g4: to buy now or wait

rod

I know, it's actually a stupid question, but I though want to know what you think about it. Would you now buy a new g4 tower or better wait until MWNY in July?



I have the strong feeling that we indeed will get new machines then. But then again, you can always wait... so what do you think and what machine should I get?



thanks in advance

rod



btw: chimera/navigator rocks=) but typing is somewhat slow here... <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />

moogs

Rod,



Normally I wouldn't answer a question like that, but seeing as how it was your first post I suppose you deserve some slack.



First off, you are obviously aware of the trade between getting a new machine now (and thus increasing your productivity now) vs. getting a slightly more productive machine in a few months. Which scenario makes for you depends on what you use your computer for and whether that extra productivity will help you to earn more money, gain extra time for other important activities, etc.



In effect, not even you -- the most qualified commentator in this case -- can't answer the question unequivocally because you don't know to what extent a new computer will save you time. 5 minutes a day? 2 hours a day? You won't actually know until you get it and make the comparison.



So, to wait or not to wait? [You should] consider waiting until summer for two things: Jaguar (the next OS X update) and the next batch of Power Macs. The first potential boon is that Jaguar will be as good as everyone says, and thus speed up many sluggish operations ~10% to 12%. That could make all the difference for you. If not, then you may need to upgrade. My final advice to you then, is this:



If you use your computer for work and it is really hindering your ability to get work done in a reasonable timeframe each day, upgrade now - it will probably be worth it.



If you use your computer for work but the speed is bearable and doesn't hinder your ability to meet deadlines, then wait till summer.



If you use your computer for personal uses, wait.



[ 04-30-2002: Message edited by: Moogs ]</p>

rod

thanks for answering my question, that helped quite alot! But I'm still not sure what to do <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> I'll see...



I'm actually watching this board for quite some time now (maybe since '98), but I was always too lazy to regsiter <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />



- rod

bigc

Part of having a faster computer is the mental factor. Speeding up the respose time of the computer makes a difference to me (copying files, opening/writing files, etc.). Its like going from a 56K modem to broadband (which I ain't got) it's a whole different experience.



The raw power, like scrolling 500 mb rgb tif files, ripping CD's (and still doing other stuff at the same time), 3-d rendering, etc., is another thing.



The speed of the computer you need is relative to what you do with it. A 500Mhz g3 with broadband is fast enough for the web, email and text/spreadsheet stuff. But if you want to rip CD's, play music and the other stuff, the G3 ain't gonna cut it.

steve666

Do what I did-go ,on ebay and buy a used PowerMac. I got a 466 G4 and in OS9 it rocks! In OSX its much slower but thats because OSX is slow as molasses to begin with............................

eman

[quote]Originally posted by steve666:

<strong> I got a 466 G4 and in OS9 it rocks! In OSX its much slower but thats because OSX is slow as molasses to begin with............................</strong><hr></blockquote>



As you may know, I've got a 500MHz iBook. Sometimes OS X can get slow but other times it's not that bad. And OS X isn't "slow as molasses". It's a new OS and it's fast on new hardware. Yes it should be better on older machines, but it flies on the new ones.

steve666

[quote]Originally posted by EmAn:

<strong>



As you may know, I've got a 500MHz iBook. Sometimes OS X can get slow but other times it's not that bad. And OS X isn't "slow as molasses". It's a new OS and it's fast on new hardware. Yes it should be better on older machines, but it flies on the new ones.</strong><hr></blockquote>



My machine was built last June. It should be able to handle OSX just fine. As far as i know even owners of more recent machines find it to be slow. I find it useable in everyday tasks, but on the internet its just ridiculously slow. Hopefully 10.2 will fix that problem................................

eman

[quote]Originally posted by steve666:

<strong>



My machine was built last June. It should be able to handle OSX just fine. As far as i know even owners of more recent machines find it to be slow. I find it useable in everyday tasks, but on the internet its just ridiculously slow. Hopefully 10.2 will fix that problem................................</strong><hr></blockquote>



I should've asked you this sometime earlier in other threads, but what kind of connection are you on? 56k? Cable/DSL? I know browsing can be faster but it's definately acceptable with my cable modem.



[ 05-01-2002: Message edited by: EmAn ]</p>

steve666

I have a 56k modem. Pretty much anything will be fast with a cable modem. Try OSX on a dialup-its way too slow. I just added another 128Mb RAM so now i'm up to 512Mb, but I don't think that wilkl help me on the internet. .................................

eman

[quote]Originally posted by steve666:

<strong>I have a 56k modem. Pretty much anything will be fast with a cable modem. Try OSX on a dialup-its way too slow. I just added another 128Mb RAM so now i'm up to 512Mb, but I don't think that wilkl help me on the internet. .................................</strong><hr></blockquote>



I've used dialup on my iBook when I've been away from home (via AOL) and of course it's slow, but not as slow as you make it seem.

steve666

Actually , i just signed off AOL on OSX and went back to OS9. Sorry, em, its MUCH faster in OS9. So much faster i am starting to wonder whether I will stick with Apple if 10.2 doesn't fix things. People i work with would be shocked to hear me say that since i am always sticking up for Apple, but OSX isn't much better than winblows in terms of ease of use and XP is faster than OSX. I will definitely buy the upgrade for twenty bucks and try it before making my final decision though.......................

matsu

It's time to wait. That logic board is on borrowed time, and the next major rev ought to seriously cut into it's resale value. I'm not one who's thinking of anything too exotic, but a modernized MoBo and a .13u SOI G4, along with DDR-RAM, faster firewire and AGP, and an ATA-RAID will make for a much more valuable machine -- one with a higher resale value, and longer life (because it should be more responsive to future upgrades) PowerMacs are expensive, spend wisely.



