Goal Set: G5 in 2005

[Aciddan]

Guys,

I have created a new competition for myself. My Goal is to buy a G5 System in Late June 2005.

How?

By Saving

I read an article recently that Generation Xs and Generation Ys are very *now* oriented: we want things "now". We're not a patient bunch . Seeing as spending AU$8000+ now would possibly be doable (but very financially un-wise), I am trying to teach myself better saving habits as opposed to doing either a Salary Sacrifice or Credit Card Purchase...

... Thus my new game: I make additional payments into our home loan (above and beyond the additional ones we already put in), with an imaginary value of 50c in each dollar I put in being "Saved" for the G5. The benefits are:
1. I can go buy my G5 and pay "cash" and not worry about the debt
2. I learn to be a better saver (only over the last two years have I slowly become better at it).
3. I check myself when spending (You start getting very conscious of your spending when it means less gets saved towards the G5). I am particuarly bad when it comes to buying coffee - I could spend significant wads of cash over a month and discover that I have a lot of unaccounted spending and I have really just flushed (pun indented) that money down the toilet.

While I may not quite get to my goal amount next year, I have two get out of jail cards which will offset the final amount I need:
1. An Apple EDU discount (I'm a postgrad student)
2. I can claim a tax deduction (use for educational purposes, some work via VPN etc + depreciation)

Now onto the fun bit My Goal System is (as at 2004-07-24, this will probably change as the product line changes over the next 12 months):
• Dual 2GHz PowerPC G5
• 512MB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 2x256
• 160GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm
• 8x SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
• NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL
• AirPort Extreme Card
• Apple Keyboard + Apple Mouse
• Mac OS X - International English
• Apple Cinema HD Display (23" flat panel)
• AirPort Express Base Station with AirTunes

Notice though I have not specced up the memory or hard drive:- it will work out cheaper to buy these seperately form a local computer store... I will go with an additional of 1 gig of ram for such a rig.

Once a month, I'll post my goal amount %:
July 2004: 1.24% (gotta start somewhere, otherwise you'll never start)

If anyone else is like me and finds it hard to save money, post to this thread and we'll all hopefully encourage each other towards a G5 in '05...

-- Dan

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Great way to go. I have just given up cigs, and I have setup a savings account that each week I deposit what I would have spent on the cigs. So far I have $75 saved up (just started on the 1st of July). This will help me towards my G5 PM purchase too.

 

[wdlove]

I admire you both greatly for you goals. When it comes to wanting something now the Baby Boom Generation invented that idea, so it is nothing new. Saving money is a great goal. Discipline and sacrifice are to be commended.

I'm especially proud of your life changing event. Your body and family will thank you. You should be able to notice that your lungs will recover from damage incurred.

 

[Ari_0]

Let it be known that I shall compete with you. First to get the desired list of conversion buys the mini iPods

Wanted:

Powerbook 12" Combodrive
1.5cpu (soon)
1.5 Ram
FX5700 128gpu (hopefully)
Learn Japanese beginner and Intermediate.
MS office 2004 (only so I can record lectures)
Final Draft 7.0
C&C Generals
iSight plus flexi thing
ms mini mouse.
Nokia 6230

I am a quarter of the way there. Muhahahahha

 

[wide]

Don't count on getting a Rev. D...

 

[Aciddan]

Let it be known that I shall compete with you. First to get the desired list of conversion buys the mini iPods

I am a quarter of the way there. Muhahahahha

The gauntlet has been thrown down! Let the games begin (well, they have already, I just have to do my monthly post about Mid August )

-- Dan

 

[Ari_0]

You do realise Dan, should one reach his goal before the competitor, one must show valid proof of one's spoils. So the other one can buy him an iPOD

P.S. I have a week to give up smoking


Ari

 

[Aciddan]

You do realise Dan, should one reach his goal before the competitor, one must show valid proof of one's spoils. So the other one can buy him an iPOD

P.S. I have a week to give up smoking


Ari

Honestly, I don't think I can make that wager but I shall continue to compete at saving!

