[SirCastor]

My iPod recently broke down.
My Computer is six years old, and has held together well... It performs it's tasks sufficiently.

After the recycle discount and student discount, a new 30gb iPod would run me around $240ish.
Depending on where I buy and how fast, a new processor for my Tower is going to run me $250-$300.

I want both. Getting both right now, is not really a good idea. I usually listen to my iPod at work, while I'm working. My current car doesn't have any sort of input for an iPod, so that's out. As I mentioned, my tower functions, but 400mhz seems pretty slow sometimes, and I'd like to run some of the software which has been prohibitive (there are a couple of games) due to the speed.

What would you do if you were in my position?

(Replacing the computer will probably be a couple of years out still. Partially because $$, and partially because I don't want a 1st gen product.)

[imitchellg5]

I would get the processor upgrade. I love the Sawtooth G4s, and would much rather have a speedy G4 than a new iPod.

[IceEnclosure]

My friend got a 1.25GHz upgrade for his G4 400 AGP and likes it a lot.

edit: can the processor upgrade idea, go with prod_coordinator and get a nano. a processor upgrade will only get you to the "top of the bottom" so to speak.

[production_coordinator]

If you are in such a bind, I would get a nano... and save the rest for a new iMac.

IMHO, you are only buying a little time with the upgrade.

[imitchellg5]

I would tend to disagree with processor upgrade speeds now up to 2GHz for a G4. That is plenty fast for normal stuff, and perfectly adequate for Photoshop and tasks like that, especially if you have a good amount of RAM.

[MaxPower2k3]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

I would tend to disagree with processor upgrade speeds now up to 2GHz for a G4. That is plenty fast for normal stuff, and perfectly adequate for Photoshop and tasks like that, especially if you have a good amount of RAM.

he specifically mentioned games, though, and some of the newer games (since he didn't mention specific titles, I can only assume they're newer) won't run on that computer with any amount of work put into it. Hell, Call of Duty 2 will barely run on the fastest G4 powerbook (and is not supported there) and Civilization 4 requires a G5, and won't run usably on anything less than a Dual G5 PowerMac.

[TheoCryst]

I'd say pick up a new iPod. The Sawtooth is nice, but there's not much sense pouring money into such an old machine. Get a Nano now, then save for a new Intel machine. Remember that a Mini starts at only $570 (w/ student discount), and would seriously outperform your Sawtooth.

[Zeeb]

If you're willing to settle for an older model ipod that still works you can pick one of very cheap on ebay or craigslist. won't be the slim new video model, but it will play music just fine. As for your current computer, I'm not sure its going to last you a few more years. I don't know how limiting your financial situation is but if I were you I would buy an inexpensive PC until you can afford another mac.

I know we all hate Dell, but the do have decent computers at very, very low prices. You can pick up a new desktop for $299. Yes its windows and a Dell, but my bet is that it will be like light speed compared to what you have now.

Anyway, that's what I would do.

[imitchellg5]

According to http://forums.macnn.com/77/gaming/300367/call-of-duty-2-powerbook-g4/ Call of Duty 2 will run great on a 1.4GHz G4.

[TheSkirtDude]

Buy an upgraded tower on ebay for about $500-800. Transfer your data. Sell your current machine.

[- - e r i k - -]

Yup. Sell your current computer. Old computers are a moneyhole if you want to continue upgrading them and still get a slower computer than a new Mac Mini

[blackstar]

i would buy the ipod, as i dont believe in upgrades, even if you get a new cpu, your bus speed, video card etc...will still be slow...and the cpu would definitely be overkill for the system, ie your wasting money...if you want a good system, save up a little and get the new educational imac, or a refurbed imac, theyre a great value...
on a side note: did you go to an apple store to the genius bar to check out the ipod, i got two ipod fixed there where i though that they were dead!

[Salty]

I'd get a Nano, and then save for at least a Mac mini.

[SirCastor]

I don't do any really heavy tasks, But I'm interested in World of Warcraft, and it wouldn't hurt to have a few apps open a bit faster.

I guess I ought to rephrase this post. I'm not in dire financial straits, and dying of want of new toys, This is more of a "Which should I buy first?", looking at about 6 weeks in between. (assuming I don't run into ridiculous financial issues.)

I don't want a Mini or an iMac. I prefer the ability to expand the directions. I also don't want a Nano unless they start pushing them in the 15gig variety.
The next machine I get will be a tower, probably a 2nd rev intel mac though, so it's a bit away.

[goMac]

Originally Posted by MaxPower2k3

he specifically mentioned games, though, and some of the newer games (since he didn't mention specific titles, I can only assume they're newer) won't run on that computer with any amount of work put into it. Hell, Call of Duty 2 will barely run on the fastest G4 powerbook (and is not supported there) and Civilization 4 requires a G5, and won't run usably on anything less than a Dual G5 PowerMac.

And it won't be long until games go Intel only.

[cjrivera]

Buy a used iPod (a generation or 2 prior to the current ipod, unless you need the video).
Keep your current G4 tower, until the first gen Intel Mac Towers come out and then wait and see what the low end G5's will sell for. Many new adopters may be selling off their earlier versions of the G5's at that time. Sell off your G4 at that time also.

[- - e r i k - -]

I was once in your situation, trying to trick out and squeeze the most life out of my old G4 tower. I had your exact mindset in fact - expandability over anything. Of course it didn't help that iMacs were mere toys compared to the towers at the time.

Today however the situation is different. I have a G5 iMac and I am more than happy with it (along with my G4 PB). It is it tricked out to the max - and when I am ready to upgrade, I'll sell it for a pretty penny and replace it with a newer computer. I'll probably get a more powerful laptop this time around and get a Mini for a media center.

And even if you think your computer is fast enough - you'd be surprised how much smoother day to day operations like launching apps and surfing the web - or heck even browsing the Finder is with newer hardware.

When the Mac Pros come out they will be ridiculously expensive. I'd strongly consider an intermediate "consumer" model mac instead of just an intermediate upgrade of your ageing tower. Especially if you want to play WoW

[phantomdragonz]

I have a sawtooth 400mhz that I have replaced with a 1ghz chip... definitely breathes some more life into it, but if you are just doing day to day stuff i would reccomend selling the sawtooth and getting a used mini... personally I am waiting for the mac pros to come out... I figure if my prosumer mac has lasted me this long, might as well drop the coin on a new version... I plan on waiting like a month or so, 1st gens seem to have a fair amount of bugs and manufacturing issues...

Zach

[TheSkirtDude]

My dual 1.33ghz Quicksilver has 1.5 gigs of ram, an overclocked 9800 Pro, and twin raided 160 gig drives. It's STILL great for video editing, gaming, and anything I throw at it (except the latest greatest games, even then it's still pretty decent).

This is a computer htat is now FIVE YEARS OLD. I like it a lot.

That said, fi it isn't already upgraded, save money and buy a used pre upgraded one.

[Gossamer]

That's good advice...adding a $400 upgrade does NOT increase the value of your computer by $400, so you should take advantage of the people that do.

[TheSkirtDude]

Indeed. I got my powermac + 20" lcd and a bunch of other goodies for $1600 almost 2 years ago. If I parted it out NOW I think I could get around that much, maybe.

[SirCastor]

I should've made this a poll...