Used Quad G5 or a Intel Imac?

[kazukami]

Hi all,

long time reader, first time poster... thanks for the help guys... posts on here have helped me in binds as well.

i have a question that i cant seem to decide on...

so i work mostly in cs2/cs1... i use a powerbook g4 laptop... ive been meaning to upgrade and was thinking of gettin a used mac g5 pref a quad or at least a dual 2.7 used... however, most of those items go for at least $1500 for a quad and around 1300 for a dual 2.7 if not more. also the part about not really knowing what you will be getting... my girlfriend says ill just be buying someone elses problem... but im low on cash and want to have a powerful machine.

ive begun to look at the intel imac as an alternative but i dont like the idea of being stuck with an all in one, i like having everything modular. if i got a imac id have to buy all new software ie cs3 and basically have to upgrade everything i already have... i dont wish to pay more than what i would pay for just the computer itself... (plus i wouldnt mind being able to sync my powerbook to my laptop or at least have quite a bit of combatablitiy)

what do you guys think? being graphic designers yourself...

thanks in advanced

[mojoprime]

well, considering that CS3 is a universal application and works on both platforms, and CS4 is due to come out in the fall or first part of '09, i'd save my money and get an intel mac. i even heard a rumor that 10.6 wouldn't run on PPC, but i'm sure that's a load of crap. also, i've heard of persistent power supply problems with some models of G5s but i've got no personal experience with that so i also don't give those much credo either. also, the windows emulators (parallels, boot camp, fusion, etc.) don't run on PPC, if for some reason you need to run windows.

bottom line? well, if you buy a G5, you're always going to be buying yesterday's technology, even though it's still robust and quite viable and powerful today. i don't know really how to advise you. if you have money you're dying to spend and must have something now, then buy the G5. but if you've waited this long, save your money and wait until you can afford a mac pro.

[garricks]

I have to agree with mojoprime. PPC is old technology.

Actually it shouldn't be too long before the first Intel Macs start entering the aftermarket. Keep your eyes open and your wallet shut for now, that's my advice.

[mojoprime]

true dat, about the intel macs entering the market. hey, have you looked at the refurb intel macs on apple's site?

[doubting_thomas]

IntelMac FTW. You won't see the benefit using CS1 or 2, but when you
upgrade your software you will. It'd be the beter long term investment, IMO.

[kevincdg]

IntelMac FTW. You won't see the benefit using CS1 or 2, but when you
upgrade your software you will. It'd be the beter long term investment, IMO.

concur