Looking at an apple (mac) now

Jay Rodriguez

Jay Rodriguez

Coffee Member
Went to price out one today.
What do you guys suggest?
Sales guy pushed the G5 on me but also mentioned the ,uh, the tower with two processors?
 
I wouldn't but a new mac yet since their switching to intel, wait until the end of the year. But, if you really need a mac now I'd get the g5 dual 2.3.
 
I suggest something that gets the job done for the least amount of money. That's how I operate, anyways. Personally, I wouldn't spend over.... $2-3K on a computer for getting my feet wet.

So, some decisions you'll need to make:

FinalCutPro vs. FinalCutExpress ($700 difference)
FCP is $999 and is awesome.
FCE only costs $299 and is limited to 24p-only. NO 24pa.

iMac vs. Dual G5
$1499 (or less) buys an iMac with a DVD burner and a built-in display.
Maybe add RAM and another HDD and you're all set.

$1999 (or more) buys a Dual G5 with a DVD Burner. Add display.
$999 (or less, or more) buys a 20" widescreen display and is awesome.

The iMac with FCE and some RAM will work fine for about $2K less than a Dual G5, FCP, display.
 
My biggest concern is it performing slow for video editing and the video card not being all that great. You can't put another card in because the iMac G5 video card is built into the mother board.

So, do you (or anyone else) think the stock iMac G5 would be sufficient enough?

OR

Should I go a bit deeper and look more into the Mac G5?
 
You have two options. It depends more in what you want to use them for.

If you want to work with DV, you can do it with a iMac G5 and it's a compact and stilish solution.

If you want to work with HDV, you'd better buy a PowerMac with dual G5s. And you must put at least 2-3Gb of RAM...

Good luck!
 
Since Apple's processor roadmap is taking a unexpected turn and nobody really knows what will happen next, my suggestion is to get an iMac. It will not be a long lasting editing solution, since it won't be upgradable, think that it will last you 1-2 years tops (as an editing bay, a lot more as a PC for your house). Still, getting a Powermac these days is a mistake. At least you'll have a beautiful powerful machine for less than a powermac, and will be ready to change computers again in a couple of years when the time is more appropriate.
 
hmm.... so more and more it's looking like the iMac might be my choice.

I'm selling off some crappy stock that I have to get the iMac. I'd rather invest in my own interest rather then some scam company. lol
 
my partner has a 2.0 imac and its awesome out of the box, we work in mostly dv with some, very little hd, but i have a dual 2.0 g5. the imac is not a bad idea. its comes with a 128 video card and tons of hd space. just add ram and you're good to go.
 
As in everything, where do ya put your cash? I chose not to put mine in something that still "wouldn't be fast enough" in 18 months-- to a degree. I still have a good enough system for editing, but it wasn't the best when I bought it and it isn't the best today.

Begin Rant.
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My opinion? There is a perceived "cachee" in having the latest computer, which is nonsense, as the fiscally responsible side in all of us really knows. There are many ways to invest in a video hobby; an expensive computer isn't always the best option. I personally would put some spend towards a good tripod ($1300-$3000) which will retain its' value and provide a longer useful lifespan than a faster-than-necessary editing system. Even a good microphone, boom pole, windscreen ($1000-$2500) would be a sound investment as well. A good tripod and quality audio are areas where quality does matter. With computers, you merely pay for a speed advantage. To me, it isn't worth the price. As you can tell, I'm pretty passionate about not spending money on computers.

-----------------------------------------
Ok, rant over. All done now.
 
Here are my thoughts. Speed & the power to crunch through graphics work, burnig discs faster, etc., all make a difference on a daily basis. If you are just tinkering around with video productions and getting your feet wet etc., then get the imac. If it is about making money get the g5. Don't sweat the chip change. When you get in, it will be good for you as long as you want- who cares what chip is next and what the machine will be doing 2 years from now...

With that said, I would consider buying used. A good example would be fstop's slightly used computer in the "marketplace," it seems like a good deal for some serious work (Avid not FCP, which I like better than FCP). But point is, you can find some good deals on computers and software if you can trust the sellers (I just bought from fstop and it went smooth).

