The New PowerMacs - Is Apple Frackin' Crazy?
Today, Apple did, as rumored, release dual-core PowerMacs. The “low end” model is a single processor, dual core 2.0 GHz model priced at $1999; the middle model is a single processor, dual core 2.3 GHz model priced at $2499, and the “top of the line” model is a dual-processor, dual core 2.5 GHz model priced at an incredible $3299. The dual processor 2.7 GHz (single-core) G5 PowerMac is still available, priced at a lower $2799.
I’m disappointed in this offering.
First, as an owner of a dual processor 2.0 GHz G5 PowerMac, I see absolutely no reason to upgrade to anything but the single-core, dual-processor 2.7 GHz G5 or the dual processor, dual-core 2.5 GHz PowerMac. I might be able to “squeak out” enough money to purchase the dual processor 2.7 if I sell or trade-in both my PowerMac and my 1.8 GHz iMac, but there is no way in hell I can afford $3300 for a single Mac! This is an outrageous amount of money for most of us private citizens; only a strong business case can propel one into paying that much money for one machine.
The only Mac purchase I’ve ever regretted was $2999 for a dual processor G4 PowerMac that became passé within a year when the G5’s were introduced. I think about that when I’m thinking about shelling out 3 grand a year or so before MacIntel is introduced.
Secondly, the jury is still out on the performance of these new offerings. Will a dual-core single processor 2.0 PowerMac outpace a single-core, dual processor 2.0? I doubt it; and even if it does, I would not think it would not be by much. Likewise, I’ll be very interested in seeing the benchmarks of the current dual processor 2.7 against a dual processor, dual-core 2.5. One would hope the dual processor, dual-core machine would win, even at the slower speed, just because it can process more data. But will its bandwidth prove to be adequate? It would not be the first time Apple had botched a bandwidth issue; Firewire 800 performance on G5 PowerMacs is evidence of that.
If you already own a G5 PowerMac, the only reason, and a weak one at that, to buy one of anything but the high-end dual processor, dual-core machine is the inclusion of PCI –Express which will allow you to run multiple PCI-E graphics cards and monitors. Other than that. I'd recommend you save your money and wait for the dual-core MacIntel PowerMacs. They'll be a better value.
I’m disappointed in this offering.
First, as an owner of a dual processor 2.0 GHz G5 PowerMac, I see absolutely no reason to upgrade to anything but the single-core, dual-processor 2.7 GHz G5 or the dual processor, dual-core 2.5 GHz PowerMac. I might be able to “squeak out” enough money to purchase the dual processor 2.7 if I sell or trade-in both my PowerMac and my 1.8 GHz iMac, but there is no way in hell I can afford $3300 for a single Mac! This is an outrageous amount of money for most of us private citizens; only a strong business case can propel one into paying that much money for one machine.
The only Mac purchase I’ve ever regretted was $2999 for a dual processor G4 PowerMac that became passé within a year when the G5’s were introduced. I think about that when I’m thinking about shelling out 3 grand a year or so before MacIntel is introduced.
Secondly, the jury is still out on the performance of these new offerings. Will a dual-core single processor 2.0 PowerMac outpace a single-core, dual processor 2.0? I doubt it; and even if it does, I would not think it would not be by much. Likewise, I’ll be very interested in seeing the benchmarks of the current dual processor 2.7 against a dual processor, dual-core 2.5. One would hope the dual processor, dual-core machine would win, even at the slower speed, just because it can process more data. But will its bandwidth prove to be adequate? It would not be the first time Apple had botched a bandwidth issue; Firewire 800 performance on G5 PowerMacs is evidence of that.
If you already own a G5 PowerMac, the only reason, and a weak one at that, to buy one of anything but the high-end dual processor, dual-core machine is the inclusion of PCI –Express which will allow you to run multiple PCI-E graphics cards and monitors. Other than that. I'd recommend you save your money and wait for the dual-core MacIntel PowerMacs. They'll be a better value.
posted by Andy Foster at
5:40 PM
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