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adamschneids · Apr 19, 2003, 09:45 PM

Hey everyone. First post here, was hoping you could help me out. I am getting a new system, I currently have a Pismo 400, and it is dead slow. So, I am looking to get a new PowerMac. I want a dual processor to handle OS X the best it can. To get mileage out of my machine. It will last me quite a few years, with upgrades and all.

So, my question is (and money is an issue, apple loan, want to keep the payments down) should I get the DP 1.25 FW800, new, for $1839, or a refurbished DP 867 MDD for $1319? Obviously the 867 is a great deal, but it is refurbished, older, lacking some technology of the FW800, and may be one of the massively loud and whiny units. But, its $500 cheaper than the 1.25.

There is only about 1 more day left to get the DP 867, so I have to hurry if I get this one. But, the 1.25 is quite a bit faster than the 867, but for what I do (light photo editing, and basic home user stuff) it may be a moot point (although the added processing power will be a factor in longevity).

So, what do you think I should do? Refurb or new, 867 or 1.25? I really appreciate any input anyone gives me.

Thank you!
Adam

bousozoku · Apr 19, 2003, 10:13 PM

I have a dual 800 and I've found that even the 1.42 GHz machines don't feel that much faster to me.

I would say that $500 will get you a good start on a big monitor but I also think that the dual 867 is a little bit high for a refurbished machine. My dual 800 was around half of its original retail price.

Commodus · Apr 19, 2003, 10:20 PM

Personally, I figure that unless you're hankering for a PowerMac based on the PPC 970 chip (which is increasingly looking like a reality) in the next 12-18 months and want to use the money saved now to get one of those systems, I would go with the DP 1.25. It's just going to last longer.

You also get more hard disk space (not a huge deal, but it's there), Firewire 800, 802.11g, and a considerably better video card. The latter might be nice if you do any 3D gaming.

One consideration, though: if you get a new DP 1.25, you don't get native OS 9 booting. If you have any OS 9 apps that don't like Classic, you may want to get the DP 867 for that reason alone.

AssassyN · Apr 20, 2003, 10:03 PM

I would personally go with the Dual 878Mhz PowerMac because the newer machines just aren't worth the premium you'll hafta pay, escp. considering completely new PowerMacs are sure to be revealed later on this year, and most likely this quarter. That extra $500 you'll save can buy you a nice amount of accessories as well. The only reason you should go for the 1.25 machine is if you're a heavy gamer, other than that, the Dual 867 machine should handle all your work fine & save you a bundle. Good luck!

The Placid Casual · Apr 21, 2003, 07:12 AM

If you have to buy now, and can't wait for a 970 machine... I would be tempted to avoid the dual 867.

I have one, and am distinctly underwhelmed with it. It is currently being fixed (again), and when it gets back I am really condsidering selling it immediately as it has been just so much hassle. I have heard similar reports from a few other owners as well, whoch leads me to have doubts about the durability of the machine...

As for speed, it runs OS X quite well, but it is no way blazingly fast. A Tibook 1ghz I borrow from work often feels as, if not more nippy in everyday tasks.

I would think carefully before jumping either way...

Peace,

Marc

BrunoBruin · Apr 21, 2003, 08:05 AM

I've had both machines and I find the dual-1.25 to be noticeably faster. Remember, in addition to the faster processors, it has a faster system bus as well. I think for the price this machine is a good value.

That being said, my 867 was a great Mac and a huge improvement over the dual-450 it replaced. It was noisy but I did the power-supply replacement and it made an big difference. If you go with the 867 the new power supply is definitely worth the $20 investment. I don't think you'd be unhappy with the 867, especially if you put the $500 toward one of those sweet new 20-inch displays.

Westfoto · Apr 27, 2003, 01:04 PM

so what did you choose?

I would vote for the 1.25DP

adamschneids · Apr 28, 2003, 09:27 PM

Well, things got more interesting...I saw a refurbished DP 1ghz quicksilver for $1899. Things are even tougher to decide. Both systems are comparable. The DP 1ghz QS has 512 RAM, Superdrive, and 2MB of L3 cache. The DP 1.25 FW800 has better ram, faster bus (but the ram is limited to the bus, right?), and only 256MB RAM, 1MB L3 cache. Its a tough call.

I'm obsessing, and now I'm just thinking maybe I should just wait a month or two (or three) for another revision, and hopefully G5/970.

What do I do???

God, I'm annoying myself...

And now the new ipods are out!!!

