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Power Mac G5 Right for Me?
- Thread starter JamesHume
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Oh My God.
Of course it blew it out of the water!, do you really expect A computer from 2003 to keep up with a pro work station of 2008? Come on... Your lucky your G5 kept up with you till now...
I've been on both sides of this scenario with different products, so I think I'm good at analyzing situations. With that said, the only disadvantage that I can see is that the PPC architecture will no longer be supported with the next OS update. Honestly, if these machines were able to edit videos, create awesome 3D graphics, and create complex music it should be able to handle a hand full of tabs in a browser, ftp program, email, photoshop, chat, etc. I seriously can't see why these wouldn't have enough power for me. However I'll take your advice and either go with the Matrox, or get a larger display.
Good article on current options for adding more displays to a laptop:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/vidock-expresscard-graphics,1933.html
The ViDock Gfx PRO looks like a great solution, but it's pretty spendy and not shipping yet AFAIK.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/vidock-expresscard-graphics,1933.html
The ViDock Gfx PRO looks like a great solution, but it's pretty spendy and not shipping yet AFAIK.
A G5 would work great for your needs. Just add 4 or 6 GB of RAM and it'll do anything you want it to do.
This is an interesting discussion if we consider the "bang for the buck" offered by all possibilities. Considering Geekbench scores:
The computer I'm using to write these lines scores 1780 points.
It's powered by Intel E2140 dual core. Cost last April: £209
Adding a graphics card for dual DVI output requires further investment of £33 for geforce 6800, £39 for geforce 7900.
PowerPC G5 2.3 GHz (2 cores), circa 2004, 1962 points
Anyone in the know can fill in the price of this 2nd hand machine here please?
What are the options regarding the 2nd screen on the G5 setup?
Considering the goal of using more screens for a browser, itunes and not much else, I suspect the jump in price is bigger than the difference in performance... and getting a screen extender for the same price of a whole PC is even harder to justify.
Thanks for the responses guys. After carefully doing some number crunching, I'm just going to stick with my MBP and upgrade the ram. I'll then add the Matrox TripleHead2Go with either a Dell Ultrasharp or Apple 20" or 23" (24" for the dell) display. Thanks for everybody's help.
Well I installed 'X Resource Graph' and have been monitoring what resources I use more closely. Its safe to assume the PM G5 won't have enough muscle for me. 
Once again, thanks for the help guys, and as previously posted I will be going with a Matrox setup. Plus when Snow Leopard comes, I'll be able to take advantage of the way it distributes its system resources and be able to multitask even more (which wouldn't have worked with the Power PC architecture).
Once again, thanks for the help guys, and as previously posted I will be going with a Matrox setup. Plus when Snow Leopard comes, I'll be able to take advantage of the way it distributes its system resources and be able to multitask even more (which wouldn't have worked with the Power PC architecture).
I would buy a 2.66GHz MacPro. That should be good. Apple sells them in the refurb store for $2000. You could get one on eBay for less. Im not sure if I would get a G5 though.
Well I installed 'X Resource Graph' and have been monitoring what resources I use more closely. Its safe to assume the PM G5 won't have enough muscle for me.
Once again, thanks for the help guys, and as previously posted I will be going with a Matrox setup. Plus when Snow Leopard comes, I'll be able to take advantage of the way it distributes its system resources and be able to multitask even more (which wouldn't have worked with the Power PC architecture).
Yep, I think that's a good move.
The multi-head video adapter will enable you to keep using your current (and more powerful) computer. And, will provide the multi-monitor support you need.
As I mentioned it, I should also disclaim one difference that I've heard commented on before.
With a standard dual monitor setup, you would typically have two independent screens and the desktop is extended to both screens.
With a dual-head adapter (such as we are discussing now), I've heard some mention that it essentially spreads the desktop (in a sense). By this, I mean that you get two full monitors, but the computer sees them as one very large monitor. So, for example, something centered on your screen might appear half on one monitor and half on the other.
I haven't used them myself. So, just passing on what I've heard.
