This is a touchy and personal subject and the only people who can give you real answers are under NDA, and even some of them that I have spoken with don't know what they would do in the same situation. Feel some measure of comfort that there are many Mac users, like me, that held on to G4's knowing that the Intels were coming, and now that we know how far off software is for them are stuck in exactly the same situation as you. Either buy obsolete equipment to run current software now knowing that an upgrade will be forced in the next 12-18 months, or buy Intel knowing that we are paying a premium for the latest technology even though there is no software for it yet.
expeditionswest said:
What am I risking by going with the G5?
You are buying a computer that will be comparatively slow and obsolete on all design software starting a year from now. IMO there are no real disadvantages in the next 12 months. All software coming out is Universal Code, which means it runs natively on both PPC and Intel chips. In the future I would expect software to be Intel only, so you run the risk of buying a computer that is pretty worthless in five years.
I'm not sure what your PC situation is, but if you go with the Intel mac and run Windows versions of the design programs through Boot Camp, you get the maximum speed currently available and you can run the software on your laptop.
On the other hand, by going with the G5, you save $1000 and you are buying a computer that is the best tool for the job now. If you are planning to buy current software now and don't plan to upgrade for a couple years it is a good way to go. You need to fully understand, and be comfortable with the fact you are buying obsolete technology. The accountant in me says this is a business purchase, not a personal purchase, so buy the G5 now and fully depreciate it this fiscal year, then buy the Intel mac when you are ready to upgrade software.
It seems that the last of a model run for a Mac should be near bulletproof, no?
I don't know, I would buy Apple Care anyway. The G5, despite it's huge power consumption and heat output, is a pretty solid platform, but they have definitely learned how to improve on it with the Mac Pro. Still, there is always a risk of bad RAM or a defective hard drive.
I am very tempted by the G5, as I have lusted over those for a few years, and the new Intel switch has me somewhat concerned.
Concerned about reliability because it is new or concerns about the G5 because it is obsolete, and soon to be abandoned, technology?
Oh, and this machine will take all of the graphics design and image processing duties for Steph and I, freeing me up to buy the most rugged laptop possible for expedition work (i.e., I can sacrifice speed for durability).
Okay, we need to have a real, honest conversation for a minute here. Not me and you, but you and Steph. How much volume do you really expect to have, what size files and what quantity of them do you expect to be working with, and what percentage of your work will be against tight deadlines? If you are working with lots of big files in a high volume environment, particularly requiring 3D rendering and video production, you will recoup your investment in the Intel computer with increased throughput in less than a year. I know it sounds cliche, but every second saved throughout the day adds up. If that is not the case, keep a PC for e-mail and billing software (QuickBooks for the Mac bites and lots of great business management software is PC only) and print server, and use the Mac as a graphics workstation only, I don't think you will lose much of anything going with the G5 over the Mac Pro.
Hope I didn't confuse you further.
