[fatweesle]

Hi Everyone,
I am new here! I am looking into getting a mac to use for final cut pro. What mac would you recommend? I am a student so I don't want to spend a ton, but I am looking at the entry level G5 1.6ghz or a dual G4 1.25ghz. I know there is a lot of hype saying the G5 is faster and thats what I was told at the apple store, but I want to get the best bang for the buck. Which do you think is best setup? Thanks so much!

Rob

[miroslav]

entry level G5 1.6ghz or a dual G4 1.25ghz.

For short term: get the G4, it is faster for FCP4 now (but noisier, that might be a problem !!!)

For long term: G5 is the new powermac line, so expect that all new developments will go in that direction. But !!! go for the 1,8 G5 because of PCI-X. If you intend to install a video capture board later, these slots will double your bandwith ...

[hyteckit]

I don't know, but I just bought me a Dual 1.25GHz G4. Have to wait until 9/4/03 to ship. Damn, that's a long wait since I placed the order 1 week ago.

New G4's perhaps? Just kidding.

[terrancew_hod]

If I needed to get a new machine soon, I would spend the extra dough and get at least the 1.8 G5. I'm guessing the extra bandwidth that it provides will make up for the loss of a processor. Plus if Apple decides to G5 optimize the application (if it isn't already) you'll get the added benefit...

And you'll never know what G5 optimized apps will come out later. G5 is what Apple is trying to move to, I personally wouldn't shell out for a dual G4 machine now (I think they cost maybe more than a dual G5 new, unless you're looking at a refurbished machine), knowing that eventually I would want to move to a G5 later...

Terrance

[Thain Esh Kelch]

Since you plan on going for FCP4, then I would say save up a little and get the 1.8 Ghz G5.. It'll do you best future wise, and should be comparable in speed to a 2x1.25

[Cadaver]

I'd wait a couple weeks and see what the hands-on reviews say.

[NYCFarmboy]

I would presume that resale values of G4's won't hold up well with a G5 chip out there now.

Prices for G3's on ebay have dropped SUBSTANTIALLY since the announcement.

Apple has announced a Dual 3 ghz G5 next year at some point. At that point I think a lot of the 1.6 and 1.8 G5 machines will become available on the used market, driving G4 tower prices down further.

I like to get a new Mac when the processor speed doubles. I have a 1.42 dual and will replace it with a 3 gig G5 next year. I think a lot of people with 1 gig and faster G4 towers are just on the sidelines waiting for a really fast G5, and when that happens, G4 tower prices will drop bigtime.

But..thats just my humble opinion

My sister ordered a G5 1.8 yesterday (replacing a 877 mhz G4 tower), has a 160 gig hard drive compared to 80 gigs on the 1.6...and a faster bus. For doing movies you will want as much hard drive space as you can get.

Also, the G5's come with USB2 which the G4s do not support.

Oh..and very important if you work with a digital camera/video.. there is a Firewire port on the FRONT of the G5 which will save you straining your back to plug your cameras in!

[idyll]

I'd get the 1.6 G5. Keep in mind that the G4s dont have PCI-X slots either.

[hyteckit]

Originally posted by idyll:
I'd get the 1.6 G5. Keep in mind that the G4s dont have PCI-X slots either.

Neither does the 1.6 G5.

[DeathMan]

Originally posted by Thain Esh Kelch:
Since you plan on going for FCP4, then I would say save up a little and get the 1.8 Ghz G5.. It'll do you best future wise, and should be comparable in speed to a 2x1.25

I would hope that the 1.8 Ghz G5 would be more than compareable to the 2X1.25 G4.

[idyll]

Originally posted by hyteckit:
Neither does the 1.6 G5.

Yes, that's why I said either.

[hyteckit]

Originally posted by idyll:
Yes, that's why I said either.

Hmm... strange wording. I was assuming the "either" was another disadvantage for the G4 since you decided to opt for the G5.