11-10-2009, 05:39 PM

Im currently a music tech student, and im thinking of buying my first mac. I've been looking around and G5's on ebay seem relatively priced, ive been offered a dual 1.8Mhz 1.5 GB Ram, 150gb harddrive, and tiger 10.4.11 for around £300. Now, I've also seen the new Imacs released and im wondering weather it would be worth saving the extra bit of money and getting one of those. So what im really after is some advice, if anyone knows much about it for the best option for me. im a student so im on abit of a budget, but yeah... Any advice is appreciated.

11-10-2009, 05:51 PM

Save up some cash and get a new iMac with your student discount.

11-10-2009, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Barry89

I've been looking around and G5's on ebay seem relatively priced, ive been offered a dual 1.8Mhz 1.5 GB Ram, 150gb harddrive, and tiger 10.4.11 for around £300. Now, I've also seen the new Imacs released and im wondering weather it would be worth saving the extra bit of money and getting one of those.

Well I'm sure you know that there is a BIG difference between a £300 dual processor G5 (money-wise)...and £949 for the lowest end new iMac!

It kind of comes down to...you get what you pay for. Spend more money you get more computer...spend less money, you get less computer.

You didn't really mention anything specific you need to do with the computer, so the dual G5 may be plenty. And of course if £300 is the top end of your budget...then £949 is a lot lot more!

Hope this helps,

- Nick

11-10-2009, 05:56 PM

Yeah I can get one of the new 21.5" IMacs with my student discount for around £850 i think. i was just quoting that 300 to see what people thought of it. Im mainly going to use it, hopefully, for Pro Tools editing and mixing and guitar recordings untill i can scrape together enough for a better interface. My thinking was if the standard of an upgraded G5 was still hight quality i may go for one and upgrade it myself, but if its not really worth the hastle i'll just hold out for the Imac.

11-10-2009, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Barry89

My thinking was if the standard of an upgraded G5 was still hight quality i may go for one and upgrade it myself, but if its not really worth the hastle i'll just hold out for the Imac.

Well another consideration is how quickly do you need a computer?? If you don't need one right away...sure it would be better to wait, save up some additional money...and get a new iMac.

But if you need a computer right away...then you may not have the luxury of time to save up the extra cash.

HTH,

- Nick

11-10-2009, 11:08 PM

Another point is that since you are a music tech student, I'd imagine that you'd need basic music editing programs like Garageband, or other more professional applications offered by Apple. At such, you'd need horsepower for those kind of applications. The one that you found on eBay just doesn't cut, I am afraid.

You get what you pay for, and I'd go for the new iMacs.

11-11-2009, 08:45 AM

I would go for an Intel processor rather than the G5. It will have a longer life expectancy in terms of compatibility with new software.