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Dual 2.3 GHz Powermac vs. Aluminum iMac

techlover828

techlover828

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 28, 2007
2,358
2
Maine
Hey guys, thinking of getting a desktop. Trying to decide between a dual 2.3Ghz Powermac and one of the new aluminum imacs. The powermac costs around $800 shipped (is that too much?) and the new aluminum imac would be like 1k for a used one I guess. What do you guys think. I've always really liked the look of the mac pro/powermac g5 and the upgradability. It has 2.5GB that comes with it, but I'd probably get 2-4 more. Also I can stick a few hard drives in there and be all set for space without having to deal with external hard drive. It also doesn't come with airport or bluetooth. Bluetooth is a must, and I have ethernet right now but we're moving so I guess I'd need to get a apple airport/bluetooth card thing (where do you get those?). Anyway, is this a good buy over just an alum. imac? I'd probably get 2.4-2.8. Obviously the imac has another screen which is a plus, and I think it might be faster.

I realize this is disorganized and random, but I'm just trying to get my thoughts out and see what you guys think. Thanks.

TL
 
The iMac will be alot faster and is the better investment as far as the actual hardware is concerned. So you need to decide how important the expandability of the G5 is and whether you really need more than 4GB of memory.
 
Umbongo said:
The iMac will be alot faster and is the better investment as far as the actual hardware is concerned. So you need to decide how important the expandability of the G5 is and whether you really need more than 4GB of memory.
Click to expand...

I feel like such a child, I know the imac would probably be faster but I've just always wanted a mac pro and the powermac is the next best thing. I'd like to have 6gb of ram and a few hard drives, but idk if it's worth it.
 
techlover828 said:
I feel like such a child, I know the imac would probably be faster but I've just always wanted a mac pro and the powermac is the next best thing. I'd like to have 6gb of ram and a few hard drives, but idk if it's worth it.
Click to expand...

I'm sure your not the first to have struggle with this sort of decision. I'd wager the iMac will give you a better overall experience though. Any benefit the 6GB over 4GB would give you will probably be easily countered by benefit of the faster processor.
 
Umbongo said:
The iMac will be alot faster and is the better investment as far as the actual hardware is concerned. So you need to decide how important the expandability of the G5 is and whether you really need more than 4GB of memory.
Click to expand...

Umbongo said:
I'm sure your not the first to have struggle with this sort of decision. I'd wager the iMac will give you a better overall experience though. Any benefit the 6GB over 4GB would give you will probably be easily countered by benefit of the faster processor.
Click to expand...

Agreed on both counts. Even if you were to shove 8GB in that guy it wouldn't really match the benefits of the chip, FSB, and RAM bus speeds while running universal or intel only software.

Is the Power Mac the October 2005 (single chip dual core) version? If it's not, then forget about it and go for the iMac. Having dual HDDs can be compensated by any combination of externals, and the limited amount of GFX cards will make you cry.

Go for the iMac.
 
What software will you be using???

techlover828 said:
Hey guys, thinking of getting a desktop. Trying to decide between a dual 2.3Ghz Powermac and one of the new aluminum imacs. The powermac costs around $800 shipped (is that too much?) and the new aluminum imac would be like 1k for a used one I guess. What do you guys think. I've always really liked the look of the mac pro/powermac g5 and the upgradability. It has 2.5GB that comes with it, but I'd probably get 2-4 more. Also I can stick a few hard drives in there and be all set for space without having to deal with external hard drive. It also doesn't come with airport or bluetooth. Bluetooth is a must, and I have ethernet right now but we're moving so I guess I'd need to get a apple airport/bluetooth card thing (where do you get those?). Anyway, is this a good buy over just an alum. imac? I'd probably get 2.4-2.8. Obviously the imac has another screen which is a plus, and I think it might be faster.

I realize this is disorganized and random, but I'm just trying to get my thoughts out and see what you guys think. Thanks.

TL
Click to expand...

Most current software is now program for intel Macs, etc. Plus the imac would have a faster FSB, etc.
 
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