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PowerMac G5
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It's really the cost advantage at this point that I find attractive in recommending a G5. If you have the software, and your needs are modest - it should serve you well for many years to come. The only catch - the G5 chip will not have new software written for it - and you will have to explain yourself repeatedly to friends that don't understand that you could make such a purchase.
CS4 plays just as well on my dual 2.0 G5 as Cs2. How many of us can actually utilize and maximize CS4 to its full potential? The software we have today is leagues ahead of what was available 5 years ago for image manipulation. For the person looking to save money and still have modern software a used G5 at a fraction of the price of a new machine makes sense - but only for a limited time now.
If you are patient, a used G5 can be had at a price that is half of a new fully loaded Mini - after taking into consideration the taxes, Apple Care, and upgraded components. The G5 still has the advantage of installing an eSata card for external raid/back-up drives, and two internal drives.
Talking about the movement towards a greener computing experience - how about not putting G5s into a landfill so readily and keeping them in use.
Mike
CS4 plays just as well on my dual 2.0 G5 as Cs2. How many of us can actually utilize and maximize CS4 to its full potential? The software we have today is leagues ahead of what was available 5 years ago for image manipulation. For the person looking to save money and still have modern software a used G5 at a fraction of the price of a new machine makes sense - but only for a limited time now.
If you are patient, a used G5 can be had at a price that is half of a new fully loaded Mini - after taking into consideration the taxes, Apple Care, and upgraded components. The G5 still has the advantage of installing an eSata card for external raid/back-up drives, and two internal drives.
Talking about the movement towards a greener computing experience - how about not putting G5s into a landfill so readily and keeping them in use.
Mike
Then sell your G5 and buy a C64. The C64 will be faster and has all one needs from a computer anyway.
RE: PowerMac G5
"no-one in their right mind would buy a ppc as anything but a plaything now..."
Totally disagree.
There are many who still need a "backwards connection" to older apps and data in older formats. I'm one of them.
This is true _particularly_ if you still need the ability to run Classic (I do).
I still do most of my day-to-day work (including composing this) on a 2004-era g4/1.25 MDD dual-processor. And it still works pretty good!
- John
"no-one in their right mind would buy a ppc as anything but a plaything now..."
Totally disagree.
There are many who still need a "backwards connection" to older apps and data in older formats. I'm one of them.
This is true _particularly_ if you still need the ability to run Classic (I do).
I still do most of my day-to-day work (including composing this) on a 2004-era g4/1.25 MDD dual-processor. And it still works pretty good!
- John
Apple fixed my 2.5ghz Dual and my Quad which actually put them under warranty again.
Apple is awesome. G5s are a BARGAIN. I will probably get an new MBP but my Quad is still my main machine. I like the ability to run legacy software and still have a boatload of floppy discs with important research on them from the 90's.
I will hopefully ALWAYS have a G5 in my arsenal, and hopefully it will be my silent, fast and wonderful Quad.
A very short warranty, on just the replaced parts.
Also, having worked closely with Apple support, they're not putting new parts in your machine. They cannibalize G5 parts from other broken machines, so the "new" parts already have a lot of time on them.
It's a great legacy machine. I have a G4 Cube on my desk for legacy work. I would hardly advocate a PPC though as a main use machine.
Your MBP will blow away your G5 in terms of performance. And the Mac Pros are also getting cheap.
Not to mention, why do floppy disks matter? You can use your floppy drive with the Mac Pro... And Classic doesn't work under Leopard anyway.
Seconded. Need the original floppies that have SkyNet's A.I. on them
Now if only I could get my Intensity Pro to work in my G5; probably my largest irk and one of a few (small) reasons why I want an Intel machine.Still, FCS2 and CS4 work - I am not aware they've been superseeded yet.
good purchase?
Have the opportunity to purchase a bare-bones G5 with dual 2GHZ. After purchasing 2GB memory and 1TB HD will cost around $400. Purchase or wait to save for a new macbook?
