Apple Releases New PowerMacs

[StudioGuy]

G5 memory

In addition to those mentioned, I have had great luck with www.datamem.com (DMS) for my memory. Iffy RAM can certainly be a pain -- had many "unexpectedly quit" messages, which after much agony, turned out to be a flaky RAM chip.

My biggest recommendation is to order from a company that offers lifetime replacement, like DMS. Perhaps Crucial does this too, but I couldn't find that on the site.

BTW, are some people really getting their dual 2.5 G5s next week? I must be misreading some of that.

 

[jakemikey]

... I just hope they start selling MOTION pretty soon.

Me too. After hearing nothing but absolute praise and awe from NAB-goers, I watched the demo video and it was just as cool as everyone made it out to be.

Although Apple just vaguely says, "available this summer", I checked on amazon.com and it says, "available July 20th". (Which is conveniently a Tuesday...) I wonder if this is a slip-up on amazon's part (releasing the release date before Apple), or if it's just an outright mistake. My guess is that it might be before, but definitely not after July 20th.

The strange thing is it can't be pre-ordered at Apple yet, but can be at amazon.com, which makes me suspect that Apple would like to keep the actual release date under raps. Why? I don't know... I mean, they announced it already, just like Airport Express (which won't go out until July, either...and you CAN buy it now). Strange.

Anyway, about RAM...I still can't buy into the whole "Crucial Myth" because most cheap-o places nowadays (I'm just speaking out of my experience here) do have actual G5 spec'd RAM and do have lifetime warranties. Just call 'em up and ask them before you buy. My RAM ended up being >$50 less than at Crucial, has a lifetime warranty and is G5 spec'd, and was even tested in a G5 before it was shipped out. I've had no problems whatsoever with it...no kernel panics, no unexpected quits, nothing. Also helpful for those interested in G5 RAM, check out the G5 RAM discussion on Apple's support site. Many have reported which brands work and which don't. The big one, which sticks out in my mind, which hasn't worked for many people, is Kingston, which if I'm not mistaken, is supposed to be another "premium" brand. Could be wrong on that, though.

 

[Soire]

So does crucial have a lifetime replacement warranty?

If not, could you state some of those other "cheaper" RAM places that have a lifetime replacement warranty? Thanks.

 

[Multimedia]

18004memory.com (1-800-463-6679) Has Always Served Me Well For Many Years

So does crucial have a lifetime replacement warranty?

If not, could you state some of those other "cheaper" RAM places that have a lifetime replacement warranty? Thanks.

DMS and Crucial are considerably more expensive than 18004MEMORY.com, 1-800-463-6679, which does include lifetime replacement warranties and (2x512) 1 GB kits are only $156. They are in New Jersey so tax is not charged when ordering from other states. And USPS shipping with insurance is only $1.

They've never disappointed me.

BTW - their 1 GB sticks are only $225 each. IF you're gonna buy from Crucial at $200/512 stick, you might as well buy a pair of 1 GB sticks from these guys for $450. I have been buying memory from this firm for a long time with no problems.

 

[Multimedia]

Where Did You Buy Your RAM?

Me too. After hearing nothing but absolute praise and awe from NAB-goers, I watched the demo video and it was just as cool as everyone made it out to be.

Although Apple just vaguely says, "available this summer", I checked on amazon.com and it says, "available July 20th". (Which is conveniently a Tuesday...) I wonder if this is a slip-up on amazon's part (releasing the release date before Apple), or if it's just an outright mistake. My guess is that it might be before, but definitely not after July 20th.

The strange thing is it can't be pre-ordered at Apple yet, but can be at amazon.com, which makes me suspect that Apple would like to keep the actual release date under raps. Why? I don't know... I mean, they announced it already, just like Airport Express (which won't go out until July, either...and you CAN buy it now). Strange.

Anyway, about RAM...I still can't buy into the whole "Crucial Myth" because most cheap-o places nowadays (I'm just speaking out of my experience here) do have actual G5 spec'd RAM and do have lifetime warranties. Just call 'em up and ask them before you buy. My RAM ended up being >$50 less than at Crucial, has a lifetime warranty and is G5 spec'd, and was even tested in a G5 before it was shipped out. I've had no problems whatsoever with it...no kernel panics, no unexpected quits, nothing. Also helpful for those interested in G5 RAM, check out the G5 RAM discussion on Apple's support site. Many have reported which brands work and which don't. The big one, which sticks out in my mind, which hasn't worked for many people, is Kingston, which if I'm not mistaken, is supposed to be another "premium" brand. Could be wrong on that, though.

