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Power PC vs Intel Core Duo

Hi guys, I am in a process of buying a new computer... here are the two choices I am considering.

iMac G5
$1,499.00
Specifications
20-inch widescreen LCD
2.1GHz PowerPC G5
512MB memory (533MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
250GB Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load 8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon X600 XT with 128MB DDR video memory
what I like
20 inch screen
big 250G hard drive
Price (1,699.00 for a Core duo w/ a 20in is over my budget)

iMac 1.83Ghz Intel Core Duo
$1,299.00
17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440x900 resolution
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo with 2MB shared L2 cache
512MB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
160GB Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load 8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
what I like
Best Price for an iMac
newer technology - Airport Extreme, Graphics Card etc.

Now the problem
I can't decide! Screen Size and HD space are important to me... but new technology at a cheaper price is VERY tempting!

Question is.... is Intel Core Duo THAT superior to PowerPC?

Please iMac gurus ....help me out!

Windows XP

Posted on Mar 4, 2006 9:43 AM

29 replies

Mr.Mac

Level 1

15 points

Mar 13, 2006 6:33 PM in response to icebreaker

I have the same dilema except slightly different use. I am split between 20 in" PowerPC G5 iMac and a 20 in" iMac Intel. On both I would plan to upgrade to 1 or 2 Gigs of Ram and choose the better graphics card. (Not sure if possible on PowerPC.) The main computer heavy work I would do is gaming. I hope to buy Halo and other titles such as Doom 3 or Battlefield 1942. I also use Photoshop 7 from time to time. I run on a G3 iBook so I can't even compare the games. Does anyone know what the actuall requirements and for Halo or Doom? I knop Apple recommends one type, but I have been cheated before with other games. Please give me some advice if you can.

Mr.Mac

Level 1

15 points

Mar 13, 2006 6:35 PM in response to Mr.Mac

I forgot to add that the only main reason I would not get an Intel is the problems I've heard about with Rosetta. If anyone could say how the programs run using it, it would help. Thanks again.

Mr.Mac

Level 1

15 points

Mar 13, 2006 6:50 PM in response to Mr.Mac

Sorry once again but I forgot to add that in four years I will be getting a new Mac. I don't know how long programs will continue to be made for PowerPC so I am worried that if I get a G5 it will soon be obsolete (obsolete?)

Mar 13, 2006 7:15 PM in response to Mr.Mac

well, as someone that has used both the power pc and intel, i'll say this. the intel is noticably faster than the G5. I won't say 2X as fast, but you'll see a difference. I don't think i've ever seen the spinning beachball on it, except for Rosetta. While launching a program under rosetta, you get the ocassional spinning ball, but once the app is open, it flies. the G5 which is what I bought to replace the intel one, is a powerful mac, and ALL my programs run on it, and it runs well. that's why i returned the intel for the G5. As for being obsolete, any mac 4 years from now, will be outdated, but I wouldn't say obsolete. I still have the flat panel imac from 2001, and it still runs great. as for games? hmmm, macs have never been a big gaming machine, but it's hard to choose on this one. the intel has the better graphics card, but the G5 has more games and stability. i would wait on that one. oh, by the way, the G5 graphics card is not upgradeable.

Mr.Mac

Level 1

15 points

Mar 13, 2006 7:29 PM in response to icebreaker

Thanks for your help. I plan to go to the apple store and get their opinion soon. I won't be buying until June~ish and I hope to see more universal programs out then (Halo, Battlefield, etc.) If not I'm still undecided. Thanks anyway

Mar 13, 2006 7:33 PM in response to Mr.Mac

keep in mind, they'l try to sell you on the intel one. the apple stores no longer carry the G5, except for online. when i went to return mine, they were cool about it, but asked alot of questions on why and why i wanted the g5.

Mr.Mac

Level 1

15 points

Mar 13, 2006 7:42 PM in response to icebreaker

Alright cool. Thanks for the tips. Ha I'll bring your quote in to mess with em.

Amtares

Level 1

0 points

Jun 3, 2006 1:14 PM in response to Mr.Mac

hello i been reading thepost and i have 1 question i work with audio (protools) my question, is, should i buy de powerpc or the intel,. im worried aabout it, tdont know if the plug ins will work correctly or not :S

Jun 3, 2006 5:32 PM in response to Amtares

i use mine for audio recording as well, another reason I went for the G5. you best bet is make sure that all the audio apps you use now, work on the intel. see if they have the drivers and support you need. if not, find out when they'll be released and if it ain't anytime soon and you can't wait, get the g5.

Jun 3, 2006 7:08 PM in response to icebreaker

Do what I did, go REFURB. Same warranty and looks and acts brand new. Now, I went with a 17", so only $1,099. However, you can get the 20" for $1,399:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/6124001/wo/wY4RU XeTqUby2d7qXrIQsnlsVjE/1.0.0.19.1.0.8.7.3.5.1.1.4.1.5.1.1.5.0

Amtares

Level 1

0 points

Jun 3, 2006 10:17 PM in response to decypher 44

hello thanx for your ansewr. Well as a matter of fact, I wont use the old files, ill work with brand new audio, but my main concern is if protools would work correctly, as well as the plug ins!. Dont know what to do, Im not in a hurry i can wait till the g5 with intel comes out, ill get the quad, this computer will be used most of the time for post production, some time to record audio.
thanx for your help

damonlee

Level 1

20 points

Jun 4, 2006 6:55 AM in response to Sebastian the iPod noobie

Sebastian,
I have the intel iMac 20"(once I saw the 20", the 17" was out of the picture) and I'm very happy with it. I run development apps such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash-simutaneously- and for my needs, they run fine.

Keep in mind that the software vendors will eventually port to the univeral binary version, which means those apps I listed will run at a higher perormance.

I did upgrade mine to 1GB ram which helps because the apps I use currently run under rosetta. Hope this helps.

iMac intel 20" 2Ghz 1GB 256vram Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Amtares

Level 1

0 points

Jun 5, 2006 11:30 AM in response to damonlee

icebreaker good news!! there ir a new upgrade for protools, 7.1.1, its only for intel based mac!, soi think ill go with intel!!

Jun 5, 2006 1:08 PM in response to Amtares

good luck! if i could've stayed with the intel imac, i would've! it's a nice, fast machine, but wasn't in my needs at the time. it does has minor glitches, whihc I think have been repaired with the software updates. just make sure all your hardware and apps work with it.

Power PC vs Intel Core Duo