Damn,
Adam

SSharon · Apr 29, 2003, 01:42 AM

don't forget that the DP 867 also takes different ram than the DP 1 (pc 2100 vs 2700) also there are some other differences aside from proc. speeds. so if you can get a refurbished DP 1 ghz and still save money over the fw800 and just buy a usb2 card or fw800 card its cheaper than the new premium

Westfoto · Apr 29, 2003, 12:01 PM

Remember that if noise is an issue then it might be beter to go with the FW800 instead of the quicksilver one.

superfula · Apr 29, 2003, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by AssassyN:
considering completely new PowerMacs are sure to be revealed later on this year, and most likely this quarter.

Oh please. There is no reason to believe there will be any PMacs this year. More then likely, we won't see them until Jan 04

The fan noise of the quicksilver's and the mdd800 are pretty much the same. This coming from a person who used to own a dual 800 quicksilver, which is louder than the dual gig.

I'd say choose between the dual gig and the dual 1.25mdd800. If you go for the student dev, the price difference between the two will be nothing.

derekn · Apr 29, 2003, 03:55 PM

Another thing to consider is if you need a system that can boot into OS 9 officially without a hack. If you get the Dual 1.2, that option is out for the most part.

For the QS versus MDD option, you'll have to weigh as to what expansion you want. The MDD has 4 3.5 drive bays and 2 5.25 inch bays (actual not somewhat like the QS LOL). If you need the power, go for the dual 1.2.

AssassyN · Apr 30, 2003, 06:03 PM

Well now that the Dual 1Ghz Quicksilver is in the mix, I'd jump on that. The Dual 1Ghz is the sweet spot in between a new, cash killing machine, and a older, less performing machine.

I'd grab the Dual 1Ghz, as I *highly* doubt you'll see G5 PowerMacs this year, escp. since it's the "Year of the Notebook". Jan. 2004 at the earliest for a next-gen. processor in the PowerMacs.

adamschneids · Apr 30, 2003, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by AssassyN:
Well now that the Dual 1Ghz Quicksilver is in the mix, I'd jump on that. The Dual 1Ghz is the sweet spot in between a new, cash killing machine, and a older, less performing machine.

I'd grab the Dual 1Ghz, as I *highly* doubt you'll see G5 PowerMacs this year, escp. since it's the "Year of the Notebook". Jan. 2004 at the earliest for a next-gen. processor in the PowerMacs.

Ok, but what about the fact that the Dual 1Ghz is a refurb, and the 1.25 FW800 is new?

Should that sway me one way or the other?

I really appreciate everyone's help, this is a big purchase for me, and I want to be very thorough.

Thanks,
Adam

AssassyN · Apr 30, 2003, 07:03 PM

Mac refurbs can't be purchased anywhere & everywhere as PC refurbs can; they're usually only found at highly reputable resellers, and thus I'd place full confidence in purchasing a Mac refurb. Plus, if the refurb had an issue, when it was sent back, it was totally fixed and brought back to new, so in essence, the refurb. Mac is always less likely to have out-of-the-box issues than a new machine.

Where do you plan on buying this refurb? Online or off?

I honestly wouldn't think twice about buying the refurb., if anything, it should be reassuring to you that you'd be getting a machine in which technicians have thoroughly tested to make sure it's 100% working before they boxed it up to put up for sale again.

I realize this is a huge purchase for you, and I completely suggest the Dual 1Ghz refurb...it's just the *perfect* medium between price & performance. Good luck!

tooki · May 1, 2003, 01:31 AM

I've heard bad things about refurb Macs, and from my own experience with failed Macs, I'd have to advise against it.

Macintouch.com has some reader reports regarding this.

tooki

AssassyN · May 1, 2003, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by tooki:
I've heard bad things about refurb Macs, and from my own experience with failed Macs, I'd have to advise against it.

Macintouch.com has some reader reports regarding this.

tooki

In all due respect, as an admin, you should honestly not write such one-sided information in which this fellow will surely take as factual when it's not. Think of this: tons of users here posted about their 12" PBs heat problem, but guess what? Thousands upon thousands of other 12" AlBook owners are completely satisfied. It's ludacrious to state that all (or a huge majority) refurb Macs are a sour deal. You state you've heard bad things, well I've heard good things, so one can permanently override the other. Of course there's been some bad experiences w/ refurb Macs, just like there have been bad experiences with new Macs.

I respect your personal experiences with them, but please don't lead this fellow into believing all refurb Macs are something you should stray from.