PowerMac G5: World's Fastest Desktop Computer

MacRumors · 05:26 PM

It almost feels like a dream...

The G5

Rumors of the G5 likely pre-date the existance of MacRumors.com. The earliest reference found in our archive was August 2000 (site began in Feb, 2000).

Today, Apple announced the PowerMac G5 -- dubbed the "world's fastest personal computer" as well as the first 64-bit personal computer.

The leaked specs were indeed accurate and Apple is offering the following configurations:

$1,999: Single 1.6GHz G5, 800MHz Bus, SuperDrive, 3 PCI, 80GB S-ATA HD
$2,399: Single 1.8GHz G5, 900MHz Bus, SuperDrive, 3 PCI-X, 160GB S-ATA HD
$2,999: Dual 2.0GHz G5, 1GHz Bus, SuperDrive, 3 PCI-X, 160GB S-ATA HD

The revamped machine contains all new hardware and subsystems... providing dramatic performance improvements over current systems. Systems will not be available until August 2003, according to Jobs.
--

Support MacRumors: Purchase a G5 System from MacWarehouse or via the MacRumors Link Shop

zuggerat · Jun 23, 2003, 05:18 PM

simply put..amazing

Java · Jun 23, 2003, 05:19 PM

Oh my *$#!

8 gigs?!? And Steve says you can transfer a whole DVD in one second.

My jaw is on the floor. Wow Wow Wow Wow!

HasanDaddy · Jun 23, 2003, 05:20 PM

I'm EXCITED!!!

So how long until G5 PowerBooks??

Dont Hurt Me · Jun 23, 2003, 05:22 PM

The top 2 machines are amazing, the base unit is another matter. sad to say that was the market i was in, was is the key word. the top machine is awesome.

mymacsmokespot · Jun 23, 2003, 05:22 PM

What's the word on the G6? Any specs? Pics?

reflex · Jun 23, 2003, 05:22 PM

Now here's the best part: you can leave the superdrive out (in case you don't need it).

MacsRgr8 · Jun 23, 2003, 05:22 PM

One word: WOW.

This HAS been worth waiting for.

These are gr8 times for Apple! Way, way beyong 10% marketshare!

GeneR · Jun 23, 2003, 05:23 PM

I can't believe it. But the RAM is really, really smart. 8GB.

evoluzione · Jun 23, 2003, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Java
8 gigs?!? And Steve says you can transfer a whole DVD in one second.

not quite, ain't no way you're gonna get a dvd drive to read that quick, and no hard drive can read/write that quick either. it's just the memory, it was just to give an indication of how fast the memory etc is.

ddtlm · Jun 23, 2003, 05:24 PM

Arn:

That title should read "world's fastest desktop computer" or something. Clearly the G5 is not the fastest computer of them all.

Not even the dual 2.0 model.

Anyway, what was that shipping date again? Apple doesn't seem to post it clearly on their site.

idkew · Jun 23, 2003, 05:24 PM

yeah- i'm wondering about the g6.

this g5 really doesn't impress me very much.

only 1,000mhz system bus? that is only a ~60% jump from my 166mhz bus. only 8gb ram? sheesh. apple really isn't working too hard anymore.

rhpenguin · Jun 23, 2003, 05:24 PM

Just peachy

After saving for ages to get my iBook its time to start saving for the G5. This looks like one KILLER machine. Good job Apple!

ddtlm · Jun 23, 2003, 05:26 PM

Almost forgot to say that I was happy to see Apple claim 3ghz 12 months from now.

DTphonehome · Jun 23, 2003, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MacsRgr8
One word: WOW.

This HAS been worth waiting for.

These are gr8 times for Apple! Way, way beyong 10% marketshare!

That would require Apple to sell something like 100 million PowerMacs. Much as I would like to see it...

andrewh · Jun 23, 2003, 05:27 PM

Initially, I was disappointed with the case design. I thought it could have been cooler looking. But, I think it will grow on us. I like the way it looks very industrial -- clean front, no logos, etc. Mesh is awesome. The more I look at it the more I like it. I wonder if it was Jonathan Ives that designed it again.

Anyway I suppose it's what's inside that counts...

pyrotoaster · Jun 23, 2003, 05:30 PM

It looks fantastic. Apple really didn't disappoint us with this. The machine is uberpowerful and actually reasonably priced (shocking!).

That said, it looks like August isn't an incredibly realistic release month. At the Apple Store Woodfield they read a memo from Cupertino stating the G5s would arrive some time in September.

