[vutenor]

Hi folks.

I've had a 12" g4 iBook for 2 years now. I bought it for the portability, but now I find that I don't really take it anywhere! So I've decided to upgrade to an iMac. I use my computer mostly for internet, a little word processing, and a lot of tv watching (with eyetv).

So I've been agonizing for weeks now about which model to buy. I have to have the 20", since it will double as my television, but I'm unsure which processor to buy. I'm looking at the refurbs and I can get the brand-new intel 20" for $1449, but I'm a student and money is tight, so I'm thinking about getting the G5 for $1299. ($150 is a lot, to me.)

I'm torn because part of me wants the new technology, since from now on, apple will be catering everything towards Intel, but since I don't do any real heavy computing at all (no video games, no3rd party apps), I'm wondering if a G5 would be fine. It needs to last me a good 3 years, though...will G5s be INSANELY outdated by then? (My iBook is still in great shape and would last me another year, easily, if I didn't want a desktop that doubles as a tv.)

Any input would be appreciated. I've almost bought both the G5 and the Intel refurb 6 or 7 times now and backed out at the last minute. ARRGGHH!!!!

Thanks.

[macintologist]

I think you're gonna find the PowerPC to be more outdated 3 years from now than you think.

3 years from now, an extra 150 bucks is 50 bucks a year. Are you really that broke?

Don't be stupid. Buy the intel iMac.

[P]

If you want it to double as a TV, get the Intel version for the new graphics chip. It has support for hardware acceleration of H.264, even though there is some doubt as to whether that support is in the driver yet. H. 264 will be very important in the future, as it is one of the video formats used by both HD disc standards.