Which would be a better OS X machine?
Hey everyone,
Quick dumb question for all of you. I'm wondering what machine (of the two listed below) would be a faster OS X computer. I'd generally be running apps like: Photoshop, Office v.X, Internet Explorer, iTunes. Mostly productivity apps with a few desktop publishing and internet ones. The most intensive would probably be Photoshop or Office.
PowerMac G4
400mhz G4
AGP version
448mb ram
16mb ATI graphics card
New iBook
600mhz G3
383mb ram
ATI Rage Mobility graphics card
Right now I own the G4 but since I am going to start school next September I was thinking of getting a laptop. Unfortunately that would mean having to sell my G4 and all I can afford would be the iBook and I'm just praying it will be as fast as my trusty G4. What do you think?
I'd appreciate any comments any and everyone has.
-Ybot
Quick dumb question for all of you. I'm wondering what machine (of the two listed below) would be a faster OS X computer. I'd generally be running apps like: Photoshop, Office v.X, Internet Explorer, iTunes. Mostly productivity apps with a few desktop publishing and internet ones. The most intensive would probably be Photoshop or Office.
PowerMac G4
400mhz G4
AGP version
448mb ram
16mb ATI graphics card
New iBook
600mhz G3
383mb ram
ATI Rage Mobility graphics card
Right now I own the G4 but since I am going to start school next September I was thinking of getting a laptop. Unfortunately that would mean having to sell my G4 and all I can afford would be the iBook and I'm just praying it will be as fast as my trusty G4. What do you think?
I'd appreciate any comments any and everyone has.
-Ybot
Comments
It's definitely a tough decision giving up a desktop to go with a laptop, but I use my Ti PB 667 way more than my DP G4/500. And the LCDs look niiiice.
-Ender
Perfomance in OS X is fine on my slightly older 500 MHz model (with a slower 66 MHz bus), and I haven't even upgraded to 10.1 yet!
Remember, though, that RAM is critical. You might as well throw a 512 MB module into that iBook if it's going to be your primary machine.
-Y
But in general...if you are not a graphic person....go for the ibook.
You will appreciate its all-around performance and its ultra portability. Wireless web surfing is cool :cool:
Imagine....sitting on the balcony under the sun and make posts in AI forum at the same time :cool:
-Y
-Y
I dunno how the two computes compare in perfrmance. I do recommend any of Apple's portable computers, however. my pismo does it s odejob very well and is showing its age very slowly.
If possible wait three weeks to see what MWSF will bring you.
Greetz,
<strong>OSX runs fine on a fast G3. My iBook loves OSX! You'll find yourself coming out roughly even with a G4 500 if you guy an iBook 600 and put sufficient RAM in it.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I agree. OS X even runs pretty well on my 500MHz iBook with the 66MHz bus.
<strong>iBook 500 MHz: OS X sings!</strong><hr></blockquote>
Glad to see I'm not the only one happy with a 500MHz iBook with OS X.
Don't know how the old generation G4 will do though compared to the iBook.
[ 12-16-2001: Message edited by: Codename ]</p>
Our dollar is not that bad. US$1000 is about CAN$1600. Guess you'll be buying a bondi blue ibook.
C.pres
As a student, the portability factor would be a significant plus.
And, regarding Photoshop and OS X: yes, I'm sure they both DO run better on a G4. Everyone knows and accepts that.
However, I'm running both (OS X 10.1.2 and Photoshop 6.0.1) on my 400MHz iMac DV and I'll be completely honest: never have I said "DAMMIT, this is too slow!!!".
I'm completely happy with the performance of both the OS and Photoshop on this 400MHz G3. I would imagine that 600MHz in an iBook is only going to be better.
Of course, not all Photoshop work is the same. I know tons of people who list Photoshop among the software they use. However, it's a LONG, LONG way from working on RGB 72ppi web design stuff to do high-end color correction and compositing on layered, 300ppi CMYK files, you know?
If you belong to that first group, you're hardly taxing Photoshop anyway and it should fly right along on any sort of G3. And even if you're doing the other stuff (complex hi-res work), a 600MHz is nothing to sneeze at.
Hell, just two years ago a blue and white 350MHz G3 was the end-all/be-all for graphics work and PLENTY of publishing and design studios were using those and doing tons of high-end Photoshop work.
I'm sure the 600MHz iBook mops the floor with those machines.
Yes, the G4 will run things like Photoshop better (in SOME instances/situations), but it's not like a G3 can't or somehow sucks.
If Photoshop is the only Altivec-enabled app you'll be using (and if you're not exactly pushing the envelope with it to begin with), the trade off in having a portable that's going to fly for surfing, e-mail, schoolwork, etc. seems reasonable to me.
And oh yeah: that whole AirPort thing. How cool is that? Takes bathroom reading to a whole new level.