[moowriece]

Ok, I also asked this in the PowerMac forum, but I also want to hear the iMac geeks ;-)

I am in a dilemma right now: I have to get a new mac (using it for DV editing and DVD burning) but have to choose between an iMac 17" or a PowerMac 1Ghz or dual 1.25 GHZ.

I am worried about the 970 introduction later this year, that will make the current PowerMacs obsolete. Isn't it therefore wiser to buy a 17" iMac now (reasonable priced) and later sell it to buy a 970 PowerMac or just go ahead and buy a PowerMac right now(1 Ghz or 1.25 Ghz, which has the best price/performance ratio?) and a LCD TFT monitor (costing some serious money).

It's still a lot of money, and I would like to spend it wisely and not spend too much.

Does anyone have some advice for me?

[AlfaMunky]

Your reasoning makes perfect sense. Also you'll be getting a Superdrive and a practically silent machine. 17" really is a great machine it and the ibook I see as the two best values in the Mac lineups. If and when the 970 comes out you'll have spent less now and the iMac most like won't go 970 right away so your purchase today should hold it's value within reason. Go for it.

[mysterio]

I'm in the "I own a new 17 iMac and am keeping it until the 970 PMac comes out" boat. It is a great little machine and should serve you well while you wait and then some.

[ph0ust]

Originally posted by moowriece:
Ok, I also asked this in the PowerMac forum, but I also want to hear the iMac geeks ;-)

I am in a dilemma right now: I have to get a new mac (using it for DV editing and DVD burning) but have to choose between an iMac 17" or a PowerMac 1Ghz or dual 1.25 GHZ.

I am worried about the 970 introduction later this year, that will make the current PowerMacs obsolete. Isn't it therefore wiser to buy a 17" iMac now (reasonable priced) and later sell it to buy a 970 PowerMac or just go ahead and buy a PowerMac right now(1 Ghz or 1.25 Ghz, which has the best price/performance ratio?) and a LCD TFT monitor (costing some serious money).

It's still a lot of money, and I would like to spend it wisely and not spend too much.

Does anyone have some advice for me?

this is the exact dilemma i was dealing with... same exact reasoning. i bought an imac, and will get a new powermac after they work out the kinks with a new design.

[Simon]

Originally posted by moowriece:
ODoes anyone have some advice for me?

Moowriece, I had a dual G4 PowerMac and got rid of it to get a new 1GHz 17" iMac because the noise was driving me crazy. I think the iMac is an absolutely great machine. It is very fast and it is sooo quiet. I will not be getting another desktop Mac til we get 970s and I am sure this iMac will close this gap just fine.

The PowerMacs are noisy as hell and their high-pitched whine is incredibly annoying. If you indeed settle with a PowerMac because of the extra power you must get a dual 1.25GHz; the single 1GHz is pretty pale next to the new iMac. You get more slots and maybe 5% more performance, but you get all the noise too which will ruin the experience.

Of course this is just IMHO but I can only urge you not to get a PowerMac when you can get such a great iMac. If you want to read some user reports about the new 1GHz 17" iMac be sure to check this thread.

[Dell Switcher]

Originally posted by moowriece:
Ok, I also asked this in the PowerMac forum, but I also want to hear the iMac geeks ;-)

I am in a dilemma right now: I have to get a new mac (using it for DV editing and DVD burning) but have to choose between an iMac 17" or a PowerMac 1Ghz or dual 1.25 GHZ.

I am worried about the 970 introduction later this year, that will make the current PowerMacs obsolete. Isn't it therefore wiser to buy a 17" iMac now (reasonable priced) and later sell it to buy a 970 PowerMac or just go ahead and buy a PowerMac right now(1 Ghz or 1.25 Ghz, which has the best price/performance ratio?) and a LCD TFT monitor (costing some serious money).

It's still a lot of money, and I would like to spend it wisely and not spend too much.

Does anyone have some advice for me?

I also had the same dilemna except I am long time PC user...by comparing HP, iMac 17 and Power Mac, I concluded also that the iMac 17 was the best for quality, value and long term use. The wide screen plus the quieter opertion were major drivers inasmuch as I have to place CPU on the desk. When the Power Mac is upgraded with the 970, then I may use iMac 17 more as a portable to use in other rooms by wife or kids.

[imaxxedout]

I'd get the iMac. They hold their value much better than the towers, so you'd be able to sell it down the road if you needed to. PLUS, as an added benefit, you get to use a really nice flatscreen, and you MIGHT even find that apart from HD space, the newest iMac is all you'll need for video editing. I've been doing a lot of dv work lately on my FIRST generation iMac (modded though, at 600mhz).... and honestly, it isn't as fast as my mom's g4 imac, but its not slow at all!

- Ca$h

[murbot]

Another vote for the iMac. Whisper quiet operation, fast, killer adjustable display (I adjust mine all the time and love it), 4x SuperDrive, and a reasonable price. That 1400x900 resolution is great for video editing.

Keep some money in the bank and grab the iMac, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

[eddiecatflap]

..imac def.

..i got a 17" 800 - very quiet , very solid , very nice..



..powermacs may be faster .. but the noise.. oh dear...

[Simon]

Originally posted by murbot:
Keep some money in the bank and grab the iMac, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Either that or buy an iBook with all that cash you saved buying the iMac.