[help] Looking For A New Rig

Well hopefully this time I got my thread in the right section. :slant: Didn't really no where else I could post this.

Anyhow, I'm in the market for a new rig, and I'm wondering what everyones oppinion is. I have it down to 4 different options.

Option #1

Mac G5

20in Screen

512 mb memory

250 gb hard drive

2.1 ghz super drive

Radeon x600

final price $1,449.00

Option #2

Build My Own

20.1 in widescreen

2 x 74 gig raptors

2 x 1 gb memory

AMD +4400 Toledo, Or I might get a FX off of my friend cheap....

7800gt, would sli it after I get the cash for another one

final price $1,800

Option #3

Power Book G4 17in

final price: $1,900

After rebates, student discount etc.

Option #4

Other notebook? Maybe dell xps?

Hopefully I'll get some good feedback, because the members here seem to be pretty knowledgable. Try to keep the "You forgot option 5, we don't care" comments to a minimum

#358324

Change option 1 to their inteliMac and you'll be happier in the long run. So far, the only bug that appears is a software bug in Front Row, which can be remedied in 10.4.5 or a patch available through Software Update.

Don't get a G4, whatever you do. By the end of the year, they will be long gone and much faster on intel. Consider a MacBook, though it is currently more expensive than the 17inchers. If you do get a 17in PB, get it used off of craigslist.org or some other local seller. A lot of people are selling out at bargain prices to get a new MacBook and also getting rid of their AppleCare. Just throughly check the HD, monitor, and other functions before handing over cash. Try to work out with the seller if you can install Photoshop or something while there and run it before buying, just to be sure it both works and is fast.

I wouldn't build your own computer, but if you do, realize that Windows seems to like fullscreen much better than widescreen. You'll probably enjoy 1600x1200 more than the 1680 wide format. I could be mistaken however.

I should stop stalking you, by the way.

#358328

Change option 1 to their inteliMac and you'll be happier in the long run. So far, the only bug that appears is a software bug in Front Row, which can be remedied in 10.4.5 or a patch available through Software Update.

Don't get a G4, whatever you do. By the end of the year, they will be long gone and much faster on intel. Consider a MacBook, though it is currently more expensive than the 17inchers. If you do get a 17in PB, get it used off of craigslist.org or some other local seller. A lot of people are selling out at bargain prices to get a new MacBook and also getting rid of their AppleCare. Just throughly check the HD, monitor, and other functions before handing over cash. Try to work out with the seller if you can install Photoshop or something while there and run it before buying, just to be sure it both works and is fast.

I wouldn't build your own computer, but if you do, realize that Windows seems to like fullscreen much better than widescreen. You'll probably enjoy 1600x1200 more than the 1680 wide format. I could be mistaken however.

I should stop stalking you, by the way.

Intresting. To be honest I know jack about macs, I just know that their white and shiny and cost alot.

#358331

It really depends on what you need.

You listed both desktops and laptops on there; which one do you need?

If it's a want, rather than a need, then I'll elaborate on your choices:

For something that is not a laptop, either build your own x86 machine or get the Intel iMac 20".

The iMac is a very nicely rounded entertainment machine but don't expect to be playing a lot of games on there (the x600 is pretty mediocre, plus there aren't that many games for OSX). A custom build, on the other hand, could be very nice. The dual raptors would certainly fly compared to the Mac. Gaming would also be a big plus. It's interesting that you noted a possible SLI setup. If you really are interested in gaming (which sounds like you are) then none of the other options will be satisfying; in other words, you want to get a PC with a high end video card (ala GeForce 7800).

Laptops are a little different. First, let me warn you: The Dell XPS is NOT a laptop. That thing is a portable desktop with decent graphics (aka no battery life, heavy as a brick). Now, I would never (I emphasize the never) buy a Dell laptop. It simply costs way too much for a generic OEM laptop that really isn't anything special at all. If you are serious about a decent PC laptop look into IBM Thinkpads. I own a T43, so I'm biased here, but the build quality and the attention to detail is simply amazing. Again, this is assuming you will do no gaming. About the Apple notebooks, listen to gnomexp and don't buy a G4. Either get the Intel Duo book or nothing.

