[WizOSX]

What comments do you have? Satisfied with your purchase and the speed in Panther? How about the noise?

Here's my situation--sold an MDD dual 867 about 6 months ago because it was so noisy and also was really a little more computer than I needed at the time. Although everyone exclaims over duals, I really feel that, unless you use Photoshop and iDVD, they are overkill. A 1ghz single processor should be superior for most users to an 867 dual. I saw a great deal on a discontinued 700mhz iBook and have been using it as my main machine for 6 months. But I find that the iBook is starting to wear a little thin, especially poor speed in Safari and Office X. I use these two 99% of the time. Tried 1ghz 12" Powerbooks and iMacs, really still too slow for me. The 1.6 G5 was fine on speed but substantially more than I want to pay. So my choice is this: buy a single processor 1.25ghz G4 ($1159 US at the ed. discount)or wait a few months to see it I can get an end of life 1.6ghz for the same price. Trouble is, I haven't been able to test drive the G4 so I'm interested in people's reactions to it.

Sorry for asking, I usually make up my own mind on purchases and am always amused by the "tell me what to buy" threads, but this time some reactions might help.

[WizOSX]

One problem with assessing the single processor 1.25ghz G4 is that no one out there seems to own one. Does anyone out there own one??

[Commodus]

I don't own one, but it should feel much more usable than an iBook or the prior single-CPU PowerMac, the 1 GHz model (especially with Panther). It has L3 cache - on G4s, that means everything.

Newer MDD G4s shouldn't have noise problems; any PowerMac new from Apple is using the quiet power supply they changed to after the "fun" with noise in late 2002. I don't know if it'll be as quiet as a G5, but it should be pretty good.

It won't be as fast as a 1.6 GHz G5. But it'll be very functional.

[Taipan]

Hi!

Strange, I thought the fact that these machines were already unavailable a few weeks after they became available was a sign that many people were buying them, yet noone seems to have one. However, I've got one, and I'm very pleased. I don't think it's loud, but then that might be because my previous machine (Umax S900) was much louder. It still has what I think people mean when they complain about a whining noise, but it's not loud enough to disturb me (my machine sits on the floor about 50cm from my feet). Other people seem to be more sensitive in that respect, though. I have read some complaints.
Speed is OK, everything in Safari is very smooth. I have got MS Office, but haven't really used it since I got the machine. I just took a quick look at it (opened a text file, changed the font and navigated around a bit) and I think it's fast enough to do work with it. I can imagine it being faster on faster machines, but for a MS product it's OK. I'm one of the (probably) few who use a Mac privately only, so I probably haven't given it some real workload.
I'm playing more games than the average Mac user and I'm pretty happy in that respect, too.
Feel free to ask for certain tests, as long as I have the software I can give you some results.

[WizOSX]

Taipan--

Strange is right! Especially when you consider that this is the second fastest single processor machine that Apple has ever made (second only to the 1.6ghz G5)! It's got to be the best bang for the buck that Apple makes right now. Someone else MUST be able to tell us their experiences.

[Taipan]

The 1,8 GHz G5 is also a single cpu model.

[derekn]

I have one, got it just after the G5s came out. Replaced my old dual 867 too (my Dad upgraded from a Beige G3 to that). LOL

If you can't afford a G5, go for the 1.2. It is (to me) a great deal quieter than the 867 but I do have mine next to my desk in a an open cabinet. The 867 was in there too and the noise level is much quieter, I think it's quieter than the 867 even though the 867 was upgraded with the power supply replacement.

The speed is good, it's got a fast bus and it's only $1300, go for it!

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by Taipan

The 1,8 GHz G5 is also a single cpu model.

Good point. So the 1.25 is Apple's third fastest single processor machine of all time--still outstanding.

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by derekn

The 867 was in there too and the noise level is much quieter, I think it's quieter than the 867 even though the 867 was upgraded with the power supply replacement.

The speed is good, it's got a fast bus and it's only $1300, go for it!

Thanks—useful info. Does the 1.25 boot much faster than the dual 867? Did you upgrade them to Panther and does it seem to make a speed difference?

[derekn]

Originally posted by WizOSX:
Thanks—useful info. Does the 1.25 boot much faster than the dual 867? Did you upgrade them to Panther and does it seem to make a speed difference?

Yes and yes. The other factor though is that I also have a hard drive with an 8MB cache as the bootup volume. The stock Hitachi (with a 2MB cache) was faster than the 867 under Jag. I've only run Panther on the drive with the 8MB cache so I'm not sure on it's performance with a 2MB cache. It won't be a massive slowdown or anything however.

Both are now running Panther, I haven't used the 867 under Panther as yet. Rest assured though, the speed increase on the 1.2 is VERY nice. I'm not sure what areas specifically are affected but the dual processors will have an advantage in some areas. For the majority of functions though, the 1.2 will win out. The only big priority is to grab some extra RAM, the most you can get away with. Both have 768 and that's worked out great, 512 total is about the minimum you want to go with.

[WizOSX]

Thanks, derekn. Could you compare the boot time for the two machines under Panther?

