[Mallrat]

I'm looking to buy a used or new G4 single processor mac. I can't swing the dual at this time.

since I wasn't looking for a new tower at the time, I didnt' pay attention. But from what I gathered there was a quicksilver, quicksilve 2002, MDD, FW 800, then for some reason back to MDD and no FW 800. Crazy!

Anyway, I printed out the specs on the apple site and I'm trying to see if any of them are better for different reasons.

I want to edit using Final Cut Pro 4. All these machines seem fast enough, espically if I throw in a gig or more of ram.

Just wondering if you have one that you like more than the other?

What are the differences? Bus speed, and processor speed and I guess graphics card (which never means anything to me, cuz I no nothing about them).

thanks.

[Mallrat]

Originally posted by Mallrat:
I'm looking to buy a used or new G4 single processor mac. I can't swing the dual at this time.

since I wasn't looking for a new tower at the time, I didnt' pay attention. But from what I gathered there was a quicksilver, quicksilve 2002, MDD, FW 800, then for some reason back to MDD and no FW 800. Crazy!

Anyway, I printed out the specs on the apple site and I'm trying to see if any of them are better for different reasons.

I want to edit using Final Cut Pro 4. All these machines seem fast enough, espically if I throw in a gig or more of ram.

Just wondering if you have one that you like more than the other?

What are the differences? Bus speed, and processor speed and I guess graphics card (which never means anything to me, cuz I no nothing about them).

thanks.

I just read something with noise in the MDD models? what is up with that?

I missed all the problems and don't want to buy a machine if it's too loud.

[AssassyN]

Well I like the new Dual 1.25s over the FW800 Dual 1.25s b/c the new ones have 2MB of L3 cache per proc. instead of 1MB. And the new ones boot into OS 9.

I'd just get whichever is cheapest & powerful enough for you though, b/c even the new single 1.25s only have 1MB of L3 cache.

Also, the new G4's on Apple's site have the quiet fan installed already.

[Mallrat]

Originally posted by AssassyN:
Well I like the new Dual 1.25s over the FW800 Dual 1.25s b/c the new ones have 2MB of L3 cache per proc. instead of 1MB. And the new ones boot into OS 9.

I'd just get whichever is cheapest & powerful enough for you though, b/c even the new single 1.25s only have 1MB of L3 cache.

Also, the new G4's on Apple's site have the quiet fan installed already.

Is it safe to buy older G4 from resellers? in other words, would they have the quiet fan installed?

How long ago was this problem and when was it fixed?

Was it fixed with all the 1.25 MDD models?

So do older models all have this moise probelm?

[Mac Write]

I just got a DP 1.25GHZ G4 MDD. I would strongly recommend getting the DP over SP 1.25GHZ, esp. if your going to to do FCP the performance difference is huge.

I am never going back to SP Mac ever again. DP is the only way to go esp. for FCP, Photoshop etc.

[derekn]

Originally posted by Mallrat:
Is it safe to buy older G4 from resellers? in other words, would they have the quiet fan installed?

How long ago was this problem and when was it fixed?

Was it fixed with all the 1.25 MDD models?

So do older models all have this moise probelm?

The new G4s that are out now (the MDD, non FW800 models) have the new power supply kits which are quieter. I have a dual 867 that I replaced the Power supply and 120MM fan on and the new 1.2Ghz system, both are pretty quiet now. Not Cube quiet of course, but pretty quiet. With the 867, I used to be able to walk down the hall and out to the living room (about 15-20 feet or so), I could hear it VERY clearly.

After changing the power supply, it was still audible but no where near what it used to be. When using it regularly, you don't even notice it unless you think about it.

There is a pretty simple way to check, look inside the system and look for the big power connector to the motherboard. If you can see all the cables, it's the old 400W, louder power supply. But if it has a curved, black plastic piece, it's the quieter Power supply. All the new MDDs have that now though, so you don't really need to worry about it.

Go into a reseller and check it out if the noise is a really big issue. As Mac Write said, get the dualie if you'll be doing video editing, you may also want to get a BIG hard drive (160GBs are as low as $100 in some places right now).

[drloomis]

Originally posted by derekn:
The new G4s that are out now (the MDD, non FW800 models) have the new power supply kits which are quieter. I have a dual 867 that I replaced the Power supply and 120MM fan on and the new 1.2Ghz system, both are pretty quiet now. Not Cube quiet of course, but pretty quiet. With the 867, I used to be able to walk down the hall and out to the living room (about 15-20 feet or so), I could hear it VERY clearly.

After changing the power supply, it was still audible but no where near what it used to be. When using it regularly, you don't even notice it unless you think about it.

There is a pretty simple way to check, look inside the system and look for the big power connector to the motherboard. If you can see all the cables, it's the old 400W, louder power supply. But if it has a curved, black plastic piece, it's the quieter Power supply. All the new MDDs have that now though, so you don't really need to worry about it.

Go into a reseller and check it out if the noise is a really big issue. As Mac Write said, get the dualie if you'll be doing video editing, you may also want to get a BIG hard drive (160GBs are as low as $100 in some places right now).

thanks for the info. I would go check, but I'm talking about ordering from macmall or anotyher reseller to avoid tax.

I don't know if they would know. Just wondering if they all have the fix, or was this still any issue when these came out and some old ones without the fix, may still be out there.

[derekn]

Well I didn't mean to buy, just go by and try the system out, check the noise level etc. Then if it's good, buy from another reseller.

Odds of the current, boxed versions having the old power suppply are slim unless it's a dual 867-Dual 1.2Ghz open box, refurbished etc. If it's new, it's got the new power supply.

BTW, you may want to wait a couple of weeks until the system restore discs included have Panther and not Jaguar. You can get it for $20 with the up to date program, but free is of course better.