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Thoughts on Upgrading from PowerMac to Mac Pro

Mhaddy

Mhaddy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 26, 2005
445
1
Canada
I've got a DC 2.0 G5 with 1.5GB DDR2 RAM, 256 PCI-Express Geforce 6600 and a trio of HDDs. This was the last update to the PowerMac before the MacPro was released a year later. For what I use it for (graphic work, minor audio/video rendering, website dev, Office apps, desktop publishing, regular internet stuff, etc.), it's been great, and certainly nothing that an extra couple RAM sticks wouldn't speed up in the future. However, with the imminent release of Vista, and all Intel Macs having the ability to boot to Windows or run Parallels, Crossover, and all of the other wonderful Intel-only Mac software, I'm trying to gauge the life of my G5.

I love the four internal HDD bays, two superdrives, and the wider variety of video card options (I was under the impression that you could run PC video cards?). Moreover, the ability to dual-boot or run windows apps is incredibly useful, as while I have a Windows laptop, it can't run Vista and certainly can't game. I'm planning on getting a Macbook or Macbook Pro in a year to a year and a half (once the lease on my current laptop is up), but I was just wondering what options (if any) are available to me to upgrade to the MacPro. Is there any resale value for the machine I have, or would I just be giving it away? Is there even a market for PPC Macs? Should I just hold my horses, get an updated Macbook Pro next year and run with that for any Windows stuff I need?

Thoughts are appreciated :)
 
Mhaddy said:
I love the four internal HDD bays, two superdrives, and the wider variety of video card options (I was under the impression that you could run PC video cards?).
Click to expand...

I don't think this is true. Apple retains a high level of stability by not offering interoperability with everything under the sun. I think you are basically "stuck" with what they offer.

Mhaddy said:
Is there any resale value for the machine I have, or would I just be giving it away? Is there even a market for PPC Macs?
Click to expand...

Of course there is. You might be surprised by what you can fetch for it. I think Macs hold their value better than PCs. Check eBay.

Mhaddy said:
IShould I just hold my horses, get an updated Macbook Pro next year and run with that for any Windows stuff I need?
Click to expand...

It sounds like you don't reall *need* the machine...you just *want* it. I would wait as long as you can. Sounds like you still have a nice machine!
 
WRT the video cards - no, you can't use PC video cards under OS X, but you can use some of them under Windows (for gaming, for example). AFAIK they need to be compatible with EFI, and some can be flashed so that this is the case.

I think a Mac Pro could really benefit you if you need Windows. Just make sure the applications you need are Universal, otherwise they'll perform worse than on your G5 PowerMac until they are.

Talking from my own experience so far, the Mac Pro is an awesome, fantastic, droolworthy machine - it's easily the best computer I have ever owned, and I've had a few.
 
The situation with graphics cards hasn't changed...they are still Mac-only, but as always some PC cards can be flashed to work.

--Eric
 
If you do plan to sell the PPC, then timing the sale might be your pacing item. I have 2 PM's and a MP. I have decided to sell my first PM, mainly because I just do not use it and it bothers me to see such a fine machine being wasted. However, I am keeping my G5 Quad with the MP.

Soon the Quad cores will be out. It could impact the resale value of G5 PM's. So, you might consider this, although it will probably be an immediate thing. But, depending on price, waiting for the new Quad core may be worth your trouble.
 
With regards to flashing PC video cards, how involved is this process? The reason I ask is because I'd like to get another video card to output to my HDTV, but the only option is a $215 CDN GeForce 6600 through the Apple Store Ed; whereas, you can get the PC equivalent for around $100.

And you're right hayduke, I suppose I don't really need it so much as I want it ;). I'm just a sucker for new technology, especially Apple-related.
 
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