I have the sneaking suspicion that you will reach your goal well before mine. By my calculations, I need to raise AU$16000 in order to reach my goal (50c in the dollar so approx AU$8000 G5 with display). This probably means that I'll get my G5 in 2035 (no, I'll get it before then I hope...)

So while no iPods to the winner, I would suggest that the proof of spoils pics would be good though.

-- Dan =)

 

[Ari_0]

Agreed, I dont need an iPod mini anyway (it will be like having a second mobile phone with me). I have enough trouble finding space in my cramped pockets to put a mobile phone. I will stick to the Nokia 6230's 512mb mmc card for mp3

Remember that even if I have the money before 2005 I am still going to wait to see if there is a Rev.D
Now I am a realist so I know it isn't likely to be a G5 or dual g4 type of stuff. But a 1.5 G4 with 512 ram standard would be great to see. Particularly in the 12"


But the proof of spoils is a definate.

Ari_0

 

[Abstract]

How are you going to raise that much if you're a student? I can't imagine being able to. I'm having a hard enough time justifying buying an iPod, let alone an $8000 system.

This is how I'm going to justify buying it. Since I'm in the middle of my Masters and have no job, I'll just say that normally I'll spend X amount of money on going out with friends. Lets say I spend A$20 doing that each week (beer here in the 'Gong is $3, no cover charge...), so if I simply go out less often, eat worse than I do, and don't buy unnecessary things like CD's, clothes, and such, I'll divert what I would have normally spent towards an iPod or mini. That way I'm not spending more money. I'm just using my money differently, if that makes sense. Its not that I buy lots of clothes and CD's, but I HAVE bought some stuff since I got here, and if I don't buy anything, it'll be lots of money I can use towards my iPod or Mini.

 

[Grimace]

Great way to go. I have just given up cigs, and I have setup a savings account that each week I deposit what I would have spent on the cigs. So far I have $75 saved up (just started on the 1st of July). This will help me towards my G5 PM purchase too.

Bonus points for giving up cigs - that will help your health costs later on in life too!

 

[johnbro23]

I am planning way ahead. I'm saving for a PowerBook for when I go off to college in 2006. I already have the money saved. I don't spend much, and pretty much live for free, since I'm still living with my parents, being in high school. I did buy an eMac to keep me from going crazy waiting for waiting for my PBook.

My 2006 PB Specs:

15"
2.8 GHz
160 GB hard drive
128 Mb video memory (upgradable to 256?)
1 GB SDRAM
$1999 ($1799 with edu. discount)

I figured that the price of the high end PB will go down, therefore I think I'll be $1999. I've already got the money, so all I have to do is wait...

 

[Brother Michael]

The whole reason why I bought a G3 iBook on ebay instead of getting a new one, was so that I could get a G5 in '05.

Mike

 

[jared_kipe]

Good idea, if I could save like that I wouldn't have my current G5. But the flip side of the coin is.... I buy it now, then pay it off, thus I can be using it while I am "saving" for it.

 

[chrisblore]

I am planning way ahead. I'm saving for a PowerBook for when I go off to college in 2006. I already have the money saved. I don't spend much, and pretty much live for free, since I'm still living with my parents, being in high school. I did buy an eMac to keep me from going crazy waiting for waiting for my PBook.

My 2006 PB Specs:

15"
2.8 GHz
160 GB hard drive
128 Mb video memory (upgradable to 256?)
1 GB SDRAM
$1999 ($1799 with edu. discount)

I figured that the price of the high end PB will go down, therefore I think I'll be $1999. I've already got the money, so all I have to do is wait...

I am hoping to go to university in 2006 and I think the arrival of such as spec PB (which has got to happen sooner or later, surely? ) would probably make me have to buy it, in addition to the Powermac G5 that I am aiming to buy next year. I have just applied for a part time job at the local supermarket (with surprisingly good wages ) so that and the money that I have already begun to save since the arrival of the Powermac G5 last year should see me through next year with a really decent spec machine for my first proper Mac experience. An old teacher of mine had a mac running OS 7.0 (I think) and even that seemed pretty easy to use compared to Windows at the time and I can clearly remember thinking that one day I would get myself a more advanced and up to date Mac. So, some time later, here I am plotting not one, but two Mac purchases and already licking my lips with anticipation. I can't wait!

