[RAILhead]

I have about 48 hours to make a decision on which Mac model to buy to replace my system at work. My choices are either the base 17" 1GHz iMac or the base 1GHz Tower.

The iMac Pros:
Smaller footprint.
Built-in 17" LCD Display.
SuperDrive.
80GB Hard Drive.

The Tower Pros:
Less expensive.
I have a 21" Display already I can use.
1MB L3 Cache.
Expandable.

My conundrum is this:
I never will, in all honesty, use a SuperDrive at work -- I'll never have any reason whatsoever to burn a DVD. So, the Combo Drive in the Tower would be just fine, and it would be faster, too, in burning CDs (which I do a lot).

I work with HUGE Excel files as well as grpahics and programming, so the L3 cache would be nice to have, making the Tower look nicer.

The 20GB difference in hard drives is no big deal, and with the Tower, I could always throw another 3 in.

The iMac comes with Pro Speakers whereas I'd need to buy them for the Tower, but that's only $60.

So, if you had to decide between the two, knowing you'd have to makeup the $300 difference, what would you do?

TIA,
Maury

[OreoCookie]

For an office, an iMac would be sufficient. Put more RAM in it (at least 512 Megs). If you need more HD space, get a new HD and a firewire enclosure, put the new one in the iMac and the old one in the firewire enclosure. Done.

If you were going to do some video editing or use it as a home machine, I'd go for the PowerMac. But for office type-o-stuff, iMac's sufficient. Small footprint, nice LCD. You can even use the 21" screen if you do a little firmware hack,I believe. I did so with my iBook.

[rambo47]

I've always advocated the PowerMacs over the iMacs and eMacs for their expandability. The 17" iMac is the first one to really tempt me, but in the end I always opt for the PowerMac.

The new processors are due out in 6 months to a year, so you might want to think of this purchase as a short term solution. From all reports so far the new IBM 970 will be a quantum jump for the Macs, and the possibility of Rapid I/O and true DDR memory will make it an upgrade worth jumping on for almost anyone. You might want to consider a used/refurbished PowerMac from eBay or Apple online. Just a thought...

[keston]

I have a similzr dilema right now.

But i am getting all parts new. So its between a:
17 inch iMac w/ 80GB Drive, 4x DVD Burner

or

DP 1.24 Ghz Tower, buy a 4X DVD burner, buy a 17-inch lcd display, buy pro speakers.

There is a $2200 (canadian) difference (after tax) in price. Thats about $1400 US. The thing is, the iMac option is alot cheaper, but if I am gonna get a tower I intend for it to last me a LOOOOONG time, so the lowend isnt an option. What is bugging me though is for the difference, i could get TWO imacs (a 17inch and a 15 inch). Tell me THAT wouldnt last a while. I am really caught between the iMac and the G4 tower though... tough descision.

[RAILhead]

Thanks for the input thus far.

This system will be replacing the 700MHz eMac I've been using at work. At home, I'm using a DP 1.25GHz MDD, so there's quite a difference, performance wise.

While the iMac is a great deal, I think I'm leaning toward the Tower. I can get hard drives for free, pretty much, so I can add loads of storage -- plus PCI cards if need be. The same for RAM.

I guess the Tower, to me, seems like it would "last longer" as Keston says, due to its upgradability.

What I'd really like to see -- even though they're not 100% consistent nor scientific -- are benchmark comparisons between the 1GHz iMac and the 1GHz G4.

Without a doubt, the L3 cache *will* give a speed boost under certain circumstances, and I'd like to see how much (or little) the L3 has an effect on benchmark results.

Still pondering and about to call to see what's in stock...

Maury

[superlarry]

remember that neither is able to boot OS9 (just makin' sure).
I'd choose the tower because you can put in more hard drives and easily swap out the processor if you ever want to upgrade it. you'll be saving that $300 and you'll get a huge 21" screen instead of the 17".

[drmcnutt]

Originally posted by RAILhead:
Thanks for the input thus far.

This system will be replacing the 700MHz eMac I've been using at work. At home, I'm using a DP 1.25GHz MDD, so there's quite a difference, performance wise.

While the iMac is a great deal, I think I'm leaning toward the Tower. I can get hard drives for free, pretty much, so I can add loads of storage -- plus PCI cards if need be. The same for RAM.

I guess the Tower, to me, seems like it would "last longer" as Keston says, due to its upgradability.

What I'd really like to see -- even though they're not 100% consistent nor scientific -- are benchmark comparisons between the 1GHz iMac and the 1GHz G4.

Without a doubt, the L3 cache *will* give a speed boost under certain circumstances, and I'd like to see how much (or little) the L3 has an effect on benchmark results.

Still pondering and about to call to see what's in stock...

Maury

The Power mac seems the better option to me. The problem with an all in one solution is that is say the monitor has a problem, you have to send the whole thing in for repair. The more flexibility you have with the components can only offer YOU more flexibility.

If it were a space option (say a dorm environment or similar limitation on space) then I would take a second look at the Imac. If you don't need the superdrive then there really isn't a major incentive for picking the Imac over the Power mac IMHO.

DRM

[Agent69]

Maury,

I'm considering the same thing, along with the eMac. To me, especially if you already have a monitor, the tower is the best deal. I think that the tower is better because:

-1MB L3 cache
-Higher max RAM support (2GB)
-Replaceable video card
-Easier to upgrade HD and RAM (no taking apart, no factory RAM slot)
-Dual monitor support

Of course, the 17" iMac has an simply incredible screen and great design. I also really like the eMac and I am having trouble deciding, although after writing all this I may just go ahead and order me a tower.

P.S. Love the website!

[RAILhead]

Well, I started this thread to see if comments would begin to compound what I was already thinking, and it pretty much has.

The tower it is.

It won't be as potent as my DP 1.25 at home, but it will still kick the eMac's butt from here to Sunday, so it will better than what I have.

Thanks for the input!
Maury

(And glad you like the site, Agent. Check out today's desktop pic, too, it's one of my personal favorite creations).