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so ive been looking for a mac for quite some time and now that i have money want to get one. So what I'm asking is their any disadvantage to getting an older g5 with the ibm processor? and if so would the 20" imac (Intel) with 1 gig ram and the 2.16ghz work well? Im running firepod and Cubase 4 but would eventually like to upgrade the interface to may a fireface. also just wondering if the new os x is supported on ibm processors? and if apple's new products will work with the older ibm macs? thanks

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hueseph Mon, 05/07/2007 - 13:05

For the money, I would personally look at getting a used G5 Tower, preferrably with two 2GHz processors or better. You should be able to get one for the price of a 20" iMac. Don't get me wrong, I like the Intel Macs just fine but for the price, I think you will find that you won't need to spend as much on external hard drive and ram upgrades that will likely be already included in a Used or refurbished G5 tower.

gdoubleyou Wed, 05/09/2007 - 15:29

I expect apple to support the Power PC boxes for 4-5 more years.

A dual G5 is still a more than capable machine, but the switch to Intel has changed the scenery.

Benchmarks show that the firt generation of Core duo MacIntels, have about the same power as the last dual G5s.

Even the bottom of the line core duo Mac Mini can hold it's own against a dual G5.

Now that the imacs and Macbooks now contain Core 2 duo cpus they have supassed he performance of the last Powermacs.

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Kent L T Fri, 05/11/2007 - 13:26

I would buy yesterdays technology if I knew it worked well. New technology can be risky unless it's proven. If the machine is powerful enough to do what is required of it and its stable I would think that would hold more importance than whether its the latest technology. Just my opinion, but I am sure there are more qualified people to answer this question.

gdoubleyou Mon, 05/14/2007 - 18:05

It would work, but you would have to freeze or bounce tracks if you want to use virtual effects and instruments.

So you could do work on a single G5, but if it's over $500 a core duo mini will smoke it.

I worked for a few years on a 1GHz Powerbook, and was productive. But working in real time with instruments and effects is possible on a MacIntel to a point.

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