[jettpuff]

I know everyone has their opinions, but before I decide, I'd like to get as many pros, cons and opinions as possible.

I am trying to decide between a PowerMac G5 and a Powerbook G4. I don't travel, and the portability of the Powerbook is more of a convenience factor than a necessity (it would be nice to take it with me on vacations to download pictures or video or watch movies). I plan to use the computer primarily for amateur level video and photo editing (using Final Cut and Photoshop) and I don't want to get bogged down with a slower processor of the Powerbook either. Suggestions, recommendations and opinions are all welcome. Specifically, is the G4 much slower than the G5 for these applications?

Thanks

[Commodus]

It sounds like you might have answered your own question. If it's not that important, I'd focus on a PowerMac first.

Heck, if you can justify it, you could always get an iBook for the road, and a PowerMac for when you're at home.

[Arkham_c]

The G5 will render video significantly faster than the G4. The G4 will work fine, and will do an adequate job, but if you don't need the portability the G5 will take you further. Faster processor, faster RAM, faster I/O, faster, larger, and more disks make the G5 compelling.

[fibroptikl]

Unless you *NEED* the portability; the money could be better spent in PowerMac.

[d.fine]

get both ...

[chris v]

Originally posted by d.fine:
get both ...

worked for me.

CV

[smelias]

I have both and I can tell you that I love my PowerBook more than I do my G5. Although it is faster in many things, for some reason, it is less stable thank my trusted 1Gz PB 17". I never have any problems while using my PB and it does all the same things my G5 does, just slower. I originally bought the G5 to replace the PB, but after comparing the two, I will never get rid of my PB, especially since there are no dead pixels on the screen.

[vmichaelsf]

here's my take: i was working on the latest rev. imac 17" for a while before i bought my rev. b dual 1.8 g5; it seemed fast to me, very fast- and i'm sure it's faster than even the fastest powerbook, all things considered (7200rpm drive vs 5400, etc.) i was even going to wait for the imac (this is before we knew of the huge delay) but decided to go with the powermac g5 because it would be better for video, not only because of the processor(s), but because of all of the supporting components. now that i've got it, wow. what a difference. the powermac g5 is faster, MUCH faster, at everything. opening apps, rendering, you name it. also, for video, specifically motion, a g5 is required for real-time rendering. let me also suggest that you get a 20" cinema display; it's hard for me to adjust to this 17" widescreen now . that said, the g4 is fine for some things, and i suggest as another person did; get an ibook, too. they're cheap and it will do what you want it to do while on vacation, at the cafe, etc., very well. that's what i'm doing. good luck.

[york28]

I also suggest a G5 and an iBook for the road.