I've a PowerMac 5500/225 with a Sonnet Crescendo L2 G3 400Mhz card installed.
From a performance standpoint, this thing makes QuickTime and Flash really work well. Graphic Converter is a joy to use on large images.
But what I discovered today, which I had kind of forgotten about, is that applications open almost instantly.
I've been doing some troubleshooting on the Mac, as there have been some oddball problems. Nothing serious, just, well, oddball.
So I boot with all extensions and control panels off.
I gotta tell you, waiting for Eudora or Tex Edit Pro to open was like watching grass grow. COME ON, LOAD ALREADY!
So, simply from a time saved aspect, getting an upgrade card was well worth it to me.
The other plus to installing a card, as opposed to getting a "new" computer is that it's a hassle to swap all the files over to the new machine. I've done this in the past and there's always something that gets in the way, for example, Program Switcher (Proof that there is a merciful God who smiles upon Mac users!) has a preference file where the registration info is stored.
That file does not like to be copied. I've discovered that copying that file results in my having to dig out the registration info and re enter it to keep Program Switcher working.
Granted, a minor irritation, but this is but one of many.
Then, there's simply the matter of rearranging things to make room for the "new" machine. Or, maybe even having to deal with the hassle of interfacing serial and SCSI items to something that only uses USB and/or FireWire.
Finally, there's the financial aspect. You already own a working computer. You've invested time, effort and money in it. Spending US$150 on an upgrade card can be a cost effective way to get more out of the old machine and extend it's useful working life. I can see myself using this upgraded Mac for at least the next 3-5 years.
Sure. I can't use OS X on it. But, as I'm perfectly content with all my Classic OS applications, I don't need OS X on it.
So, that's my opinion. For a lot of people, I do think an upgrade card makes more sense than a "new" computer.
--
Chris Tucker
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.gis.net/~cht
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