Understand the powerpc chip stuff, have an intel imac and looking for a 2nd mac to use as data storage to keep music, photos, video in one place since I am running out of space on my imac hard drive.
Relatively new to Apple, can I use the MacPro for this? Being able manage photos, to edit video via FCP either on imac or MacPro and keep data on the MacPro.
Have the opportunity to purchase a bare-bones G5 with dual 2GHZ. After purchasing 2GB memory and 1TB HD will cost around $400. Purchase or wait to save for a new macbook?
Understand the powerpc chip stuff, have an intel imac and looking for a 2nd mac to use as data storage to keep music, photos, video in one place since I am running out of space on my imac hard drive.
Relatively new to Apple, can I use the MacPro for this? Being able manage photos, to edit video via FCP either on imac or MacPro and keep data on the MacPro.
As a file server it wont be too bad. Get 2 1tb disks and mirror them - just in case.
Where the G5's able to adjust their clock on the fly? If so, power usage wouldn't be too bad.
I've always thought about a G5 as a file server. Of course it's a little short on drive bays...
I would say nay. One could edit the clips on the Intel mac and leave them on the G5 to render. It would take longer and use more power, but to continue using the other machine while the G5 renders may be invaluable.
However, networking may be an issue - use gigabite Ethernet at least (Which means using a CAT5e or CAT6 cable). A RAID-0 of two discs may max out the ethernet throughput - I can't remember the numbers ATM.
My G5 hasn't made any jumps. I would imagine that to do something like the Nehalem machines do it would be pretty hard for a G5 processor - AFAIK getting stable clocks was a feat few motherboard manufacturers could accomplish.
Mod the case. There's an optical drive that can easily fit outside, and a HDD rack can be mounted on the front of the case, or the "Jive" are all alternative options. Add in a SATA card and some extra SATA connectors and store data.
Hard to surf the net on a nas drive.
No it can't. And there are options for adding extra drive trays in the front, esata, etc.
You're just about right. Any PPC Mac should really only be used for novelty purposes or to support another more up to date machine.
OR, if you don't do too much with your machines so latest and greatest isn't important. I have my dual core G5 running primarily as an archiving and personal computer. It keeps my 20,000 plus photos and archived Aperture projects, some compressed HD footage, movies for my iTunes library, and other things that aren't needed with me always.
Since i can stick two HDDs inside and get up to 4TB it's good for pretty much that and nothing else. I would in no way do any work on it besides the occasional SD video project and some minor non-processor intensive work.
The heavy lifting is done on the 17" Intel MBP until I can replace the G5 with a the Mac Pro I want/need/can afford.
In a nutshell, the G5 is okay, but it's nothing I'd recommend if a user doesn't want or need the few things it's good for. If they don't need it, then the Mac Mini is far and wide a much better machine. The current Mini's can even handle two 24" monitors.
wow....i've had 4 people reference me on one page...and claim my ignorance
well...i've just thought of something!
all here defending ppc...you are now restricted to using powerpc forever...enjoy yourselves in your apparently satisfactory world
I certainly will...who needs the latest and greatest software, honestly? There's nothing wrong with previous versions. Every time I see a software update, all I can think is "Great, another update with features I don't need or will ever use, and will just take up more space."
I can see the need if you use your computer for for work. I understand the need for the best software out there in that situation. Otherwise, it's just not needed.
Not that there's anything wrong with new Intel machines. They're just unnecessary for the majority of the computer using population.
crazy deals to be had
someone has a DUal 2.7 on local CL for $550 !!!
I emailed them....I bought a 1.6 G5 to test cards on like a year ago for $500. Would love to have the pinnacle of PPC speed.
someone has a DUal 2.7 on local CL for $550 !!!
I emailed them....I bought a 1.6 G5 to test cards on like a year ago for $500. Would love to have the pinnacle of PPC speed.
I have used a June 2004 dual 1.8 that could set the processor on Highest, Reduced or Automatic. The problem with automatic is random fan noises once or twice per day, but the fans are very quiet and the computer itself is not used for anything sound related besides iTunes.
