I'm interested in getting a new PowerMac with SuperDrive soon, but no one model jumps out at me. I could swing a Dual 1.25 GHz, but I don't feel like blowing all that money on a machine that already feels obsolete to me. I've got better things to do with my money than give it to Apple, then see it drop $1000 in value in a couple months. This is for personal home use, so there's no economic justification for going all out.
OTOH, the 2x1.25 feels _a lot_ faster than a Dual 1 GHz in my comparisons at the store. I suspect this is because the 1 GHz machine only has 256 MB RAM (vs. 512 in the 1.25), and is choking on OS X. Fine, I could load the 1 GHz with an extra gig of RAM (based on my useage I'd like at least 1 GB, more like 1.5 GB RAM). Thats another $2-300 for the 1 GHz, while the free RAM with the 1.25 takes it 1 GB already, making the cost difference less dramatic. That leads me to consider a refurbed old 1 GHz. Since I hate the look (and noise) of the Cyclops Windtunnels anyway, and ram is 1/3 the cost, that seems to make the most sense. I remember comparing the old and new 1 GHz in the store and didn't notice much difference. I'd rather save some money and put it towards a bigger LCD. What brings me back to the 1.25 is that OS X just feels too sluggish on anything less (and it still doesn't impress me there). When I'm really busy I could have a dozen or two apps open (but no games, outside of a little Bugdom with my kids). Still, when I was pushing the machines in the store in that manner, the CPU meter rarely pegged, it was more the lack of RAM that was holding them back. That implies to me that maxing the RAM would help any of them. Most of the head to head benchmarks I've seen show differences too small to justify the newer, faster machines' greater expense. OTOH, the rebate on an Apple LCD with the new Macs is a nice deal sweetener. (And the 1.25 gets an extra $100 off.) Still, I hate being forced to buy now, but OS 9 booting is important to me, and I have some big DVD projects I'd like to do for Christmas. Decisions decisions. My request: please give me your opinions regarding the performance and merits and potential of the old vs. new 1 GHz vs. new 1.25 GHz. Any and all opinions are welcome; I'd just like to see this from as many angles as possible. Thanks. -- __________________________ Phil Lefebvre Chicago, IL -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