It's still an amazing machine, though...

zuggerat · Jun 23, 2003, 05:31 PM

just for everyones info somethings about the 15" powerbook on the apple site have disappeared...such as the 3D views of the product...it's comin soon

PowerBook User · Jun 23, 2003, 05:32 PM

I am VERY, VERY impressed by the specs on this machine! A 1 GHz bus, 8 GB RAM, PCI-X, serial ATA hard drives, SuperDrive standard - WOW! I'm very happy!

Freg3000 · Jun 23, 2003, 05:32 PM

The only dissapointment is the case.

But I am sure it will grow on me

eric_n_dfw · Jun 23, 2003, 05:33 PM

At the Willow Bend store, after the keynote was done, they made quick mention of some kind of card you get if you buy a G5 at a retail store. It's called a Power Mac G5 Pro Card or something, looked like an aluminum credit card on the screen.

Apparently, it entitles you to return your G5 for any reason within 30 days. A "satisfaction guarantee" I guess. It also gives a bunch of other perks like a one time 10% discount on software, free upgrade installs, etc... (can't remember what all they said)

mustang_dvs · Jun 23, 2003, 05:33 PM

Okay, I posted this in the Keynote thread, but as no one has thus far said anything to this effect and I feel it is an important point for discussion, I am posting it in this thread, as well.

I really could care less about the looks of the G5 (though I question the ergonomics of getting rid of the mobo hinge) -- what bothers me is the apparently cramped confines of the interior, which limits us to 1 optical drive and two hard drives, according to Apple's PowerMac 'Expandability' webpage.

Also, it appears that it may be a bit difficult to run cables from PCI cards (e.g., SCSI or ATA expansion buses) into the small hard drive bay.

I just don't understand why Apple decided to take a significant step backwards, especially since PowerMacs have been designed to easily handle more than 2 hard drives since the revision B Blue & White's.

zarathustra · Jun 23, 2003, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by idkew
only 1,000mhz system bus? that is only a ~60% jump from my 166mhz bus. only 8gb ram?

Are you sure about the 60%?

Isn't that a 600% increase?

patmcfar8 · Jun 23, 2003, 05:34 PM

I can honestly say that I was impressed by everything.

Panther looks sweet. iSight is bad ass! Safari 1 seems solid. And of course the G5!

Beyond my thoughts of reality!
Is it safe to say that Apple owns the personal computer speed crown again?

This ought to put it into perspective for all of the complainers that will be bitchin' about the price: The dual 2ghz G5, $3,000, beat the pants off the Dual 3.09ghz Xeon, $4,000! I love it!

I completely stoked. And it was really strange to hear them talk about 3ghz in 12 months! Must be a great relationship between Apple and IBM right now.

The only thing missing was ANY mention of the 15" PB. I'm guessing that it's just a matter of time until they announce the G5 15" PB. Then, simply put, I will buy it.

Kudos to Apple!

rjstanford · Jun 23, 2003, 05:34 PM

Let's see. What doesn't this have? The Airport antenna is external, although not a big deal (and sticks out about as far as you'd have to have the machine off the wall for the cables anyway). Same with the Bluetooth one (no picture that I can see, but I assume it matches Airport). Hmm. I didn't see any apple branded two button mice, but that's not a big deal on a desktop. I honestly can't think of much that was rumored that isn't here.

As for what it does have that was unexpected -- USB 2.0 is nice, after all this time. The noise level is amazing, if true (and I assume that it is). The case internals are incredibly clean, almost always a sign of good design (and I love the hard drive mounts). Adding memory in pairs is a little annoying, but even if you keep the two 256mb chips you can still add 6 more of your own from crucial cheaply. This is one happy desktop.

Now, for expandability -- I wonder if you can upgrade the processors without trashing the rest of the system? This hasn't historically been an issue for Apple because, well, G4 evolution was very slow. Even if you can't, I'm still impressed, just beginning to wonder.

All in all? Very cool. Now I just have to decide if I want to get a desktop after about 4 years of being purely a laptop guy. Honestly, the new iDisk sync may make it an easier choice for me to stick with a cute little 12" G4 for road use and get the big boy for the office.

Which brings up my final gripe. Steve mentioned, specifically, the IBM roadmap for their chips. Why, oh why, can't he see that an Apple roadmap would be useful too? Ah, well. Can't have it all, I guess.

