Well, it appears that the time to buy a desktop is now. Unfortunately, because I'm a full-time student atm, my budget is somewhat limited. In a year, after I graduate, I can get something a bit higher end.
My needs at this point largely involve use of iLife, iWork, MS Office, light PS, some gaming (WoW addict, though this is not a primary reason for wanting this system), in addition to the typical web browsing/email, etc.
Configurations are at edu prices, including the $100 rebate I just found posted elsewhere on this forum today.
It should be noted that I have a perfectly good 17" LCD display.
SP PM configured as follows:
1.8GHz PowerPC G5
256MB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 2x128 (1GB from DMS=$98)
80GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm
ATI Radeon 9600 XT w/128MB DDR SDRAM
AirPort Extreme Card
Combo (CD-RW/DVD-ROM) (Don't need the SD)
Total cost=$1347 inc. edu discount, $100 rebate, and adding the GB of RAM)
17" iMac ComboDrive base configuration:
512MB DDR400 SDRAM - 1 DIMM (another 512MB from DMS=$49, adding 1GB=$114)
160GB Serial ATA drive
Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
56Kbps Modem (don't need this, configured PM without it)
17-inch widescreen LCD
1.8GHz PowerPC G5
ATI Radeon 9600 with 128MB DDR Video Memory
AirPort Extreme
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (have BT on my PB, never use it)
Total cost (same formula as above):
$1148 for 1 GB RAM
$1213 for 1.5GB RAM
It would be a no-brainer if I didn't already have the display (I love using dual displays with my PB, why I bought it). One definitely gets more for less with the iMac, but the PM is more upgradeable and I'd maybe like to throw in a better GPU in the future.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
EDIT: to add another possibility, I can get the 2GHz (SD) 17" iMac for $1299 (+49-114 for extra RAM). The SD is faster than the one in my PB, though I don't use it all that much, hmm...
My needs at this point largely involve use of iLife, iWork, MS Office, light PS, some gaming (WoW addict, though this is not a primary reason for wanting this system), in addition to the typical web browsing/email, etc.
Configurations are at edu prices, including the $100 rebate I just found posted elsewhere on this forum today.
It should be noted that I have a perfectly good 17" LCD display.
SP PM configured as follows:
1.8GHz PowerPC G5
256MB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 2x128 (1GB from DMS=$98)
80GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm
ATI Radeon 9600 XT w/128MB DDR SDRAM
AirPort Extreme Card
Combo (CD-RW/DVD-ROM) (Don't need the SD)
Total cost=$1347 inc. edu discount, $100 rebate, and adding the GB of RAM)
17" iMac ComboDrive base configuration:
512MB DDR400 SDRAM - 1 DIMM (another 512MB from DMS=$49, adding 1GB=$114)
160GB Serial ATA drive
Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
56Kbps Modem (don't need this, configured PM without it)
17-inch widescreen LCD
1.8GHz PowerPC G5
ATI Radeon 9600 with 128MB DDR Video Memory
AirPort Extreme
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (have BT on my PB, never use it)
Total cost (same formula as above):
$1148 for 1 GB RAM
$1213 for 1.5GB RAM
It would be a no-brainer if I didn't already have the display (I love using dual displays with my PB, why I bought it). One definitely gets more for less with the iMac, but the PM is more upgradeable and I'd maybe like to throw in a better GPU in the future.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
EDIT: to add another possibility, I can get the 2GHz (SD) 17" iMac for $1299 (+49-114 for extra RAM). The SD is faster than the one in my PB, though I don't use it all that much, hmm...