Paul,

You would be much better off with a newer computer, especially a G5 -- faster processor, faster HD, *much* faster memory, *much* faster video, *much* faster bus. The dual- or not-dual dichotomy is a red herring here. Finale, GPO, and Digitial Performer 4 will certainly perform far better on a single 1.8 GHz G5 ($1500) than on a dual 1.3 GHz G4 upgrade slapped into a 500 MHz G4 minitower. So why spend almost half the cost of a brand new G5 PowerMac on a G4 processor upgrade? Even with the faster processor, you will still have plenty of old hardware acting as a bottleneck in your old system.

- Darcy
-----
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Brooklyn, NY

On 08 Dec 2004, at 02:05 PM, Paul Hayden wrote:

At 12:00 PM -0600 12/8/04, John Hinchey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I asked tech support this question before I upgraded to FIN MAC 2005. I was told there were no
functions that took advantage of dual processor Macs.


Now if you are using Digital Performer and some other music sequencing
and recording software, that is a different story.  The Dual is
definitely the way to go.  More, tracks, faster and you can use more
plugs for instruments and effects.


That is exactly why I am having difficulty deciding what to do about my aging PowerMac G4 (AGP, 500 MHz, 832 MB RAM, OS X 10.3.5). Finale 2004c is annoyingly slow, and Garritan Personal Orchestra "probably won't work at all" (Gary Garritan) with Digital Performer 4 on this Mac. (I haven't even bothered trying yet.)

So, the choices are: a dual-G4 (ca. 1.3 GHz) upgrade for ca. $680, or a new PowerMac G5 dual-processor (ca. 2 - 2.5 GHz) for ca. $2500 - $3000. Digital Performer will clearly perform better regardless of which I choose, since it takes advantage of dual processors. But Finale? I'm not sure what kind of real-world improvement I can expect with the upgrade.

Right now, my wallet says the upgrade is the way to go.

Paul Hayden

--
Magnolia Music Press <http://www.paulhayden.com>
6319 Riverbend Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70820
Fax (by arrangement) & Voice: 225-769-9604
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