[jageorge72]

I tend to research things to death, before making decisions. I'm not necessarily "cheap", but I like to make good, long term decisions.

Right now, my motherboard died in my PC (again). Bought a cheap motherboard and some cheap RAM to bring it back to life one more time.

Here is my plan...... my wife is a Graphic Designer, and just got in at a local publishing company. We are planning on having kids in the upcoming year, so there is a chance she might be working part time, or from home. Thus, the switch to Apple.

I was originally looking at the iMac Core Duo, but am not convinced it is as upgradable and as powerful as the Power Macs. The PowerMac Dual 2.0Ghz Power PC is a not-so-cheap $1999, plus a RAM upgrade, wireless keyboard and mouse...... and we're looking at a lot of money. Especially considering that these will be phased out for the Intel chips.

I know there isn't a release date for the Power Macs with the Intel Core Duo chips, but....... can any longtime Mac users speculate...... will the initial cost of these Intel based Power Macs be ABOVE $2000, or might Apple price these a little cheaper?

[demibob]

I think $1999 is the cheepest the new powermacs could cost but i excpect it to be more. Will probably be out before june.

[WizOSX]

Looking at what they did with both the iMac and MacBook we can pretty well tell what will happen with the PowerMacs. They will initially come in at exactly the same price as the current machines, to the penny. They will be potentially faster, but not at first, until Intel native apps appear. My guess would be that we will see the first Intel PMs before June and they will probably exist side-by-side with the G5s for about six months to a year--at least until Intel native Photoshop appears. in the long run I don't think Apple will sell less expensive PowerMacs. They will just keep increasing the power at the same prices. This has been the same story for a very long time.

[freakboy2]

if money is an issue you could get a mini and a gig of ram for it. if she is photoshoping small enough files then it would work nicely. and it's cheap.

[jageorge72]

Originally Posted by WizOSX

Looking at what they did with both the iMac and MacBook we can pretty well tell what will happen with the PowerMacs. They will initially come in at exactly the same price as the current machines, to the penny. They will be potentially faster, but not at first, until Intel native apps appear. My guess would be that we will see the first Intel PMs before June and they will probably exist side-by-side with the G5s for about six months to a year--at least until Intel native Photoshop appears. in the long run I don't think Apple will sell less expensive PowerMacs. They will just keep increasing the power at the same prices. This has been the same story for a very long time.

Thanks. That's what I was wondering I guess...... if the iMacs jumped up in price because of the new chip.

Cool....... I think I have a game plan now. PowerMac w/ Intel chip later this year! Gotta start saving some $$$

[mduell]

What upgradability are you looking for?
What apps do/will you/your wife use?

[dlefebvre]

Originally Posted by jageorge72

Thanks. That's what I was wondering I guess...... if the iMacs jumped up in price because of the new chip.

Cool....... I think I have a game plan now. PowerMac w/ Intel chip later this year! Gotta start saving some $$$

If your new Mac is to be use for graphic design, keep in mind that Adobe apps won't be optimized for Intel Macs before a while. If you look at how long it took Adobe to release OS X versions, we are talking at about a year. Running Photoshop will be a drag until Adobe release a Universal Binary version.

[jageorge72]

I will only use the computer for internet browsing, iTunes, e-mail, resumes updates, and possibly making a website. My wife will use it for (part time) Graphic Design using Photoshop and Quark.

Right now she is using a G4 at her office. I don't know much about how Photoshop works, but I have seen her computer just sit there "processing" stuff for a long time. I would slit my wrists if I had to deal with that.

We are planning to have a baby in maybe 10, 11 months....... so, depending on the situation, they might let her do a lot of work from home. If that's the case, I don't want her to suffer...... waiting on the computer to process stuff.

I simply can't afford the top-of-the-line Macs. I don't see me spending over $2,500. But, I think in the long run, a 2.0 GHz or possibly 2.3 GHz PowerMac could last us a loooong time, and Photoshop will run on that Intel chip soon enough.

[jageorge72]

Also....... does Apple issue OS and program updates, like Windows does? If I buy a PowerMac w/ the Intel Core Duo chip, and say 3 months down the road they work out some bugs and optimize some things. Does Apple ever issue patches? Just curious how they operate.

[gnomexp]

Basically, go to the Apple button and hit Software Update... the updater will load, check for new Apple software (read OS X, iLife, iWork, Final Cut Studio Pro, etc.), and then ask you want to install.

It is very seamless and easy. Apple updates its OS about once every few months.

[dlefebvre]

Originally Posted by jageorge72

Also....... does Apple issue OS and program updates, like Windows does? If I buy a PowerMac w/ the Intel Core Duo chip, and say 3 months down the road they work out some bugs and optimize some things. Does Apple ever issue patches? Just curious how they operate.

Apple release major (read paying) upgrades about every year (between 12 and 18 months). They also release free updates on a regular basis. There is a very easy to use Software Update fonction that takes care of OS updates and other Apple softwares.

If you get a dual 2.0 or 2.3, you should be OK for a while. I just replace the G4 I had since 1999. It can run the most recent OS and software. Macs are pricier but have a nuch better longevity than any PC.

[G5man]

If you want a PowerMac, you may want to look at a refurbished model even though they are older. If you want a new PowerMac DC 2.0, get a refurb, they will save you a good hundred or two hundred dollars and that is what you can use for the BT mouse&keyboard along with some RAM.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by jageorge72

Also....... does Apple issue OS and program updates, like Windows does? If I buy a PowerMac w/ the Intel Core Duo chip, and say 3 months down the road they work out some bugs and optimize some things. Does Apple ever issue patches? Just curious how they operate.

Yes, they've recently released the 5th major patch for OS X 10.4 "Tiger."

[Todd Madson]

And there are frequent security and other updates.

Definetely search a refurb - I've seen the dual 2.7s for $2100 or so.