[Socially Awkward Solo]

Back when I wanted to get a Dual 2GHz G5 at the end of September people kept insisting that new ones would come out in the beginning of January, then Feb then March etc.

All I can say is I am glad I did not wait, having this G5 for the past 7 months is worth any "latest and greatest/moneys worth" remorse.

I simply would not have been able to do the work I have been doing over the past 7 months on my old G4 Cube. Well I could have but it would have wasted so much time.

Not to mention I got a kick ass rev A machine with no problems at all.

I know people who have been waiting on the edge of their seats for the past 7 months waiting for the new ones to be announced never mind ship. While I sit infront of my G5 happily working away.

When the new ones do finally ship don't have this "I'll get the next one as I want a WHATEVER in it before buy it". You will never own a computer.

[Eug Wanker]

So you came here just to rub everyone's noses in it?

If I had to buy in September, I would have bought in September. However, since I can wait, I'll wait. And I've been waiting for a new PowerBook G5 (for myself) for the past few months. Ditto for an iMac G5 (for work).

I simply would not have been able to do the work I have been doing over the past 7 months on my old G4 Cube. Well I could have but it would have wasted so much time.

Funny... Before you got your G5 dual I distinctly remember you saying your G4 Cube was fine for even your work. How times have changed.

[The Placid Casual]

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
Back when I wanted to get a Dual 2GHz G5 at the end of September people kept insisting that new ones would come out in the beginning of January, then Feb then March etc.

All I can say is I am glad I did not wait, having this G5 for the past 7 months is worth any "latest and greatest/moneys worth" remorse.

I simply would not have been able to do the work I have been doing over the past 7 months on my old G4 Cube. Well I could have but it would have wasted so much time.

Not to mention I got a kick ass rev A machine with no problems at all.

I know people who have been waiting on the edge of their seats for the past 7 months waiting for the new ones to be announced never mind ship. While I sit infront of my G5 happily working away.

When the new ones do finally ship don't have this "I'll get the next one as I want a WHATEVER in it before buy it". You will never own a computer.

I feel the same, and I have only had my Dual 1.8 for a few months.

It won't get any slower when the new ones are announced.

[Lateralus]

Decided to keep the Dual 1.8?

[OzarkMtn]

I'm the same way. I went ahead and bought my 2 GHz in late March. It is flawless with absolutely no issues.

[Socially Awkward Solo]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:

Funny... Before you got your G5 dual I distinctly remember you saying your G4 Cube was fine for even your work. How times have changed.

You're right, I did say that when I was doing purely WEB work. Now I am doing Print work which is incredibly demanding in screen space and file sizes.

With Web you always design for the worst case scenario, with Print you always want to use the best you can.

So

[Link]

I'm glad I didn't wait for the "new g5s" when I bought my PM almost 3 years ago..

Besides now I can get a new G6

[The Placid Casual]

Originally posted by PowerMacMan:
Decided to keep the Dual 1.8?

After a bit of thought, I have!

These days I need my machine to do some sql and database stuff as well as run some software testing apps such as winrunner and rational robot for my work. My original rationale for selling was to ge a laptop that'll run them all on VPC. However I winced at the thought of being without the G5!

I have now set up my old Dual 450 Powermac with VPC 6, and it runs sql server quite well for what it is. I have started to use Sybase ianywhere 9 for sql, which has proved to be excellent... so I have no real need to change. And I guess it won't be too long until VPC 7 for the G5 which will allow me to run everything on the Powermac anyway.

It is just such a solid machine that I would be stupid to change things... It does everything. At the same time... I love this computer!!

I still need a laptop, but am thinking of a G5 powerbook when they finally hit the streets... will still keep the dualie though!

[freakboy2]

hey do you still have your cube? those things are awesome.

fb

[djohnson]

I have been sitting on my money for a while now. Of course I am earning more so that I can get the best machine possible!

Bah to those who purchase without waiting for the next rev! Always, must, wait!

[Socially Awkward Solo]

Originally posted by freakboy2:
hey do you still have your cube? those things are awesome.

fb

Ya I would never part with it no matter the price, my mom and sister are using it.

