G5: Should I buy a Dual 2.3 or Quad 2.5?

It is very unlikely that you will notice any difference in speed unless your video work becomes fairly intensive. Batch processing and filtering in Photoshop is so fast on my dual 2G G5 that I cannot imagine much improvement regardless of the computer, maybe a second here and there but not nearly enough to motivate me to buy a new Mac (!!!) in spite of the "coolness" aspect of the Quad. The Quad is really intended for "high end" processing tasks and for most of us, it's complete overkill. Besides, before the end of the year we are supposed to be seeing the new Intel desktop Macs and I have a feeling......For now, I believe you would be better off to spend the extra dough on your display.



PS I realize that the above is a very "boring" and pratical piece of advice. If you had money to burn, I'd say buy the Quad anyway but as you have indicated, that is not the case......

Three or so years ago I had to make a decision like yours.

To buy a Single 1.8 ghz G5 or a Dual 2 Ghz G5 for a few hundred more.

I bit the bullet and got the Dual 2. Today I installed and ran Quake 4 with no problem what so ever.

If I would have bought the Single 1.8 I would have been looking at spending $3000 to upgrade right now.


Smart rules to buy computer equipment to save money:

1: Always buy as much CPU power as you can with AppleCare. If you get in a pinch, the resale value is much higher and holds it longer for a powerful machine vs one that's soon to be obsolete.

2: Skimp on the monitor, video card and RAM, you can upgrade these later when you get a little cash here and there. Heck you can even get a cheap CRT monitor to get you by.

3: Buy one version of software and make it last as long as possible, watching if OS updates break your older software.

4: Pick desktops over laptops or all in one devices, they last longer and if something breaks it's not as likely to take the whole machine down with it.

5: Avoid wireless devices, they are really not needed for desktops and the keyboard and mouse eat batteries like crazy, are fragile and buggy. A USB extension cord works wonders for sitting a keyboard in your lap.


Now if you must run Windows apps and need a Tower, I would wait till the end of this year for the Intel based PowerMac's and then 6 months or so after that for revision 2. If that's your plan, then perhaps a Dual 2.3 will do you until then, but of course you'll have to buy all new updated versions of software, a added cost.

I have been a PC user for all my life and avoided all MAC products because I felt it was going against the norm in development. I have recently switched my stance on the matter and have bought a PowerMac G5 Dual Core 2.3 Ghz PowerPc.
I am beginning to regret it! I have owned this bulky machine for 10 days and have not been able to get anything to run on it.
I initially bought it to help my frined in his video editing business, and try some freelance work for myself. In the recent years I have done some video presentations for special events like banquests, graduations, and birthday parties and made some good money. However, I felt that it was not "professional Grade" until I step things up a bit.
I felt that if I got a MAC and some "real" editing software, I could make a good part-time income.
This is where my dilemma starts. In the 10 days I have owned this computer I have put in over $4000. The tower, the dvi screen, the virtual pc for windows, the Apple Care program, and nothing has been done. The software I was intending to use Adobe Production Studio/After Effects, is not making MAC software anymore (but I downloaded a trial version for MAC...go figure), the Final Cut Pro 4 my friend let me preview doesn't start (not compatible with PCI express ONLY AGP cards), and nobody can give me a straight answer! Not one "Tech Guy" can solve my dilemma...Is it the hardware or Software that is causing all the trouble? I tried Apple, but they can't help me if I didn't have the serial and apple care plan. I get the plan and enter the info, but it says there is an error in the number and cannot help me. Now I have to make the time to call them and try to work it out.
Don't get me wrong, I really wan this thing to work...but my patience is wearing thin! Can anyone out there give me a heads up on what could possibly be the problem? What software actually RUNS?
I dunno if I can afford to put another $1600 into this project for software. HELP!
I may just return everything, and have a PC custom bult for my needs.

Thanks in advance for the help.
D. Kojima

808 state (i miss those guys)

anyway...

you need FCP 5, earlier version will not work on your mac. there are hacks around it, search the forum how to make v4 work. otherwise 5 is your answer. if you are heavily invested in the machine, i think version 5 is the way to go (IMHO).

FCP studio is a suite of programs. it will give u a professional and robust DVD creation software (DVD STUDIO PRO ), nice titling and motion graphics capabilities (MOTION), a fantastic sound editing software (SOUNDTRACK PRO), and off course FINAL CUT PRO.

it rivals the adobe suite and surpasses it many ways.

As for the adobe software you would need: photoshop, After effects and Illustrator (maybe) all work really well on a mac. actually, photoshop and after effects are extremely efficient in memory and hard drive handling on OSX. you dont need, dvd encore or premier, the options you have on the mac side are superior.

as for apple care, if you bought the computer, and apple care, you have an apple care #. it is on the box. call them and that should straighten out.

the initial investment in migrating platforms is steep, i admit to that, but after one project of stability and fluidity you will not look back.

hope this helps ease your mind.

g5-dual 2.5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)