[ola]

I am trying to decide btw an Imac 24" or a quad core Mac Pro machine. Hoping someone could give me some pointers based on their experience. Also is the X1900XT a worth while upgrade for the Mac Pro

I am a freelance designer and my work includes 2D CAD /3D architectural visualization in Vectorworks,Web design using Adobe/macromedia suites and occassional use of Cinema 4D for high end rendering.

My current machine is an old 1.6Ghz G5 single processor machine with 2gb of ram.

Thanks

[Dave Barnes]

ola,

I am at the same decision point. I have a 1.8 GHz G5 Power Mac with a 23-inch Apple Cinema Display. I don't do CAD or movies, but I do web design every day.

The cost of a 24-inch iMac is $3K. iMac (2.33, 500GB, 1GB, 7600, AppleCare) is $2742 USD + 3GB memory (from MacSales, $230). Sales tax, Parallels, Windows are additional.

The cost of a Mac Pro is $4.4K. Mac Pro (2.66, 250GB, 1GB, X1900, Bluetooth, WiFi, AppleCare) is $3076 + 4GB memory (from MacSales, $420) + 23-inch ACD ($900). Sales tax, Parallels, Windows are additional.

In my case as I already own the 23-inch ACD, the delta is only $500.

So, what do I get for the $500?
1. 14% faster CPU and 2 more of them. But, we need to acknowledge that not all software can make good use of 4 cores. Performance numbers from Macworld are available to help you decide.
2. Ability to add 3 more SATA hard drives inside the box. Faster, cheaper and esthetically more pleasing than external FireWire 800 drives.
3. 2GB more RAM. And the ability to go up to 16GB. The iMac is maxed out at 3.
4. Much faster graphics card. Not sure that I need it, but I would get it to enhance re-sale value down the road. If I compare similar graphic cards (7300 GT) in each, then the cost delta is only $250. This article from BareFeats might help you decide which video card is best for you.
5. The ability to upgrade to a larger monitor. Yes, I do want a 30-inch Big Boy.
6. A big clunky box under my desk instead of a clean all-in-one unit on top. My wife/business partner has a 24-inch iMac so we can easily make this comparison.

So, If you have:
1. A decent monitor.
2. The extra $500
Buy a Mac Pro.

,dave

[mac128k-1984]

Well the macpro has expandability and allows for more ram.

Others can post about the advantages(if any) of the X1900XT regarding 2D CAD but I don't think you're not going to see a huge increase in speed with the adobe suite. Games, aperture and other apps that make sure of the quartz extreme and/or core image.

The quad core option is a very pricey option and if you're thinking you need the processing power of 8 cores then the iMac isn't a good option. I do medium photoshop work, with some web design and somewhat heavy aperture work and the 2.66Ghz Macpro that I have (with the X1900XT) is more then up to the task, in fact the iMac would have handled it (at the time the 24" iMac wasn't out).

[bearcatrp]

Alot depends on your wallet. I have both. I got the 24 inch first for video editing (just home stuff) and works well. Beautiful machine. I struggled between the two and ordered the 24 inch. But I kept my eye on the refurbs and snatched a 2ghz mac pro. Main question you need to ask yourself is upgradability for future use. The iMac can only be expandable with external components. The pro can be expandable with internal processors, hard drives, memory and video cards which the iMac can't except the memory. One draw back of the iMac is it maxes out to 3gb for ram. Wish it would have been 4gb. This might get fixed when apple upgrades the iMac line. I love my 24 inch iMac. Don't regret it one bit. Hope this helps. Good luck on your decision. They are both beautiful machines.
Randy

[mduell]

Mac Pro.

The 3GB RAM limit in the iMac is really going to hurt you over the life of the machine (assuming 4 years based on your last purchase).

X1900XT is a good upgrade if your apps are GPU accelerated.

Also note the Mac Pro is overdue for a refesh; newer graphics cards are available, and the component (HDD, RAM, GPU) prices have fallen quite a bit since the Mac Pro was released.

[ola]

I went ahead and purchased a 2.66Ghz Mac Pro with the X1900 XT card and a 23inch monitor. Will be getting a second monitor later. I think the expandability and ability hook up more displays was the selling point.

Thanks again

[hotdogsoup]

I struggled with this myself, I think you have made a wise decision, I haven't regretted it at all I am very happy with my Mac Pro even though it is a little more than I "needed" it is always nice to have the upgrade room.

[Dave Barnes]

"My current machine is an old 1.6Ghz G5 single processor machine with 2gb of ram.
I went ahead and purchased a 2.66Ghz Mac Pro with the X1900 XT card and a 23inch monitor."

Be sure to disable the smoke alarm in your office.

[SierraDragon]

Good choice, far superior to the iMac. For those apps, add 2x2 or 4x2 GB RAM from OWC or Crucial to Apple's lame 1 GB right away.

-Allen Wicks

[rehoot]

Originally Posted by ola 

I went ahead and purchased a 2.66Ghz Mac Pro with the X1900 XT card and a 23inch monitor. Will be getting a second monitor later. I think the expandability and ability hook up more displays was the selling point.

Thanks again

Based on what you said here, I would also say that you made the right choice. You will have more options and the computer should be viable for a long time (by computer standards).

[ninahagen]

Originally Posted by SierraDragon 

Good choice, far superior to the iMac. For those apps, add 2x2 or 4x2 GB RAM from OWC or Crucial to Apple's lame 1 GB right away.

-Allen Wicks

Actually OLA, with 3D rendering and CAD, you would be a candidate for 16GB RAM. Could you do the Photoshop speed test at your current RAM level, then again at whatever level you add.

Here is the link to that thread:

http://forums.macnn.com/65/power-mac...configuration/

Also perhaps a heavy rendering operation before and after RAM addition?

Would be great to know the results.