New iMac vs. new low-end PowerMac

[Le Big Mac]

So I'm a buyer on the fence. The sensible choices for me are the newest iMac (top end) or the low-end PowerMac (1GHz single). The way I add it up, the iMac is $1799 (plus other options) and the PowerMac (with 80GB drive and Superdrive, to compare with iMac) is $1725, plus a monitor ($700). You also get the L3 cache on the PowerMac, as well as FW 800.

I'm thinking that the $625 difference is a lot for FW 800 and the L3 cache, even with better expandability. Am I crazy to choose the PowerMac?

 

[WannabeSQ]

The powermac supports upgrade cards, upgrade processor, holds more RAM I believe, and you can get a bigger monitor later. The iMac is a great machine if you value aesthetics and space saving over speed and upgradability. The iMac also has a 17" Widescreen, and the lowest Apple LCD is a 17" Studio, 4:3 aspect ratio.

I would get the Powermac, but that is because I have one, use PCI slots, and like to upgrade (IE Video card)

Either way, you'll have a 1GHZ mac and a superdrive.

 

[occam]

Other powermac notes

I would not recommend the single CPU PowerMac. For $400 more, you get a dual cpu PM with 2.5x processing power.

You can think of the screen as a reusable item as well, since the iMac screen is built in. So the PM has a slight advantage there. You can also run the PM dual screen if you like. I don't think the iMac does that.

If you don't need the performance, or need the smaller form factor, or need a quieter machine, or are quite price sensitive, buy the iMac (those are all good reasons). Otherwise, if you need performance, upgradability, better graphics power, buy PM.

Good luck!

 

[occam]

To clarify, I said $400 even though the price difference on between 1st and 2nd PM's appears to be $500. $100 of the 2nd one goes to h/d and video card upgrade (probably both worthwhile), but the actual differential is then $400 for that .25MHz CPU speed upgrade and second CPU (for resulting 1GHz versus 2.5GHz comparison).

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Re: New iMac vs. new low-end PowerMac

Originally posted by Le Big Mac
So I'm a buyer on the fence. The sensible choices for me are the newest iMac (top end) or the low-end PowerMac (1GHz single). The way I add it up, the iMac is $1799 (plus other options) and the PowerMac (with 80GB drive and Superdrive, to compare with iMac) is $1725, plus a monitor ($700). You also get the L3 cache on the PowerMac, as well as FW 800.

I'm thinking that the $625 difference is a lot for FW 800 and the L3 cache, even with better expandability. Am I crazy to choose the PowerMac?

I like what occam said, but i noticed you did not mention what you are going to use it for?I really like the new imac but since i have a pm800 i think i will wait for the next upgrade to that or the powermac line.L3 and fw 800 are nice but who even needs fw800 right now?If you think you will need expansion/et/etc then powermac though i like the mid unit.If its just a consumer machine and you are not concerned about DOOM3 then the imac 1 giger should be all you will need and should be able to handle anything you throw at it.