Either way, I think it's probably the most sensible option for your situation. Keeps you in a powerful and mobile computer, and gives you dual monitor support.
well, this is a forum, so we 'll probably end up discussing things
What you can do with the £117 Matrox dual screen extender:
- extend 1 laptop PC using its VGA output to use 2 external screens;
What you can do with a second computer controlled via Synergy from your Macbook:
- add lots of cheap storage;
- use as a printer server;
- less multi-tasking in the way of your computing activities;
- have a 3rd or 4th screen with minimal added cost;
- have more RAM with less cost than upgrading the laptop;
- have DVI or HDMI connections from your computers to your screens;
- have your laptop ready to be a portable computer.
My G5 has 0 issues. Not once has it crashed on me. And its pretty damn fast for what I paid (700).
The one I got supports 16 gigs of ddr2, no MBP will do that. Harder to find though, its a Late 2005 model, the last ones they made and they take PCIE videocards.
Where you'll loose is the water cooled models are prone to failure with coolant leaks. So only the non water cooled 2.0 and 2.3 models will do, and the new intel processors are faster, not much, but they are.
My 2.16 macbook with 2 gigs of ram gets 110 on Xbench, and my 2.0 G5 with 2.5 gigs of ram gets 97.
If you can get a G5 dirt cheap, its worth it. Otherwise, upgrade the macbook pro or buy a Com-Dell Packard Home-Made Whatever box and call it a day.
I have a dual processor 2Ghz G5 with 8GB of ram that runs like a champ I got it off Craigs List for $300 running Tiger 10.4.11 its like a rock!!! my average up time is 30 days before I reboot just to clear things out. Problems ?? what problems ?? G5 machines are not junk go to EveryMac and look up the original price of these machines. Of course we all know that they are dead end machines but not junk!
I've had a Power Mac G5 dual 1.8 w/ 4gb of memory for about three years now, and it's been a great machine with no issues. It seems to outperform my MacBook Pro 2.0 w/ 2gb on both Final Cut and Logic Studio, though not by much. I bought a new 8-core Mac Pro 2.8mhz last week, and even though it's only got 2gb in it, it really screams compared to both the G5 and the MB Pro. I just ordered another 4gb of memory for it from Crucial.
I only occasionally use my MB Pro for Logic and Final Cut, preferring to work with those on the Power Mac and a 20" Cinema Display (and now a 23" CD with the Mac Pro).
One thing I've noticed is that there are a few programs that have been rewritten to be universal, but that are buggier on the Power PC platform for some reason. For example, I have an occasional need to open Quickbooks files used by some of my clients, all of whom are on Windows: they open flawlessly on my MB Pro and Mac Pro, but will not convert when I try to open them on the Power Mac.
I only occasionally use my MB Pro for Logic and Final Cut, preferring to work with those on the Power Mac and a 20" Cinema Display (and now a 23" CD with the Mac Pro).
One thing I've noticed is that there are a few programs that have been rewritten to be universal, but that are buggier on the Power PC platform for some reason. For example, I have an occasional need to open Quickbooks files used by some of my clients, all of whom are on Windows: they open flawlessly on my MB Pro and Mac Pro, but will not convert when I try to open them on the Power Mac.
Woah, hold on there. I work off a first gen dual 2.0 G5 (2003 model). I do pro-audio and print-grade graphics and photo work. My machine probably has another 2-3 years before it's even SLOW. While I am definitely into picking up a MacPro eventually, it's ridiculous to think that a G5 isn't good enough for right now, much less even a G4 (which we also use for audio and basic graphics).
And for the record, I compared it to a 2007 MacPro lower-end model last year and my G5 booted slower but ran everything either as well or faster than the MacPro (granted, I have a RAID for scratch, the Pro didn't). Is it top of the line? No. Does anyone actually NEED top of the line? Not unless they are rendering 3d animations or editing HD film.
Of course, if you're a gamer/have Windows needs there's no question (VirtualPC is HORRIBLE, has been ever since Microsoft took over development). And if you're thinking longevity, consider that the macs from 2003 are still current, so a MacPro from this year will likely still be current 5-7 years from now, so if you HAVE the cash, go with the MacPro. If you don't or you're not concerned with 3-5 years from now? Probably the G5. I likely wouldn't buy a G5 now, but I am 100% content, professionally and personally, with mine, and I'd guess it has another 2-3 years in it...