[osxisfun]

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
Back when I wanted to get a Dual 2GHz G5 at the end of September people kept insisting that new ones would come out in the beginning of January, then Feb then March etc.

All I can say is I am glad I did not wait, having this G5 for the past 7 months is worth any "latest and greatest/moneys worth" remorse.

I simply would not have been able to do the work I have been doing over the past 7 months on my old G4 Cube. Well I could have but it would have wasted so much time.

Not to mention I got a kick ass rev A machine with no problems at all.

I know people who have been waiting on the edge of their seats for the past 7 months waiting for the new ones to be announced never mind ship. While I sit infront of my G5 happily working away.

When the new ones do finally ship don't have this "I'll get the next one as I want a WHATEVER in it before buy it". You will never own a computer.

I agree 100%. I bought my dual 2 gig on the day of panther and have not regretted it one bit. Best mac ev-ar...

[angelmb]

Yeah, we people that buy rev. A stuff are brave people !

My Pismo and my 17" PB are both revision A, so figure.

[Link]

My quicksilver, by most terms was Rev A and I was happy with it. My bro's imac was rev A, and the g5 powerbook I get will be rev A....

I'm all for Rev A goodies

[Turias]

Is the Yikes! model considered a revision A? Or is it a revision A of the revision As?

Either way, I'm slightly disappointed with how it turned out in comparison to the other G4s.

I'm starting to wish I had gotten a G5 last year. But, it can't be that much longer... right?







Right?!?

[Link]

Oh come now, it'll be worth the wait! Well worth it!

[Lateralus]

Originally posted by Turias:
Is the Yikes! model considered a revision A? Or is it a revision A of the revision As?

Either way, I'm slightly disappointed with how it turned out in comparison to the other G4s.

I'm starting to wish I had gotten a G5 last year. But, it can't be that much longer... right?







Right?!?

I don't even consider the Yikes! a G4. To me, it is a Revision C B&W G3.

[Link]

I guess you can say so... I prefered the blue case though

[Turnpike]

I think the Yikes was the reason a lot of people waited for a Rev. B... although the G5 was all new technology where the Yikes just borrowed the old, some people still had a sour taste in their mouths...

I've been using a Sawtooth 400 for years now, and can't wait to get a similar Rev G5... this one worked out so well.


To tell the truth, my real reason for waiting is I want to have the latest and greatest when I head off to college in the fall... or at least have the latest and greatest reserved as soon as it ships :-P. They're giving me a PC to use, but I can't survive on that alone for long...

[Maflynn]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
I've been waiting for a new PowerBook G5 (for myself) for the past few months. Ditto for an iMac G5 (for work).

I think your going to be waiting for a while on both machines.
Between the heat being produced, the cost of the cpu and how fast the current PM G5s are selling all point to a slower roll out.

9 fans in the PM, both the iMac and PB are pretty small enclosures so the heat build up will be an issue.

cost of the cpu will drive up the price perhaps pushing them out of reach of their respective market segments

Finally if these babies are not flying off the shelves now there's no guarantee that the G5 PB/iMac would, so forcing a design quickly through R&D does little to justify the cost.

Just my $.02
Mike

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by Maflynn:
I think your going to be waiting for a while on both machines.
Between the heat being produced, the cost of the cpu and how fast the current PM G5s are selling all point to a slower roll out.

9 fans in the PM, both the iMac and PB are pretty small enclosures so the heat build up will be an issue.

cost of the cpu will drive up the price perhaps pushing them out of reach of their respective market segments

Finally if these babies are not flying off the shelves now there's no guarantee that the G5 PB/iMac would, so forcing a design quickly through R&D does little to justify the cost.

Just my $.02
Mike

Yeah, I'll be waiting some time for a PB G5, but I have a 1 GHz TiBook that is fine for now.

