desktop dilemna

[charleigh]

hi! i currently share a PC desktop with my DH - which for obvious reasons isn't working out so i'm keen to get my own desktop & after hearing all the great stories about macs & photoshop, i'm itching to make the switch to mac.

i'm a photographer & would be using the computer for editing photos with CS3 & making slideshows plus maintaining a website. i've seen a 2YO POWER MAC G5 QUAD 2.5GHZ with 8.0GB RAM & 1.5TB MEMORY - the specs in terms of memory & hard drive are ideal - but i've got a few concerns: the age of the machine & the cooling system (i think its liquid cooled & i've read this can be a problem)

my dilemna is should i spend the $$ on older technology or would i be better off waiting to get a newer quad 2.8ghz?

your input is appreciated!

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by charleigh

hi! i currently share a PC desktop with my DH - which for obvious reasons isn't working out so i'm keen to get my own desktop & after hearing all the great stories about macs & photoshop, i'm itching to make the switch to mac.

i'm a photographer & would be using the computer for editing photos with CS3 & making slideshows plus maintaining a website. i've seen a 2YO POWER MAC G5 QUAD 2.5GHZ with 8.0GB RAM & 1.5TB MEMORY - the specs in terms of memory & hard drive are ideal - but i've got a few concerns: the age of the machine & the cooling system (i think its liquid cooled & i've read this can be a problem)

my dilemna is should i spend the $$ on older technology or would i be better off waiting to get a newer quad 2.8ghz?

your input is appreciated!

I would never buy one of those liquid-cooled G5s - buy a brand new Mac Pro, stick in 8GB of memory sick, stick in as many drives as you need and your laughing. Take note that buying RAM from Apple is damn expensive, buy it from a third party retailer instead.

The processors used in the Mac Pro shit all over the G5 too

[charleigh]

thanks for your advice aaron! i wasn't sold on the idea which is why i'm here asking Q. i've read that apple ram is expensive. what sort of price should i be paying for xtra ram? can you find 3rd party retailers online & is it easy for a newbie to install extra ram?

thanks!

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by charleigh

thanks for your advice aaron! i wasn't sold on the idea which is why i'm here asking Q. i've read that apple ram is expensive. what sort of price should i be paying for xtra ram? can you find 3rd party retailers online & is it easy for a newbie to install extra ram?

thanks!

Try here for memory - I'm sure there are cheaper options around... also note that those prices are in US$ too. From memory, the Pro's like to have a stick of RAM per core.

It's very easy to install the RAM into a Mac Pro, there are tutorial videos on Youtube how to do it if you get stuck

[tomricci]

Kingston Ram is pretty cheap aswell. I buy from there - Kingston Technology Company - Homepage - Where To Go To Find Memory

[allcreative]

i would go the new quad 2.8 machine if you can wait..... Long term, it's going work out better for you...

[Rasta]

Originally Posted by charleigh

hi! i currently share a PC desktop with my DH - which for obvious reasons isn't working out so i'm keen to get my own desktop & after hearing all the great stories about macs & photoshop, i'm itching to make the switch to mac.

I have to ask.. because I just don't know...

What does DH mean?? (aside from the obvious!)

[DarkHorse]

DH is simply "Dear Husband"............... but depends could be Dick H...............

A term commonly used on parent forums.

Rob

[Phase]

Do not purchase a Power PC Mac.

There is no point whatsoever.

You would do better finding the original 2.6 Mac Pro. It's still incredibly powerful, and far more than what you need already. You'll save a lot of dollars going that way.

[charleigh]

thanks for the feedback about finding cheeper ram - will it be easy enough for a newbie to install?

Originally Posted by Rasta

I have to ask.. because I just don't know...

What does DH mean?? (aside from the obvious!)

i didn't know at 1st either - it usually refers to darling husband ... esp. if he'll let me splurge on a mac!

phase - most people have recommended to wait, but are you advising to get an older mac not one of the pc models? apart from the $$ saving, why do you think they're better?

[Phase]

Originally Posted by charleigh

phase - most people have recommended to wait, but are you advising to get an older mac not one of the pc models? apart from the $$ saving, why do you think they're better?

Because the first Gen Mac Pro is still faster than every other non mac-pro on the market.

I'd say to buy it over the Power PC as all programs, development and compatibility is now intel based.

It'd be like starting a collection of VHS tapes instead of DVD's or Blu-ray, sure you can run it now, and yeah, some things occasionally still come out on VHS, but the bell has well and truly tolled, and it's just a matter of time until all Power PC's are dead and buried. (Plus the ability to run windows, which you simply cannot on a G5).

The Mac Pro 2.6 also has very cheap ram last I checked, and can even have the (current high end) Nvidia 8800GT card for gaming, (if your inclined).

If you've got any other Q's, fire away, I own a 2008 Mac Pro.

[mishylane]

You would be wasting your money on the power pc G5. The latest macs are all intel based with different, more up to date processors despite their specs you will probably find even a macbook will perform more efficiently than a G5 powermac

[charleigh]

OK just to clarify - the power pc G5s are like the quad i mentioned & are about 3 yrs old - but i'd be better off with a more recent model & even to wait til the new ones are released next year?