Harvey,
I'm inclined to agree with Stewart. A big reason for investing in a
processor upgrade is because you or she might simply enjoy working with
Power Computing machines, because you respect how well they were built and
enjoy working on and with them.
Another reason is if you have invested a lot in the machine already: Zip
drive, extra hard drive, lots of RAM, maybe a CD-RW drive. Or you might have
a 20-inch monitor that wouldn't be available with an iMac/eMac.
The PowerTower Pro can run OS X (with the help of Ex Post Facto from Other
World Computing), which is another reason you might invest in that
particular machine.
A new PowerLogix G3 400 with 1 MB cache can be had from Other World
Computing for c. $120. But as Stewart said, a G4 might be a more prudent
investment if your daughter is a serious Photoshop user. My understanding is
that some newer versions of Photoshop can specifically take advantage of the
G4 architecture.
A limiting factor cited by some is the SCSI bus speed in the PowerTower Pro.
I suppose that could be translated to mean, a PTP with a G4 800 Mhz upgrade
card probably will not perform as fast as an iMac, eMac or Mac tower with a
G4 800 Mhz processor. And certainly those machines will have a larger HD
than you have now, and perhaps a CD-RW or even a DVD player.
You will also want to invest in more RAM, Photoshop being the memory tramp
that it is. (Fortunately, memory is quite reasonable: $25 or so for new 128
MB 168-pin FPM DIMM from Other World or other sources.
If you or your daughter enjoy upgrading computers, you can invest a little
at a time -- $100 for RAM, $125-$300 or so for processor upgrade, a bigger
hard drive or perhaps a Sonnet ATA PCI card so you can use big, cheap
ATA/IDE drives -- and gradually boost the performance of the machine, and
have fun upgrading it to boot.
As Stewart said, those of us who view Power Computing machines as a hobby
can easily justify extending the life of them.
Thanks to all for the advice. Much appreciated
--
Harvey Waxman
Harvey Products
73 Wright Lane
Wickford, RI 02852-5846
401 295 8382
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Boater's Best Friend - Dinghy Dogs�
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