[Puckstopper]

Hi. I'm fed up with PC's and Windoze and all the probs that go with it, and am happily defecting to Macs. After much research, it seems I should have come to my senses and done this years ago and saved myself untold frustration, time and $$$$.

ANYWAYS, my question now becomes "Should I be one of the first batch to dive into a MacTel, or go with the proven and trusty establised technology of the iMac G5?!?"

As far as I've read, the G5 (and all other contemporary versions of Mac) are the sum total of what has made Mac so great for so long. The refinement and execution (I'm told) leaves us wanting for nothing (or at least, very little!). I'm currently drooling over a 2.0 20" iMac G5 at my local dealer.

On the other hand, Apple boast a 2x (+!!) performance increase with it's new Intel-powered Core Duo version.... is the (claimed) performance increase worth the risk of being amongst the first wave of takers in this new model? Will I be out in the cold in 18 mos for software, or will all forseeable versions run "natively" on the PowerPC version as well?!? While not concerned about re-sale value (if Macs are as cool as they seem, I'll never sell it! Just pass it down to the kids in 2 yrs!), will the G5 machine be useless in 2-3 yrs?

Without 'flaming' one another, I'd just like some honest opinions and/or stated corporate policies regarding the "old" version, which I can still buy brand new...

Thanks, dear experts!!!

'Greg.

[bowwowman]

Depends on your uses for the machine, and how long you wanna/can wait

If you NEED a computer NOW, & will run only ppc software, grab an iMac NOW, & be happy. The 20" iMac G5 is one sweeeeet machine. End of story

If you can wait awhile for both the machine & native software, & will buy the latest/greatest.....then wait on Rev 2 of the intel macs, perhaps even the new towers that will supposedly debut around August.......

ps .....resale value is never an issue with macs.........I saw a '00 cube on ebay recently go for almost $700! Macs hold their value FAR longer than other machines

[Dr.Michael]

Yes, exactly.

If you just do a little web surfing and email you can buy whatever you want. If you do serious things and rely on a working system, better buy a trusted ppc machine.

There is also no reason why not to buy an old G4 iMac (or anything a little dated). This will give you a cheap way to get a real mac experience and you will lose little money if you upgrade in a year or so.
Also the G4 iMac 20 inch is a sweet machine.