Very last Quad Powermac

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Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
Lock if this is repetition......



Is anyone else planning on buying the very last Quad G5 Powermac?



Pros:

Tried and tested machine.

No compatibility issues with existing software, and support for new software.



Cons:

Will it be blown away by the first Intel Macs?

Am I just being sentimental for the days when I scoffed at PC users with their crappy Intel/AMD chips and shared graphics memory.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 11
    If Apple decides to use Woodcrest Intel chips then Quads would still be available.



    However, looking at current Xeon pricing I'm not sure the Quad would be as affordable but it would likely beat today's Quad handily because of 16MB of L2 cache between the 4 cores.
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  • Reply 2 of 11
    dfilerdfiler Posts: 3,420member
    Unfortunately, I can't justify a new powermac.. but if I could:



    Buying the last of the PPC architecture wouldn't worry me one bit.



    It would boil down to, which architecture runs my programs faster? The answer to this question will differ for each user. Do they need 64bit? Do they rely heavily on altivec? Are their processes paralizable?



    The PPC desktops are actually quite competative as professional workstations. Apple is switching more for notebook improvements and the fact that they will be able to piggyback on the industry's R&D.
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  • Reply 3 of 11
    onlookeronlooker Posts: 5,252member
    For me I think it boils down to is when do you want /or when are you ready to buy. Right now I doubt it matters which one you'll be getting for compatibility, or speed. They are both awesome. So for me it doesn't matter. I'll be getting this one.
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  • Reply 4 of 11
    gugygugy Posts: 794member
    The current Quad is a great machine IMHO.

    I don't see Apple moving into Intel for the PowerMac until probably middle of 2007. It's a long time to wait. I rather move now into a Quad and be safe for the next 2 years until the transition to Intel is more established, Specially in the software compatibility front.

    Probably the Intel PM will smoke the PPC quads when introduce. That would be great, but that's no reason to stop you from buying a Quad now.

    I just ordered one with 7800 GT card. I can't wait to get it. I think it will be solid machine for the next 2 years. Unfortunately I have to wait until xmas to get it.\
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  • Reply 5 of 11
    hmurchisonhmurchison Posts: 12,464member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by gugy

    The current Quad is a great machine IMHO.

    I don't see Apple moving into Intel for the PowerMac until probably middle of 2007. It's a long time to wait. .\




    I'm curious. Why would you think it would take that long?
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  • Reply 6 of 11
    aplnubaplnub Posts: 2,606member
    Anyone have any thoughts if the Quad will stay Quad after the move to Intel? if so, how do you think it will ocmpare in speed?



    Also, any ideas when chips are coming out that have more than two cores?



    Wouldn't two triple core chips be cool in a PM. That quad is calling my name and I may give in, but I don't need to buy until the Intel chips arrive. And that depends on chip speeds, FCP HD performance, and VPC performance.
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  • Reply 7 of 11
    hmurchisonhmurchison Posts: 12,464member
    My thoughts on future Quads.





    Initial generation will be dual core only using Conroe chips.



    2007 Q2 will bring the first Quad Intel based Powermac with 2 Woodcrest 2.6Ghz Xeons.



    Q3 or Q4 will bring Whitefield Intel's first 4 core proc.



    The Intel Quads will be faster than todays G5 based Quad. You're going to have much more L2 cache and a revamped Intel FPU unit that should bring it close to or equal to the current G5s.
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  • Reply 8 of 11
    gugygugy Posts: 794member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by hmurchison

    I'm curious. Why would you think it would take that long?



    well, simple but not exact just common sense:



    Apple's emergency situation goes towards the Powerbook, Ibook and Macmini. They are still G4. Apple needs to address them first. Most people are not happy with the current configurations.



    Imac and Powermacs were recently upgraded. Imac is a sweet machine, best value IMHO of Apple's line up. Powermac Quad seems very strong.



    But for me the main reason to leave the Powermac for the last on the Intel transition is the software compatibility. Rosetta might work great, but it'll take time to have most of the software native to Intel. Specially for the professional crowd who really depend on it. They don't want to have headaches with compatibility issues. Steve said that the transition would take 2 years to be complete. so my bet PM will be the last. That's not saying that it could be here before 2 years time, but expecting new Intel Powermac by next xmas seems highly unlikely. But you can expect whatever you want.



    I can see from your previous post that you too expect around middle 2007.
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  • Reply 9 of 11
    powerdocpowerdoc Posts: 8,123member
    Hmm this thread do not belong to Future hardware. Moved to general discussion.
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  • Reply 10 of 11
    Quote:

    Originally posted by mattcl

    Lock if this is repetition......



    Is anyone else planning on buying the very last Quad G5 Powermac?



    Pros:

    Tried and tested machine.

    No compatibility issues with existing software, and support for new software.



    Cons:

    Will it be blown away by the first Intel Macs?

    Am I just being sentimental for the days when I scoffed at PC users with their crappy Intel/AMD chips and shared graphics memory.




    Yes, I am.



    1. Will be faster than an Intel mac for a while (sort of like the dual Mach5 604 macs when the G3's came along).



    2. I don't like universal binaries or emulation/translation



    3. Resale value will be very high for a long time.
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  • Reply 11 of 11
    If you need a Mac now, by a Mac. In a few years when you are ready for your next Mac, the dust from the Intel switch will have settled and you won't loose a step. If you don't need a Mac now and would like the adventure of being an early adopter, wait for the Intel machines.
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