Just some thoughts
 
Wells, some of us are actually investing, not starting a video hobby. Knowing what gear to buy can get you a long way. I can do work on my G4 that nobody could the time I got it. At the time as a 21 year old kid I was getting a lot of editing gigs, that bought me my DVX, tripod, that got me into video gigs that bough be my microphone and so on. I doubt a tripod would made me do that. Sorry to say, but a well used computer can produce more astonishing things than a tripod. The question about buying computers is not if it is the fastest or not, but how long will it last.
 
You really need to consider how you will be using the Mac. If you are new and just learning, the iMac would not be a bad way to go. If you want to rise of the top of the video market in your area, that maybe something else. What level of video production are you buying this computer for?
 
I'm into for more than just a hobby. I'm going to do videos for local artists and eventually (within a few months I hope) will complete my first feature.

Overall, I don't want to be limitted down the road so I'd like room for growth which is why I keep going back to thinking about the dual G5. But there's the issue with them going to intel. I think if I get the dual G5 now I'll hate it down the road because the new chip set is going to be awesome.

Maybe I'll just get the iMac now and sell it in a year.... Damn this is a tough choice.
 
I work professionally on a G5 iMac. Contrary to beliefs, it is quite "upgradable". Not in the old sense of hardware fixes, but rather by way of software. There are many pieces of code which add pro features to the consumer Macs. Find em online, for free.
 
Get the PowerMac.

Get the PowerMac.

The increase in productivity will pay for itself if you buy the PowerMac. I have run FCP on a dual 450 G4 PowerMac, an iMac 17" 1 GHz, and 1.8 GHz G5 PowerMac. They all perform well - the only difference being the amount of time I wait for tasks to complete. Time is money! Shell out the extra cash now and you'll be glad you did. I think the iMac G5 is one hell of a system, but ask yourself what your time is worth. As for the processor issue...Apple will support both chips sets, once the Intel-based systems hit the market, for long after the G5 hardware becomes obsolete. I wouldn't listen to the naysayers - Apple systems rock now, and will continue to rock in the future.
 
spoke with a friend of mine last night who works for an advertising firm. He works on mac all day doing dvd's and stuff and he says to go with the dual G5 but that the imac G5 was not a bad choice. The restriction of upgrading is the biggest concern for me but the iMac's price is most attractive overall. I'm on a tight budget but need to make the right move..... Oh well, I guess a nice relaxing weekend will help me figure out whats best for me.
Thanks for your input everyone! :beer:
 
well everybody, I made my move..... I'm a fanatic with this stuff and I'm ok with admitting it! LOL
I'm typing this post on my brand new Power Mac G5.... Spent $2,100 total on it, big ouch but well worth the peace of mind of future expansion!

Thanks everybody for your input, I really took every post here with serious consideration. :beer:
 
taubkin- this isn't a hobby for me, either. I mean, other than the film/video industry, I don't work. My point is two years ago my then current editing system was becoming too slow as it was already three years old and maxed out to capacity. (Casablanca Avio if curious)

I paid for my current Apple/FCP system with three days worth of work. The primary reason I bought it was because I knew I could upsell the client on making DVD's and the Casablanca, even though it was a $6K system with every single software and hardware upgrade installed, could not make DVD's. I sold the client on making DVD's, went to the Apple Store, crash learned Final Cut Pro over a weekend and paid for the computer. I spent a hair over $2300 for the hardware, and got away with FCExpress for that first gig. Eventually bought more upgrades (RAM, HDD) and software later on. The thing is, I only buy tools that give an excellent return. While a tripod or microphone may not directly get you a job, it does indirectly increase the quality of your work. Having a faster computer frankly does not. Having great color correction software? Of course, that's handy..

FWIW, I'm do for another upgrade this fall and I'm getting a Dual G5... I don't think I would do it if it wouldn't pay for itself quickly, tho. The real reason I want it? My current system will not support Final Touch SD software and I actually need the faster computer at this point. Hope this makes sense. Sorry for the waffling.

coffee- Congrats.
 
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