Hi everyone -
Here's my situation. I'm one of the many (it seems) people who are unsure whether to wait for the new Nehalem Mac Pros, or to go ahead and make the jump now. Currently, I'm leaning towards waiting for the update since my system is working OK for me and I'd like my next purchase to last as long as possible - I know, ha ha. Even with the drop for PPC support, realistically I probably could hold off to the middle of 2009 (depending when everything begins to switch, of course).
However, there are some reasons why it might be "better" for me to make the jump now. To start, here are the basics of my current system:
Dual 2GHz G5 (1st Gen; 2003) - its worked fab. with no problems
4 GB RAM
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
Running 10.5.4
Now, the reason that I'm considering updating earlier than may be technically "necessary" is that, for one, I will have an educational discount that will end in December - so around 10% or, say, $300 or so (not counting any new software discount I can get). Secondly, from what I've read (and gathered), the amount of cash I could get for my current system will drop substantially once support for PPC ends.
So, by my relatively casual estimation, currently a new Mac Pro that I might purchase now could be offset by approx. $800 or so (at least), while if I wait for Nehalem, or even sometime later in 2009, $300 is gone for sure, and probably a lot of the remainder as well.
I suppose I have a couple questions. First, and most obvious, do people think the savings I might have on the current Mac Pro justifies making the jump pre-Nehalem? Secondly, if I 'give up' the educational discount (around $300) in favor of Nehalem, will my current system be worth anything at all at that point?
I hope this makes sense; there were several threads somewhat close to this, but I am still unsure cause of the cash issue...
(Just to add since it may save someone the question: I run CS2 fairly heavily, some Poser, like to have lots of apps. open, yadda ya )
Here's my situation. I'm one of the many (it seems) people who are unsure whether to wait for the new Nehalem Mac Pros, or to go ahead and make the jump now. Currently, I'm leaning towards waiting for the update since my system is working OK for me and I'd like my next purchase to last as long as possible - I know, ha ha. Even with the drop for PPC support, realistically I probably could hold off to the middle of 2009 (depending when everything begins to switch, of course).
However, there are some reasons why it might be "better" for me to make the jump now. To start, here are the basics of my current system:
Dual 2GHz G5 (1st Gen; 2003) - its worked fab. with no problems
4 GB RAM
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
Running 10.5.4
Now, the reason that I'm considering updating earlier than may be technically "necessary" is that, for one, I will have an educational discount that will end in December - so around 10% or, say, $300 or so (not counting any new software discount I can get). Secondly, from what I've read (and gathered), the amount of cash I could get for my current system will drop substantially once support for PPC ends.
So, by my relatively casual estimation, currently a new Mac Pro that I might purchase now could be offset by approx. $800 or so (at least), while if I wait for Nehalem, or even sometime later in 2009, $300 is gone for sure, and probably a lot of the remainder as well.
I suppose I have a couple questions. First, and most obvious, do people think the savings I might have on the current Mac Pro justifies making the jump pre-Nehalem? Secondly, if I 'give up' the educational discount (around $300) in favor of Nehalem, will my current system be worth anything at all at that point?
I hope this makes sense; there were several threads somewhat close to this, but I am still unsure cause of the cash issue...
(Just to add since it may save someone the question: I run CS2 fairly heavily, some Poser, like to have lots of apps. open, yadda ya )