Dual PowerMacs and Aluminum Displays?

[Frobozz]

I'm after advice. I saved for ages and finally convinced myself I could buy a 1.6Ghz G5 PM. So I bought it (GBP1400). Now with these updates coming out - and I bought just before rumor got going - I'm worried that I made a silly decision.

Basically what's the likelihood that post updates I'll get more for that money. Bear in mind that was the ceiling of what I was prepared to spend - so if concencus is that the updates will not replace the 1.6 at a similar price, then I'm happy. What form does apple have for that? Ie do they just replace a whole range at a similar price. I thought they tended to add at the top and let things shift down slowly.

If I couldn't get more for my money, what drop in 1.6 prices are we likely to see - ie how much could I save. I bought from a store so I do have the option of returning it (though I'd rather not have to).

Oppinions welcome on what I should do.

Keep what you have. You're buying for the wrong reasons. Ask yourself the only question that matters: does the computer you bought do the things you bought it for? That is, given your budget, is it fast enough, burn enough CD/DVD formats, have enough memory, have the best OS, play the games you want, surf the web well enough, etc.

Bottom line-- even if you packed up the one you have now, and upgraded to a 1.8 GHz low end machine in a couple weeks, it will be NO MORE than 6 months until your newer machine is just as obsolete.

I have a dual 1 GHz Quicksilver. It does everything I need. I will want more rendering speed for 3D Modeling,and better game performance, in the future. But I am very happy with it. Much better longevity than my G4/400 that I had last. You should be happy with your G5.

The ONLY thing I could see that would change your mind is if you thought the new low end machine would be a DUAL 1.8 GHz (for example). If you need a dual (it makes a big difference at times), then maybe you have a point.

 

[moofdog]

Keep what you have. You're buying for the wrong reasons. Ask yourself the only question that matters: does the computer you bought do the things you bought it for? That is, given your budget, is it fast enough, burn enough CD/DVD formats, have enough memory, have the best OS, play the games you want, surf the web well enough, etc.

That's what I kept telling myself. And I am very pleased with the machine (though obviously would have liked to be able to afford more bang-for-buck). It was precisely the thought that a 1.8 might be avaliable for the same price that got me a little nervous. I'm anticipating no 1CPU machines in the range, and that 1.8 will be the entry model. However, I'm not convinced that they'll put a dual 1.8 in place where a single 1.6 was for the same cash. They might. But I doubt it. If it happens, I'll be mad for not having waited (I do fairly hefty rendering stuff so more CPU is always good). If it costs even 200 more that my 1.6 did, then nevermind. We will see.

 

[Uragon]

What a news (rumour news). I couldn't wait, ended up buying onkyo reciever / dvd player and 5.1 audio pro speakers just 2 days ago, that was meant for the new g5. ....

 

[djbahdow01]

AMD 2.4GHZ

Tomshardware.com has just posted that AMD has just released information on thier 2.4 GHZ processor. Says they now regain the processor performance war. Now that AMD has released the 2,4 will apple be up next considering AMD is also working with IBM. Also the article points out that the AMD 3.0GHZ processor is not slated for relese to the public until 4th Quarter 2004. Could be a wait for the G5 at 3GHz.
Jut my 2 cents.

Edit: Heres the link http://www20.tomshardware.com/cpu/20040318/index.html

 

[StudioGuy]

Another apple.com www update

Not only have they fixed the prior spelling error on the front page (US version, AU is still the old version), but the dual graphics now bounce back & forth with dissolves instead of together. Definitely easier to read.

Now all we need is that one last update

 

[army_guy]

The current 23" is 1920x1200, I'd expect a lot more from a 30"!

Exactly, I was refering to a new 23".

The 30 would have to have somin alot higher otherwise it will look strange.

 

[ingenious]

ya

Perhaps a small clue at the Australian Apple site. Click the Trade up info box in lower right hand corner. It appears the Trade up to G5 offer is good through Friday, March 26th. Perhaps an indication that the new G5's will be released on the 30th. Seems like they are trying to push out that old G5 inventory.

http://apple.com has the same thing. this has been discussed before.

 

[Mehmet]

No, I don't own one, I own five 23" Apple displays. I've replaced 4 of them with Sonys in the last 6 months. I'm guessing you've never seen the competition, dude...

Ownage. to the max.

