It's neither. The computer is clean. For whatever reason CERTAIN task on my CERTAIN machine are SOMEWHAT faster on a g4 but day-to-day both "feel" similar performance wise.
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Why do you use powerpc, over similarly priced comps?
- Thread starter LordeOurMother
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For me I like using for PowerPC for not only is it cheap (sort of), most PowerPC macs are extremely fun to tinker with and upgrade. I enjoy seeing how far I can push a computer of this age. I am using both my PowerPC machines as my main computers,
Although I do own a Dell laptop with a Core i3, its case is cracking and there are key imprints on the screen, and this bugs me. On my Powerbook Its feels way more sturdy and I am perfectly comfortable using it as my main laptop. (the dell is kinda missing its hard-drive now too... Im using it as a backup drive for my iTunes library) .
I have decided to switch to Intel next year though 😛
Although I do own a Dell laptop with a Core i3, its case is cracking and there are key imprints on the screen, and this bugs me. On my Powerbook Its feels way more sturdy and I am perfectly comfortable using it as my main laptop. (the dell is kinda missing its hard-drive now too... Im using it as a backup drive for my iTunes library) .
I have decided to switch to Intel next year though 😛
Main reason: Reliability. You could even trust your life on some powerPc computers.
In fact most of powerMacs G4 are going to last almost forever.
In fact most of powerMacs G4 are going to last almost forever.
comda
macrumors 6502a
I will agree with you. I find Power PC Macs very reliable. Currently I have an Emac G4 1.42 working and sadly a dead DP 1Ghz QS. ((motherboard failure)which is ironic how i agree with you, but i bought it used, so no clue how it died).
Anyways. I love the machines and find they work a LOT more smoother then Similarly priced PCs of that era. However, its sad to say nothing lasts for ever. The biggest issues are defiantly going be fan bearings, Hard drive failures, with the possibility of the IDE cables on the Power Macintosh models wearing out over the years of opening and closing the door.
Regardless of that, i will hold onto my PPC macs as long as i can. My parents seem to be ok with it, but im almost 20 and not sure my GF is going to like it haha 😉
MatthewLTL
macrumors 68000
My Tiger install flies on my MDD with the CPU upgrade and Tiger is installed on a HDD on the ATA66 bus super fast, besides my C2D Laptop, I think my MDD is now that fastest Desktop i've ever had.. 2X 1.25GHz combined is 2.50GHz, and its much faster than any of the 2 Socket 775 Pentium 4 3.0GHz processors I got.
CYB3RBYTE
macrumors 6502
Darn... I got to this thread too late, as per usual.
I use mine because they are just cool looking computers. Unless I get a Mac Pro you cannot tell me any other type of computer looks as cool and polished as the PowerMac G5. I wish I had the iMac G4, those were some great looking computers. Someday... *makes finger pyramid* SOMEDAY!
I use mine because they are just cool looking computers. Unless I get a Mac Pro you cannot tell me any other type of computer looks as cool and polished as the PowerMac G5. I wish I had the iMac G4, those were some great looking computers. Someday... *makes finger pyramid* SOMEDAY!
ptdebate
macrumors 6502
I have to agree. I love the way the inside of the case looks with the CPUs emblazoned with the G5 logo.
CYB3RBYTE
macrumors 6502
Also just the amount of sheer power they had for their time was amazing. I wasn't old enough to see it then, but they had TWO DIFFERENT PROCESSORS. Not the "two cores" crap we see today, but two separate, extremely powerful, 64 bit processors. I just think that is so cool, even though dual core processors make much more sense than two separate processors.
bunnspecial
macrumors G3
Altemose
macrumors G3
Clock speed does not simply add up like that. In fact, back in the days when PPC was still being shipped, many lower clocked PPCs out performed higher clock speed Intels in benchmarks. Also, I am not sure the Pentium 4 would be outperformed by the G4 without seeing benchmarks, but perception is key. I find my 2006 iMac that I just bought to feel much faster than a HP Pavilion at school which benches much higher. May I ask, why would you be using ATA-66 on a MDD? To my knowledge, all MDDs shipped with an ATA-100 bus for the hard drive.
redheeler
macrumors G3
School computers are often slowed down by constant network accessing. That could be a factor here.