As for the G5 being hot, as I've said before that is a big myth. A G5 1.4 is cooler than the G4 1.5 in the current PowerBooks. Remember the chip in the Xserves, which would be used in iMacs, is different from the chip in current Power Macs. The Xserve G5 2.0 CPU uses roughly half the power as the Power Mac G5 2.0. Mind you, I don't expect a G5 1.4 in the next top-of-the-line iMac. I expect at least a 1.6 or possibly a 1.8. And that's easily doable. In fact, a G5 2.0 in an iMac is doable too, although I'm not expecting it at this revision.

The current Power Macs are NOT selling fast either. They sold ~170000 units last quarter, which is terrible compared to previous G5 quarters. It seems that after the initial pent up demand was satisfied, people waiting for the Power Mac G5 speedbump and/or rev. B.

Anyways, it the iMac does not get an update (of any sort) then no sale for Apple from Eug. Period. Quite frankly, the G4 1.25 is too slow for a desktop. Even a G4 1.5 is pushing it, considering the cost of the machine.

[Stephane]

Originally posted by Turnpike:
I think the Yikes was the reason a lot of people waited for a Rev. B... although the G5 was all new technology where the Yikes just borrowed the old, some people still had a sour taste in their mouths...

Oh so, true... I experienced that so I did wait for a Rev B Titanium but I wasn't spared by paint scratches : after 5 months of daily use the paint began to peel off... so much that my PB G4 got a really rugged look.

In june 2003 I heard from my boss that my job would end in february 2004 so I decided to go fulltime free-lancer in graphic design and I waited and waited for February, hoping that the rev b G5 would be shipping when I will have to use it.

I decided finally to go buy the dual 1,8 ghz 1 month ago, knowing well that a rev B was just around the corner and.. I am very pleased to work with it.
Also, to help me bear with the fact that new G5 were just a few weeks away, I bought a lot of stuff to go by my G5 like a 22" pro display, RIP printer, 10000 trm HDs and now I don't feel my "creative station" will be old too quickly.
And with the money I gain from having accelerated my work, I will be able to load the G5 with MUCH RAM -I pity those G5 512 MB fools
Oh and I guess the sooner I got the rev A g5, the sooner I will replace it with a G6...

[soul searching]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
...If I had to buy in September, I would have bought in September. However, since I can wait, I'll wait. ...

I'm in the same bout - since I can wait, I'll wait. Glad everyone is happy with their rev. A G5s though.

[Socially Awkward Solo]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
Yeah, I'll be waiting some time for a PB G5, but I have a 1 GHz TiBook that is fine for now.

As for the G5 being hot, as I've said before that is a big myth. A G5 1.4 is cooler than the G4 1.5 in the current PowerBooks. Remember the chip in the Xserves, which would be used in iMacs, is different from the chip in current Power Macs. The Xserve G5 2.0 CPU uses roughly half the power as the Power Mac G5 2.0. Mind you, I don't expect a G5 1.4 in the next top-of-the-line iMac. I expect at least a 1.6 or possibly a 1.8. And that's easily doable. In fact, a G5 2.0 in an iMac is doable too, although I'm not expecting it at this revision.

The current Power Macs are NOT selling fast either. They sold ~170000 units last quarter, which is terrible compared to previous G5 quarters. It seems that after the initial pent up demand was satisfied, people waiting for the Power Mac G5 speedbump and/or rev. B.

If the G5 Xserves use half the power then why did Apple remove a drive bay just to add one hell of a vent to the front of it. It may use less power but the thing is HOT!

He was also commenting that the G5's are NOT selling well and that is why Apple doesn't see a rush to put it in the laptops.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
If the G5 Xserves use half the power then why did Apple remove a drive bay just to add one hell of a vent to the front of it. It may use less power but the thing is HOT!

Some basic points:

1) For the point of this conversation, power = heat. The more power it uses, the more heat it generates.
2) The G5 Xserves are quieter than the G4 Xserves, partially because of increased air flow. ie. Part of the reason of the design is to make them quieter.
3) The G5 Xserve design is not for 2.0 GHz 970FX chips. It's for much faster clocked chips, which will be hotter. I betcha the G5 Xserve design is built for at least 2.5 GHz, and possibly much higher.
4) Laptop parts generally don't run at the same voltage as desktop parts. They run lower voltage --> lower power --> less heat. These chips are harder to make, and thus more expensive than desktop versions, but c'est la vie.
5) A laptop G5 would probably be at 1.6-1.8 GHz, at low voltage.

