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deaglecat · Feb 12, 2006, 10:38 AM

My ibook G3 is awesome.... it is old and a bit scratched but I came to the realisation today, that I like it FAR better than my DELL 2.6Ghz desktop which is way faster and more functional.

So, I am now on the hunt something better - desktop and laptop all running OSX. DELL relegated to being a download mule. Windows Vista - no thanks...

So would the new Intel iMac be the way to go... or would it be contaminated by the Intel thing - I've never been a fan of Intel. Maybe there will be good deals going on refurb or end of line Powermac G5s whenever that gets replaced. Mac mini will probably be too slow ?

Advice welcome ! Thanks

harrisjamieh · Feb 12, 2006, 10:51 AM

Mac Mini: if you are looking for speed, then this is a no go
Intel iMac: Again, if you are looking for speed using OSX and normal apps (iLife, Safari etc), then this thing is awesome, and I would advise you buy this!!
Refurb PM G5: Will perform well, however takes up a lot of space and could end out to cost more than the iMac

mikochu · Feb 12, 2006, 10:59 AM

My roommate has a Mac Mini (1.42ghz? G4) as his desktop and a 12" PowerBook (1ghz G4). He's content...I have a PowerMac (DC 2.3ghz G5) and a 12" iBook (1.33ghz G4)...I'm content, but I do a lot of video editing and design.

It really depends what you're going to do with it. If you're going to browse the web and do minor cpu intensive stuff, you should be good with a Mac Mini.

wataru · Feb 12, 2006, 10:59 AM

The new iMac would not be "contaminated" by Intel. It would be faster for all Universal Binary applications, such as the bundled Apple programs. If you have to run something like FinalCut or Adobe CS, you may want to wait a while.

silentauthority · Feb 12, 2006, 11:28 AM

tell us what you plan on doing. a mac mini would be fine right now, if you think that your iBook g3 is good enough.

deaglecat · Feb 12, 2006, 12:10 PM

Will do, thanks for your advice.

As with all technology, it depends on what you are comfortable with. I tend to get more satisfaction from kit that is reasonably priced (expensive kit I worry about depreciation/damaging).

Personally, I am not a bleeding edge/early adopter - I prefer the trailing edge with good value for money. So Macbook pro is not on my agenda, really want to pay less than UK £900 maybe as low as £500.

Deag

silentauthority · Feb 12, 2006, 02:20 PM

Mac Mini or iBook will best suit your needs.

mduell · Feb 12, 2006, 03:08 PM

Since you have the iBook to run any PPC-only apps (that don't work in Rosetta), I'd go for the Intel iMac.

dreamryche · Feb 12, 2006, 04:45 PM

I'd go for the iMac. Like mduell said, you have the iBook for whatever won't work in Rosetta. The mini has two-generation-old processing...if I was going to get a mini, I'd wait until they get the Intel upgrade.

deaglecat · Feb 14, 2006, 01:10 PM

harrisjamieh is probably right. A mac mini would be ok for today... but has similar power to my Ibook G3 - so thinking ahead, I prolly need more power. I expect that even the mini will be intel by summer...