My pet theory, which is nothing to go on, is that the recent red MoBo stir could not happen unless it was damned close to release. Despite great pains by Apple to rub out any last trace of a leak, the few days/hours before a product announcement ussually produce a leak somewhere.





Kihei, days before on AI and other pages

Cube, days before (no pictures, and slightly off on the concept, but they got the cube shape right -- back in the days when AI still made an effort to corrale Mac info from semi-legit sources.

Radeon on Graphite PM and cube, days before ATI accidently spills the beans in a press release, and a well documented (extremely pissy) reaction from Steve sees ATI employees on the verge of tears during the expo.

Pro Mouse, days (weeks?) before, by workerbee, you know the rest...

QuickSilver, days before, doctored to protect identity but without a doubt the current QS case...

iMac LCD, hours before, Time Magazine, those crazy Canucks!



So you see, the rumor mill is tighter than an M$ lawyer's sphincter, but it usually coughs up the goods a few feet short of the bowl. That's what you get for holding it all in so long.



WWDC is just days away, might as well wait.



[ 05-03-2002: Message edited by: Matsu ]</p>

mount_my_floppy

Really I think it depends on this: What are you going to be using your machine for? The latest of Apple`s computers are decently fast in no means the fastest out there. With that said the dual Ghz mac should hold its own for most of your work. It more or less depends on how fast you want to upgrade again. If your going to be doing high end work I would say wait it can`t be to much longer of a wait. If your going on the net and the random photoshoping I would buy now. I have a dp 533 and it holds its own for most everything I want to do.

leonis

Or look for a Dual 500 G4. It's still faster than the low end QS towers in many MP aware apps. And it's cheap

robin huber

[quote]Originally posted by rod:

<strong>I know, it's actually a stupid question, but I though want to know what you think about it. Would you now buy a new g4 tower or better wait until MWNY in July?



I have the strong feeling that we indeed will get new machines then. But then again, you can always wait... so what do you think and what machine should I get?



thanks in advance

rod



btw: chimera/navigator rocks=) but typing is somewhat slow here... <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>



This is not exactly an answer to your question, but may help you save some money when you do decide to buy. Apple Stores have "refurbished" product that is not posted or advertised--you have to ask "what is on the refurbished list today?" at the register. They keep the list in a drawer there. These are Apple products that have been on display/demo or returned and are sold at 10% off. Some are still in the box--never opened (buyers remorse), others (CPUs) have been wiped clean and had software reinstalled. This is basically the same sort of thing that the online Apple Store offers under Special Deals. But the good thing is that at the Apple Store they can almost always tell you the exact history of the machine--so you know what you are getting. These items all have their original full warranty. It's the best discount you can get short of having a friend at the store who is willing to give you one of their two 15% Friends And Family discounts for the year. Education discount is only 5%. Of course you can always shop around the retail channel and look for specials, or find a used one on the Internet. Just a thought.

robin huber

[quote]Originally posted by Robin Huber:

<strong>



This is not exactly an answer to your question, but may help you save some money when you do decide to buy. Apple Stores have "refurbished" product that is not posted or advertised--you have to ask "what is on the refurbished list today?" at the register. They keep the list in a drawer there. These are Apple products that have been on display/demo or returned and are sold at 10% off. Some are still in the box--never opened (buyers remorse), others (CPUs) have been wiped clean and had software reinstalled. This is basically the same sort of thing that the online Apple Store offers under Special Deals. But the good thing is that at the Apple Store they can almost always tell you the exact history of the machine--so you know what you are getting. These items all have their original full warranty. It's the best discount you can get short of having a friend at the store who is willing to give you one of their two 15% Friends And Family discounts for the year. Education discount is only 5%. Of course you can always shop around the retail channel and look for specials, or find a used one on the Internet. Just a thought.</strong><hr></blockquote>



<img src="graemlins/embarrassed.gif" border="0" alt="[Embarrassed]" /> Whoops, got so excited at my first post that I misspoke. The correct term is "Refreshed", not "Refurbished." It's Refurbished at the online Apple Store.

rod

thanks for all your answers, I've made my decision. I'll wait until MWNY. I though hope that we'll see some upgrades sooner than that. Apple have made no upgrades for quite some time (tower-wise), have they?



- rod

matsu

Now that servers have been announced, revisit my pre-announcement leakage theory.



MUHAHAHA!!!



Matsu's talents for rumor analysis are not to be trifled with.



I should be good at it considering...