He was also commenting that the G5's are NOT selling well and that is why Apple doesn't see a rush to put it in the laptops.

Maybe, depending upon how you interpret it. See quote below:

Between the heat being produced, the cost of the cpu and how fast the current PM G5s are selling all point to a slower roll out.

But then he goes on to say, if they're selling slowly then why bother updating the iMac? That makes little sense. Power Macs are selling poorly partially BECAUSE the chips are way back from Q3 2003. They're long overdue for an update. Similarly, the iMacs have very slow CPUs for desktops in them, and they're long overdue for an update.

[GoGoReggieXPowars]

Originally posted by Turnpike:
I think the Yikes was the reason a lot of people waited for a Rev. B... although the G5 was all new technology where the Yikes just borrowed the old, some people still had a sour taste in their mouths...

The Yikes! was a huge reason to wait for a Sawtooth in an entry-level G4, but as far as waiting for Rev Bs, that's been my standard procedure since the 7500s came out, and though I wasn't buying one, I'd also include the 7100s.

The 7100/80 was an absolute solid machine in my experience, and though it was a bit slower than the 7500/100s our other developers were using, it crashed a lot less and didn't have flaky Ethernet chips.

Even if I had had the money last year, the 2.0DP wasn't worth the price premium over the 1.8DP. The 1.8DP has a much better price/performance ratio. Now that I can afford a G5, I'm still holding off for the next revision because it makes more sense to see what it will be, and because I do not have a pressing need for a new machine. Heck, with that new 800MHz upgrade I put in, my Sawtooth is more than adequate for what I do now at home.

[Link]

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
If the G5 Xserves use half the power then why did Apple remove a drive bay just to add one hell of a vent to the front of it. It may use less power but the thing is HOT!

He was also commenting that the G5's are NOT selling well and that is why Apple doesn't see a rush to put it in the laptops.

Probably because the g4 xserve's design wasn't a very sound one and because of it's lack of ventillation the fans were revving up enough to sound like jet engines.

Trust me, the g5 xserve probably runs not much hotter than the g4 one ever did What they did was a simple um.. design fix

[booboo]

I didn't have the money when the G5 was released, and having waited this long - to finally scrape together the cash (or push up the credit limit on my card ;-)) I think you'd all agree it's probably worth waiting now . . . even if it's just to buy a dual 1.8 at the entry price point . . . :-)

Ah my G4/533 DP - truly a fabulous machine - but its days are numbered . . .

[Socially Awkward Solo]

I guess the mystery is why does Apple say the G5 Powerbooks will be a while because it is hard to cool the unit. Because it uses less power?

[Maflynn]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:

Maybe, depending upon how you interpret it. See quote below:

Between the heat being produced, the cost of the cpu and how fast the current PM G5s are selling all point to a slower roll out.

But then he goes on to say, if they're selling slowly then why bother updating the iMac? That makes little sense. Power Macs are selling poorly partially BECAUSE the chips are way back from Q3 2003.

Ok, let me set the record straight on my comments. Between the heat, cost of the G5 cpu and the slow sales of the G5 powermac, it makes littles sense for apple to release a G5 iMac or a G5 pb right now .

I think Apple had estimated stronger sales of the G5. I also believe my point makes a lot of sense. The PM is not selling well and if they went to invest a lot of R&D money for a G5 iMac to overcome the heating issue, they simply will not recoup that cost - at least recoup it in an acceptable time frame. Once IBM starts producing cooler chips in sufficiant quantities then perhaps we will see a G5 iMac but not until then.

On top of that is the cost of the CPU until mfg efficiencies drive down the price of the CPU, the price of the imac will be out of the market they are trying to reach.

Mike

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
I guess the mystery is why does Apple say the G5 Powerbooks will be a while because it is hard to cool the unit. Because it uses less power?

Actually, IIRC Apple never said that. Apple said they have some engineering issues that must be dealt with or something like that.

