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branden3112 · 10:49 PM

Is this a good deal?
Listing: This PowerMac has a 2.0GHz PowerPC Dual-Core processor with 4GB of RAM and 800GB of hard drive storage. I've had it for a little over two years and I purchased a MacBook Pro for school and I just don't use the PowerMac any more. Its in great condition and works perfectly. It's running Mac OS X 10.5. It will be wiped of all data and I can install an array of software onto it that I currently have. Its a great machine and it was mainly used for video editing. I will miss it, but it just has to go. Its $1000 and has lots of graphics software on it.

branden3112 · Jul 16, 2008, 11:24 PM

Is anybody there?

auto_immune · Jul 17, 2008, 07:57 AM

After seeing similar machines for sale in that price range on
lowendmac.com, i would say yes.

***If you are including the actual install disks for any non-default
applications installed on the machine, that would definitely be a
good deal - and if you are not including the disks, the apps in
question would be considered illegal copies.....

branden3112 · Jul 17, 2008, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by auto_immune

After seeing similar machines for sale in that price range on
lowendmac.com, i would say yes.

***If you are including the actual install disks for any non-default
applications installed on the machine, that would definitely be a
good deal - and if you are not including the disks, the apps in
question would be considered illegal copies.....

Im gonna buy it. im not selling it.

angelmb · Jul 17, 2008, 10:48 AM

I also think it is a very reasonable price

REVBCO · Jul 17, 2008, 01:32 PM

I would tell you to stay away from the PowerPC chips. If you are looking at upgrading to any new version of the MacOS or video editing software you will be out of luck. Plus you need to buy a monitor.

Find a used macbook or imac for $900-$1000 and add a 500GB hard drive for $100. You will be better off in the long run plus your electric bill will be less. I had a Dual 2.5 PPC and after I sold it my electric bill went down $10-$20 a month.

MHO

B

EDIT: IF the software disks are not included he shouldn't install the software.

branden3112 · Jul 17, 2008, 10:02 PM

i want the upgradeablity and i already have a laptop and i already have a 22inch lcd

Big Mac · Jul 17, 2008, 11:00 PM

If you recognize the downside of buying PPC going forward (see Snow Leopard discussions), I say go for it. I love my DP 2.0.

branden3112 · Jul 18, 2008, 01:50 AM

am i write that migration wizard transfers programs as well as files?

OreoCookie · Jul 18, 2008, 02:33 AM

Yes, you can use Migration Assistant to transfer data and applications.

But I don't think it's a good buy anymore: the next release of OS X will be Intel-only and cpu-wise, new Intel-based machines (even Mac minis) will be faster. So unless you really need to plug in a few extension cards or significantly more memory than 4 GB, I'd recommend against it. It's not that it's a bad machine, far from it, but the price is comparatively expensive (you can easily get an Intel-based iMac for that) and PowerPC Macs won't be the main focus for developers.

branden3112 · Jul 18, 2008, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Yes, you can use Migration Assistant to transfer data and applications.

But I don't think it's a good buy anymore: the next release of OS X will be Intel-only and cpu-wise, new Intel-based machines (even Mac minis) will be faster. So unless you really need to plug in a few extension cards or significantly more memory than 4 GB, I'd recommend against it. It's not that it's a bad machine, far from it, but the price is comparatively expensive (you can easily get an Intel-based iMac for that) and PowerPC Macs won't be the main focus for developers.

it would be a starter mac for me and with all that ram and hard drive space its good for that considering im coming from a 1.6 pentium m dual core, 1gb ram, 120gb hard drive, vista laptop. it will still be a major upgrade and im planning on getting a new computer in 1-1.5 years anyway, isnt this more powerful than a 2.0ghz, 2gb, 160gb hard drive mac mini anyway?

Abit667 · Jul 18, 2008, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by branden3112

it would be a starter mac for me and with all that ram and hard drive space its good for that considering im coming from a 1.6 pentium m dual core, 1gb ram, 120gb hard drive, vista laptop. it will still be a major upgrade and im planning on getting a new computer in 1-1.5 years anyway, isnt this more powerful than a 2.0ghz, 2gb, 160gb hard drive mac mini anyway?

$1000 is a lot of money for a computer like that, especially considering that it's got no future have leopard. Sure you can stick with leopard and continue to use the apps you use, but it's something to consider. You're spending 1k on a machine you won't be able to update soon.

And, it's not really any better than the mac mini you mentioned. The core2duo in the mini is going to be a lot faster than the G5, the entire system will be snappier and more responsive. Between 2 gigs and 4 gigs of ram, you probably won't even notice it. It sounds like you're just using this for general stuff so there really won't be a noticeable difference in 99% of the stuff you'll do with it. And the drive space? HD's are so cheap now, throw a 500-750gb external on it for like $120 and you'll have tons of space.

For $1000 you could almost pick up a brand new MacBook...

zombie punk · Jul 18, 2008, 01:24 PM

This is not a bad machine, but I agree with the majority of the posters here - stay away - it is near the end of its life and is not really expandable at this point. You can get a more powerful, more upgradable intel machine for less money.

osiris · 02:39 PM

I wouldn't (for the reasons already stated )

The #1 reason for me is it is slow in comparison to the Intel iron. I just picked up an dual quad core Xeon to replace my dual G5 (with 8GBs RAM). Some work I've been doing on it went from 12 hours to 2 hours. I think your $1000 might be better spent on a MacBook (it may be faster than the G5 too!)

branden3112 · Jul 18, 2008, 02:35 PM

what about the weak graphics card in the macbook?

branden3112 · Jul 18, 2008, 02:36 PM

will the powermac be faster than my vista laptop with these specs:1.6 pentium m dual core, 1gb ram, 120gb hard drive?

zombie punk · Jul 18, 2008, 02:45 PM

Probably it would be faster than your vista machine. Re the graphics card question, an iMac would be a better bet if you're worried about that, although frankly, the new MacBooks have adequate graphics cards for most casual users. What are you doing that makes you think the graphics card is going to be a problem?

Abit667 · Jul 18, 2008, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by branden3112

will the powermac be faster than my vista laptop with these specs:1.6 pentium m dual core, 1gb ram, 120gb hard drive?

Could go either way...I have a pc laptop with a single core 1.8Ghz AMD processor and 2 gigs of ram running Vista and it's snappier and more responsive (especially browsing the web) than the dual 2.5 G5's I used. However, if your vista is all bogged down with a bunch of antivirus crap and other bloated crap installed, then the powermac may feel faster.

I would consider this deal if it were say, $500. $1000 is just way too much to spend on something that has no future, and honestly isn't even that quick. Use OSX on a G5 and then on an intel machine, it's like night and day.

olePigeon · Jul 18, 2008, 03:20 PM

Can't you upgrade the CPU in an iMac? I don't think it's like the older Macs anymore, you could speedbump your iMac relatively easily in a few years.

I would go with a refurbished 20" iMac.

Apple has a 20" 2.4GHz C2D iMac for $999 with free shipping. Has 1GB RAM, 250GB HDD, and 128MB Video Card. The new iMacs also have FireWire 800.

Or, you can get it new for $1199, but with a free iPod Touch or iPod Classic ($300 value.)

branden3112 · Jul 18, 2008, 05:09 PM

you cant upgrade the processors in the imac and the free ipod deal is only for college students. i would be using the powermac for video editing and graphics/photo work.