 

[Seanb23]

My 2006 PB Specs:

15"
2.8 GHz
160 GB hard drive
128 Mb video memory (upgradable to 256?)
1 GB SDRAM
$1999 ($1799 with edu. discount)

I figured that the price of the high end PB will go down, therefore I think I'll be $1999. I've already got the money, so all I have to do is wait...

Don't hold your breath...it'll be more like 2009 at this rate, if ever. I'm about 6 inches from jumping ship, myself, given Apple's miserably slow hardware development lately.

 

[Ari_0]

I just dont see the G5 squeezed into a powerbook as a viable option. Even if the day come, It will heat so much that the shell most likely cease to be aluminuim and could be some sort of different material which would raise the price abit.

Personally, I would still be exstatic with a 12" 1.5 512 standard ram even with a nVidia FX 5700 with 64vram. But if the g5 comes out, Im buying that too.

 

[Megaquad]

Dude that's nonsense, just go rob the bank like all normal people.

Just kidding , I wish you luck with saving for your Dual 4GHz G6 (which should be low end model by then).

 

[stevehaslip]

i know someone with a G5 and her parents bought it for her, she doesn't deserve it and she lets her dog lick the front and side of it. I'm suprised it still works, anyway my point is that people would kill to have to have the computer she has so when you save up enough and get yours it will be worth so much to you, because you saved your ass off to get it. I should know i did the same.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

i know someone with a G5 and her parents bought it for her, she doesn't deserve it and she lets her dog lick the front and side of it. I'm suprised it still works, anyway my point is that people would kill to have to have the computer she has so when you save up enough and get yours it will be worth so much to you, because you saved your ass off to get it. I should know i did the same.

It just shows how screwed we are in our values. Just look at Sec. Ridge. He wants to quit as the Homeland Security because on $175K, he'll find it tough to send two kids to college. Most families would kill for the opportunity to have $175K a yaer in order to send even 4 kids to college.

 

[Ari_0]

Almost there, I want a Rev D. 12" PowerBook. YOU HEAR ME JOB? A rev D is less likely to be bugged than a Rev A dual G4 or worse, G5. Just a 1.5 G4 12" with Radeon, yea, that will keep me happy.

Now, would Steve release the new PB Rev D before or After I spend the saved money out of boredom?

 

[sockeatingdryer]

i know someone with a G5 and her parents bought it for her, she doesn't deserve it and she lets her dog lick the front and side of it. I'm suprised it still works, anyway my point is that people would kill to have to have the computer she has so when you save up enough and get yours it will be worth so much to you, because you saved your ass off to get it. I should know i did the same.

Yeah, there's this girl on the GA 4-H Youth Technology Leadership Team with me who has a brand-spanking-new 17" maxed-out PB, BT mouse, new 40GB iPod, AirPort Extreme/Express network, BT keyboard, .Mac, etc, etc, because her dad is a "Mac Specialist" (I've talked to him... how that Apple Store can justify hiring him is beyond me!) at the Apple Store. I begged and begged to and did so much for my parents for this eMac (iPod is Christmas present sitting in closet), and she takes all her stuff (which I am insanely envious of) for granted. She doesn't know how to use it, is dumb-as-a-brick, and is so spoiled... but yeah, that is a very good message.

/Almost proof enough there is no loving, fair God.

 

[Mechcozmo]

/Almost proof enough there is no loving, fair God.

Wait until she drops it.

I saved up for 2 years to buy my Rev. C PowerBook. It was shortly after the release of the original 12" that I thought "ooooh!" and now, 2 years later, I am typing on it.

 

[FightTheFuture]

20G5!

i recently made my top 5 shopping list and a G5 powermac/imac is up there. mostly because i want to go mobile with my tibook and its showing its age.

so i have my sights a little lower then a 2DP with a 1.8DP. or of course the new imac ::drool::

what do you say we all do our best, and post - if we meet our G5 goals in the coming new year? i'll give off moral support all the way!

 

[Ari_0]

OK, fight FOR the future

Anyday now, new PB's will be out, and then its like a feeding ground