True, but the other half of the question is to examine what "new things" will be in that next revision for which he really needs to upgrade.
For example, I'm able to open (slowly) a 200 Megapixel image on my G5 with Photoshop CS2. As such, what does upgrading to CS4 really buy me?
Very true...although IIRC, the last 'good' PPC version for iLife was v'08 for at least some of the features (the facial recognition in iPhoto 09 is Intel-only).
However, being "stuck in the past" can be a feature, such as when you're trying to hold onto a favorite old OS 9 game, or just running Classic (such as to minimize suffering under a "Ribbons" based version of MS-Office
) Photoshop CS4 runs fine on a SP 1.8GHz G5. When I finally upgun from an 8MP dSLR to 20-something MP, I'll see where the Mac Pros are in their lifecycle...and then move the G5 over to being an OS X Server .. copies of Tiger Server can be found very very cheap (around $50).
Its got a FW400 and FW800 port, which is pretty friendly to external HDs; I have a FW800 RAID-1 working on mine.
Its power-hungry versus a NAS, but with a Sonnet "Jive" and eSATA card (eBay for under $100), you can install three more internal drives ... 5 drives total ... which becomes a tad more cost-competitive versus something like a 4-bay Drobo (or similar).
-hh
The G5 Jive doesn't work on a Mac Pro, so the total number of hard drives that you can put into a G5 is 5 vs. 4 on a Mac Pro. At 2 TB per drive, the G5 can hold no less than 10 TB (!) of data, while the Mac Pro can only hold 8 TB. If you want a file server, a G5 Jive equipped G5 has the largest storage volume of any Mac ever made. Put one of those and five RAID striped drives in a Quad and you will have some insane performance when it comes to data access.
The ability to see your 200 megapixel image sharp and crisp even at odd scales like 66,6%? The ability to apply smart filters that you can manipulate anytime? The ability to live-preview what the stamp tool will stamp? Just to name a view.
By your logic, what did upgrading from whatever to CS2 really buy you? Why aren't you still using Photoshop 5 on a G3? Or even earlier versions?
I wish that guy Racer X still posted here. Anyone else remember him? He used computers and software that were years and years old to do far more advanced things, including graphic design, than most of us could do with the latest and greatest.
The question shouldn't be "can a G5 still be useful," because you'd have to be staggeringly narrow minded to answer "no" to that question. The question should be, "can you get a G5, with its lack of warranty and SL support, for a price that makes it a better deal than a new mac mini?"
A G5 does have several advantages over a mini, not the least of which are the ability to take way more than 4 GB of RAM, install multiple internal hard drives, and use (older) professional graphics cards like a quadro.
If you need those kinds of features and can get a G5 at a good price, there's no reason not to buy it. But many users will never take advantage of what a G5 can offer, and for those folks, paying the same or more as the price of a new mini for a huge, power-sucking tower that can't run the latest OS and doesn't have a warranty doesn't make much sense.
The question shouldn't be "can a G5 still be useful," because you'd have to be staggeringly narrow minded to answer "no" to that question. The question should be, "can you get a G5, with its lack of warranty and SL support, for a price that makes it a better deal than a new mac mini?"
A G5 does have several advantages over a mini, not the least of which are the ability to take way more than 4 GB of RAM, install multiple internal hard drives, and use (older) professional graphics cards like a quadro.
If you need those kinds of features and can get a G5 at a good price, there's no reason not to buy it. But many users will never take advantage of what a G5 can offer, and for those folks, paying the same or more as the price of a new mini for a huge, power-sucking tower that can't run the latest OS and doesn't have a warranty doesn't make much sense.
Pinnacle PPC speed is actually the Quad Powermac G5. But the 2.7ghz ain't far behind.
Boys, I am scared of not having some sort of legacy machine to the past and it might as well be a Powermac Quad.
As I said before, one can also shove four drives in the optical bay and maybe a few more on the cheese grater (the latter begins to rareify air intake). However, one can also fill the MacPro with more drives then it was meant to take as well. Tesselator was trying to get 12 in his, last time I checked...