[galarneau]

I'm thinking about buying a dual processor G4 in the near future and would like some opinions.

I currently have an iBook G4/800 which I'll be selling once I move back to the USA from Australia, and want to get a desktop machine (no longer need a portable)

I'm a big multi-tasker, and use many apps at once. Keep in mind that nothing I do requires heavy lifting (web, mail, iChat, light photoshop, web design, etc)... but I think I would like the "smoothness" of using a dual processor machine.

I've read the the chip used in the Dual 450/500/533's (7400 & 7410) do more work per cpu cycle than the later G4's used in the DP 800/867 etc

So, with a budget of roughly $1000 (what I would get from my iBook), what would you get?

Would going to a dual 533 from an iBook 800 seem much slower in terms of GUI smoothness. I don't mind waiting 5 extra seconds for a photoshop filter to run. I'd just like to have a better multi-tasking experience.

Thanks for all opinions

[Luca Rescigno]

A dual 533 will be an improvement, as long as you have enough RAM. Even my dual 450 is very smooth and I love using it in OS X.

[sworthy]

I just checked out the apple refurb store and saw that 1.6 G5's are $1399. Once new models come out (at the latest WWDC) a 1.6 will probably go for $1199. I know it's a little more than your budget, but for $200 extral you'd get a G5, and a computer that isn't on its last legs. If you're going to be spending that much, might as well spend a tiny bit more.

[bygimis]

By dual 533 kicks ass... particularly after I upgraded the HDD to a 7200rpm one. It definitely feels faster than my PowerBook 12", paricularly in Everquest.

[Gankdawg]

Hell, I've got a single 533 and it was getting old until Panther. It's now very useable but doesn't get much use as I now have a G5!

[Lateralus]

The Dual 533 is one of the best Macs ever made. A very good system balance from the processor speeds, to the bus, to the cache... All around, a fantastic rig.

[Tarcat]

My Dual 533 still runs great. Want a G5 but can't justify the purchase because the 533 doesn't keep me waiting. I play games, watch tv shows, and surf the net at the same time with no degredation of performance. Get the rig. Its nice. I upgraded mine to a better graphics card, put in another drive, and upped the ram to 640. It is quick.

[The Placid Casual]

My Dual 450 stilll runs great.

Indesign, Photoshop etc are a breeze, and it only really falters with larger documents.

Make sure you have enough RAM, at least 1 gig and if you can, a Quartz Extreme graphics card and you will be fine for light/medium useage.

[The Placid Casual]

Originally posted by Tarcat:
My Dual 533 still runs great. Want a G5 but can't justify the purchase because the 533 doesn't keep me waiting. I play games, watch tv shows, and surf the net at the same time with no degredation of performance. Get the rig. Its nice. I upgraded mine to a better graphics card, put in another drive, and upped the ram to 640. It is quick.

Until recently I felt the same as you, my dual 450 was fine for most things.

I have just started a new business and need more power for some graphic design work, so bought a dual 1.8 G5, and was very seriously shocked.

When you do upgrade, you will have more than a nice surprise...