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Older Mac to Hold Me Over
- Thread starter Phtosynthesis
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Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
If you must have an all-in-one form factor then pick up the iMac G4 and max the RAM - but bear in mind you'll be giving up a LOT of performance by not getting the Mac Mini.
Notice how the Intel Mac Mini beats the snot out of a G4 Mini in these benchmarks (including Photoshop CS, which is being emulated on the Intel Mini) - and the G4 Mini is slightly faster than the iMac G4...
Plus, with an Intel Mini, you can start buying software for your next Mac now (like CS3).
The G4 iMac will do the job, but I think the Intel Mini is the better buy.
Notice how the Intel Mac Mini beats the snot out of a G4 Mini in these benchmarks (including Photoshop CS, which is being emulated on the Intel Mini) - and the G4 Mini is slightly faster than the iMac G4...
Plus, with an Intel Mini, you can start buying software for your next Mac now (like CS3).
The G4 iMac will do the job, but I think the Intel Mini is the better buy.
Here's a crazy idea, just buy a refurbished iMac Core Duo now, and flip it on eBay when you're ready to get the next generation of iMac. It'll cost you a whole lot less than $500 by the time you've flipped it, and you'll have a much better computer in the interim. Even under Rosetta, it'll run CS2 far better than any G3 or G4 will.
I'm not seeing any for cheaper than the iMac I want. I'm seeing PowerPC Mac Minis, but they have like 256MB RAM and they're still around the price of the iMacs.
Anyway, I found another iMac, just about the same as the one before, but 256MB less RAM, but it includes an Apple keyboard and mouse, for like $535.
http://cgi.ebay.com/APPLE-IMAC-G4-1...5QQihZ009QQcategoryZ80040QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Anyway, I found another iMac, just about the same as the one before, but 256MB less RAM, but it includes an Apple keyboard and mouse, for like $535.
http://cgi.ebay.com/APPLE-IMAC-G4-1...5QQihZ009QQcategoryZ80040QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Dustman
macrumors 65816
That looks like an awesome buy.. get it if u can afford it.. personally, id rather a g4 imac over a mac mini any day : ) gets votes for looks anyway, and 512 is plent aslong as your not photoshopping or anything crazzy
I am going to be doing some work in Photoshop CS2, but nothing major until I get a brand new iMac.
I would get a used mac mini intel core solo or duo....
-you can upgrade the processors later for cheap if you like
-the small size means it would be easy to make useful for other pursposes
-can run osx and windows...
-can be found for around $300 or less probably, get a used lcd monitor for a few hundred... and you'll have a good computer for now, and one that'll have many uses for later.
r.
-you can upgrade the processors later for cheap if you like
-the small size means it would be easy to make useful for other pursposes
-can run osx and windows...
-can be found for around $300 or less probably, get a used lcd monitor for a few hundred... and you'll have a good computer for now, and one that'll have many uses for later.
r.
Dustman
macrumors 65816
There is nothing that the imac g4 can't do that a core solo can.. besides run intel native code. cs2 is gunna be about the same speed on an intel as it will be on the imac cuz its a powerpc application. a g4 1.25 ghz processor is more than enough for the average user, and can even be used with leopard if it ever comes out.
Thanks Dustman. I'm just really stuck on which auction to buy from. I'll figure it out though, now that i've narrowed it down. Thank you everyone for your input. I'll let you know which one I get.
And one more question, I keep seeing different descriptions of the RAM slots and expandability on the iMac 17" 1.25GHz. I'm not sure which to believe.
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
Intel Minis are a lot faster, and thus there are things they can do that a G4 iMac can't.
However, you're correct that CS2 hobbles the Intel Mini to the extent that the difference in performance is small. If you must use CS2 then the Intel Mini is not the best choice - though a 1.42GHz G4 Mini will probably outperform the 1.25Ghz G4 iMac all else being equal, except with 3D games (due to the better GPU in the iMac).
I believe the 1.25GHz iMac has two memory slots - one is easily accessible and the other is not (I know this to be the case with the 1GHz models, not sure about the 1.25GHz models). It should be able to take 2GB RAM if you max both slots...
Frankf300
macrumors regular
If you have an old display around or can get one for cheap, than maybe you could consider the G4 Mini. If your headset on an all in one than any of those G4 iMacs are pretty good. I don't think you'll be dissapointed with a G4 iMac for your needs. I mean according to your original post this is only supposed to hold you over. 😉
Yeah, I wouldn't pay $500 for any older Mac when the mini is there. No it's not all in one but that shouldn't be a huge factor considering it's size.
The mini will hold it's value well, I mean look at the price G4 Minis are STILL going for From $300-$600 depending on whats in it. Considering that the Mini also runs windows, it should hold it's value better then the G4 did, as switchers will want that.
Keep the Box, and everything in nice condition and you won't lose much on your purchase when you ready to get the iMac.
The mini will hold it's value well, I mean look at the price G4 Minis are STILL going for From $300-$600 depending on whats in it. Considering that the Mini also runs windows, it should hold it's value better then the G4 did, as switchers will want that.
Keep the Box, and everything in nice condition and you won't lose much on your purchase when you ready to get the iMac.