 

[aswitcher]

Perhaps a small clue at the Australian Apple site. Click the Trade up info box in lower right hand corner. It appears the Trade up to G5 offer is good through Friday, March 26th. Perhaps an indication that the new G5's will be released on the 30th. Seems like they are trying to push out that old G5 inventory.

Wow, I really hope that this means we will see new hardware! Its getting old waiting.

 

[page3]

Well, my Dual 1.8 G5 with 17" monitor was ordered last Friday from the Apple UK website. It stated 3 days to build, but as of 7:00pm today (ie: 7 days later) nothing has yet shipped. Perhaps they are waiting until new hardware on Tuesday...

 

[Music-Producer]

I have pretty solid and reliable information from Nov 2003 regarding the product launches to take place this year. I didn't post anything on macrumors.com though as I was a bit skeptical ( I always am ) but uptil now they have been accurate (except for the ipod mini). When macrumors.com announced a rumor about an ipod with a video out port I was convinced that this report is essentially true. Here we go:

1.8 Ghz PowerMac G5 - $1599
Dual 2 Ghz PowerMac G5 ( I dont like typing Power PeeCee!) - $2299
Dual 2.4 Ghz PowerMac G5 - $2999

All the HDDs will be SATA 150.

As for the displays:

Cinema HD Display : 20 " $999
Cinema HD Display : 23 " $1499

NEW Cinema HD Display : 25 " $2999

PowerMac G4 will be End of Life.

This same report writes about the launch of the Xserve G5 in Feb 2004..and this was given to me in Nov 2003.

To get you guys crazy even more so:

Aug-Dec 2005:

20 GB iPod : $99
40 GB iPod AV : $199
60 GB iPod AV : $399

The PowerBook G5s will be launched during the WWDC keynote in Jun 2004 .. only 2 models:

15" 1.8 ghz G5 PBook - $2499 -60 GB SATA 150 Drive+Superdrive+512 Mb Ram
17" 2 ghz G5 PBook - $2999

Now lets see if this comes true..if it does, then I know whats coming out in 2006

 

[Namacste]

Interesting...twice as much for 2 extra inches of real estate. Must be some crazy rez specs.


As for the displays:

Cinema HD Display : 20 " $999
Cinema HD Display : 23 " $1499

NEW Cinema HD Display : 25 " $2999

 

[Music-Producer]

Interesting...twice as much for 2 extra inches of real estate. Must be some crazy rez specs.


As for the displays:

Cinema HD Display : 20 " $999
Cinema HD Display : 23 " $1499

NEW Cinema HD Display : 25 " $2999

The 23 " Cinema HD Display has a resolution of 1920x1200
The 25 " Cinema HD Display has a resolution of 2560x1600

I guess that probably explains it

 

[MrSugar]

The 23 " Cinema HD Display has a resolution of 1920x1200
The 25 " Cinema HD Display has a resolution of 2560x1600

I guess that probably explains it

That gap seems too big for just 2 inches, I run a dual 17" setup right now that has a res width of 2560. To get that on one monitor, even a 25", it would be nuts.

 

[aswitcher]

The 23 " Cinema HD Display has a resolution of 1920x1200
The 25 " Cinema HD Display has a resolution of 2560x1600

I guess that probably explains it

Mmm. Ok your got a screen response? Bezelform factor design info (ports?)?

 

[Music-Producer]

No other info on ports..just the size, res and the price.

Mac World Boston 2005 (Jul 2005) reports a SuperDrive HC (High Capacity) : 27 GB of storage space on a single disc.

 

[aswitcher]

I have pretty solid and reliable information from Nov 2003 regarding the product launches to take place this year. I didn't post anything on macrumors.com though as I was a bit skeptical ( I always am ) but uptil now they have been accurate (except for the ipod mini). When macrumors.com announced a rumor about an ipod with a video out port I was convinced that this report is essentially true. Here we go:

SNIP

To get you guys crazy even more so:

Aug-Dec 2005:

20 GB iPod : $99
40 GB iPod AV : $199
60 GB iPod AV : $399

SNIP
Now lets see if this comes true..if it does, then I know whats coming out in 2006

On this thread you said iPods 2004... https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=757894#post757894

Do you mean 2004 and then 2005...or 2005 and then 2006 as you have here...

 

[Music-Producer]

On this thread you said iPods 2004... https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=757894#post757894

Do you mean 2004 and then 2005...or 2005 and then 2006 as you have here...

