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claughery · Mar 28, 2003, 09:48 AM

Why would I want to do this now.... with the 970 comming in a few months?

anti-sleep · Mar 28, 2003, 10:19 AM

Personally, I wouldn't get either and wait for the 970.

But...the advantages of a desktop over a laptop are speed, usability, expandability and price. Unless you really need it to be portable, I'd go with a desktop every time.

I've owned both, and desktops are definitely easier to use.

slider · Mar 28, 2003, 11:38 AM

What, the 970 is going to be out in a few months? What like three? Wow.

ChrisB · Mar 28, 2003, 01:12 PM

If you look to a previous topic, this one has been hashed out quite a bit. The reality is that these chips haven't even entered production at all - and quantities for computers of any kind probably won't appear until the end of the year anyway.

If you need a Mac now, then buy now. If you can wait, then there is nothing wrong with waiting. But even if you bought now, and the G5's did amazingly appear this summer, your Mac is not a dead investment. It is upgradable and you can use it for at least 5-7 years.

Leonard · Mar 28, 2003, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by ChrisB:
It is upgradable and you can use it for at least 5-7 years.

Boy, I'd like to get 5-7 years out of a computer.

I think it's more like 2-4 years, if your lucky. You might get 5-7 years if all your doing is surfing the web and doing MS-Office stuff.

ChrisB · Mar 28, 2003, 01:30 PM

I've got a Performa 6360 - manufactured and bought in February 1996. Upgraded to it's full 136MB of RAM, has a G3 card in it and a 8GB drive - 7200RPM. It's a Photoshop workhorse still to this day. 7th year and running.

CheesePuff · Mar 28, 2003, 02:04 PM

5 to 7 years? No way for me. Usually I go 8 to 10 months, maybe a year if its a desktop.

gururafiki · Mar 28, 2003, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by claughery:
Why would I want to do this now.... with the 970 comming in a few months?

When the G4 came out, powerbooks still had G3's in them. The G5 probably won't appear in powerbooks until some time later when they have the power/heat issues worked out. I say get a powerbook now, or wait a few months for a G5 desktop (if you don't need a mac now).

CheesePuff · Mar 28, 2003, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by gururafiki:
When the G4 came out, powerbooks still had G3's in them. The G5 probably won't appear in powerbooks until some time later when they have the power/heat issues worked out. I say get a powerbook now, or wait a few months for a G5 desktop (if you don't need a mac now).

But then again with the new Dual 1.42 GHz for only $2,699, that is not a bad deal. It's not slow by any means, but a Dual 970 will be faster.

Agent69 · Mar 29, 2003, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by CheesePuff:
But then again with the new Dual 1.42 GHz for only $2,699, that is not a bad deal. It's not slow by any means, but a Dual 970 will be faster.

In regards to Duals, you need to remember that the main reason Apple in offering dual cpu configurations is because of the PowerPC's current inability to ramp up in clock speed. If a 2.5 to 3 gigahertz G4 existed, there probably would be no dual cpu Macs.

In any case, expect to pay a huge premium when those 970s do appear. And I wouldn't be surprised if they are single CPU systems.

real · Mar 29, 2003, 02:38 PM

Get a chaep laptop for now then you can sell that in 9 months for a newer powerbook or a screaming desktop. Either way you get a machine now. The powerbooks are great for most things. unless your editting HD or visual effects or narly photoshop stuff.If you not doing any of that get a laptop, that way you can work at home and on the road. Yes that sound like a good idea. I'm sure I heard that somewhere. Hmmmm!
REAL

passmaster16 · Mar 29, 2003, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by claughery:
Why would I want to do this now.... with the 970 comming in a few months?

Easy. Dualies!

wilsonX · 01:06 PM

I'm going to get a laptop. Holding out for those doggone al 15's, hope they comeout soon. I figure they will be priced reasonably. And, this will help me with my inevitable 970 envy when those machines come out. The 970's will probably be sold at a premium (early adopter inflation) imho. So, I'll have a nice new laptop to tide me over until the 970's price drops a little in 6 months to a year after their release... Just my thoughts anyway.

I've actually listed my 733mhz G4 digital audio with 1.25gig of ram, 60 gig hard drive, internal zip drive, scsi card, etc... in the MARKETPLACE section of the Macnn Forums. Its also listed on EBAY..the auction ends tonight.