Where Did You Buy Your RAM? You forgot to tell us with a link.

 

[Multimedia]

rtdunham Asked Me About The "Old" vs. "New" G5 Models - What's The Diff?

Hi, i saw your post on the MacNN forums. I also was intrigued by the refurbished 2.0s on apple's store site for 1999. I have a couple questions, perhaps you've already determined the answers:

1) is what they're selling the original rev a or the new model? I'm assuming it's the rev a.
2) what are the diffs in rev a and rev b? i know the new ones have 8x superdrive, the old ones i assume are 4x. Are there any other diffs?

i appreciate your sharing anything you've learned. And do you have your new 2.0 yet? if so, how do you like it? I'd be upgrading from a 733 MHz G4 so it should be a dramatic improvement.

peace
terry in st. pete

It's Rev A. 4x SD, ATI 9600 Pro 64 MB video, 130 nm processors instead of 90 nm processors.

You had better monitor that bargain page every day every few hours. They are all gone again. But it's still early enough that they should come back again. The Dual 2 will be about 5 times faster than what you have now. New G5's are not very different from "Old" ones. I was planning on buying the new one. But the dual 2.5 is a new Rev A because of the Liquid Cooling System (LCS). I don't want to spend more money to be a beta tester for a new LCS. Do you?

No it will be here Tuesday. I am sure I will love it. So will you if you can still get that deal next week.

 

[Multimedia]

7 Drives Fit Inside A G5 - Here's How.

I'm researching PATA to SATA adapters now. Found this one from FirmTek in UTAH seems to be the best:

I'm not so sure about this one from Addonics :

I'm thinking of using the above for the second slot. Then using the solution Ross Carter explains here to use the second IDE capability from the optical's IDE port to run another one vertically down in front of the processor fans beside the RAM like this $300 solution from Swift Data described with a Photograph here for almost FREE with a wooden support base I can make myself or get a local carpenter to make for near nothing. OR maybe no bracket is really necessary. A thin strip of duct tape across the top of a set in a G5 that isn't being moved around may be all that's needed to have that set of three on the bottom front.

There's room for three vertical drives down there. So one could be hooked to the Optical IDE Port like Ross did only running the ribbon down instead of across to the second SATA bracket. Then 2 more could be hooked to a four port G5 compatible ATA 133 PCI card. This seems to be the cheapest way to get 4 old PATA drives inside. Then 2 more could be put in with this G5 Jam door mount kit from WiebeTech without the need for their PCI card. They can be attached to the other two port IDE connector on the above PCI card.

So a total of 7 can be inside for a range total capacity of almost 1.75 Terrabytes (7x250) to almost 2.8 Terabytes (7x400) with the new Hitachi 400 GB SATA drives.That's 7x $170 = $1190 vs 7x $415 = $2905. That's an extra $1715 for that last extra Terabyte inside.

I have a LOT of big PATA drives. So I am just going to figure out how to get them all inside my g5 and live with their old speed accordingly.

 

[Multimedia]

Refurbished Dual 1.8 & 2 G5's Are Back @$1799 & $1999 Respectively.

Refurbished Dual 1.8 & 2 G5's Are Back @$1799 & $1999 Respectively. Get'em While They're HOT!

 

[wdlove]

Refurbished Dual 1.8 & 2 G5's Are Back @$1799 & $1999 Respectively. Get'em While They're HOT!

Are the refurbished Dual 1.8 & 2.0 like having a Rev. B? Meaning do they also upgrade the system.

Though I'm still very tempted to purchase the 2.5. Knowing that an Apple Store is only 10 minutes away. Also will get a AppleCare, Pro Card, and ProCare.

 

[Multimedia]

Refurbs Come With Panther & iLife '04

Are the refurbished Dual 1.8 & 2.0 like having a Rev. B? Meaning do they also upgrade the system.

Though I'm still very tempted to purchase the 2.5. Knowing that an Apple Store is only 10 minutes away. Also will get a AppleCare, Pro Card, and ProCare.