-Richard

Jun 23, 2003, 05:18 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	PowerMac G5: World's Fastest Desktop Computer It almost feels like a dream... The G5 Rumors of the G5 likely pre-date the existance of MacRumors.com. The earliest reference found in our archive was August 2000 (site began in Feb, 2000). Today, Apple announced the PowerMac G5 -- dubbed the "world's fastest personal computer" as well as the first 64-bit personal computer. The leaked specs were indeed accurate and Apple is offering the following configurations: $1,999: Single 1.6GHz G5, 800MHz Bus, SuperDrive, 3 PCI, 80GB S-ATA HD $2,399: Single 1.8GHz G5, 900MHz Bus, SuperDrive, 3 PCI-X, 160GB S-ATA HD $2,999: Dual 2.0GHz G5, 1GHz Bus, SuperDrive, 3 PCI-X, 160GB S-ATA HD The revamped machine contains all new hardware and subsystems... providing dramatic performance improvements over current systems. Systems will not be available until August 2003, according to Jobs. -- Support MacRumors: Purchase a G5 System from MacWarehouse or via the MacRumors Link Shop Last edited by arn : Jun 23, 2003 at 05:26 PM.

Jun 23, 2003, 05:19 PM	#3
Java macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Marin County (where else?)	8 gigs! Oh my *$#! 8 gigs?!? And Steve says you can transfer a whole DVD in one second. My jaw is on the floor. Wow Wow Wow Wow! __________________ "even the President of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked." -B. Dylan "Propaganda all is phony." -B. Dylan

Jun 23, 2003, 05:22 PM	#5
Dont Hurt Me macrumors 601 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Yahooville S.C.	The top 2 machines are amazing, the base unit is another matter. sad to say that was the market i was in, was is the key word. the top machine is awesome. __________________ Those that give up Liberty to have temporary Security deserve Neither......Benjamin Franklin.

Jun 23, 2003, 05:22 PM	#6
mymacsmokespot macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2002	G5 schmee five... What's the word on the G6? Any specs? Pics?

Jun 23, 2003, 05:22 PM	#8
MacsRgr8 macrumors 601 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The Netherlands	One word: WOW. This HAS been worth waiting for. These are gr8 times for Apple! Way, way beyong 10% marketshare! __________________ Drag and Drop for Windows users: DRAG your peecee off your desk, and DROP it in the trash.

Jun 23, 2003, 05:18 PM	#2
zuggerat macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NY	simply put..amazing

Jun 23, 2003, 05:20 PM	#4
HasanDaddy macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Colorado	I'm EXCITED!!! So how long until G5 PowerBooks??

Jun 23, 2003, 05:22 PM	#7
reflex macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2002	Now here's the best part: you can leave the superdrive out (in case you don't need it).

Jun 23, 2003, 05:23 PM	#9
GeneR macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The land of delusions, CA.	Pinch me. Ooo not that hard. I can't believe it. But the RAM is really, really smart. 8GB. __________________ Helpful hint #001: Work for Good, not for Evil. What I like about MacRumors: Very cool people. It's always like a party. The people are friendly, funny, smart, and pretty darn cool. And I'm always learning how much I don't know. RAMEN RANK: Yellow belt - Ramen noodle eater. (Not quite professional grade as of yet.)

Jun 23, 2003, 05:24 PM	#11
ddtlm macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2001	Arn: That title should read "world's fastest desktop computer" or something. Clearly the G5 is not the fastest computer of them all. Not even the dual 2.0 model. Anyway, what was that shipping date again? Apple doesn't seem to post it clearly on their site.

Jun 23, 2003, 05:24 PM	#12
idkew macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: where the concrete to dirt ratio is better	yeah- i'm wondering about the g6. this g5 really doesn't impress me very much. only 1,000mhz system bus? that is only a ~60% jump from my 166mhz bus. only 8gb ram? sheesh. apple really isn't working too hard anymore.

Jun 23, 2003, 05:24 PM	#13
rhpenguin macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London, Ontario	Just peachy After saving for ages to get my iBook its time to start saving for the G5. This looks like one KILLER machine. Good job Apple!

Jun 23, 2003, 05:26 PM	#14
ddtlm macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2001	Almost forgot to say that I was happy to see Apple claim 3ghz 12 months from now.

Jun 23, 2003, 05:27 PM	#16
andrewh macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Francisco	case design Initially, I was disappointed with the case design. I thought it could have been cooler looking. But, I think it will grow on us. I like the way it looks very industrial -- clean front, no logos, etc. Mesh is awesome. The more I look at it the more I like it. I wonder if it was Jonathan Ives that designed it again. Anyway I suppose it's what's inside that counts...

Jun 23, 2003, 05:30 PM	#17
pyrotoaster macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oak Park, IL	It looks fantastic. Apple really didn't disappoint us with this. The machine is uberpowerful and actually reasonably priced (shocking!). That said, it looks like August isn't an incredibly realistic release month. At the Apple Store Woodfield they read a memo from Cupertino stating the G5s would arrive some time in September. It's still an amazing machine, though... __________________ Watch Farscape! AppleWorks is DEAD! Muwah-ha-ha...!

