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docholiday · Jul 10, 2003, 03:55 PM

Hey everyone,
I am faced with a slight dilemma. I have a DA733 and was planning on purchasing a nice Apple notebook for the coming year at University.

But 2 things happened:
1) My Powermac became totally messed up (discussed in another thread)
2) Until mid-August I can get a 25% discount on the Dual 2Ghz G5 from a friend

Notebook use: on campus, on the go, school has wireless everywhere
Desktop use: multitasking (a lot), web development, video encoding, music, occasionally gaming

I was actually waiting to get a G5 in about a year or two, but now I don't know what to do. I would like to get your opinions on the issue before I made my final decision.

Thanx,
Doc Holiday

Axo1ot1 · Jul 10, 2003, 04:25 PM

I have a similar dilemma. I was pissed they didn't release a PowerBook with a G5 in it because it makes my plans for computer purchasing very difficult. On the one hand I need raw power (I'm doing video editing and FCP 4 is a beast, audio recording and beat production with ProTools, and I use photoshop a ton as well). On the other hand, I'm going back to university at the end of the summer, the school is on the east coast and I live on the west coast. It costs $100 at least to ship the computer back there. I'm hoping the next rev. of powerbooks comes out before the end of August.

docholiday · Jul 11, 2003, 01:33 PM

Ok, 10 votes so far and it seems it's a tie between my two choices... ahhh

Some more comments/votes would be welcomed.

nvaughan3 · Jul 11, 2003, 03:21 PM

Fedex ground with enough insurance should not be more than $40-$50.

-Q- · Jul 11, 2003, 03:22 PM

I voted for 'laptop' from the perspective of flexibility. I think you could get a lot out of productivity out of using a laptop right now and wait for the G5 later. They'll only be faster and have worked the kinks out of the G5 case.

Now, that being said, I'm not 100% clear on what you'll ultimatly want to be doing with your computer so I can't say from a priority standpoint what's more important. Everything you cited the desktop for can be done on a laptop. And a 1 GHz G4 chip is still a formidable processor.

If you don't absolutely need the 'oomph' of a G5 right now, I'd say buy a laptop now and use it to do some freelance work to earn money for the desktop.

Hydra · Jul 11, 2003, 04:00 PM

I would go for the G5. 25% off comes to $750 on that monster. For that kind of discount you could get the G5 and a new iBook for the normal retail price of the G5 alone. If you buy the G5 I think you'll be happy with it 2-3 years down the road( my dual 800 still feels fast to me) as duals tend to be a better long term investment. That is a great price for a great computer and if money is short you could try top scrape together a few bucks and buy a used/refurb iBook and not have to worry about it getting soaked in beer or drooled on while you sleep in class. I find that having a fast desktop works well with even a slow crappy laptop because you can do all your wireless surfing etc. on the laptop and your real work on the tower.

Besides the chicks will really dig those big honkin G5 heatsinks when you leave the door off to show off IMHO

ChrisB · Jul 11, 2003, 04:39 PM

I notebook would be useful to you now, that is true. However, how often do you get the opportunity to get a Mac for 25% off. Besides that, you can ship that Mac via FedEx ground much cheaper than $100 - it doesn't weigh that much. But...if travel is that much of a concern to you, then the notebook is a better choice because convenience is of big value to you, so moving around campus and not having to ship a computer are important to you.

DeathMan · Jul 11, 2003, 07:32 PM

Get the double deuce G5, and take the $750 you save and put it toward an iBook. Thats what I would do. And then worry about the price, later.

Axo1ot1 · Jul 12, 2003, 01:35 AM

Originally posted by ChrisB:
you can ship that Mac via FedEx ground much cheaper than $100 - it doesn't weigh that much.

Mac + Monitors + Peripherals = lots of boxes, pricey shipping.

Maflynn · Jul 12, 2003, 06:31 AM

I'd go with the Laptop, being in school you'll need the flexability that a laptop provides. there will be plenty of time in the future to purchase a G5 which will be faster then the current batch that are getting ready to ship next month.

I feel your pain and it is a quandry to be in.

Good Luck

docholiday · Jul 12, 2003, 12:26 PM

Thanx a lot guys. I think I will go with the G5 (the votes seem to favour that too)... my sister has a 12" Powerbook, so if I REALLY need it on the go, I can borrow it from her.
It's not everyday that I can get such a good deal on a Powermac.

Doc Holiday

Commodus · Jul 12, 2003, 02:06 PM

I do support the G5 purchase as well. It sounds like you do much more on your desktop than you would on your laptop, even considering the fact that you'll be a student.

Like Hydra suggested, if you were willing to pay the extra money you could even get a base-model iBook and kill two birds with one stone. You wouldn't need the laptop for anything more than taking notes and (if you have/had an Airport card) browsing the web wirelessly.