Refurbs Come With Panther & iLife '04. If you're going to buy at a store, you should custom order Bluetooth Module at least. Buying a Refurb is a money saver. If you want to spend 50% more money for 25% more power and you can afford it, go ahead and please be one of the LCS beta testers for us.

Educational AppleCare is only $199.

And drive to the Rockingham Park Apple Store in Salem New Hampshire to save the sales tax.

Pro Card is discontinued. If you have a Pro Card already, you can get FREE ProCare for the first year if you ask before August. Looks to me like you can buy ProCare for only $99 any time at any Apple Store.

 

[jakemikey]

Where Did You Buy Your RAM? You forgot to tell us with a link.

I got mine at memorytogo.com. They don't have all the warranty info posted directly on their site. I shop online all the time, but I never order online for any significant purchases. I'll find the product I want and then phone in the order to make sure all my questions are answered by a human. Then I take the rep's name, the date and time of the phone call, and a summary of the conversation. This helps to expedite solving any potential problems with the product or terms of sale, etc.

Anyway, when I called memorytogo.com I made it very clear to the rep that I'd read all about G5 RAM problems with other people, and that I didn't want any trouble with it. This is what she told me:

1) Memory is G5 spec'd.
2) Memory has lifetime warranty.
3) Memory is tested in-house in a G5 before shipping.

I've been running this RAM for about a month now with zero problems. And from most of what I've read of other people's experiences, if there aren't any problems right after you put it in, there won't be any problems. i.e. you'll know right away if it's bad, not after a month or year. And since RAM doesn't have moving parts, there's no "wear and tear" to limit its lifespan. That's why it's practically the norm for RAM to have a lifetime warranty - it's realistic. I mean, RAM "going bad" would be like a processor "going bad". It just doesn't really happen.

It's worth noting that memorytogo's prices are cheaper if you go through ramseeker.com than if you search directly on their site.

For those looking for G5 RAM, I'd suggest starting at ramseeker.com, finding the cheapest RAM, and then CALLING the company to confirm warranty, taxes, specs, etc. Don't make assumptions based on their site if things aren't stated explicitly, and even if they are, it doesn't hurt to have a human confirm it. Make sure that you can return it if it doesn't work.

If you still feel unsafe about it, go here and read up on others' successes/failures: http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?13@219.gP75aD7gptc.2@.5999c4ce/0

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to bash Crucial or other high-end RAM sellers. They fill a needed spot in the market. To some people that extra $50+ is worth it for the "confidence" factor. To me it isn't. I just think people need to know that cheap RAM doesn't always mean inferior RAM, and that they can get their G5 humming (reliably) for much less than they could with Crucial.

 

[.a]

where can i get some good 2gb modules? (NOT two times 1gb!)
2gb modules are out there but hard to find ...
thx for help
.a

 

[invaLPsion]

Refurbs Come With Panther & iLife '04. If you're going to buy at a store, you should custom order Bluetooth Module at least. Buying a Refurb is a money saver. If you want to spend 50% more money for 25% more power and you can afford it, go ahead and please be one of the LCS beta testers for us.

[/URL]

I'd hardly call us beta testers. Apple would only release a product that they have tested many times over to make sure it works. Even if it does (unlikely) have problems, we still have our warranty and Apple's amazing customer service to help us out. We will enjoy "beta-testing" the fastest macs ever made.

 

[Multimedia]

Let Us Know If You Find Them From Whom For How Much

where can i get some good 2gb modules? (NOT two times 1gb!)
2gb modules are out there but hard to find ...
thx for help
.a

Let Us Know If You Find Them From Whom For How Much. Nothing on Pricewatch.com nor ramseeker.com.

 

[Multimedia]

I'm Sure The New D 2.5 Will Be Awesome. Have To Settle For A Second Best Bargain Now.

I'd hardly call us beta testers. Apple would only release a product that they have tested many times over to make sure it works. Even if it does (unlikely) have problems, we still have our warranty and Apple's amazing customer service to help us out. We will enjoy "beta-testing" the fastest macs ever made.

I'm Sure The New D 2.5 Will Be Awesome. Have To Settle For A Second Best Bargain Now.

