[Johnnhud]

Ok, I'm in a delima. Mainly because I'm finally at a point where my Powermac G4 Dual/450 just isn't keeping up with all the new apps from Apple. I'm a power user, dabling in Final Cut Pro and Photoshop, even playing around with some of the other cool apps that came with my Studio version of Final Cut I got for christmas. Here's the deal.

Should I upgrade my Powermac? Or should I purchase the G5 iMac.

I know that I'm not ready for the Intel processers yet, so let's not get into that.

Here is what I can do to my current computer.

I can upgrade to dual 1.8GHZ G4's, upgrade my RAM to 1GB, install a 256MB ATI Radeon Video card, even install two new 200GB High speed HD's and a high speed controller card, a SuperDrive DVDR drive and have some $$ left over for a 17 inch LCD. All this would cost about $1000 or so.

The G5 iMac 2Ghz 20 inch cost $1300 if I were to buy it refurbed off the Apple Store.

So which machine would be more powerful? Please let me know your opinions on what you would do and why. Thanks so much!!!

[Lateralus]

I say upgrade.

Your Power Mac is infinitely more versatile than any iMac already. And with a Dual 1.8GHz upgrade it would be considerably faster all-around.

You can get the GigaDesigns Dual 1.8GHz upgrade from MacGurus.com for only $469. Grab some PC-100 512MB sticks off of a message board somewhere for $20-30 a piece and grab a flashed Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB from eBay for around $120.

[bowwowman]

Max DA Ram to 2GB FIRST, then see where you need to go speedwise.
$1k is ALOT of cash to drop on an *o l d* machine, especially when you can get refurb G5 towers for ~$16-1800, which would have most of the better parts installed already that you are considering buying

And you could sell your G4 as is to recoup some of that expenditure too