Switching: Will G5's be obsolete soon?

[MrAndersen]

Hey there,

I'm in the process of picking out a new computer so I thought I'd see what advice I could gather from all ye wise ones.

I just recently completed a digital audio specialist course (what
that truly means I'm not sure) and am 210M Pro Tools certified.

I have been a windows user most of my life but used Mac at school
and think I'd like to make the switch. I've been lots of advice,
all contradictory in one way or another as to which direction I
should head. I know that everything is going Intel, but right now
very few companies support Intel. I was also informed that the new
Imac Intel's won't do what I need them to do. I'm also told that
G5's will be old news by the end of the year and will have to make
the switch then anyways, though I find it hard to believe that a
suped-up G5 will not still be able to do the trick for at least the
next few years.

I plan to run Pro Tools LE on whatever I buy as well as numerous
soft synths and other plug-ins. I haven't decided into which field
I would really like to specialize in. When I started school it was
because I really liked producing music but through the course I
realized that either movies or possibly game-audio would be more
challenging and thus rewarding.

Any advice that any of you can give me would be great and much
appreciated.

 

[Eidorian]

Make your money now on the G5. If you have applications that work just fine on the G5 and aren't on Intel and won't be soon enough. Get your G5 and get your work done.

I have my iMac G5 and I've tried out the new Duo Core iMacs. The new Intel machine doesn't seem THAT much faster to really be worth the pain and money. I'll hold out at least until the next Macworld.

 

[musicalmcs8706]

If the iMac won't work, then I'd say go for the G5 as well. It's a great machine, and who knows what its successor will be like. You never know until it's out and everything has been switched to Universal Binary.

 

[asencif]

I say get a PM G5 now and yes it will still work after 2-4 years. All apps that will come out will be UB which means that they will work on both PPC and Intel Macs, so you won't be left out. Looking at the lineup of upcoming Intel chips, it doesn't look like they will be able to totally surpass the current lineup of DC PM G5's at the moment, especially the Quad. They will eventually, but that's added waiting time. Get started on your career now with a very adequate machine.

 

[After G]

You'll be fine with a G5. By the time you'll want an Intel, better Intels will be out.

 

[osxnewbe]

The way I understand Apple, they will continue to support the G5 for several more years.

I bought an iMac G5 the week the iMac Intels were released. The reason I bought the G5 was that I use Final Cut Pro and did not want to wait for the new version to released and then have to buy an upgrade for the Intel version...

 

[ozone]

"Will G5's be obsolete soon?"

Yes.

(But then again, if you need it and want it and can afford it, who cares? Everything in computerland is obsolete the day before you buy it anyways. Have fun. Live life. Drink Coke.)

 

[solvs]

A majority of Apple's customers are PPC users. Thanks to Universal Binaries, both should work for awhile. As long as Apple is selling PPC products, and even for awhile after that, they will continue to optimize for their machines. Soon, almost everything will be better on Intel and eventually PPC will no longer be supported. I'd say you have at least 3 years, if not more than 5. Any shorter than that, and Apple (and software makers) will be shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[chortytke]

Trust me im in the same BOAT!!!

I been going back and forth on this subject and have research many forums and other resources and here is what im doing because i need a computer now too: First most said get the G5 now which will be good for atleast 2 to 3 years, in my case im getting the Quad G5, Second, although the new Intel Desktops will be released toward the end of the year the apps universal problem wont be totally fixed till next year especially Adobe and Macromedia products announced by Adobe, Third if you do go Intel right now or wait for the intel desktops, for example adobe products process actually slower in general from previous models and on a case by case basis and mac already has pretty much the same naitive apps as PC does that work now, Fourth, most likely and history has said that second generation desktops and in general will be faster and bugs fixed, so you figure about 2 to 3 years to venture into Intel based desktops,meanwhile, your purchase now will be paid for through projects and can even sell to buy the new intel. It was a hard decision for me too but i figured the projects that you earn money will save you in long run if your not completely rich to buy new models each time something new comes out like meand trust me I am one of those "I need the newest technology!!

 

[combatcolin]

If you can wit, then wait.

 

[clayyea]

It looks like Pro Tools LE will have a Universal version available in May 2006.

Link to announcement from Digidesign

 

[brett_x]

Consider refurb

I never recommend going for the Top-of-the-line. You pay a premium for what quite often ends up being a small gain. With todays G5 lineup, there is a $800 premium between the mid-grade and top-end machines. However, there is a significant difference between the two machines in this case.
So, do you NEED the performance of a Quad machine? If so, I say go for it. But know that the value of that machine will likely drop faster than Tommy Two-face tossed over the Brooklyn Bridge wearing cement shoes.
If you want to wade into the Apple water slowly.. maybe start out with a dual G5, turn it over in a year or so for an Intel based machine (maybe even a rev. 2 Intel machine), I would strongly suggest buying an Apple refurb. When you buy a refurb, a lot of that cement weight is taken out already. They are still rock solid machines (in MOST cases). You can add Applecare for a 3 year Transferrable warranty. The Applecare adds value to the machine if you intend to sell it before it expires, and is just insurance if you end up keeping it. Also, you don't have to add Applecare when you buy it. You can buy and register it anytime within the original warranty period. And, you don't have to buy it from Apple at full retail price. Check dealmac for some better deals.
If you really just want to get started, you could start out with a Refurb G5 iMac. They start as low as $799. It might be enough to hold you over until your dream machine is released.

