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driven · Feb 2, 2004, 12:42 PM

Ok ... I've done an about face and have decided to actually purchase a new G5 in about 2 weeks. (Especially since it is now that it's apparent that nothing is coming out soon.)

I'm debating between either getting a new Dual 1.8 with an academic discount ($2299) or a refurb Dual 2.0 for $2399.

If I go with the new D1.8 I'll get it in the Apple store. Obviously refurbs need to be mail ordered.

Does anyone see any really compelling reason why a used 2.0 for $100 more would be better than a Dual 1.8? (The 1.8 will be fast enough ...) I expect the machine to last 3-4 years but I'm figuring that 200Mhz won't mean that much of a difference.

Thoughts?

bpd115 · Feb 2, 2004, 12:55 PM

I'm in the same boat as you really. I know that either machine will be a boost over my 1 Ghz iMac...It's come down to the dual 2.0 refurb or wait for the next updated midrange for me..(which may very well be a dual 2.0)...I'm getting tired of waiting myself. I'm not too concerned with a changed architecture (what more could they add? We've got AGP 8x, PCI X, FW 800, Gigabit ethernet, USB 2, optical audio in and out, serial ata etc.)....I figure somewhere down the line sonnett or someone will sell G5 upgrades to dual 4.0s or whatever is out at the time....

Just for the heck of it I'll wait until tomorrow (Tuesday), then I'll order the Dual 2.0.

driven · Feb 2, 2004, 01:02 PM

I'm making a jump from an overtaxed 500Mhz Cube so I'll be seeing a REALLY dramatic jump. :-)

(I thought about upgrading my Cube, but it's not really cost beneficial.)

all2ofme · Feb 2, 2004, 01:10 PM

I'd get the dual 2.0 for the following two reasons:

- it will be faster
- better video card (unless you BTO a 9600 into the dual 1.8)

Crusoe · Feb 2, 2004, 02:08 PM

I second that notion. Same 1 year warranty too.

Originally posted by all2ofme:
I'd get the dual 2.0 for the following two reasons:

- it will be faster
- better video card (unless you BTO a 9600 into the dual 1.8)

driven · Feb 2, 2004, 02:09 PM

Hmm .... I didn't take into account the video card. :-)

rhogue islander · Feb 2, 2004, 02:30 PM

The video card is the big issue here. FX 5200's are nowhere near as fast and my experience is that the 2D output of ATI cards is superior as well.

I went from using ti4600's in both my mac and PC to 9800 Pro's in both and everything is clearer and sharper @ 1600x1200.

driven · Feb 2, 2004, 02:38 PM

Originally posted by rhogue islander:
The video card is the big issue here. FX 5200's are nowhere near as fast and my experience is that the 2D output of ATI cards is superior as well.

I went from using ti4600's in both my mac and PC to 9800 Pro's in both and everything is clearer and sharper @ 1600x1200.

Agreed on all counts. I switched my PCs over from nVidia to ATI as well. (My main PC now has a 9600XT.) It looks like the upgrade from the nVidia to ATI is only $45 though. Not a big jump, but a HUGE improvement.

I actually have a spare Radeon 9600 Pro 128MB lying around, but it won't help me. (No ADC connector for my Apple 17" LCD)

Lateralus · Feb 2, 2004, 08:10 PM

What about a refurbished Dual 1.8?

driven · Feb 2, 2004, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by PowerMacMan:
What about a refurbished Dual 1.8?

the only place that I found those were at SmallDog and they were only like $50 cheaper than the Dual 2.

Honestly, if I go for the new machine it'll be because I want to buy it at the Apple store. :-) If I have to mail order it then I'll absolutely get the Dual 2.0.

bimmerphile · Feb 2, 2004, 11:27 PM

Originally posted by Crusoe:
I second that notion. Same 1 year warranty too.

3rd'd

Cadaver · Feb 2, 2004, 11:30 PM

If the dual 1.8's had been available when I bought my machine (a dual 2.0), I would have bought one instead. Not that I'm complaining about having extra power, mind you, but for me I think the dual 1.8's would have been sufficient. Could have used the price difference to add more even RAM.

Honestly, the speed difference between the two machines, for most "SOHO" uses, will be very small to imperceptible.

Eriamjh · Feb 3, 2004, 06:19 AM

Dual 2G gets my vote. That $100 may give you a few more months of life compared to the Dual1.8. Speed difference noticeable? Only on long rendering projects.

boatrower1 · Feb 3, 2004, 03:03 PM

You gotta go for the dual. Think about it: Dual 2ghz Refurbished...1100 Used duals from Virginia...you might get a piece of history!

At least you could say you "might" have a piece of history.

driven · Feb 3, 2004, 03:05 PM

Actually I heard that they weren't releasing the Virginia machines to the refurb line.

FWIW: Apple is once again out of the dual 2 refurbs. (Story of my life: Had I not taken so long to decide ....)

bpd115 · Feb 3, 2004, 04:44 PM

You and me both brother.

Apple updates the 'special deals' section every morning. I can't help but thinking this was something telling me "just keep waiting" when I went to pull the trigger on the dual 2.0 today....