For the iPods its 2005. Not 2004 or 2006. This is my first time posting on macrumors.com..was a typo.

 

[invaLPsion]

Another NeatGekko???????????

I'm going to have to go for NeatGekko on this one. With his prediction of four models and high clock speeds. Plus he has a relatively good source.

 

[invaLPsion]

Another NeatGekko???????????

I hope the you are incorrect with your predictions, producer. I was hoping for faster processor speeds on the powermacs. (1.8 2.0 and 2.4 seem low, espcecially middle end). I do, however, like the price on the middle end which is what I would buy when rev B comes out. With that said, I don't like the speed. Also, with the lineup you have the price for the high end is WAY too high. It just seems like a horrible lineup. It would be better if the high end was $2599-$2799. That would make more sense.

Any word on graphics cards for the new powermacs? 128mb vram? (PLZ)

 

[numediaman]

Neatgekko, not that name again! I remember that last time you brought that name up. Remember that "inside information"?

Forget about price reductions for new computers -- why would Apple introduce new G5s at lower prices? Your best bet is lower priced displays (though I don't see that Apple has much of a history of that, either).

We're now at the end of March, so if people want a lower priced G5, there seems a good chance we are closer to a G5 iMac. My hope is that Apple will dump the current 1.6 & 1.8 chips into iMacs, make all the PowerMacs dual, and have the low end be 2.0 (or higher). let's hope we find out soon.

 

[Music-Producer]

Neatgekko, not that name again! I remember that last time you brought that name up. Remember that "inside information"?

Forget about price reductions for new computers -- why would Apple introduce new G5s at lower prices? Your best bet is lower priced displays (though I don't see that Apple has much of a history of that, either).

We're now at the end of March, so if people want a lower priced G5, there seems a good chance we are closer to a G5 iMac. My hope is that Apple will dump the current 1.6 & 1.8 chips into iMacs, make all the PowerMacs dual, and have the low end be 2.0 (or higher). let's hope we find out soon.

Its in Apple's best interest to make the G5 as affordable as ever for all consumers..not only for professionals. From the information that I have, the iMac G5 does not come out until MacWorld Boston - Jul 2005:

iMac G5:

17 " 3 Ghz PowerPC 975+
512 mb ram
128 mb ATI Radeon 9300 Pro
180 GB HDD
SuperDrive HC (27 GB on 1 Disc)
all this for $1299

The 20" imac goes to 3.5 Ghz and 240 GB HDD for $1499

I just wish they could release these currently, instead of following a routine gradual launch of products.

 

[aswitcher]

Its in Apple's best interest to make the G5 as affordable as ever for all consumers..not only for professionals. From the information that I have, the iMac G5 does not come out until MacWorld Boston - Jul 2005:

iMac G5:

17 " 3 Ghz PowerPC 975+
512 mb ram
128 mb ATI Radeon 9300 Pro
180 GB HDD
SuperDrive HC (27 GB on 1 Disc)
all this for $1299

The 20" imac goes to 3.5 Ghz and 240 GB HDD for $1499

I just wish they could release these currently, instead of following a routine gradual launch of products.

Whoa. Late 2005 you say but NO G5 iMac this year. Mmm. I find this hard to believe...and look at those performance figures...pretty cool if true.

Any further claims of detail of bus, ram configuration (4 slots?), form factor...?

 

[numediaman]

Its in Apple's best interest to make the G5 as affordable as ever for all consumers..not only for professionals.

We've been saying that for years and years. Hasn't happened so far.

I think I posted a while ago that I bought my 8600 seven years ago. It was the middle price point. Guess what? That middle price point is exactly where it was seven years ago. Computers change, Apple prices stay the same -- give or take a hundred dollars or so.

Only when models are discontinued, or moved down the ladder (like the G4) do prices seem to change.

 

[djbahdow01]

iMac G5

With Apple supposedly naming the eMac and iMac end of life, wouldn't that warrant that updates are soon for those. Why would they want to wait till mid '05 to bring out a product that will be behind the times once again (except for the Superdrive HC which would be great). Luckily i am patiently waiting for the rev b PM to come out and it seems updates are imminent. Really wish i could start doing some large photoshop projects with out being able to go eat dinner and still be waiting for it to finally finish the one fix i make. This PIII Dell really needs the break from the work im doing.