No insult intended. I agree there is probably nothing to worry about. If I could afford it now, I would probably be right there with you. I waited all these past 9 months with the full intention of buying a rev B G5.

But as it is now, with less money to spend and must buy 2GB RAM to add, I have to settle for a bargain and be happy with a D2. By all means please let us know when you get yours and how wonderfully quiet it will likely be etc.

 

[videogame_junky]

Finally

I have finally done it. Today I ordered my first mac. Its a dual 2.5 with 1 gb of RAM (all else is standard). I want to thank everyone on here for adding there $.02, its good to hear all sides of the story.

Anyway, since this is my frist mac, does anyone have any suggestion on where to get free (and legal) apps? As well as sites that help you tweek your machine.

VGJ

 

[hotwire132002]

I have finally done it. Today I ordered my first mac. Its a dual 2.5 with 1 gb of RAM (all else is standard). I want to thank everyone on here for adding there $.02, its good to hear all sides of the story.

Anyway, since this is my frist mac, does anyone have any suggestion on where to get free (and legal) apps? As well as sites that help you tweek your machine.

VGJ

Congrats on your first Mac!

Looking for freeware, I suggest download.com (that's where I usually go looking for freeware), but I'd have to know more about what you're looking for to help you out in a more detailed way.

 

[MacFan26]

Anyway, since this is my frist mac, does anyone have any suggestion on where to get free (and legal) apps? As well as sites that help you tweek your machine.

You're probably familiar with VersionTracker, but if not, check it out. They have a lot of freeware on there and in all catagories. I use it all the time and since it links to the software's homepage, it's a good way to find other software too.

 

[wdlove]

An Apple so hot it's liquid-cooled

Apple Computer's new top-of-the-line G5 Power Mac is the company's hottest computer yet. Which explains the water pump.

Liquid cooling isn't a feature you'll find on many computers, but Apple likes to stay out in front. Indeed, the company is touting its new liquid-cooled machine as an engineering triumph. Perhaps it is, but it is one born of necessity. The dual microprocessors that drive the new G5 run hot -- so hot that the old cooling system was no longer adequate.

''You need something that's more efficient than a traditional copper heat sink," said Tom Boger, Apple's senior director of desktop product marketing.

Hence the adoption of a cooling technique that seems better suited to a V8 than a PC.

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2004/06/21/an_apple_so_hot_its_liquid_cooled/

 

[ffakr]

Apple Computer's new top-of-the-line G5 Power Mac is the company's hottest computer yet. Which explains the water pump.

Tom also pointed out in interviews that the liquid cooling was required because of the high heat density [forgot the exact phrase he used]. It isn't just that the chips are hot, the 2GHz 970s were hot too.., there is also a big problem with having that much heat in such a small area. The surface area of the 970fx is about half the size of the 970's.

I also noticed a day or two ago.. that Sony is selling a liquid cooled, mass produced system for a single Processor, Prescott system. It isn't getting any press.. I just happened across it.

 

[rtdunham]

...It isn't just that the chips are hot, the 2GHz 970s were hot too.., there is also a big problem with having that much heat in such a small area. The surface area of the 970fx is about half the size of the 970's....

But don't the new 2.0 dual and 2.5 dual BOTH use the new smaller chips? But only the 2.5 gets liquid cooling?

(I ask because i'm close to getting a refurb'd rev A dual 2.0, and my understanding is its deficits to the new ones are a) slower super drive and b) the earlier larger chip--but is that an advantage in terms of cooling or disadv in terms of speed or??? while the apparent advantages are a) better vid card, the 9200 vs the 5200 in the new model and b) a substially more attractive price!

I'd appreciate anyone's insights. thanks.
terry

 

[ccroo]

Liquid Cooled Future

Do you think the current PowerMacs are as big and as heavy as they're gonna get? I wonder if the Cooligy technology allows for a smaller cooling system... These current machines are huge given it's the age of the MIRCOprocessor. Nowadays we're up there with Russia's best. The G5 is beautiful but IT IS SO BIG! Maybe in the next few years we'll see the size and weight come down...

Raoul

 

[Multimedia]

I Was Going To Buy New G5 & Switched To "Old" Dual @ $1999

But don't the new 2.0 dual and 2.5 dual BOTH use the new smaller chips? But only the 2.5 gets liquid cooling?

