Getting a Power Mac G5, some questions!

Discussion in 'Buying Tips, Advice and Discussion (archive)' started by _pb_boi, Jan 31, 2005.

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  1. _pb_boi, Jan 31, 2005

    _pb_boi macrumors 6502

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2004
    #1
    Heya,

    I've just sold my 12in Powerbook to get funds for a new Power Mac G5. However, I have some questions.

    I'm still at school, and this kinda money is hard to find; I've realised that I need the Power Mac fairly quickly, as exams are coming in May / June and my own computer is useful to revise - I know this from last year, when I used my Powerbook. Will a stock 1.8 (w/out modem and w/ CDRW, no DVDRW) run fine with stock 256mb RAM? It'll be upgraded to 1.25gig RAM as soon as I find another £100, but until that point - will it be fine? I know the RAM bottlenecks the CPU, but to what extent? :(

    FWIW, I already have a 20in cinema display, so buying a monitor isn't an issue. If I buy new, the Power Mac works out at about £840 edu. Is refurb a viable option? I take it edu prices don't apply on top of refurb discount?

    My other question; I need the Power Mac, but I *can* wait if it'll not be too long; I've heard many rumours about expected updates, regarding when they'll be released and what the new features will be. Worth waiting for?

    Cheers!

    andy.
     
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  2. vtprinz, Jan 31, 2005

    vtprinz macrumors 6502

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    Nov 30, 2004
    #2
    It will definitely run. If you go to an apple store (or your schools bookstore maybe) and look at their imacs/powermacs, most have the stock 256MB RAM in them, and they're definitely useable, but they don't seem much faster than my 800MHz G3 running 640MB RAM. Once you get the ram boosted up, you'll really notice the difference.

    As far as refurb/edu, if you're buying stock parts (no BTO options), you should definitely look at refurb machines. They usually run a bit cheaper than the edu discount (and no, you can't apply an edu discount on refurbs). Here, the edu makes the dual 1.8 PM $1799US, while the refurb deal is $1699US. If you can save yourself a bit of money with the refurb then maybe you can afford memory sooner (just not through apple)
     
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  3. mrgreen4242, Jan 31, 2005

    mrgreen4242 macrumors 601

    mrgreen4242

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2004
    #3
    FWIW, I haven't seen any SP PMs in the refurb store yet... You could consider looking for one on eBay. You should be able to get a single 1.8ghz with some addons (RAM, HDs, DVD-RW, software) for about what a new one would cost you.

    Good luck,
    Rob
     
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  4. Symtex, Jan 31, 2005

    Symtex macrumors 6502a

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    Jan 27, 2005
    #4
    I got my PM G5 last week. Get the 1 gig of ram update. It's worth every single penny. If you don't do alot of video / photoshop the base video card is fine but if you want to do a bit more, get a new video card.
     
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  5. _pb_boi, Jan 31, 2005

    _pb_boi thread starter macrumors 6502

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    Feb 25, 2004
    #5
    Heya,

    Thanks for all the advice! Much appreciated guys :)

    The RAM will definately be upgraded before long, but I'll check eBay if sp 1.8's are rare at the refurb store :)

    Thanks again!

    andy.
     
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