I have been checking craigslist for G5s and wonder if it is even worth it to get a non Intel Mac anymore. I have no old programs that I need or want to run so software is not an issue for me.
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Would you buy a non Intel Mac anymore?
- Thread starter seattle
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Sounds like an expensive upgrade. I guess I would keep a old Mac too. Thanks for the feedback everyone and I guess I do not need a G5.
pastrychef
macrumors 601
ZiggyPastorius
macrumors 68040
Only if it was cheap and I had some use for it (like screwing around on, you know, just having fun). For most practical uses (i.e. I'm in the market for a new computer), just stick with Intel, as that is where Apple's direction is headed.
I bought a 12" powerbook recently (got a really good price) with the intent of reselling it. But once I got my hands on it, I'm not sure that I want to get rid of it. I'm actually considering reshuffling my entire collection in the interest of keeping the 12" as a portable. I'm sure eventually it'll get traded out for an Air, but until then...
yellow
Moderator emeritus
My thoughts?
There's no way I would buy a G5. All the ones I have worked on (30+?) have had some odd issue or another, particularly the iMacs. If I had to go PPC, I would go with a G4, MDD or Al PowerBook. For the most part, the G4s have been very solid. My MDD here at work is still my primary Desktop, and my (upgraded) Quicksilver '01 is still my primary Desktop Mac at home.
But.. at this point, there's no way I would go with anything that wasn't Intel. I already feel all my PPC Macs getting long in the tooth. As I've gotten used to the speed of the Intel Macs, and Tiger/Leopard on Intel Macs, it becomes more and more frustrating to work on PPC Macs. An issue that won't get any better with time.
There's no way I would buy a G5. All the ones I have worked on (30+?) have had some odd issue or another, particularly the iMacs. If I had to go PPC, I would go with a G4, MDD or Al PowerBook. For the most part, the G4s have been very solid. My MDD here at work is still my primary Desktop, and my (upgraded) Quicksilver '01 is still my primary Desktop Mac at home.
But.. at this point, there's no way I would go with anything that wasn't Intel. I already feel all my PPC Macs getting long in the tooth. As I've gotten used to the speed of the Intel Macs, and Tiger/Leopard on Intel Macs, it becomes more and more frustrating to work on PPC Macs. An issue that won't get any better with time.
velocityg4
macrumors 604
Have you tried using opensource drivers?
Gutenprint 5.1 works quite well although some of the printer settings windows look different, however it does support your printer and is a Universal Binary. You may also try adding USBTB on the same page to improve performance of printing when using the Gutenprint driver. You can also look up just about any printer made here.
Personally I use hpijs to connect via network to my HP Officejet 3110 being shared by a Windows PC, since HP makes USB only Mac drivers, hpijs mostly supports HP Printers and a few Epsons but yours was not on the list.
flopticalcube
macrumors G4
I am actually looking to pick up an eMac for my parents. All they do is surf or read mail and they want an all-in-one with a big screen (they are in their 80's) so it would be worth it if I could get a late model eMac for $250 or so.
Maybe a powerbook as I have a soft spot for those, if I need a simple laptop but I use my ibook for that now.
Also I occasionaly use fontographer which is OS9 only
Also I occasionaly use fontographer which is OS9 only
szsiddiq
macrumors 6502
unless you need specialized PPC software, there's not much sense in getting a PPC unless it's a lot cheaper. The only PPC machine that I know of that's still competitive with the newer machines are the 12" powerbooks. They are insanely portable and one of the best notebook designs Apple has had (obviously count the Air out of that).
Nope. The current c2d processors will give you at least 4+ years out of any machine on the market. That's 4+ years more than you'll get out of any PPC machine.
ryannel2003
macrumors 68000
ryannel2003
macrumors 68000
It really comes down to what you are doing with your Mac. Since you've got an iMac G4, what else would you consider? Personally, I would look at Intel Macs. My MacBook runs circles around my old eMac 1.25GHz, and it's only 3 1/2 years old.
zephead
macrumors 68000