is functional (backlit keyboard= yummy) and aesthetically pleasing, I want it because it features technology I love, 5400 rpm 80 GB HDD, Bluetooth, Gigabit Ethernet. Its rare to see this on a PC notebook. I know, Ive searched frantically but have always come back to Apple, and most of all I want one because it runs OS X, an OS that is as rock solid as it is functional. I love that damn OS to death.

Frankly its sad to hear this kind of whining out of so-called Apple fans. Cos they sound awfully like the whinings of Windows fans. Apple isnt about power, you lose raw power in a year at best. If you want raw power, buy a custom PC, so you can upgrade the components constantly. Apple is about design, look inside the G5 case, and tell me how many PCs you've seen that are THAT easy to upgrade. Look at the iMac and tell me how many PCs you've seen that look that cool. Look at OS X and tell me Windows is that easy, and so on. Come on guys, lets actually sit up and 'think different'

[jimjiminyjim]

That's three votes for "no" on this poll, and I haven't done anything tricky except wait... and wait... and wait.

New poll, please? I love polls.

[rendezvouscp]

CTerry, you're amazing. I have a new appreciation for my G5, that's kinda weird, but now I like it even more. You're a very motivating person. Thank you.

And to those of you who are wannabe switchers, switch. You actually will be glad you did.
–Chase

[Analog Kid]

Frankly its sad to hear this kind of whining out of so-called Apple fans. Cos they sound awfully like the whinings of Windows fans. Apple isnt about power, you lose raw power in a year at best. If you want raw power, buy a custom PC, so you can upgrade the components constantly. Apple is about design, look inside the G5 case, and tell me how many PCs you've seen that are THAT easy to upgrade. Look at the iMac and tell me how many PCs you've seen that look that cool. Look at OS X and tell me Windows is that easy, and so on. Come on guys, lets actually sit up and 'think different'

Just thought I'd add this-- computing is rarely about instructions per second, it's usually about productivity. It's not about how much the computer can get done, it's about how much you can get done.

[Jerry Spoon]

Nope. Just ordered a 17" PowerBook though and it's coming today! :)

[macFanDave]

This one's about two weeks old. It's beginning to smell!

[rendezvouscp]

This one's about two weeks old. It's beginning to smell!

They say a new one every day, liars.
–Chase

[jimjiminyjim]

Suggest Polls!

Maybe they're short.

Surely if they get a flood of suggestions, they might use one?

I'm going for a fourth vote in this poll soon... I hope... no, no, no and... NO! (I'm not going to buy this new mac)

[mnstr_trd_sd]

I just did! :D

[wdlove]

I just did! :D

I would agree with that assessment. You are a very fortunate employee. Your employer must be very forward thinking.

It must be awesome to have a G5 at home also. No separation anxiety in your life. I suppose it would be tough on the car ride though. ;)

[o1b2]

I did, I bought the dual 2.0 G5 when it came out, for doing video and 3D animation but I have gave it to my father because he is doing my work in final cut pro and shake than I do. I just go visit him when I need to use it, very nice machine. Still like to see memmory lower in price more than it has.