Oh for crying out loud

[complain jane]

I can't make up my friggen mind. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

I'm getting a G5 this summer. I already had the dual 2.5 on order but cancelled it because they kept telling me it was shipping "today" and then the next day I'd get an email that a part was on backorder. It's a good thing I did because I would have been ineligible for the Tiger $9.95 upgrade offer, having ordered it at the end of March.

So here's the thing. I'm in love with the new iMac but I'm spoiled because at work I have a dual 2.5 w/23" Cinema display. At work I do a lot of After Effects & Photoshop work, it's all I do, so there I need the top of the line power.

At home I'd like to have a machine fast enough to handle After Effects & Photoshop, etc. but for the most part I'll be using Garage Band, iPhoto, iTunes, and iMovie- lots and lots of iMovie with my home videos.

So I'd love to get some help with this decision. Does anyone here have the new iMac? Since it's only single-processor can it handle iMovie well and and After Effects & Photoshop?

I'd probably consider the Mac Mini if it were a G5. I'm sure the Mini is great but I think I want to stick to the G5 line.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Poiuyt]

1. If I were you, I'd go with the dual

I'm sure that the iMac would be sufficient for your home needs. Put in enough RAM and it would work well, though not as fast as the dual. If money or space is a concern, then this would be a good option.

I personally like the idea of separate components. If you decide at a later date that you like the monitor, but want a faster computer, you don't have to upgrade both. Same with the other way. If your eyes start going bad, and you want a larger monitor, you don't have to buy a whole new system.

The other factor is that you are used to a fast system. Will you be happy at home with anything less than the best? Yes, the iMac will be fine. But will you be second guessing your decision to compromise? Buy the best and you only cry once.

[emulatorloo]

2. A single **G4** can handle iMovie and GarageBand well. . .

My 1ghz doesn't break too much of a sweat on those apps. And it is my understanding that iMovie doesn't take advantage of dual processors.

So I think you can go ahead with the iMac G5 if you want an all in one.

OTOH a 1.8 dual does give you expandability and better AfterEffects performance, if you really must take work home. . .but where you will see that most is in rendering. . .could you compose on your home iMac and render at work?

PS I am guess that there will be a speed bump on the iMacs mid summer. . .just a guess, but aren't they due for a revision?

[alfredo]

3. PS is optimized for Duals. Let's face it, if you are in the creative

field, get the most you can afford.


BTW Nine inch nails has released a track in Garageband format. The only restriction is you can't use it, or any mix of it for commercial gain.


http://www.nin.com/current/index.html

[Demit]

4. I can't imagine you'd be happy switching between a G5 & an iMac

If you can swing the dual processor, get it & don't look back. I'm expecting mine to last even longer than my G3 did (6 years), it's got such room for me to grow into. Besides, don't you ever do work at home? Esp. if your work situation changes, you might go freelance.

[BigMcLargehuge]

5. I wouldn't go with the dual 2.5

I've read at other boards that the liquid cooling system is only good for 2 years, then it can crack, leak, and ruin just about everything in the case.

[complain jane]

6. well thanks... I hadn't heard about that

thanks for the tip

[alfredo]

7. I would dig deeper on that issue

before deciding against it.

By the time you order, new machines will be on the shelves. Wait and see what they have to offier.