#358336

MacBook Pro has all needed and more.

#358337

It really depends on what you need.

You listed both desktops and laptops on there; which one do you need?

If it's a want, rather than a need, then I'll elaborate on your choices:

For something that is not a laptop, either build your own x86 machine or get the Intel iMac 20".

The iMac is a very nicely rounded entertainment machine but don't expect to be playing a lot of games on there (the x600 is pretty mediocre, plus there aren't that many games for OSX). A custom build, on the other hand, could be very nice. The dual raptors would certainly fly compared to the Mac. Gaming would also be a big plus. It's interesting that you noted a possible SLI setup. If you really are interested in gaming (which sounds like you are) then none of the other options will be satisfying; in other words, you want to get a PC with a high end video card (ala GeForce 7800).

Laptops are a little different. First, let me warn you: The Dell XPS is NOT a laptop. That thing is a portable desktop with decent graphics (aka no battery life, heavy as a brick). Now, I would never (I emphasize the never) buy a Dell laptop. It simply costs way too much for a generic OEM laptop that really isn't anything special at all. If you are serious about a decent PC laptop look into IBM Thinkpads. I own a T43, so I'm biased here, but the build quality and the attention to detail is simply amazing. Again, this is assuming you will do no gaming. About the Apple notebooks, listen to gnomexp and don't buy a G4. Either get the Intel Duo book or nothing.

Well I'm kind of torn, I'm not really looking to do alot of gaming. I just want speed, and I want to be ahead of the curve, I don't feal like spending money on something and then turning around and having to spend some more. So the dual 7800s would be a frill.

As for notebooks, I know I would never buy a dell, every experience and everything I have heard is bad. I just was useing that as a example. If I got a none mac notebook I would probably be looking for a custom build. I can pick up a laptop for around 2500 that can do everything that the top of the line alienware notebooks can do.

I do alot, and I mean alot of interactive media, either photoshop, flash, or any kind of graphic/design program. I want to be able to multi-task to my hearts content and do it at a blazeing speed. (thus the 74gig raptors.)

Gameing isn't that important to me, I think it's a waste of time. Although I might play some css here and there.

I was thinking the plus of a notebook would be the fact that I can take it anywhere, I'm going to be takeing some college classes this year, (I'm a sophmore) so It might be nice to be able and take it with me.

Thanks for informative post.

#358345

You'll find a notebook to be indispensible in college. For that reason, and for your designing background, I highly recommend a MacBook Pro 15in. It will have a sufficiently powerful graphics card and good processors (and a goodly amount of RAM) for a reasonable price. The biggest issue you will see is that Photoshop will NOT be updated for intel until next year, likely as CS3. It'll run on the intel chips, but slowly under Rosetta.

You can always get a large external monitor for messing with stuff at the dorm/apartment.

For software on Mac, I recommend CSSEdit (stupid simple graphical CSS editing), Textmate (deliciously simple and light), and Transmit (great FTP, tons of features, intuitive UI). If you need a more powerful text editor, look into BBEdit, in which case, download and register Textwrangler for a significant discount.

#358422

You'll find a notebook to be indispensible in college. For that reason, and for your designing background, I highly recommend a MacBook Pro 15in. It will have a sufficiently powerful graphics card and good processors (and a goodly amount of RAM) for a reasonable price. The biggest issue you will see is that Photoshop will NOT be updated for intel until next year, likely as CS3. It'll run on the intel chips, but slowly under Rosetta.

You can always get a large external monitor for messing with stuff at the dorm/apartment.

For software on Mac, I recommend CSSEdit (stupid simple graphical CSS editing), Textmate (deliciously simple and light), and Transmit (great FTP, tons of features, intuitive UI). If you need a more powerful text editor, look into BBEdit, in which case, download and register Textwrangler for a significant discount.

That's what limewire is for.

A macbook pro runs at 2,500 a little more than I'm looking to spend.

#358423