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lunaticbunny · Jul 15, 2003, 06:11 PM

I'm considering buying one these now cheapie Dual 1.25 G4. But I'm wondering, they have the new quiter fans or whatever it is that came with those replacement kits that were suppose to make the MDD quiter...

ender2002 · Jul 15, 2003, 07:05 PM

I just recieved mine today, but i cannot give you input. my monitor should be here tomorrow. i don't want to miss seeing how fast it runs. from what i've heard, it is supposed to be loud, but not as loud as the previous mdd model. There are several ways to quiet the noise, like putting it on the floor. otherwise there are some meathods on

xlr8yourmac.com

lunaticbunny · Jul 15, 2003, 08:48 PM

oh yeah! are the dual 1.25 even significantly faster than the single 1.25? i do lots of photo correction, web graphics stuff and after effects stuff. what should i do?? the single 1.25 is even cheaper and i can just load it up with ram which is what i did with my current QS800 and it's running fairly good. i don't want to get the new G5 until the next revision, but i need a new mac now because i'm getting tired of lugging around my powermac between home and work! what to do, what to do?

BrettOZ · Jul 15, 2003, 08:49 PM

I have just added a Superdrive to my new dual 1.25 and it has certainly made things louder!

When you first boot the machine the fans sound like the are going at full speed, until the OS kicks in and the wind down to a hum. It is not silent, but then again mine is on the desk right in front of me - maybe the floor would be better, but it is just so nice to look at!

ender2002 · Jul 15, 2003, 10:09 PM

water coooooooled
mmmmmmmm

CIA · Jul 15, 2003, 10:20 PM

I'm impressed.

sailin74 · Jul 18, 2003, 11:38 AM

Well i just bought a refirb G4 dual 1.25GHz from warehouse.com for 1399.00 USD. I currently have a Pismo PB 500MHz G3, so it was quite the time for an upgrade. A few of my observations may help you. I ended up returning the system for loud fan noises. What follows is my rationalization:

1st. The fan is pretty loud at startup. Not a big deal, one would expect the fan to turn on full force before the OS took over. This is where my problem with the system developed. At low speeds the fan made a rumbling noise. Like a very small deisel engine was in my computer. The bearings were obviously not up to snuff or just not designed for low RPM. This is where I began to think about buying a new fan myself (aren't part numbers and the internet amazing?) for about 15.00 USD.

2nd. As I was using the computer I kept the CPU monitors up on the screen. I was amazed at what it took to get both processors over 50%. I'm an MS Office, Web, and e-mail user with some graphics, and iMovie use. Basically I had to run SETI and play a DVD while surfing the web to see the CPUs get high usage. I was pretty impressed with processing power. Nice job apple. However, I noticed that although the system was "snappier" than my PB Pismo, it wasn't quite as "Snappy" as I would have expected with processors almost at idle while opening programs and doing low to moderate activity. (90% of my time at the machine)

So, I began to wonder. Is it really processor power that makes the machine "snappy" or "feel fast" to the user? I came to the conclusion that based on anecdotal evidence that Apple was in dire need of a bus upgrade to support OS X's needs. What I was looking for is what I'll describe as an Emeril style window opening. I want to be thinking "Bam" when i open a program. Granted Finder went "Bam" when I opened a new window for the file system. But Word, Excel, Safari, Address Book, and Mail didn't "snap to" as much as I would have hoped. On my Pismo I understand why, the CPU's are pegged when opening a program. On the Dualie, the CPUs never made it above half.

The noise, coupled with the lack of what I'll call "Bam" factor from the machine led me to return it, and wait for a G5 with Panther installed, or see what Panther does to my mighty Pismo. I don't mind waiting a bit for programs to open, just don't want to pay 1400.00 to see processors sit at idle, and think that the UI could be a bit snappier.

Thoughts? Hope this helped in the decision for folks on the fence.
-Jason

G-mac · Jul 18, 2003, 01:06 PM

I've only got the SP MDD 1.25, but it does have the new fan. After moving the G4 to the floor, I can say that it is really a lot quieter than I thought before my purchase.

After extensively reading these forums, I decided to check it out myself after purchasing it. Just popped open the G4 and took a look at the fan - yup, it's the new one all right.

I'm sure the new ones out there have already had their fans replaced (for the most part).

Kenneth · Jul 18, 2003, 05:41 PM

I'm using the dual 1.25Ghz PowerMac (FW800), it is loud INHO. My dad laughs at it since it is louder then his 5-year old PII/266Mhz PC. Generally speaking he doesn't like Apple (that's another story).

I should bring the G4 down to the mall and see if those Mac genius can figure it out.

lunaticbunny · Jul 19, 2003, 01:31 PM

thanks for all your replies, but after thinking about it some more, i came to the conclusion, do i really need two desktop computers? nope, i don't. so i've decided on getting the 1ghz TiBook.

funny thing though, at least i find it kinda funny, but i checked on the apple website(canadian version) it has the powerbook with superdrive listed as 7-10days and the combo drive listed as 1-3days... it takes them an extra 4-7 days to put in a superdrive?? anyhow, i'm going to check around the local resellers here and see if they have one in stock.