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Brad5689 · Feb 1, 2006, 06:50 PM

Well with the new discount I can get the 20 inch iMac G5 for 1399 with my student discount also applied or I could get the Intel for 1599 any thoughts? Would the G5 last long as far as keeping up with the future or is it just going to just get left in the dust and also how long do you think software would continue to be made for the G5? I don't do any photo editing or anything I just use the computer for surfing the web and listening to music that's about it. Maybe this will help someone give me advice. Another reason I am much more drawn to the G5 is that I get a new printer since I'd save the $200 but then again I hear nothing but great things about the Intel iMacs........thanks dudes

Brad

Sofad · Feb 1, 2006, 07:17 PM

I bought the iMac 20" CoreDuo. It is very silent and very fast (ok, i upgraded from an iMac G3, but still). The G5 is a nice processor, it beats the CoreDuo in all areas where Rosetta is needed, but you will keep your iMac for more than 6 Month, don't you?

Get a CoreDuo.

quesera · Feb 1, 2006, 07:26 PM

I'm even more torn now due to Apple's lower price. Not being a power user and knowing my six year old daughter will inherit it sooner or later leaves me thinking G5 now, Core Duo later when it is proven. Amazon's price with rebate was till lower with notax and rebate. I purchase my lampshade Imac G4 from them with no issues or regrets. I wonder if Amazon might drop their price lower on the G5 now. probably wishful thinking.

jwoods · Feb 1, 2006, 07:48 PM

IF you are just going to use it for everyday computer tasks, I'd recommend the move to intel.

If you are a designer that must run photoshop and other pro apps, you might want to stay with the G5 a bit longer.

I think your best bang for the buck in the long term is to get the intel.

CaptainHaddock · Feb 2, 2006, 05:39 AM

I agree with Jwoods — an Intel machine if you're a normal user or gamer, and a G5 if you're a creative type. Even once media apps become universal, the G5 is still a sweet multimedia platform.

Although I suppose the Intel iMac also has DVI out and screen spanning, which the G5 iMac lacks — in case you can make use of those features.

badnewsblair · Feb 2, 2006, 12:06 PM

I too agree with jwoods on this subject and was going to write exactly that. If you have a special need for a certain software package that doesn't look like it will be a Universal Application (proper term now) for longer than you can do without (i.e. Photoshop now looks like it could be close to a year to move to the Universal architecture) than you absolutely need to stay with the PowerPC platform until that point.

I don't think it is a matter of whether the Intel has proven itself yet or not. I have an Intel iMac 20 inch. I also consider myself a power user however at home I do not have an immediate need to use Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. for quite some time. My new iMac has certainly proven itself in everything I have used it for at home and then some. The sheer processing power is astounding!

Bottom line - if you are a prosumer with the need of Photoshop or other Universal Applications, stick with the G5. Otherwise take the plunge with the Intel. You won't be disappointed. I promise. Also, price shouldn't have much to do with it.

JustinHoMi · Feb 2, 2006, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Brad5689

I don't do any photo editing or anything I just use the computer for surfing the web and listening to music that's about it.

It doesn't look like you have any reason to buy a G5.

Anybody who buys a G5 right now is risking lack of support in the future. Sure, there are some applications that don't support Intel right now, but they will soon. The future of the Intel macs is certain, while the G5's is not.

Eriamjh · Feb 4, 2006, 09:08 AM

Get the intel. Apple's gonna drop G5/PowerPC support as fast as a smelly sock. Besides, a dual core processor at 2GHz is going to kick a 2GHz G5's butt as soon as the software is optimized for two cores.

Intel is the future. G5 is the past. Move along, please. Move along.

slugslugslug · Feb 4, 2006, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

Get the intel. Apple's gonna drop G5/PowerPC support as fast as a smelly sock. Besides, a dual core processor at 2GHz is going to kick a 2GHz G5's butt as soon as the software is optimized for two cores.

Intel is the future. G5 is the past. Move along, please. Move along.

I imagine Apple will maintain G5/PowerPC support for at least one more OS revision and 2 more iLife revs. And 3rd party developers will probably do so for even longer, since their incentive is based solely on folks buying their software, not new Macs.

Also, G5 is not the past until every PowerPC Mac model has been superseded by an Intel model and the really major apps have gone Universal.

But I agree that someone who's not doing a lot of media/graphics work in 3rd party apps should get the Core Duo.

Brad5689 · Feb 4, 2006, 08:28 PM

Here's the deal I need a new computer I have $430 in apple gift certificates and i am able to spend about 1000 dollars on a new computer but other than that I will have to wait if i want to get an intel iMac because with my student discout i can get a G5 for 1399 which will drop the price to les than a thousand so it seems really appealing

Brad5689 · Feb 4, 2006, 10:45 PM

ok i'm going to spring for the Intel should i get 512 or 1gb it would be nice to save some money right now what you do think need quick response thanks guys

acorder · Feb 4, 2006, 11:14 PM

Brad-

I just ordered the 20" Core Duo iMac two days ago. I decided to skimp on the RAM from Apple for two reasons: first, it'll ship sooner because it's a basic configuration. Second, Apple always charges a bit much for their RAM (though not nearly as badly as they used to). You're better off using dealram.com or ramseeker to get yourself an additional 1GB chip for around $100-120.

Peace,

Marcus

Brad5689 · Feb 4, 2006, 11:17 PM

thanks man i just ordered i'm about to go nuts this is my first mac ever only thing is i sprung for the wireless keyboard and mouse instead of the mighty mouse and wired keyboard so it went from 24 hours to ship to 2-4 days after it is shipped how long does it usually take anyone know?

iREZ · Feb 4, 2006, 11:31 PM

saying that all g5 support will be lost after one os rev is stupid. g3's have been outdated for awhile, but tiger will run just fine on these machines..STILL. the g5 will have support for the next 5 years or else apples gonna face some real law suits with all the g5 dual core purchases lately. g5 imac isnt all that much slower than the intel either, according to all the benchmarks were seeing on the net. now im not saying to buy a g5, im just sayin that the g5 support isnt gonna go anywhere soon.

acorder · Feb 7, 2006, 05:24 PM

There's something other than Apple support to consider here. I ordered a 20" iMac CD last week. What made me choose the CD instead of the G5 was mostly price. Sure, the iMac G5 was selling for cheaper, but in three years when I want to sell this machine and get a new one, I think the Intel-based Macs will have a lot bigger market than the G5 versions. Resale value is key for me as a Mac user because I can't afford to outright buy a new machine every few years- I depend on the proceeds from selling the old one. Just something to keep in mind when making a purchase.

Brad5689 · Feb 7, 2006, 05:35 PM

well i purchased an intel iMac core duo yester the 20'' and now i'm about to go crazy

order
20" Intel Core Duo
1GB of Ram 1x1GB
Stuck with the 128mb video trust me this will be plenty since i'm upgrading from 32mb
Wireless Keyboard and mouse
and Apple Care something I thought would be worth more than $119

This is my first mac ever and I really can't contain myself I'm finally glad to be switching haha WOOHOO!!!!

quiklee · Feb 7, 2006, 05:45 PM

I say if a G5 is just fine . . . . i try to never get the 1st version of anything . . . but that's just me . .right now . . . ok, i'm headed to the apple store after work!