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eroovers · Apr 24, 2003, 09:49 AM

Hi all,

I really need your help on this decision.
My crt screen is dying so i need a new screen for my quicksilver.
I have a few options in mind:

1 go and buy myself a 20" cinema display and upgrade my g4 later on with a dual upgrade card 1.2 Ghz....

2 Sell my g4 and buy the new imac 17" tft and save some money in the process.

3 sell my g4 and buy a new mdd dual with cinema display.

The things important to me are screen real-estate and a superdrive.
Also the silence of the imac is a big plus....

Mostly i do software development and a lot of network forensics.
so i like to have a "few" windows open.
Now to me the imac seems nice with its wide screen i can have different windows next to each other.
the 20" would be even better...

Also i like to do some video editing...

What will the imac be like compared to my quicksilver g4 733Mhz?

Damm.....

I wish i could have all!!!!

So for me it`s the decision between the true silence of the imac.
Or the brute force of a dual g4 (and it`s noise) with a even larger 20" screen.

But will the dual make a big difference?
And i don`t mean pure rendering performance but real life use.

and what about upgrades?
The imac is pretty limited in that case (except for firewire etc).

So your comments are welcome.

Regards,

Edwin

DaedalusDX · Apr 25, 2003, 06:40 PM

I have the exact same computer that you do... Often i've asked myself the same questions

.

The 17" iMac will be faster than our Quicksilver 733 without a doubt but going for the processor upgrade (which is only $979 on OWC right now) would definitely blow the iMac out of the water...

You'd have 2 1.2 Ghz processors with 2MB of L3 cache each... the processor in the iMac has no L3 cache at all, and it makes a big difference.

the 20" cinema display is also alot larger than the 17" in the iMac...

tough call though... i would stick with the Powermac, because i see it having alot of potential as a project computer... something you can tinker with and upgrade to a great degree

I've made several upgrades to my G4 so far... added a 4x superdrive for pretty cheap ($180) added a $100 ATA 133 card, and installed a new 120 GB WD Caviar SE. I'm happy with my machine, but alas, i have the same issues that you have still... sucky monitor, and lacking processor.

I'm planning on sticking with my machine, and i think you should too. its still got alot of use left in it (and 2 years of applecare

)... and i plan to make some upgrades.

jedi · 12:41 PM

Hi Guy`s,
IMHO:
Keep the "Quick Silver" , if you have a HD crash , No Problem !
If the Monitor inappropriate to bed , No Problem !
Video Card`s , need something better , change it -- No Problem !
It is a very stable CPU , I wish I had a "Quick Silver"

The FP iMac`s , what you see is what you GOT . Period.

jedi

I sometimes know what I`m talking about

EDIT: and even then, you can use gentler language to communicate it. Thanks!
Your Mod,
vmarks

vmarks · Apr 26, 2003, 12:40 PM

keep the QS and upgrade, or go to MDD.

iMacsteve · Apr 27, 2003, 06:27 PM

went with the iMac. now i want a powermac. i love the iMac, don't get me wrong, but the faster bus speeds, memory and expandibility of the powermac line is what i now only crave....

Chimpmaster · Apr 29, 2003, 06:15 AM

SO you have a quicksilver powermac g4? what are we talking about, a g4 733mhz here?

If so, MAN YOU DONT NEED TO UPGRADE! You just have apple fever. We all get it now again. Its that desperate desire, when youve almost convinced yourself its time to upgrade.

Your system couldnt be more than 18 months old right?

If I was you, Id either invest in a cinema display (17" would be fine seriously), or save you pennys and grab a decent 19" crt monitor, like a sony or lg flat screen. It would be fairly cheap (like say $300 US for a really good one!).

Even if you have a G4 533, it would be fast enough for almost anything now a days. Perhaps a video card upgrade along with the monitor, thats it!

If on the other hand you just need an excuse/support to lash out and upgrade, that 17" imac looks pretty sexy

I have a 15" one myself

Simon · Apr 29, 2003, 07:02 AM

I have a new 17" 1GHz iMac and I love it. So I really would like to give you the advice to get one, but it just doesn't make any sense.

Get a 20" screen which is absolutely stunning even thought it's affordable. Use the saved cash to get a PowerMac G5 or 970 or whatever they'll be called when they arrive.

The iMac is certainly faster than the 733MHz G4, but it's too much money for too little upgrade. Buying an MDD is a totally bad idea - much too expensive for too little benefit (and they're loud - I had one

)- hey, new PowerMacs are bound to be here in Summer.

I'd get a 20" screen and be happy. You can still get a new PowerMac later.

eroovers · Apr 29, 2003, 07:32 AM

Yeah youre right!

I made up my mind (finally).
And i am going to buy the 20" display.
Man this thing is WOW!!!!!!

For the rest i will wait until this summer.
See what the new powermacs will be.
And decide then if i will upgrade my quicksilver or buy a new one!
Can`t wait till saturday, my drive to the apple dealer...

thanks for all the great response!