[saturnbill]

Bought mine several months ago. It replaced an iMac600. I went back and forth about buying the G5, but decided because of the savings that the 1.25 was a better deal. I love it! I work with Photoshop and other graphics apps and find it fine for my use. (graphic files up to 100MB)
It is quiet and allowed me to DualBoot to 9.x for some of my other applications. I figured that I would wait until all the G5's were stable and possibly dual machines.

[WizOSX]

saturnbil--

Is yours the "basic" model (M9145LL/A)? Or did you do a custom order? How much RAM do you have?

[Lateralus]

Originally posted by WizOSX:
Good point. So the 1.25 is Apple's third fastest single processor machine of all time--still outstanding.

1) G5 1.8
2) G5 1.6
3) G4 1.33 in current PowerBooks
4) G4 1.25

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by PowerMacMan



1) G5 1.8
2) G5 1.6
3) G4 1.33 in current PowerBooks
4) G4 1.25

I forgot about the 1.33 PB. However, the PM 1.25 is a much faster machine than the PB 1.33.

[willab]

How would a single processor 1.25 compare to a DP 1.42 for mpeg2 encoding?

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by willab

How would a single processor 1.25 compare to a DP 1.42 for mpeg2 encoding?.

Using what software, Will?

[Lateralus]

Originally posted by WizOSX:
I forgot about the 1.33 PB. However, the PM 1.25 is a much faster machine than the PB 1.33.

Eh. They both use the 7455 G4 with 1MB of L3 cache and have a 167MHz bus.

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by powermacman

Eh. They both use the 7455 G4 with 1MB of L3 cache and have a 167MHz bus.

Probably saying, as I did, that the 1.25 is much faster than the 1.33 PB is a bit of overstatement. But it is still true that, overall it will be faster. Why? Because the video card is a “Mobility” card in the PB, i.e. somewhat throttled to save heat and power, and because the HD will be slower. Also, other things will be slower or compromised in the PB to save heat and power. The general reaction is that, for the same mhz G4, you can definitely feel the speed difference between PB and PM.

[saturnbill]

Sorry for the long time to reply. I bought the Standard config at a local Apple Reseller who was wonderful. They included another 250M of RAM and I added 512M for a total of 1GB. It did make a difference with larger files in Photoshop. I am planning in the next several months to max out the RAM, and adding a SuperDirve to the other drive bay.

[willab]

Originally posted by WizOSX:
Using what software, Will?

Compressor or Quicktime

[patzoul]

I bought one to replace my imac DV SE. I am very happy with it (speed, noise). Drawbacks are no s-video out for the graphics card and no airport extreme card support.

[C-Eye]

I just got one a week ago and I love it! Of course I AM replacing a Rev C iMac, so it seems plenty fast to me.

I get Panther and more RAM today but even running with 10.2.8 and the pitiful 256MB Apple includes, apps like Photoshop and Dreamweaver are super quick to launch and work in. It's nice and quiet too although I do hear the hard drive spin up occasionally.

I highly recommend the last of the G4 towers, however, now you can get a G5 for only about $500 more so that's what I'd suggest if you can afford it. And, if you're going to do any kind of video editing or hard core graphics work, go with the dualie.

[wyc_1225]

hi wizosx,

i am also needing to buy a desktop mac and just can't afford the g5. just wondering, did u get the single 1.25ghz after all and how did you feel about the performance?

thanks!

[WizOSX]

Thanks, C-Eye, patzoul, saturnbill and derekn for your help!! The following will show where I'm at now:

Originally posted by wyc_1225

hi wizosx,

i am also needing to buy a desktop mac and just can't afford the g5. just wondering, did u get the single 1.25ghz after all and how did you feel about the performance?

thanks!

Since Apple cut the price on the 1.6 G5 this week that really made the decision harder!! At our local education prices the 1.6 G5 is $1396 ($US) if I order without the Superdrive and the 1.25 G4 is $1176 ($US) (again, no Superdrive). Both have 256mb RAM and 80gb HD. Only $220 difference tilts it toward the G5 although I haven't decided yet. If Apple decides to cut the price on the G4 proportionately that might tilt it back.

[WizOSX]

Which would you choose?

[wyc_1225]

hi wizosx,

i am also waiting, i got a dual 1.25ghz but it was faulty and returned to apple (power button was faulty and they still sold it to me, how is that?). as apple south africa no longer has dual machines, i went for the single. after apple dropped it's prices on the g5, i am also pondering but also held back because of the price.

however, i do not know when apple will have stock of the single 1.25ghz and the reply is "they do not know when they will have stock". i need to get my machine very soon and i can tell you, the apple users in south africa are not at all impressed with apple's services. have a read of this link. and we do not have options like get a combo in our 1.6ghz g5 or any of the sorts.

http://www.ananzi.co.za/cgi-bin/anan...2&fci=1243

good luck in your choice. i just thought g4 would be enough for me for now as amateur movie editing, photoshop and freehand are my most taxing work. but i may soon be forced to take the g5 IF they have stock.

[Greasyboy]

Choose the G5. I mean, geez. $200 and you get a dramatically better computer. Not dramatically better than the Dual 1.25, but obviously better than the single 1.25.