[hayden_303]

At comp usa they have a floor model G5 1.6 + 17" studio display + 3 years of apple care for $1799. I don't know how much use the floor model has had, but with the warranty who cares right? If I don't get this, I will be getting the new 20" imac. I know that a dual processor and everything would be better, but this is the absolute max amount of money I will spend right now and I really want a LCD.

On another note, how would the speed of this machine compare to the single 1.8 with the lower FSB?

[Tin-Cup]

i know which i would rather have, thats the imac g5.. i wouldnt compromise a slower processor and smaller screen that takes up loads of room and costs about the same, when i could have a huge 20 inch screen, faster pro, much better design, no massive noisy g5 tower...

but hey... its your choice, plus your not even getting a new machine your getting a second hand machine thats been in a shop...you never know whats happened...

just my personal view....

[SSharon]

so my first opinion was to take the G5 tower but after some thought and really after reading tin-cups reply I have to agree with him. Unless you really know that you will use a PCI slot or really need the space for another HD (I would get firewire anyway) the imac is the way to go. Its brand new, and I don't think you would notice any speed difference. So to choose between the two the imac and its amazing display win.

[reader50]

The PowerMac is the better deal, unless space is a concern and future expansion isn't. Here are the specs that differ if you give them both AppleCare:

iMac 20"
$2,070 ($1900 iMac + $170 APP)
1.8 GHz
GF 5200 soldered down
Dual monitors not supported
RAM expands to 2 GB
1 internal HD
no PCI slots
FireWire 400
10/100 Ethernet
AppleWorks and some games included

PowerMac 1.6
$1800 ($850 PM + $700 display + $250 APP)
1.6 GHz
GF 5200 in AGP slot
Dual monitor support, more with PCI cards
RAM expands to 4 GB (8 GB with 2GB modules)
2 internal HDs, up to 10 with 3rd party help
3 PCI slots
FireWire 400 + 800
10/100/1000 Ethernet

I assumed the 17" Cinema is worth $700, and the AppleCare price comes from Apple's current APP price for the single 1.8 PM. That gives you a tower price of $850, while a new PowerMac 1.8 single is $1500. Not bad at all.

Regarding the speed question, I'd expect the new 1.8 to be slightly faster on average. The 1.6's faster bus speed will give it the edge in some applications, the 1.8's greater clock speed will give it the edge in more applications. The difference isn't likely to be very large.

[Mafia]

plus you wouldn't want to be stuck with that 5200 all your life ^^

[Madrag]

yep, it's worth getting the PM if you need to expand it...

If you don't trust the PM because of the use it has had, then go for the imac.