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Help Getting a G5

You could tell them that the G5 can download porn much faster than your old computer, and that will allow you more time to study. :eek:

Just kidding. :D

Maybe you should go get a job too. Nothing like learning the ways of the world. Just make sure you pick a part-time job that's flexible. Working develops character. I've been developing character for a while now.

There is the added experience of bonafide pride in yourself when you pay for your own way, pay for your own toys, and make it even though its seemingly too difficult. That is something that being booksmart cannot even replace.
 
Wow, I wish I had your problem. Then again, my parents pushed me too, so no I don't.

Any way, simply tell them your current machine can't handle what you need it to do. Simple truth. The new G5 isn't future proof, but it should do you for awhile. Dollar for dollar the dual 2 GHz G5 is yer best best. Even if you could spend $4000+ on a Dual Operteron, the Mac is better for what you do. Do they really want you to spend half your computer time fixing Windows and dealing with Linux (if this is an issue)? Besides, there is always VPC.

You can get a lot of work done on that G5. That's reason enough. If they want you to do these things, the least they can do is give you the tools to do it. We can't call you spoiled, because your working for it. And if they won't let you get a job, and they can afford it, there you go. This isn't a reward, it's a tool to get the job (they want you to do) done. Which as you've mentioned, really is almost impossible (if not a lot more time consuming) with the tools you have.

And then you can "compromise" and "settle" for a cheaper display and third party RAM. You can justify the extra hd space with the fact that you can never have enough. And $125 for a 250GB drive is worth it.

Besides, you can always tell them you'll let them play with it too. But then never let them, because you're always using it and make them get their own. Or let them get it and always use it. Either way.
 
hi,

this may sound a bit ironic, but eventually there isn't much that is really future-proof. Probably no computer.

Don't invest too much time on this issue, if you aks me. Of course just about anyone in these forums wants that G5, but I guess there are many that decide to stick with their older hardware, for whatever reasons. And in the long run, well, you know what i wanna say........
 
Update

Parents are 75% likely to agree to my proposal. I explained, promised, they liked it, said they need to discuss later, told me to submit full report of 13 pages tomorrow. The only true sticking point is the 23" LCD monitor. I guess I'll fight for another week and then bargain down.
 
Very interesting. My parents never even asked why I never brought books home from school or even study for that matter. Yet here I sit, 50 feet from Widener Library (Harvard's "main" library). There is some good advice in this thread. Yet, you know your parents better than anyone here so you might want to go with your instincts.

Some Harvard/"elite school" specific advice:

1: PERFECT scores are not necessary... admissions folks really want to see unique skills and interests. These two fellas are weighed as heavily as academic achievement. The admissions process can be simplified in the following way: There are five categories, each of which are assigned values such as "excellent" "good" "average" "poor". Typically, any more than two categories below "excellent" takes you out of the running. Two of the categories have nothing to do with academics. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have some unique skill/interest.

2: Don't go to Harvard if you want to study engineering/com sci. I'm not just saying that because Bill Gates went here.
 
Russian programmers were stuck using computers in the same class as Apple IIs. When the Iron Curtain finally came down, these guys were programming gods. Couldn't read their code though. ;)
 
Tell them

Tell them the G5 will bring greatness to the Wu Tang clan and the Kung Low Possee. And the fung shui temple is not far from destruction, but it will be redeemed.

Oh, and as for the evil emporer Wang? He will be assasinated by the Wu Tang clan, they do not put up with Kung Fu Choo Lu.
 
Originally posted by Sedulous


Some Harvard/"elite school" specific advice:

1: PERFECT scores are not necessary... admissions folks really want to see unique skills and interests. These two fellas are weighed as heavily as academic achievement. The admissions process can be simplified in the following way: There are five categories, each of which are assigned values such as "excellent" "good" "average" "poor". Typically, any more than two categories below "excellent" takes you out of the running. Two of the categories have nothing to do with academics. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have some unique skill/interest.

2: Don't go to Harvard if you want to study engineering/com sci. I'm not just saying that because Bill Gates went here.
Click to expand...

This is going slightly off-topic but I'll argue it anyway. First off, perfect scores can't hurt. From personal experience (ie, knowing a lot of people going to elite schools), most of them did not have something truly unique. They were just talented at what they did which was typically something fairly common like Debate or Marching Band. I've never heard of the 5 categories system. I do know the Ivy League uses a rubric, which is said to be very similar to the one a Dean of Admissions at Princeton described in a book with two categories: academics and extracurriculars. Not much is truly unique when you have an enormous number of applicants. Harvard is good at pretty much anything but I'm intending to only major in Comp Sci if I get into MIT. Yes, I'm applying to all the top elite schools in the country (ie Ivy's, MIT, Cal-Tech, and Stanford). Back on-topic, Abstract, I had replies for the suggestions because I am highly argumentative and usually respond to good ideas by a certain skepticism. I appreciate all the help and yes, I'm actually using some the advice given.
 
