Desktop for Programming

[knightjp]

I'm kinda in two minds.
I'm in the middle of learning Objective-C.
Recently my Powermac G4 had an issue. Due to an electrical fluctuation, its mainboard got burnt up. So right now, I'm currently without a mac and forced to use my Sis's crappy IBM with Windows to check my mails, etc...

I need to get a new system and I now have two options.
PowerMac G5 with dual core G5 processor or Macbook w/ an Intel processor.

Any ideas which would be better in the long run??

 

[Nethfel]

Macbook w/ an Intel.

If you're going to want to develop apps, you'd be better off developing on the current platform since the PPC has already been EOL'd and with the release of 10.6, it's not even supported any more by the OS (the last OS you can use on the PPC is 10.5.8). I'm also not sure if the latest XCode is universal that will run on PPC or not...

 

[vansmith]

+1 for the MacBook. There is little need (if any) to get a PPC system if an Intel system is well within your means. Is it only ObjC that you're working with?

 

[knightjp]

+1 for the MacBook. There is little need (if any) to get a PPC system if an Intel system is well within your means. Is it only ObjC that you're working with?

I can only see one drawback with the macbook. It is only a 13" machine. Do you think that a screen that size is good for programming??

 

[knightjp]

I forgot to mention. I'm only doing ObjC programming. It is kinda like the first major programming language I'm learning.

 

[Nethfel]

13" should be alright, the only time I could imagine a problem would be if you need enough screen real estate to run the debugger side by side with your app. If you really needed to, you could always get an adapter to use an external screen with your laptop while at a desk.

Another (cheaper, assuming you already have a usb keyboard/mouse and some sort of monitor laying around) option would be to get a Mac Mini which would also be more then enough for programming, especially if you don't need the portability.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Regardless of which specific Mac you choose, if you're looking for long term use, make sure it's Intel based..

Regards

 

[knightjp]

OK... So all I need is an Intel Mac.

My options are Mac Mini, Macbook, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air.

Mac Mini I'm not too keen on. If I do go in for a desktop it will be either the Mac Pro or an iMac.

So that leaves me with the laptops. Which would be the best choice? My budget is about 1000 - 1200 USD. There are some good secondhand options here, but I need to decide what I'm looking for.

 

[Tarmac_Ninja]

if you already have a decent monitor (something with higher resolution) then get a second hand mac pro. on the other hand if you dont have a monitor then get an 24inch imac. i see them going for around 900-1200 depending on specs.

 

[knightjp]

Unfortunately I stay in Dubai and a second hand MacPro is still goes way over my budget.
Will be on the look-out though.

 

[knightjp]

I have an Apple CRT monitor which I got with my Powermac G4. Do you think it will fit into a MacPro graphics card?