[jdogg707]

I have spent hours researching the different Macs and trying to find the one that would best suit my needs. I am a Computer Information Systems major entering my final year, and would like to get a new desktop. I have a PC laptop which I use to do the Visual Studio.NET and ASP.Net stuff required by my major, along with Oracle and the network management software I have. I would like a desktop for general purpose use (Web Browsing, MS Office stuff, iPhoto, DVD Burning, etc.), light gaming (maybe a little UT2K4, but nothing more), and to play music on through my Logitech Z-5500's. I have a display (Dell 2005FPW) and a Logitech MX1000 Mouse. But before I go any further, here are the two machines I am considering:

Option A

20" iMac G5 2.0GHZ

- 2.0GHZ G5 Processor
- 667MHZ FSB
- 2GB Crucial PC3200 Memory (Purchased from Newegg)
- 8X SuperDrive
- 250GB Hard Drive
- Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
- Bluetooth and AE Built-In
- 128MB ATi Radeon 9600 Video Card
- AppleCare
- iSight
- Belkin Pure AV Mini-TOSLINK Connector
- IoGear 7-Port USB 2.0 Hub

Total EDU Price, After Rebate ($100), Tax, Shipping, and Sale of orginal RAM (512MB) and 2005FPW: $1,775.93
_______________________________________________

Option B

Dual 2GHZ PowerMac G5

- Dual 2.0GHZ G5 Processors
- 1GHZ FSB
- 1.5GB Crucial PC3200 Memory (Purchased from Newegg)
- 16X SuperDrive
- 250GB Hard Drive
- Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse w/Bluetooth Built-In
- 256MB ATi Radeon 9650 Video Card
- iSight

Total EDU Price, After Rebate ($100), Tax, and Shipping: $2,210.89
_______________________________________________

So here is where I am at...a difference of $434.96. I can pay the extra, but am wondering whether it will really end up being worth it. With the iMac I get more memory, built-in Airport Extreme, and AppleCare. With the PowerMac I get another processor, a bit faster FSB, slightly better video card, and less memory (but the capacity for more later). I'm not really worried so much about the expandibility of the PowerMac v. iMac, as I usually keep my computers for anywhere between 1 to 2 years, depending on what is going on in the market. So between these two, which do you think would suit my needs better? I have looked at the benchmarks, and really doubt I would notice the second processor, as none of the Apps I could see myself using would be MP-aware, but that could change. Is it worth the extra cash?

Thanks for the help!

[lilrabbit129]

I was a CS major as well, but went the opposite way. PC desktop with a Mac laptop. I say go for the Powermac. If you're gonna be doing any kind of compiling, simulation or any of that sort, that second processor should help quite a bit.

But from your post, if you only plan on using it for 1-2 years, then the iMac would probably suit your needs better.

[d.fine]

Things like these are always a dilema. I do things and use programs on my Dual 2.0 that I never thought I would do/use, which I now do because the machine can do all these things effortlesly, and it's fun. (Like FCP Pro movies, and Cinema 4D, etc.) Most of my CPU time is taken by programs like Illustrator, Photoshop and Dreamweaver, which would all have worked fine on a less powerfull machine (I don't use 500mb photoshop files, so...) But because I got the PM and have all this power available I started exploring many other programs and interests, and when you notice that the PM can handle these it becomes a joy to work with. Just for my sake, I like to keep my options available so I chose for a PM.
The upgradeability of the PM is not important to you, the 128mb vid card in the iMac should be more than enough for your needs. For 1-2 years the iMac is the better choice. If you don't think you'll use MP aware apps, or CPU intensive apps, then you don't need the +2GB feature of the PM I think.
Do I think the PM is worth the extra cost? Hell yea! I love my DP G5, and it does anything I ask of it. To make use of a DP machine you don't always need MP aware apps. DP machines are great for multi-tasking. You can have anywhere between 5-10 apps running and still have power to spare.
I do wonder for your ocassional gaming, why get a 256mb card? Whats the iSight for? If you adjust those, the difference in price decrease. Do keep in the mind the PM will go way longer than 1-2 years.
Jut me

[jdogg707]

Thanks for the replies. I got the upgraded video card in the PowerMac mainly because for $45.00, even a marginal increase in FPS woud make it worthwhile. I added the iSight to both machines because I use my laptop now to do a lot of video conferencing, and ifugred using iChat would be much easier, especially with the ability to add up to three people at a time. I know the PowerMac would be nice, I just am having a hard time justifying the added cost, loss of features v. the iMac. Maybe I should go to an Apple Store and use both of them for a while and see how they run. I could probably justify it more easilyt if I could feel a difference in performance.

[d.fine]

Honestly, I don't think you'll feel a performance difference by testing an iMac and a PM in an Apple Store, except of course if they have the right software on it. You wont notice a difference using Safari, Mail, etc.
For $45 you can't not take it. I didn't know the upgrade cost that little.
If you can't justify the extra money, then go for the iMac. It's a fine machine, and takes up little deskspace.
Maybe in 1-2 years the PM line will have undergone some serious changes and then you might consider getting one the keep for more than 1-2 years.
Good hunting

[powertrippin]

Dilemna?

[jdogg707]

Originally Posted by powertrippin

Dilemna?

haha, I just noticed that. What can I say, it was late and I hit the wrong key...

[jdogg707]

Originally Posted by d.fine

Honestly, I don't think you'll feel a performance difference by testing an iMac and a PM in an Apple Store, except of course if they have the right software on it. You wont notice a difference using Safari, Mail, etc.
For $45 you can't not take it. I didn't know the upgrade cost that little.
If you can't justify the extra money, then go for the iMac. It's a fine machine, and takes up little deskspace.
Maybe in 1-2 years the PM line will have undergone some serious changes and then you might consider getting one the keep for more than 1-2 years.
Good hunting

I'll check it out at the Apple Store and see what, if any, speed increase I can feel. Maybe it will help me decide one way or another. If the PowerMac had undergone a more complete update last time, it would probably be a much easier decision. Anyway, I'll let you guys know what I decide once I visit the Apple store! Maybe I will get a surprise and there will be something big announced at WWDC, but I won't be holding my breath on that one. Until then, more opinions and suggestions are welcome!

[tooki]

IMHO, the second processor is well worth the extra $400, because the Power Mac's long-term usability will be appreciably longer. (This has been the case with dual-processor G4 Power Macs, which have proven to remain viable for substantially longer.)

tooki