Jun 23, 2003, 05:31 PM	#18
zuggerat macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NY	just for everyones info somethings about the 15" powerbook on the apple site have disappeared...such as the 3D views of the product...it's comin soon

Jun 23, 2003, 05:32 PM	#19
PowerBook User macrumors regular Join Date: May 2003	I am VERY, VERY impressed by the specs on this machine! A 1 GHz bus, 8 GB RAM, PCI-X, serial ATA hard drives, SuperDrive standard - WOW! I'm very happy!

Jun 23, 2003, 05:32 PM	#20
Freg3000 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: New York	The only dissapointment is the case. But I am sure it will grow on me __________________ FregTK This Is Momentum.

Jun 23, 2003, 05:33 PM	#21
eric_n_dfw macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: DFW, TX, USA	Pro Card At the Willow Bend store, after the keynote was done, they made quick mention of some kind of card you get if you buy a G5 at a retail store. It's called a Power Mac G5 Pro Card or something, looked like an aluminum credit card on the screen. Apparently, it entitles you to return your G5 for any reason within 30 days. A "satisfaction guarantee" I guess. It also gives a bunch of other perks like a one time 10% discount on software, free upgrade installs, etc... (can't remember what all they said)

Jun 23, 2003, 05:33 PM	#22
mustang_dvs macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Durham, NC	A Step Backwards in Expandability Okay, I posted this in the Keynote thread, but as no one has thus far said anything to this effect and I feel it is an important point for discussion, I am posting it in this thread, as well. I really could care less about the looks of the G5 (though I question the ergonomics of getting rid of the mobo hinge) -- what bothers me is the apparently cramped confines of the interior, which limits us to 1 optical drive and two hard drives, according to Apple's PowerMac 'Expandability' webpage. Also, it appears that it may be a bit difficult to run cables from PCI cards (e.g., SCSI or ATA expansion buses) into the small hard drive bay. I just don't understand why Apple decided to take a significant step backwards, especially since PowerMacs have been designed to easily handle more than 2 hard drives since the revision B Blue & White's.

Jun 23, 2003, 05:34 PM	#24
patmcfar8 macrumors member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Reno, NV	Thumbs Up! I can honestly say that I was impressed by everything. Panther looks sweet. iSight is bad ass! Safari 1 seems solid. And of course the G5! Beyond my thoughts of reality! Is it safe to say that Apple owns the personal computer speed crown again? This ought to put it into perspective for all of the complainers that will be bitchin' about the price: The dual 2ghz G5, $3,000, beat the pants off the Dual 3.09ghz Xeon, $4,000! I love it! I completely stoked. And it was really strange to hear them talk about 3ghz in 12 months! Must be a great relationship between Apple and IBM right now. The only thing missing was ANY mention of the 15" PB. I'm guessing that it's just a matter of time until they announce the G5 15" PB. Then, simply put, I will buy it. Kudos to Apple! __________________ Let us explore. If we do not find anything pleasant, at least we will find something new. ~Voltaire

Jun 23, 2003, 05:34 PM	#25
rjstanford macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX	Nice. Very Nice. Let's see. What doesn't this have? The Airport antenna is external, although not a big deal (and sticks out about as far as you'd have to have the machine off the wall for the cables anyway). Same with the Bluetooth one (no picture that I can see, but I assume it matches Airport). Hmm. I didn't see any apple branded two button mice, but that's not a big deal on a desktop. I honestly can't think of much that was rumored that isn't here. As for what it does have that was unexpected -- USB 2.0 is nice, after all this time. The noise level is amazing, if true (and I assume that it is). The case internals are incredibly clean, almost always a sign of good design (and I love the hard drive mounts). Adding memory in pairs is a little annoying, but even if you keep the two 256mb chips you can still add 6 more of your own from crucial cheaply. This is one happy desktop. Now, for expandability -- I wonder if you can upgrade the processors without trashing the rest of the system? This hasn't historically been an issue for Apple because, well, G4 evolution was very slow. Even if you can't, I'm still impressed, just beginning to wonder. All in all? Very cool. Now I just have to decide if I want to get a desktop after about 4 years of being purely a laptop guy. Honestly, the new iDisk sync may make it an easier choice for me to stick with a cute little 12" G4 for road use and get the big boy for the office. Which brings up my final gripe. Steve mentioned, specifically, the IBM roadmap for their chips. Why, oh why, can't he see that an Apple roadmap would be useful too? Ah, well. Can't have it all, I guess. -Richard

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