(I ask because i'm close to getting a refurb'd rev A dual 2.0, and my understanding is its deficits to the new ones are a) slower super drive and b) the earlier larger chip--but is that an advantage in terms of cooling or disadv in terms of speed or??? while the apparent advantages are a) better vid card, the 9200 vs the 5200 in the new model and b) a substially more attractive price!

I'd appreciate anyone's insights. thanks.
terry

I Was Going To Buy New G5 & Switched To "Old" Dual @ $1999.

a) 4x SuperDrive can be replaced or complemented with an 8x Pioneer DVR-107 for $100 - which is the model that is in the new G5. If you swap out the "Old" Stock Pioneer DVR-106 4x for the Pioneer DVR-107 8x DVD±RW drive the "Old" G5 will still think it is stock and iDVD will still work.
b) Speed is the Same. May run cooler due to larger die cast. 130 nm 970 may not be as dynamic a speed shifter as a new 90 nm 970fx.
c) Stock Video in "Old" Dual 2 is ATI 9600 Pro 64 MB NOT 9200. Stock nVidea 5200 in "New" is not as good a card as the "Old" ATI 9600 Pro.
d) Advantage of buying new one is the custom options like the Bluetooth Module/Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Pack for $99, the 24x10x32x Combo Drive for $100 less and the 9600xt 128 MB Video for only $50 more. Those are three options I would have liked to exercise.
e) The price is just too right to buy an "Old" Dual 2 @ $1999.

I think you save more buying an "Old" Dual 2GB model than you would get spending an extra $350-$500 for a "new" one educational or retail.

I know I have to put $309 in 2 GB of RAM (4 x 512 sticks) inside. So I'd rather save on a same speed model and put that money into RAM.

If the FW800 throughput had been fixed in the new ones, that would be different. But Barefeets Reports it isn't. So I think "Old" is as good as "New".

Here Barefeats Reports: "June 12th, 2004 -- I spent yesterday testing the Rev B G5/2.0GHz MP Power Mac. Some early impressions and insights:

1. The GeForceFX 5200 is wimpy. (I've added its 3D numbers to the Radeon 9800 Special Edition article.) If you plan to run any OpenGL aware apps, you should special order your G5 and specify the $50 for the Radeon 9600 XT (128M).

2. I'm not sure if the 2GHz "Rev B" G5 uses the 90nm chip, but it is not any faster than the 2GHz "Rev A" G5. I ran the iMovie effects render test, Cinebench 2003, and Xbench. Virtually identical results. (Xbench identifies the "Rev B" as "PowerMac7,3." The Rev A is identified as a "PowerMac7,2." Isn't the 90nm chip supposed to be identified as a "PowerMac8,1"?)

3. The FireWire 800 RAID write speed issue has NOT been fixed. In my quick test with a striped pair of LaCie Big Disk Extremes on the built-in FW800 port, the sustained write speed is still stuck at 54MB/s while the same pair connected to a G4 PowerBook gave a sustained WRITE speed of 74MB/s. (A PowerBook beats a G5? Huh?)"

OOPS! Those Refurbished G5's are GONE AGAIN!

 

[rtdunham]

I Was Going To Buy New G5 & Switched To "Old" Dual @ $1999..../QUOTE]


first, thanks for all the info. i appreciate your clarifying the vid card for me.

any chance these refurbished rev A dual 2.0s are the machines taken back from the supercomputer in Virginia? I wonder if apple's doling them out some-at-a-time to sustain demand. Has anyone IDd serial numbers on those VA dual 2.0s?

terry

 

[Multimedia]

No. They Are Not From VA Tech. MacMall Bought Those. Are Probably From The Show Pool.

I Was Going To Buy New G5 & Switched To "Old" Dual @ $1999..../QUOTE]


first, thanks for all the info. i appreciate your clarifying the vid card for me.

any chance these refurbished rev A dual 2.0s are the machines taken back from the supercomputer in Virginia? I wonder if apple's doling them out some-at-a-time to sustain demand. Has anyone IDd serial numbers on those VA dual 2.0s?

terry

No. They Are Not From VA Tech. MacMall Bought All Of VA Tech's Inventory. They Are Probably From The Show Pool. Keep watching that page. They should come back again soon. Mine Arrives Tommorrow. I'm all a twitter.