Heat will be an issue of course, especially as speeds go beyond 1.8 GHz, but you have to remember that the entire architecture of the G5 is completely different. I'd hazard to guess those architectural changes are more work than simply the heat issue.

Anyways, do you really think Apple just started designing the G5 PowerBook in January? I betcha they had much of the basic design finished in 2003, with engineering samples of the 970FX running at 1.6 GHz or something.

Originally posted by Maflynn:
I think Apple had estimated stronger sales of the G5. I also believe my point makes a lot of sense. The PM is not selling well and if they went to invest a lot of R&D money for a G5 iMac to overcome the heating issue, they simply will not recoup that cost - at least recoup it in an acceptable time frame. Once IBM starts producing cooler chips in sufficiant quantities then perhaps we will see a G5 iMac but not until then.

On top of that is the cost of the CPU until mfg efficiencies drive down the price of the CPU, the price of the imac will be out of the market they are trying to reach.

Cooler chips? The 970FX isn't a particularly hot chip. That's my main point. The current Power Macs use a 970. The chips in the Xserves are the 970FX and they're pretty cool. In other words IBM has already started producing those cooler chips.

Now, Xserve G5 supplies have been low up until now, but finally as of April they were shipping, and it does seem they'll be caught up with their shipments by June judging by reports out there. Furthermore IBM has already said their 300 nm fab yields have improved. Not quite there yet, but much better than before.

I agree that Apple probably had hoped for better Power Mac sales, but I don't think Apple planned on selling the G5 2.0 for this long. My guess they had planned on updating it to 2.5 GHz months ago. Given the chip speed lag I'm sure it wasn't surprising to them that sales are also lagging. With a faster Power Mac in February it's likely Power Mac sales would have been better.

Similarly, if the iMac is left to stagnate, sales will only get worse. Either they change the machine, or else they cut prices dramatically.

BTW, while I do think the iMac update will be announced at WWDC, I don't think a PowerBook update will be. I think it will come several months later. And I will wait (because I can).

[OzarkMtn]

I think those waiting for a "rev. B" PowerMac G5 are going to find themselves with a completely new "rev. A" PowerMac G5 if Apple implements everything that everyone is speculating is going to happen when they do finally come out.

I purchased my G5 2 GHz in the middle of March. Outside of the speed bump, I think I have a "rev. B" because I have had absolutely no problems mentioned in the 100's of postings on this site as well as the 100's of postings on all of the other sites. Things had to have been changed to give me this type of problem free machine.

I also think that when Apple finally gets around to announcing new machines, that's exactly what it will be, an announcement, with new product not shipping for another month or two.

And one last thing, I feel sorry for those folks that think there is going to be a lower price on the new machines, I don't think that is going to happen at all.

Just my thoughts...

[Socially Awkward Solo]

Originally posted by OzarkMtn:
I think I have a "rev. B" because I have had absolutely no problems mentioned in the 100's of postings on this site as well as the 100's of postings on all of the other sites. Things had to have been changed to give me this type of problem free machine.

Well I bought a Rev A for sure as I got it at the end of Sept and I also have none of the problems mentioned.

[The Placid Casual]

I bought in early March too, and the machine is A OK.

[jon l. dawson]

Add me to the list of those who bought a G5 in February when everybody was saying to wait. Now it's months later. There's always going to be something better coming along, but I don't see myself needing an upgrade for a few years.

It seems a lot like you guys don't want a G5, you want the "best" G5, whatever that is. And you've waited what, how long now? Since last year? To get the next one, which will be the fastest for how long?

[Sparkletron]

I'm really pleased that the rev. A G5s have received such high praise. When the rev. Bs are announced, I'll try to get a good deal on one of the older rev. A models.

[Link]

Originally posted by jon l. dawson:
Add me to the list of those who bought a G5 in February when everybody was saying to wait. Now it's months later. There's always going to be something better coming along, but I don't see myself needing an upgrade for a few years.

It seems a lot like you guys don't want a G5, you want the "best" G5, whatever that is. And you've waited what, how long now? Since last year? To get the next one, which will be the fastest for how long?

