G5 Update or Replace

A basic Intel core duo Macbook from 2006 would only run $200-300 most likely. Just to give you an idea of what a starting point would be. Also, 2006 Intel Mac Minis aren't too shabby either, if all you're doing is photo retouching. Same price range really.

 

I second this. An intel based Mac mini is fairly cheap. That will handle any photo work needed and would only cost a little out of pocket after selling the G5. One side note, sell me the G5!!

 

Those prices may be true where you're at. It depends where he lives. Here in Michigan it's hard to find someone selling a G5 for 2 to 300. Early intel macbooks are still about 350 to 4, and the used mac mini market is basically nonexistent. However, minis start at 600 and would blow away your G5. Plus they're more future proof with the way apple has been shortening the supported hardware list these last few years.

 

Welcome to the forums, you will find lots of friendly, helpful members here and can learn alot if you take time to look around a bit at the various threads I have, and continue to, even though I've been here for over 10 years..........

For these uses the mini would be just fine, same for transferring over your documents & photos.....

However, to transfer over the programs themselves, they would have to be run under Rosetta on an older mini that runs OS 10.5 or 10.6. Unless of course you want to buy all new intel-native versions for the mini......

If you are going to make this move, make a back up of everything on the G5, so that you have copies of the files & apps. Time machine backup and/or the OS X Migration assistant would also be useful for this purpose.

 

I'll be contradictory..Keep the G5 and upgrade people can talk about power all they want but you do nothing that requires massive computing power, your just a dude on a computer you comfortable with..just upgrade and and go a little longer, when the bug bites for a new computer get it then.

 

What software are you using now to do your photo retouching?

Photoshop 7 runs fine in Tiger on my MDD. You would have to make sure it runs on your G5, but I would think it would. You can pick it up on eBay pretty cheaply. Just a suggestion.

 

What G5 model it is, what specs?
What software you need to run on it?

 

You will get much much power with almost any Intel mac. Your choice depends of your budget. Switching from Powermac to Intel will probably implies to update many of your software. Regarding CS3 it's working fine on my MBP with Snow Leopard.