G3 question...

[mrpepsi]

I'm thinking of buying an iBook for work to replace my aging Toshiba laptop. Our budget is not big enough for a Power Book. I just want to know if the G3 in the iBook can realistically do all that I need to do without bogging down.

I administer a website with Dreamweaver MX and Photoshop, plus I intended on using Final Cut Pro (though I'm not expecting stellar performance with FCP).

I've never used a G3, is it that much slower than a G4?

 

[bousozoku]

I use a G3/400 and a dual G4/800 and find them both reasonable at Photoshop and web site editing using GoLive, as well as most other tasks. Of course, the G4 is much better at 3D, whether games or graphic development. Final Cut Pro is probably much faster but, judging from my experience with Photoshop, could most likely work smoothly even on the G3.

Hope this helps. If you have other questions, please ask.

Make certain that you have the maximum amount of memory and you'll get the best out of the machine.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I think the iBook will do fine for you, unless you need to have the fastest. I think however if you hold off just a little while longer the iBook should get a power bump. The G3 is a good processor and will do anything you throw at it. It is not quite as fast in some tasks as a G4, but I think if you are using an older laptop right now, you will be quite happy with the performance. I would like to see Apple not only increase the MHz in the iBook, but also add the 133 FSB. It could happen in the next rev. I think you would be happy, more happy with a G4, but for value, the iBook is a lot of bang for buck. Give it a lot of RAM and it will do just fine with whatever you throw at it.

 

[mrpepsi]

Thanks, that helps a lot. You know, it seems like it would be a lot better if Apple could find a way to switch to x86 and still have thier own proprietary hardware and software.

I know for a fact that the G4 can compete with some of my other workstations but...my higher end boxes can kick it's tail. It's sad that Apple is limited by poor chip development, hopefully the 970 will come along and change all that.

 

[Falleron]

Just get as much RAM as you can, then you will be fine. However, I suggest you wait a few more days so that you can get a new spec ibook.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

That's an absolute necessity on the RAM. FCP will be a little slow, but it will be workable, just nothing too ambitious. And you'll want to get the largest HD you can and maybe even think about dropping another $200 when it comes time to do a bigger movie and get a external 80 or 120 Gig Firewire drive. I've got a TiBP and I have to have the extra storage.

Good luck, and as everyone elses said, wait until something happens this week.

D

 

[scem0]

The g3 will work, but it will have annoying lag which will frustrate you. That is all I have to say .