You just shot yourself in the foot twice

Argument 1: I waited but then decided to buy out anyway..

Argument 2: Why don't you do the same? (even though the wait will be less time than they've already waited)

Argument 3: (contradicts with 2) - You're not going to have the top of the line forever anyway (even though you're trying to sell them on a machine that's almost phased out because you think it will be around longer)

Oh boy I could go on about this

[The Placid Casual]

Originally posted by Link:
You just shot yourself in the foot twice

Argument 1: I waited but then decided to buy out anyway..

Argument 2: Why don't you do the same? (even though the wait will be less time than they've already waited)

Argument 3: (contradicts with 2) - You're not going to have the top of the line forever anyway (even though you're trying to sell them on a machine that's almost phased out because you think it will be around longer)

Oh boy I could go on about this

Earth to planet Link...

I don't see that any ambiguity in there. You are just trying to be Devil's advocate.

Fact 1:

What he says is true. People have been saying there would be 'new' G5s for months and months, the guy decided against waiting and has now HAD and USED his machine for months. Nearly 3 months. That is a *lot* of usage, and/or potential income/work... The machine could have paid for itself many time over in that time period! The people saying 'wait' are STILL waiting, and could be for a good few more months... Seems stupid. Buy what you need, when you need it.

Fact 2:

It is true. It seems that some people do not want a G5 per se. They instead just want 'bragging' rights that they have the best/newest/greatest machine etc. Be it a self worth issue, or anything else. A proportion of people do not care about the specs of the machine, what it can do, what they will use it for, whether it is G5, G6 or G10, it doesn't matter. They want the 'fastest', and the ability win pissing contests.

Fact 3:

The guy states how stupid a view point this is, as even the new generation will only be 'new' for a very limited period of time, clearly showing the futility of waiting.

What is the problem with this?!

[angelmb]

Reminds me the talking between a person in charge from a digital photo camera maker and a customer:

person in charge´s friend: "hey!, look that all new 5 megapixels camera, its so nice!"
person in charge: "sure, but my old 2 megapixel advantages it about 2 thousands photos"

[booboo]

My financial situation dictated I couldn't afford a G5 upon release.

My far-wealthier upstairs neighbour just bought a G5 1.8DP.

I spent the last 3 days installing all the software he uses.

We put the G5 in the Quicksilver's place, and booted up some pro-audio software.

The G5's (allegedly 24bit DAC) analogue outputs have serious problems. There is what sounds like bleed from the 'digital' earth buses to the analogue outs. This renders them useless for pro-audio work. ***

I AM GLAD I AM WAITING FOR THE NEXT REVISION!

I hate uppercase, but these are warranted. For me a computer is a serious financial outlay and I don't need one with a design flaw.

I thought I had read that this problem existed only on G5's with early revisions of the PSU.

Apparently not.

http://arstechnica.com/wankerdesk/04q1/g5-noise.html

But what I'm talking about is poor quality output on the G5's analogue outs. I'd estimate the noise floor is around -45bB - a long way (40dB+) short of the performance of an old Quadra 660av, for example.

I have read the suggestions of some apologists that this is a result of poor earthing. Well in my neighbour's studio I personally installed a spur (NOT a ring) from the mains supply fuse-box to the studio. Nothing else shares this supply. I have tried every permutation of powering and earthing the G5 and associated outboard, and can't get the noise level down to an acceptable level. Let me reiterate that I don't expect miracles, just performance equivalent - and hopefully superior to - the old Quadra's, PowerMac's and 1st gen G3's and G4's. Notice i don't mention the G4 MDD's as these were similarly afflicted.

I have also read suggestions that a 'ground loop isolator' will cure the G5's analogue out woes. Well, as far as I'm aware, the ground loop isolators that work with unbalanced outputs (such as the G5's) are transformer (coil) based. All transformer based isolators will have a negative impact on the output quality. The cheaper ones don't even pretend that their frequency response extends below 40Hz, the decent ones are not inexpensive.

