Gave in and bought a dual 1.25
Before the new Power Macs were announced in August, I was hoping to see something along the lines of 1.4 GHz with a faster FSB that could take full advantage of DDR. I was fairly disappointed when what was announced topped out at 1.25 GHz, especially since it wasn't "real" DDR.
When I went into my local Apple store today, however, and started playing with one of the new dual 1.25 gig systems today, damned if it didn't seem very snappy. Many applications launched in a single bounce of the Dock icon. PhotoShop launches and finishes all of its start-up ritual in 10 seconds, as opposed to 21 seconds on my 800 MHz TiBook.
Some processor-intensive Java benchmarks I tried ran 60-70% faster, and that's without taking advantage of dual processors.
So, I ended up buying a new Power Mac. It's the standard 1.25 GHz configuration, plus another 512 MB to bring it up to 1 GB of RAM. I bought the Power Mac itself at the Apple Store, and the memory at a little place called MacEdge, which was selling 512 MB DDR at (no surprise) much-better-than-Apple prices.
I still think Apple should be doing better than it's doing now in the performance arena, nevertheless, this system is a noticeable improvement over my TiBook, and I didn't feel like waiting in suspense for The Next Big Thing, whenever that might be. If the next generation of Power Macs really is a big leap over the current models, there's always eBay
As for noise: In the store it was hard to tell, but now that I've got the new Power Mac home, it's definitely much louder than my TiBook, which is whisper-quiet most of the time, but it's comparable to my Compaq PC and my ex-wife's eMac (which is in the same room with the new Power Mac -- but that's a long story!). It's loudest starting up, like many have said, but settles down quickly to a typical tower PC's sound level.
Having been accustomed to the quiet of my TiBook, I'll be tempted to try out some fan replacement surgery -- nevertheless, anyone who's lived with a typical PC should be able to cope with a new Power Mac out-of-the-box as is.
When I went into my local Apple store today, however, and started playing with one of the new dual 1.25 gig systems today, damned if it didn't seem very snappy. Many applications launched in a single bounce of the Dock icon. PhotoShop launches and finishes all of its start-up ritual in 10 seconds, as opposed to 21 seconds on my 800 MHz TiBook.
Some processor-intensive Java benchmarks I tried ran 60-70% faster, and that's without taking advantage of dual processors.
So, I ended up buying a new Power Mac. It's the standard 1.25 GHz configuration, plus another 512 MB to bring it up to 1 GB of RAM. I bought the Power Mac itself at the Apple Store, and the memory at a little place called MacEdge, which was selling 512 MB DDR at (no surprise) much-better-than-Apple prices.
I still think Apple should be doing better than it's doing now in the performance arena, nevertheless, this system is a noticeable improvement over my TiBook, and I didn't feel like waiting in suspense for The Next Big Thing, whenever that might be. If the next generation of Power Macs really is a big leap over the current models, there's always eBay
As for noise: In the store it was hard to tell, but now that I've got the new Power Mac home, it's definitely much louder than my TiBook, which is whisper-quiet most of the time, but it's comparable to my Compaq PC and my ex-wife's eMac (which is in the same room with the new Power Mac -- but that's a long story!). It's loudest starting up, like many have said, but settles down quickly to a typical tower PC's sound level.
Having been accustomed to the quiet of my TiBook, I'll be tempted to try out some fan replacement surgery -- nevertheless, anyone who's lived with a typical PC should be able to cope with a new Power Mac out-of-the-box as is.
Comments
The current machines are rediculously fast, maybe intel's latest can do some stuff a few seconds quicker, who gives a ****. The powermacs that come out in 6 months from now will be fast, who gives a ****. Get a new computer when you need one. <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
My quicksilver 867 and B&W G3 400 are doing just fine for the time being. When they arent, ill buy a new comp, not push off buying a new one for half a year because a comp thats a little faster will be out.
argh sorry for flaming, gotta get it out of my system. $0.02
<strong>If it hasn't been delivered yet, you might want to downgrade to a DP 1Ghz, you get the same FSB but less L3. Still early test suggest the top PM is no more than 20% faster, max, and in effect not more than about 10% faster in most tasks. Certainly NOT worth the premium over the DP 1Ghz since both machines will handily outrun your TiBook.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Too late... but I don't mind. I bought the 1.25 dual right then and there at the Apple Store in Salem, NH. It's not like the TiBook isn't enough to suit all of my practical needs anyway. If I'm buying purely on the basis of toy appeal, why not go for the gusto?
I hope some day I will be able to go itno an Apple Store, paly around with the top of the line a bit, say to my self "Why my. This thing is actually a fine machine" and then go to the counter and buy it.
The Salem store is nice. It's the only one I've been to so far! Apple is on the right track.
Though I'm addicted to laptops now
Now if Apple would just announce Free FCP 3.0.2 or eMagic Logic 5 with a tower purchase I will stop waiting and buy one of those dual 1.25 GHz beasts.
<img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
It's not that I think this thing is as terribly noisy as some people seem to imply, but I'd still like to get as close to the level of quiet that I'm used to from using a TiBook all this time up until now.
(Of course, if anything non-fan related goes wrong with this computer during warranty, I'll put it back to as close as I can to original condition and pretend nothing was ever touched.
[ 09-24-2002: Message edited by: shetline ]</p>
<strong>"What do you mean you can't fix it under warranty because the fans have been tampered with?? This is an outrage, sir!"
I swear, it was like that when I bought it!
i'm falling in love with my dual-1-ghz box. i'm not doing heavy lifting with it yet but for all other purposes, it's a dream.
if you're looking to buy a new mac, really take a look at these machines because even w/o real DDR, they're nice and they're dual.
na
hmmm
just wondering if someone could confirm that the new 1.25's use a Mot G4 chip in them... seems strange that we haven't seen a press release or updated info on the Mot site for the new chips... Makes you wonder if they're just overclocked chips or someone else (IBM - quietly) is producing them for Apple...</strong>
<a href="http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20020923S0063"; target="_blank"> Better models, production methods expand SOI applications</a>
By Michael A. Mendicino, Craig S. Lage, DigitalDNA Laboratories, CMOS Platform Technology Development, Motorola Corp., Austin, Texas
EE Times
September 23, 2002 (4:20 p.m. EST)
... In late 2001, Motorola began shipping the MPC7455 SOI microprocessor. ... With over 750,000 parts shipped to-date, it represents a significant milestone for SOI. ... The design currently supports frequencies up to 1.25 GHz.
In many cases (except tasks that involve heavy disk read/write) my SlowSilver smokes the Dual GHz One-Eye Mike.
I am not too happy with my SlowSilver. And that Mikey is even worse than what I feel not happy with. I will say I am disappointed.
Don't even get me to the 1.2Ghz one. The price preminum just isn't worth it.