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RoRo · Dec 31, 2004, 11:40 AM

Hey all,

I am thinking about shelling out some funds for a 20"G5 but I had a few questions from a PC brain:

1) How easy is it too upgrade memory on the G5. I am used to towers and easy upgrades. Is it difficult to upgrade memory on my own since everything is selfcontained? I do not feel like spending more than I have to on memory.

2) I currently have a PC laptop as well and Netgear (crappy, quirky) wireless router that can handle b and g. Can the Apple Airport card read off of the router?

3) Do it or not?

And yes this purchase decicion stems from owning an iPod and not having space on my PC to keep a library...ok...it is my brother's PC.

Thanks all.

jon l. dawson · Dec 31, 2004, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by RoRo:
Hey all,

I am thinking about shelling out some funds for a 20"G5 but I had a few questions from a PC brain:

1) How easy is it too upgrade memory on the G5. I am used to towers and easy upgrades. Is it difficult to upgrade memory on my own since everything is selfcontained? I do not feel like spending more than I have to on memory.

2) I currently have a PC laptop as well and Netgear (crappy, quirky) wireless router that can handle b and g. Can the Apple Airport card read off of the router?

3) Do it or not?

And yes this purchase decicion stems from owning an iPod and not having space on my PC to keep a library...ok...it is my brother's PC.

Thanks all.

1) it's real easy, I just got my imac and did it within a few minutes time. all you have to do is lay it down and undo three screws.

2) can't think of any reason why not. I use an orinoco wireless access point with basic encryption and my ibook works fine with it.

3) do you expect anyone here to say no ?

Crusoe · Dec 31, 2004, 11:58 AM

1) Easy
2) I used the worst of products and Belkin B AP and it works, can't imagine why it wouldn't (have 2 AP expresses now, whew)
3) I've been pimpin my wife on the street to raise funds for one, she just keeps giving it away.

RoRo · Dec 31, 2004, 12:45 PM

Where would be the best place to buy than? Seems like everywhere would be the same price.

deboerjo · Dec 31, 2004, 12:50 PM

1) Easier than most Windows PCs
2) Yes. I've had problems with quirky Netgear routers myself, but that was related to Appletalk, and modern Macs are pure TCP/IP, you shouldn't have a problem. At least, you're no more likely to have problems than you would be with a PC.
3) YES.

Crusoe · Dec 31, 2004, 01:21 PM

First off don't buy anything till January 11th! MWSF

Amazon has $100 off 20"ers; macmall, macconnection etc. have interesting packages. If you pick an online store, pick one that you don't have to pay taxes for. If you're a student you can get a discount from Apple retail or online store but they'll charge you taxes that essentially negate the discount but you can custom configure, also check out their Special Deals/Refurbished link.

Check macprices.com for an updated list of sales and packages.

chipchen · Jan 1, 2005, 01:26 AM

1. Three screws that don't even have to come off (they loosen so that they don't drop or get lost). Take off the back cover, and it's literally right there... no reaching in.

2. Absolutely... Apple follows most standards... I use my PowerBook on mostly PC networks.

3. DEW IT!

eep · Jan 1, 2005, 01:36 AM

Originally posted by RoRo:
Hey all,

I am thinking about shelling out some funds for a 20"G5 but I had a few questions from a PC brain:

1) How easy is it too upgrade memory on the G5. I am used to towers and easy upgrades. Is it difficult to upgrade memory on my own since everything is selfcontained? I do not feel like spending more than I have to on memory.

2) I currently have a PC laptop as well and Netgear (crappy, quirky) wireless router that can handle b and g. Can the Apple Airport card read off of the router?

3) Do it or not?

And yes this purchase decicion stems from owning an iPod and not having space on my PC to keep a library...ok...it is my brother's PC.

Thanks all.

1) Not sure about the ram in an iMac g5, but hey I just replaced my CD-RW drive in my Powerbook with a superdrive so it can't be that hard.

2) What's the model of the netgear router? I have one and it works great. The only problem I've ever had was I forgot my admin password.

3) Sure, you'll be glad you did.

P · Jan 1, 2005, 08:51 AM

You can see the exact disassembly here:

http://mactree.sannet.ne.jp/~kodawar.../imacg501.html

The memory slots are the ones in the lower right corner.

RoRo · Jan 1, 2005, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by Crusoe:
First off don't buy anything till January 11th! MWSF

Amazon has $100 off 20"ers; macmall, macconnection etc. have interesting packages. If you pick an online store, pick one that you don't have to pay taxes for. If you're a student you can get a discount from Apple retail or online store but they'll charge you taxes that essentially negate the discount but you can custom configure, also check out their Special Deals/Refurbished link.

Check macprices.com for an updated list of sales and packages.

Thats for the help all. What will happen after MWSF? Price reduction or new computers? I will probably wait anyways as the Amazon promo is good until end of this month.

Crusoe · Jan 2, 2005, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by RoRo:
Thats for the help all. What will happen after MWSF? Price reduction or new computers? I will probably wait anyways as the Amazon promo is good until end of this month.

They almost always release new hardware products, occasional price reductions, new software that may be bundled with the computer (which you'd thus get for free), a smidge of a chance they'll beef up the specs on the iMacs.

A whole slew of rumors floating around:
G5 eMac
Headless G4 iMac or set top Mac
Dualcore G4 Powerbooks or an unlikely G5 PB
iLife 05 and Tiger if Tiger is ready, which it won't be
Speed boost on PowerMac G5s or price drop
xServe update.

MWSF is like Christmas 2 for Mac fans.