Our temporary solution is to use a standalone DAC connected to the G5's digital out. This reduces some flexibility, but also predictably is entirely free of noise.

I sincerely hope this problem is fixed with the next revision. I certainly won't be risking a model - even at knockdown EOL pricing - from the current line-up.

Meanwhile, I will post Apple's response when I get one.

*** Interestingly, the G5's audio inputs are acceptably clean. i need to think about this, but my first thoughts are that what it means is that there is not a generalized dirty digital earth feeding onto the analogue earth, but either a design fault related only to the DAC output stage, or bleed from the digital earth isolated to this part of the audio circuitry only.

Please note that I am not suggesting any audio pro in their right mind would rely on a computer's on-board sound for mastering - or recording (though in the past I have been forced to - and survived - having used 8600 series computers on-board audio for a lead vocals on commercial recordings!) but I do suggest the on-board audio should be acceptable for monitoring. As it stands, I wouldn't care to listen to MP3's through it . . .

[Eug Wanker]

Please note that I am not suggesting any audio pro in their right mind would rely on a computer's on-board sound for mastering

That about sums it up.

I do wish the quality were better than the reports have described, but in truth I expected about as much.

How does using an outboard DAC reduce flexibility though, other than cost?

[Dennis the Phantom Menace]

I've heard that only the 1.8 DP's had this audio problem. But I've just heard this. I really don't know for sure.
At any rate I can't wait til rev II comes out. Hurry Apple! Hurry!

[booboo]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
That about sums it up.

I do wish the quality were better than the reports have described, but in truth I expected about as much.

How does using an outboard DAC reduce flexibility though, other than cost?

I had liked the idea of having a DAT permanently connected to the digital outs, and switching between monitoring (analogue) and outputting to DAT (I know, 16 bit, huh!?)) without physically re-patching.

To reiterate, the analogue output aren't just bit poor, or merely disappointing, they're actually unusable . . .

Originally posted by Dennis the Phantom Menace.

I've heard that only the 1.8 DP's had this audio problem. But I've just heard this. I really don't know for sure.

Interesting. Obviously I hadn't heard this at all, or would have been forwarned, but will investigate. (I thought the 1.8 and 2.0 were identical apart from cpu speed?)

[Eug Wanker]

No solid evidence but I had heard it was with any dual processor machine, because of the different power supply used.

And if it hasn't been corrected by now, I'd be surprised if next month's Power Mac version solves the problem.

[Eug Wanker]

Evidence for the G5 update?

7,3!!!

[MindFad]

WWDC ain't too far off.

[3.1416]

Originally posted by The Placid Casual:
The people saying 'wait' are STILL waiting, and could be for a good few more months... Seems stupid. Buy what you need, when you need it.

Ok, but you're allowed to use a bit of common sense. It's overwhelmingly likely that there will be updated PowerMacs at or before WWDC, so buying now is not a good idea unless you *really* need it *now*.

It seems that some people do not want a G5 per se. They instead just want 'bragging' rights that they have the best/newest/greatest machine etc.

Possibly true, but irrelevant. Many more people want to get the best value for their dollar, which will almost certainly not be achieved by buying now.

even the new generation will only be 'new' for a very limited period of time, clearly showing the futility of waiting.

It's not "futile" if the cost of waiting is made up for by the increased performance and/or decreased price when you ultimately do buy.

[xe0]

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
I am doing Print work which is incredibly demanding in screen space and file sizes.
With Web you always design for the worst case scenario, with Print you always want to use the best you can.

I second that.
And using the best quality you can with such ease is great!
In all honesty, my dual G5 is such an efficient system to work with I find it hard to think of working with anything else - Its an absolute *pleasure* to work in the Print industry with such a tool.

The marriage of 10.3 and G5 hardware is superb. I'm Glad I didn't wait either.

[Socially Awkward Solo]

Todays skimpy update made this thread even more relevant to me.

[The Placid Casual]

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
Todays skimpy update made this thread even more relevant to me.

And me...

My mk1 d1.8 lives for another day!

Surely this release must be a lesson for the people who are always waiting for the latest and greatest? Actually, maybe that was the point...