Yep, obviously perfect scores don't hurt unless it comes at the expense of having nothing else to offer (not that I am suggesting you don't).

I know a lot of people at "elite" schools. I also know some people that sit on admissions at elite schools.

Examples of unique talent: Building instruments out of PVC pipes. Holding a world record for juggling. Singing opera. Or even some form of voluntary community service. One of my friends (who was a disgruntled comp. sci concentrator at Harvard) designed the foreign exchange website for Fleet Bank.

Another arguement for getting the G5 would be simply "price"; it is cheaper than a G4 but not "cheap" like a PeeCee. Even though buying a computer is never an investment (because it always depreciates) it still should be considered as one.
 
I really wouldnt go for the 23 inch.

This monitor would look MUCH better, but I dunno how much it costs etc.

http://www.eyegonomic.com/page.dsp?page=46

eyegonomict24


The apple LCDs are outdated and pricey. I don't know about this LCD. All i know is that it will look hella good with the G5 and that it is new.

scem0
 
Have you looked into getting a laptop instead of the G5? If you are going to be in college in a couple years, and you are already taking college courses, then the you probably could really take advantage of the portability. Right? The PowerBooks are rumored to be updated soon, so maybe you could look into this.

Good luck with everthing! :)
 
Originally posted by MacFan25
Have you looked into getting a laptop instead of the G5? If you are going to be in college in a couple years, and you are already taking college courses, then the you probably could really take advantage of the portability. Right? The PowerBooks are rumored to be updated soon, so maybe you could look into this.

Good luck with everthing! :)
Click to expand...

Argh, MacFan25 took the words right out of my mouth!

Since Apple refuses to release the 15" update, though, and the 17" is too expensive, and the 12" is kinda slow, I have an alternative suggestion.

Just get a box and use it for one or two years, then upgrade to the G5's available at that time. What box? The dual 1.25GHz. It's priced very attractively right now, and it's fast enough to kick the butt of most PCs out there. Your parents will recognize your shrewd resource management!

But as a second request, could you post your proposal somewhere? Many of us might be able to use some of your arguments in similar situations!
 
Laptop

Maybe you should hold off for a laptop instead since its a lot easier to get around. 13 pages dude I feel bad for, seriously I think that's sad to have that kind of relationship with your parents. Also take some time for important stuff like GIRLS school isn't everything. Im studying my ass off cause I want to get into a Maxillo Facial Surgery specialization department, but I still include time to go out. It's good to be well rounded but don't spread yourself out to much, again as someone said your only young once, and I gave up on Mathematics to involve myself on being a great Surgeon. The majors you posted do not require that much power so don't try and screw your parents on a "Want" and not a "Need".
 
Originally posted by Sauron's Master
Heh. Unfortunately, I don't think my parents would like that reason. ;) . I am getting my RAM from somewhere else, I just happened to list it with the AppleStore section for convienence. As for the monitor, I'll keep the Apple 23" Cinema Display...at least until I have to negotiate it down with parents.
Click to expand...

Don't forget, as a student you get a discount. Take a look at the prices on http://www.macprices.com/ for student prices. Just need to be associated with a school in some fashion or another. You don't have to pay $2999 for the G4. Also you can save $200 by going with no Superdrive unless you plan on burning DVDs. And if you have high speed internet you can save even more by dropping the modem. If your credit is good, you can purchase it all from the Apple Store 6 months same as cash.
 
Cubist: I'll post the proposal online sometime after I decide to edit it for grammar and style issues. I'll post the URL in this thread when I do.

actripxl: Trust me. I do stuff besides studying. Like pursue girls for an excessive amount of time. I may study but I still have high levels of hormones like all adolescent boys. ;). That reminds, I spent the 2 weeks before my SAT trying to get one girl instead of studying for the SAT. Thank god my parents haven't found out. :D. Girls take up more of my time than studying. Seriously. I just find that girls are more interesting than then what the author of some paragraph on the SAT intends.

Gopher: Thanks for the idea. Problem is features I want not the cost of the computer. Having a DVD burner somewhat supports my argument that it would allow us to make home videos which helps with my argument for the Cinema Display. As for credit, it won't help my situation since it's not that my parents can't easily afford it, it's that they need to be persuaded they should buy it.
 
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