[temporary]

Right, so the time has finally come to get myself a new system; it's been a good five years. I'm thinking of a MDD single-proc 1.25, because they're cheap as dirt right now, and I'm on a very tight budget (so tight, in fact, that I don't think I can spring for the dual). It's obviously not the latest and greatest, but it's perfectly adequate for my needs (freelance web development, a little print design); even something half that speed would be a mind-blowing improvement over my current iMac 333/160Mb/6Gb HD. My question is, how much life do you think I'd get out of it? This thing will likely have to last for 4 or 5 years (which is why I want a tower over another all-in-one: easier upgradeability). But is the G4 going to be able to keep pace with the OS & software over the next couple years? Am I going to be posting comments about it in the "classic systems" forum in six months?

[sodamnregistered2]

I'd try to swing the dual 1.25GHz...

With OSX, the dual really helps everything and give the computers some life...

[Truepop]

A dual is great but you can get a baseline G5 with a combo drive for the same price as a dual G4.

However if price is a concern, turn to eBay in a couple of weeks. I am sure you will find many G4s being sold.

[Eriamjh]

Buy a refurbed G5.

[Lateralus]

Buy a refurb Dual G4.

[bimmerphile]

refurb dual g5.

[temporary]

Okay, I agree, a dual-proc certainly has more legs to it than a single, I can maybe swing it if I cheap out on the monitor. Or if I rack up horrible, life-threatening debts. Hey, it's only numbers on paper, right? Er, right?

(crickets)

So, new question: does anyone know someone reputable in Canada who deals in refurb Macs? (As opposed to used - there's like five used mac dealers within walking distance of my apartment, and they're all selling the same smurf tower.) Apple.ca doesn't have the 'deals' section the american site has, and Smalldog doesn't do international orders, I don't think.

[OreoCookie]

Yet another time, my advice is NO.

Refurb G5, especially @1.6 GHz. My best friend got a new 1.6 GHz G5 for less than 1.000 €! And this baby is faster in most benchmarks than the Dual G4@1.42 GHz, the fastest G4 ever made.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by temporary:
Okay, I agree, a dual-proc certainly has more legs to it than a single, I can maybe swing it if I cheap out on the monitor. Or if I rack up horrible, life-threatening debts. Hey, it's only numbers on paper, right? Er, right?

(crickets)

So, new question: does anyone know someone reputable in Canada who deals in refurb Macs? (As opposed to used - there's like five used mac dealers within walking distance of my apartment, and they're all selling the same smurf tower.) Apple.ca doesn't have the 'deals' section the american site has, and Smalldog doesn't do international orders, I don't think.

It seems Apple shies away from refurb in Canada. I asked about refurb iBooks and they told me refurb iBooks are never sold here.

[djohnson]

Get the refurb G5. You will like it very much. Of course if you wait a little bit... you will have more money and get a better computer!

[Lateralus]

I'd seriously avoid the 1.6. It is the 'Yikes!' of the G5 line, and will most likely be the only G5 that will ever be crippled this badly in comparison to the other machines.

And if you look around at benchmarks, the Dual 1.25 G4 has no problem besting the Dual 1.6. And the Dual 1.42 G4 burries it.

If you're going to get a G5, try to swing a single 1.8 or a Dual 1.8. But if it were a toss up between the single 1.8 and the Dual G4, I'd personally have to go with the Dual G4, especially the Dual 1.42 if you can find one. Duals just provide too many advantages.

[MrForgetable]

So many of you are saying
"Go for the Single 1.6 G5 instead of the Dual 1.25/1.42 G4?"

[Big Mac]

I too would stay away from the 1.6. I don't think single processor G5s are a good value. At the same time, I'm leery of buying yesteryear technology. I would only purchase a DP G4 at a very good price.

Since we're so very close to the speed bump, which should be any day now (right, rumor sites?), it's a great idea to wait around. You'll likely see some great close out deals on the Rev A G5s in the weeks following the announcement.

P.S. Let's hear it for the San Gabriel Valley, MrForgetable!

[OreoCookie]

Originally posted by Big Mac:
I too would stay away from the 1.6. I don't think single processor G5s are a good value. At the same time, I'm leery of buying yesteryear technology. I would only purchase a DP G4 at a very good price.

Since we're so very close to the speed bump, which should be any day now (right, rumor sites?), it's a great idea to wait around. You'll likely see some great close out deals on the Rev A G5s in the weeks following the announcement.

P.S. Let's hear it for the San Gabriel Valley, MrForgetable!

Well, I'd suggest a Dual 1.8 GHz, but if the budget is very, very slim, I have to point out the obvious: the 1.6 GHz G5 is faster than any G4 Mac in most tests.

Of course, he takes a beating from a Dualie. I'd try to save money till I could afford the middle model.

[superfula]

Dual G4 all the way. The dual 1.25 is a great price right now. And it out performs the 1.6 doing most normal usage things. Stay away from the single processor G5s or G4s. The value of a dual is HUGE, which many people don't understand. If you can afford the dual 1.8 G5, go for it. Otherwise, the dual 1.25 is a no brainer.

[Man Packs Eagle]

You guys are so right!

Can I add my voice to the chorus of approval for a Dual 1.25.

The 1.6 G5 is poor value at £400 more than a G4 in the UK. It's got a hobbled spec and boy is it ugly!

If you buy a G4 you're buying the last of a venerable and beautifully designed family of computers. The 1.6 will be history by the summer anyway and it's just a tin box.

Sure a 2Ghz dualie would be best of all, but what the hell do you speed guys do with your computers? Any 1.25 G4 owners out there finding their steed too slow? No? Didn't think so.

Good luck with whatever you buy.