Edit: One other thing to consider, however... the refurb G5's are going to have PCI or PCI-X slots. If you really want future expansion options (IE pro sound cards etc.) you probably want to consider the current G5 machines as they have PCI-e slots. I don't know of any PCI-e sound cards yet, but with PC's already transitioned to PCI-e and now Apple jumping on board, the future of PCI is going to be short-lived.

 

[milo]

If you're going to run Pro Tools, I'd go G5 since digidesign generally SUCKS at supporting new hardware and OS versions. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes them years to work the bugs out on intel.

That said, I think you'd be much better off going with Logic than PTLE. If you think you can get work that pays well enough to pay for PT HD, go for it.

If you're on a budget, there's always the intel mini. Cheap enough that you won't feel bad if you upgrade in a year or two.

 

[Sdashiki]

pro tools peeple switched to Logic when apple bought eMagic if they were smart for that very reason, Pro Tools SUCKS about compatibilty/updates.

If you are gonna buy a QUAD, go for it.

That machine will ROCK for years to come.

I dont see apple making an Intel Quad Core for a long while, but dont count on them NOT doing it.

A QUAD would offset the technological updates in the future because its a BEAST that can run todays stuff blazingly fast and as time goes on will still be on par with new machines.

 

[MrAndersen]

Where does one look for a refurbished unit?

 

[Sdashiki]

for now, I dont think there are any.

but

 

[Eidorian]

for now, I dont think there are any.

but
View attachment 42677

I'm saving that image. It's how I feel when people ask that question.

 

[miniConvert]

for now, I dont think there are any.

but
View attachment 42677

Lmao! *Imagines screams and things being thrown* Very funny, and yet still helpful Class act!

 

[ChrisA]

G5's will be old news by the end of the year and will have to make
the switch then anyways

Odd logic. Why would you have to buy a replacement computer as soon as the one you just bough goes of sale? Any new hih-end computer should have a three to five year lifetime

No one is dropping support for the G5. They are gong "universal" that's different from switching

I would not buy anything with a G4 inside. Those are old befor you buy them and won't do the job you want.

 

[Sdashiki]

Odd logic. Why would you have to buy a replacement computer as soon as the one you just bough goes of sale? Any new hih-end computer should have a three to five year lifetime

No one is dropping support for the G5. They are gong "universal" that's different from switching

I would not buy anything with a G4 inside. Those are old befor you buy them and won't do the job you want.

not true.

I bet you could pick up a decent PB (not an iBook) that would do things fine for a few more years to come. but of course, being a g4, its not gonna run the latest and greatest, but if you want something portable and cheap, its an option

 

[sk1985]

A majority of Apple's customers are PPC users. Thanks to Universal Binaries, both should work for awhile. As long as Apple is selling PPC products, and even for awhile after that, they will continue to optimize for their machines. Soon, almost everything will be better on Intel and eventually PPC will no longer be supported. I'd say you have at least 3 years, if not more than 5. Any shorter than that, and Apple (and software makers) will be shooting themselves in the foot.

I foresee the G4s being no longer supported with pro apps in 2 years. The G5's more like 3 to 5 yrs. But operating system wise, I could see PPC chips being supported into the very beginning stages of OS11 (i.e. 11.1) at minimum requirements for the G4s and I could see G5s running it pretty well. Apple just has too large of a PPC user base to just drop them off. People will be using these computers for the next 7 years.

 

[FFTT]

Buying a PPC PowerMac means current availability of ProTools LE and M-Powered along with all the new supported plugins and new PCI-Express
audio cards like the new Apogee gear.

If you wait for the Conroe powered Intel Power Macs, you'll be waiting until June-July or so, and then these new machine will be REV "A"

What I have learned recently is that your CPU expense is roughly 1/3 of
the total cost of your primary workstation.

You still need a great interface, mics, cables, control surface, pre-amps, compressors, rack gear in general, a work space large enough to handle all the gear etc.

Check out the threads at bigbluelounge.com and gearslutz.com


It will be easier right now to put together a complete working system, but
waiting could also benefit you by allowing you to save more towards you
overall system budget.


Tough choices.

 

[milo]

I bet you could pick up a decent PB (not an iBook) that would do things fine for a few more years to come. but of course, being a g4, its not gonna run the latest and greatest, but if you want something portable and cheap, its an option

If you read the original post, he's running audio apps. A G4 is a TERRIBLE choice for that, you'll barely be able to do anything with it. If you're on a budget, get an intel mini duo.

 

[jrk07]

If you read the original post, he's running audio apps. A G4 is a TERRIBLE choice for that, you'll barely be able to do anything with it. If you're on a budget, get an intel mini duo.

But I think a mini would be a TERRIBLE choice for pro audio apps like Pro Tools. You are probably going to want expandability for the hardware that usually comes with the Pro Tools software and are going to need something to push the realtime audio plugins and such. Whatever you get, go for a PowerMac. I have an iMac G5 and while it edits video OK, I really wish I would have had the upgradability of a powermac.

 

[waltchan]

I always think that the Power PCs are real true Apple computers. The Intel sounds like Windows Apple computers to me.