Altemose
macrumors G3
No. It is on a fresh install. I manage the network there so I do not have that machine connected at all at this time. The iMac happily runs Snow Leopard nice and speedy!
MatthewLTL
macrumors 68000
Sorry for the confusion. I was simply stating that the DP 1.25 MDD feels much faster (from over 13 years experience with computers) than even a 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 or even a 2.4GHz Athlon 64. The bottleneck of the system appears to be the GeForce 4 MX.
The rear set of HDDs use the ATA100 bus the front set of HDDs under the optical drives use ATA66. I am sort of Anal on things, I have so many HDDs atleast 2 of several brands, My rear set of HDDs are a 160GB SATA HDD on a SATA to IDE converter which runs leopard followed by a Maxtor 80GB HDD from a Tivo as a slave drive, And I have a 80GB Seagate on the ATA66 as well as another HDD (can't remember the brand off the top of my head).
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could also be a factor that HPs are utter garbage, I know, i've owned several
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what about the tubeular shape of the 2013+ Mac Pro?
Dronecatcher
macrumors 603
I'll readily admit, if your only intention is web browsing, then a PPC is a poor choice - unless you want to trade off the incompatibility against the hardware/OS quality and style.
However, if you want a graphics or music machine on a budget, a PPC with appropriate software beats PC hands down. Music apps shine especially - Core Audio and Core Midi are built into the OS - no clunky drivers to add in.
However, if you want a graphics or music machine on a budget, a PPC with appropriate software beats PC hands down. Music apps shine especially - Core Audio and Core Midi are built into the OS - no clunky drivers to add in.
MatthewLTL
macrumors 68000
agreed. I love PowePC Macs, sure the newest ones are 10 years old but what PC would last 10 years with the heave use PowerPC macs were built to face? i have never cared about the newest software i have always had a viewpoint of "if its not broken dont fix it" theres nothing i can do with MS Office 2008 i couldnt do with MS office 2004 for example
A.Goldberg
macrumors 68030
What's wrong with Office 2001 then? 😉 I suppose it's all relative, depending on what generation of software you want to live in.
I prefer 2004 over 2008 and wish I never upgraded. In fact, I miss the 2001 paperclip/mac/wizard/butler/dog/old man/etc animated assistant.
bunnspecial
macrumors G3
If you depend heavily on XML compatibility-which I do for work(not just reading documents, but being able to edit them and return them in XML format) Office 2008 is the only practical option.
I like the "lighter weight" of Office 2004, but even with XML utilities it just doesn't meet my day to day needs.
I like the "lighter weight" of Office 2004, but even with XML utilities it just doesn't meet my day to day needs.
roadbloc
macrumors G3
A.Goldberg
macrumors 68030
I bought 2004 handles xml. I guess not. In that case 2008 it is. Anyone who has to send/receive office documents is pretty much stuck with having to support XML. There is no way I would have made it through college without it.
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Sometimes "clippy" was the only friend I had 😎 he never let me down.
ptdebate
macrumors 6502
Was anyone else unfortunate enough to use Windows ME? There was a supremely annoying little 3D character that occasionally popped up to "help." Not just with documents, though--with everything.
eyoungren
macrumors Nehalem
LOL, I actually bought ME at retail when it was in stores.
Used it on a PC laptop I got as a graduation gift in 1999, but I don't recall what you mention. I tend to skip all that crap whenever it pops up though so I probably killed it - without realizing it.
I never understood the bad rap ME got though. It performed considerably faster and more efficiently on the laptop I had it on then Win98 ever did and it had more features and rarely if ever crashed on me. With that said, I didn't use the laptop then like I use my Macs now.