[wlonh]

posted today at MacsOnly.com:

PowerMac 9600 Blowout - only $995.00! From Sun Remarketing, "We're blowing out our PowerMac 9600s! We only have a few left, and we will offer them strictly on a first come, first serve basis. If you place your order online this week and mention this eDeal in the online order form, you can save over $500 and pick one up for only $995.00! Offer valid only while supplies last. PowerMac 9600 (Dual 200MHz processors, 128MB RAM, 4G HD, CD, Zip)." http://www2.sunrem.com/sun01.w?pt=116-963

What a rip. $1,000 for these things? First of all, the MacOS doesn't take advantage of dual CPUs. Second, you could get a G3 that will blow this thing out of the water. Yeah, you get the six slots, but that's IT. The rest: slow CPUs, slow memory bus, slow graphics subsystem, and a small disk. I wouldn't consider this a worthy deal. Sorry.

First, about the MP issue....Some apps DO take advantage of MP machines....but the OS doesn't YET. One of the big, fat features of OSX. Besides, most people even considering these machines are pros looking to drop in a G3/4 card anyway, so the MP card becomes a for-sale item to defer the upgrade cost.

1000 dollars is indeed a good price as of late for these machines, but I gotta admit that with the low price point for new Macs, I believe that most used Mac prices are coming in a bit high. Why would anyone pay 1500 for a used 9600 when the same $$$ buys them a base-model G4 new with warranty and all the bells and whistles? Don't get me wrong, I have 2 9600's at my SOHO and both are full of PCI cards. But two slots are taken with 100bT and USB/FireWire cards....both of which you wouldn't need in a new G4. IMHO, this deal is a good one, but this should be the TOP of the REGULAR price bracket for these machines ....now if only my opinion could really change things....

Cheers


[This message has been edited by Dogstarman (edited 03-03-2000).]

About dual processor support.....while it's technically true that a few current apps (very few, actually) do support multiple processors, that doesn't get you all that much any more, compared to current machines with 1 fast processor. For example, although Photoshop does support dual processors, one of these machines with 2 604 processors would be left in the dust behind a current G4 (or even a decent G3). I suspect that even a lowly early iMac would edge out these dual 9600s in Photoshop....the newer chips are just so much more efficient, and while Photoshop *can* use both processors in a dual 9600, it doesn't use both 100%....it's NOT twice as fast as a single processor 604 chip.

Also, Adobe hasn't updated their MP support since these machines were new, so there could be compatibility issues with more recents versions of Photoshop and/or the Mac OS.

As for Mac OS X, I would not count on this machine. It may well run Mac OS X (although Apple surely won't offically support/bless doing so), but I'm sure it won't fully exploit it. Yes, Mac OS X will bring back significant support for multiple processors (and in fact will provide much greater MP benefits than was available previously) but if anyone thinks they're going to get one of these old boxes with so much outdated technology, plop in a couple of G4 processor upgrades, boot right into Mac OS X and fly away running apps at full speed using both processors, I think they're in for a very rude awakening. Dual processor G4s will undoubtedly be a pleasure to run, but only with machines that are built from the ground up with contemporary hardware.

I have a big, old, many-slot Mac at home myself (upgraded from a 604e to a 400 Mhz G3), so I have an affinity for the boxes with oodles of expansion potential, but I don't think it makes any sense to invest $1000 in a machine like this. I could only see it if you had some really critical need for those 6 slots. Just don't expect it to be a dual processor Mac OS X hotrod.

Hope that helps.

[tasslehawf]

I don't think we realize anymore how fast these machines actually are compared to our g3's and g4's. I have a 603ev 180Mhz powerbook (2400) and I've recently used some 604e machines, and have found that they're really not all that slow. I've found that when using photoshop on my two machines, the 2400 isn't signifigantly slower than my g3.

just my 2 cents.

[This message has been edited by tasslehawf (edited 03-03-2000).]

[Misha]

Well that depends what you're using Photoshop for... if you're just dragging the airbrush around then both machines can keep up just fine; but try applying some filters to large images and the G3 will blow it out of the water.

I upgraded my 7500 604e/250 to a G3 373 ZForce and Newertech zif combo, for most finder tasks they are equal but in Quake and processor heavy applications(Got a Voodoo3 2000) the G3 ROKX!

For regular day to day like internet, email, ms office the 604s are fine

I've heard (reported on MacNN) that OS9 actually does take advantage of dual processors! But still, for a few hundred more bucks you could get a G3/G4 with big HD and much supperior Video Card,Ram,Bus speed etc.
The 9600 (I got my 9600/200 for 1500$ 2&1/2 years ago) does have 12Ram Slots & 6PCI slots, you can put in a ZifCarrier&G3 and ATA33or66 PCI Card & big HD and the 50mhz bus speed aint too bad but by then your up to the price of a nice g4!!!

what about audio then ? would you get the same results as doing graphics/visual apps ? coz' i've heard that expansion chasis don't always work .

[Paul Huang]

Those who buy six-slot 9600s or 9500s are mostly using them for ProTool (AVID Technology's studio audio editing system). This beast is the only Macintosh that can accommodate professional audio, so if you can find one in good condition around that price, it is consider a good deal. Keep in mind that most, if not all of the audio processing is done by the ProTool subsystem, not the main processor.

By the way, under Mac OS 8.5 or later, the multi-processor extension must be removed (when you are using it with 8.5 or later and a Multi-processor Mac, or Photoshop crashes like crazy. This is a documented and wide-spread problem).

I think the $995 price for the 9600 is a great price. We have several 9600's at use for my schools network as servers, and they work very well. You also have to realize that the 4GB drive is an UW SCSI 7200RPM drive. The 9600 has a wealth of free drive bays, and a beautifuly large case.

I'm a 9600 fan myself, although that's just me.

------------------
-Eliott Wolfe

Looks like bait and switch to me... the lowest bundle at the site is $1295.

Stockman,

"We're blowing out our PowerMac 9600s! We only have a few left, and we will offer them strictly on a first come, first serve basis. If you place your order online this week and mention this eDeal in the online order form, you can save over $500 and pick one up for only $995.00! Offer valid only while supplies last. PowerMac 9600 (Dual 200MHz processors, 128MB RAM, 4G HD, CD, Zip)."

Please note most bargains are for a limited time only or they are limited to quantities on hand. Misha's was was dated four days ago on 03/03/2000, which sometimes in a bargains lifetime is an eternity. To find the latest and greatest MacDeals! bargains I would suggest visiting the new <a href="http://www.macnn.com/deals/">MacDeals! section</a> of MacNN. While there you can sign up for our mailing list or digest.

MacDeals!