Wants to Switch-PowerbkG4 or iMacG5?

[8cats]

hello Mac users,

i am a newbie and a pc user...not really knowledgeable with computers but would really want to switch to mac. i am now having difficulties in deciding whether to buy a powerbookG4 or an iMacG5....aside from the price difference, kindly give me your advice about the difference between the two- i usually surf the net using a prepaid card, loves to change my wallpapers, listen to music, watch dvd...now would want to experience making a dvd movie etc..i was informed that mac would help me with this.... please help me decide.

God bless you all...by the way, is it true that Mac cannot be hacked? does that mean that i don't need to install an internet protection software? i have business over the net and would want this question to be answered too.

Thanks,
8cats

[CooLes]

It all depends on whether you need a desktop Mac or a portable Mac. All of your needs can be accomplished on both machines. Of course, desktop Macs are much cheaper and faster. A moderately configured desktop iMac G5 with 1.8 Ghz and 17" screen will set you back $1902 at the Apple Store. This includes 512 Mb RAM, 160 Gb HD, Airport Extreme and even an internal Bluetooth with Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.
While a 12" PowerBook G4 1.33 Ghz with 512 Mb RAM and a 60 Gb hard drive will cost you $2024. Check out apple.com for more details.

[Maccess]

I would go for the PowerBook or iBook G4. Don't worry too much about having a G4 instead of a G5. It won't be until OS X 10.5 (no, not even Tiger), that the 64-bit G5 will be able to really show its stuff.

that said, if you don't need a protable, check out the new Mac Mini.

[Macmon]

I guess it depends on your budget and primary need. Do you need portability or having it at home/office is sufficient.
Powerbook for portability and Imac G5 for office.

[8cats]

Originally posted by Maccess
I would go for the PowerBook or iBook G4. Don't worry too much about having a G4 instead of a G5. It won't be until OS X 10.5 (no, not even Tiger), that the 64-bit G5 will be able to really show its stuff.

that said, if you don't need a protable, check out the new Mac Mini.

hello Maccess, are you telling me that Mac Mini can perform like a PwrbookG4 or iMacG5? if so, does that mean to say that if i buy the Mac Mini, i'll just need to purchase the Mac Cinema display? - if that's the case, i am eyeing the 30 inch display which would really be good in watching my dvd's.
please respond and thanks for this suggestion.

thanks CooLes and Macmon for your replies, does this mean that a powerbookG4 has equal capacity with the iMacG5?

thanks again and please help me understand.

8cats

[zChris]

To answer you second question, I do believe that all computers can be hacked unless you take the necessary steps to ensure computer or network security.

Having said that, though, majority of viruses, trojans, spyware, etc., were built to infiltrate and infect Windows machines. I was actually told that you could actually have a virus infected file on your Mac, but it would be harmless to your machine since it was made for windows. If the file is transferred to a windows machine, then it would do its damage.

I do know that majority of Mac users do not actually use any form of virus checking software or any network security software and have not heard of anyone infected. It is critical, though, that you regularly update the software on your Mac and there have been a couple (in my own short Mac experience, literally only a COUPLE) of security updates that Apple has released to control security holes found on the OS. In general, though, the mac is very safe.

However, if you rely on your computer for critical business applications or data, it never hurts to install some sort of security software. In the end, its also about peace of mind, especially on an enterprise level. I deal with a number of enterprise IT security administrators and they are extremely paranoid. It is their job to be paranoid, and in their line of work, I absolutely agree that they should be.

[Edited on 1-18-2005 by zChris]

[pacoy]

a 30" cinema display's not compatible with the mini. mac minis are very basic, good for office works and closely comparable to an ibook but not recommended for video editing. you should base your decision on how you intend to use it, decide whether your work needs portability or if you can settle with a desktop. if you only intend to use it at home, get the imacg5. its that easy.

[8cats]

hello zChris and pacoy

this forum has been so helpful thanks to people like you who went out of their way to help me.i have been reading the forum and the apple site. here are my main concerns:

-need big screen to watch dvd's
-multi-region dvd player [i have lots of region 1's & 3's]
-want to try my hand on digital photography, make a movie out of it and make albums too-share it
-surf the net using prepaid card
-play games
-internet security
-better graphics
-music
-organize my 'money matters'

-so far, that's it..i am a sucker for new and better technology... if you would recommend a laptop-please make it slim and light. thanks so much.

8cats

[CooLes]

If you really need big screen to watch DVD's, then you might want to invest in HDTV. They usually have at least VGA inputs or an even better DVI input. If you must need to watch multi-region DVDs on your Mac, then get a software DVD player like VLC.

[Maccess]

Mac OS 10.3 and even 10.4 have limited support for 64-bit processing, so the only real advantage that a G5 processor would have is a RAM limit above 4GB (assuming the motherboard has the physical slots for more than 4GB of RAM).

There is a smiliar situation in Windows with AMD's Opteron 64. Windows runs on it, but in 32-bit mode, just like the earlier versions of Solaris when the 64-bit UltraSparc was introduced.

Unless one has a specific need for exceeding 4GB of RAM, I wouldn't wory too much about having to choose a G4 (e.g. in a portable or Mac Mini) over a G5 (in a Tower or iMacG5), if there is such a need.

The PowerMac G5 does have some architectural advantages such as dual memory channels and Firewire 800, but these are not dependent on whether the Mac has a G5 or G4 processor. The Mac Mini has essentially the same specs as the 1.2Ghz eMac, but without a monitor.

Is is possible to run video processing on the Mac Mini? Sure! People have been doing video processing on Macs since the days of the MacII (16Mhz 020), but unlike a top end G5, you'll have to do without:

FireWire 800
more than 1GB of RAM.

But, since 8cats is a Mac Newbie, i would suggest just getting something around the level of a G4 (such as the MacMini), then move up later on if he feels the need to.