Help me choose... 2.7's or 20" 2.0?

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emtownsend

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Dual 2.7's for $3K -- available today
OR
G5 2.0GHz Imac for $1800 -- available tomorrow

Uses:
Photo editing and printing
DV video editing and copying
Internet

Must co-exist with my Athlon 64 3500+ PC
Last time I used a Mac was in the OS/9 days.
Dying to get my hands on one!
 
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emtownsend said:
Dual 2.7's for $3K -- available today
OR
G5 2.0GHz Imac for $1800 -- available tomorrow

Uses:
Photo editing and printing
DV video editing and copying
Internet

Must co-exist with my Athlon 64 3500+ PC
Last time I used a Mac was in the OS/9 days.
Dying to get my hands on one!

You are looking at two VERY different platforms. Unless you are absolutely convinced that you need the speed of the Power Mac (as I was when I bought my dual 2.3 Ghz), then you'll be just as happy saving $1200 and getting the iMac, which is still a VERY GOOD MACHINE (and has its own display.) As a bonus, you can get a very legal, third party patch which allows the iMac to use an external monitor in extended desktop mode (double your real estate!)

I don't know where to get it at the moment though, so please- don't ask! Maybe somebody else on here does.

What sort of monitor do you have? I noticed that your price estimate does not include the price of a display, since I know the 2.7 Ghz is $3K to start. That might influence your decision a bit.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum!
 
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emtownsend

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sevenhelmet said:
What sort of monitor do you have? I noticed that your price estimate does not include the price of a display, since I know the 2.7 Ghz is $3K to start. That might influence your decision a bit.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum!


Hi and thanks! I have a Samsung 21.3" LCD that I was planning on using.

I also have the option of going with the dual 2.3's and save around $500.

I am looking at purchasing at my local CompUSA.
 
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emtownsend

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Also, are Mac apps dual processor aware? Will the extra processor help or are the duals faster due to other system advances? (Sorry, ignorant question!)
 
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yea mate they are cause its a mac ;)

if i were you id go for the dual 2.3 and spend the rest of RAM and some other goodies
 
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Cloudane

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Depends how much of an issue money is I suppose?

The PowerMac is a real beast, and has the flexibility of being able to upgrade the graphics card etc. But if money is much of an issue at all, I think the iMac would suit your needs.
 
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emtownsend

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Many thanks

Well, I am kind of a PC speed freak. I drive my wife crazy with all the gadgets and upgrades I get. I use them though. I don't just get 'em and let them sit. So, I am kind of trying to talk myself into the Power Mac as opposed to the iMac; but for my first Mac (or return rather) I am not sure if I should go all out... But I crave the power! :cool:
I have a feeling that once I use either one, I will relegate the PC to a gaming only rig. That's OK though.
Well, I will let you all know what I choose tomorrow! The iMac 20" will be in tomorrow and the 2.7's is in stock.
Thanks!
 
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swanny338

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Hey, I was right at the same position as you just a few weeks ago, I decided to dive in with a Dual 2.7 as my first ever mac. I haven't touched my PC since I got this mac... You won't regret getting either of the two

If you have any questions about the dual 2.7 go ahead and ask away
 
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The Dual 2.7 is a LOT of power!

I was once (well like 2 weeks ago) a speed freak. I always wanted a faster and more powerful rig. I was planning on building a Athlon 64 X2 ( the new dual core chips) with water cooling to be silent, cool, and powerful in my bedroom. I had been flirting with the idea of Mac for a while...but the one I could afford was the iMac...a paltry 2.0 GHz? My current Athlon rig was OC'd to a 2100+ (1753MHz). But, I bit the bullet and bought it.

And you know what? It may not be the fastest, but I don't care anymore. Stuff is just so pleasant to use, it just works. A dual 2.7 would blaze, but I really don't care waiting on the Mac. t seems to multitask very well compared to Windows XP, so I can just let one task go in the background and do something else without a problem.

The iMac just looks cool, is silent, and just works. Now, if you want the dualie, go ahead, it is very sweet. But I have found that in the Mac world, not only is the MHz Myth busted (a 2.0 GHz G5 feels quicker than a similar P4), but also, speed really doesn't matter. It seems that RAM is just about as important, if not more, in determining your "speedyness"

Both systems have thier advantages, but I don't think you can really go wrong with either one you choose. My next Mac may well be a dual PowerMac, but we'll see when the time has come. Good luck!
 
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trust me your athlon will be relegated to a games pc ;)

and as for speed.....well lets just say that out of an 1800xp laptop and my PB G4 1Ghz laptop i know which one is quicker, more reliable and doesnt complain when i try to do about 6 things at once
 
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emtownsend

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I am definately looking forward to the elegance and the reliability of the Mac.
I snatched up a "refurbed" X800XT Mac Edition from Newegg last night. I hope it works OK. I have taken the refurb chance before and have been lucky about 90% of the time. Once in a while it is a dud but they are good about refunding me if the item turns out to be busted. For $376 I felt it was worth a try; especially since I can fall back on the included 9650. So, this should turn out to be quite a rig!!
I appreciate everyone's input & I expect I will be needing tips and hints when I get this baby up and running...
 
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I recently bought a dual 2.3 because that way I could afford the 23" monitor and a RAM upgrade. I haven't used it yet, but somehow I doubt I'll miss the extra 0.4 Ghz. And the $400 went into making it a more "well rounded" system.

You sound like a guy who might not be happy with anything BUT a powermac. Have you been to the Apple Store to try out the computers there? That helped me with my decision...

EDIT: Or CompUSA... they have demo machines too- I forgot that not everybody has an Apple Store within 30 miles of their location.
 
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North Bay 101

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I second the Apple Store. They answered all of my questions and there wasn't any pressure. After three visits I walked out ( actually, they carted out ) with my new machine G5 dual 2.0. Veru happy but still confused. This is why I am on this board.

Gordon
 
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How much video editing do you do? If its occasional, then go the iMac. If its a weekly thing (like me) andyour living on final cut, combustion, shake, aefx....go the dual. MULTIPLE RENDERS! NO LAG!
 

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