Can't decide which to keep late 2005 G5 or MDD G4

[jholt5638]

Well I have make a decision, the wife said I can not keep all these computers. So far I have a pending on the DA but I am torn between the 2.0GHz Dual Core G5 and the DP 867MHz MDD.

I really like both. The G5 for its performance and the way it looks sitting on my desk. As for the MDD it also looks good on my desk and its performance isn't bad either definitely slower than the G5 but runs well and the biggest reason is that it can boot into OS9. No I don't have any real need to run OS9 but I like the way the OS works it's clean and fast. As far as my computing needs both could work as my  daily driver though I may need earplugs if I keep the MDD on my desk espeacially when working in OS9.

So if you had to choose which one would it be?

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

Touch decision. OS9 compatibility might be the biggest differentiator (well, and performance!)

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

G4 towers are beginning to catch on as retro-computers from what I can tell and Native9 definitely has a following.

G5s are probably going to keep dropping in price for a while. They have handles that should be classed as OSHA violations and they're butt ugly. So, of course, the "G5/Intel5" case must be the longest run unchanged Mac design of all time . . .

. . . go figure. Sheesh!

 

[jholt5638]

After thinking it over I think I am going to keep the MDD. There are a few games out there that I play only work in OS9 and it takes up less physical space. Posted the G5 up in the Trading post

 

[olePigeon]

MDD is the fastest Native 9 (I like that term ;D machine out there.  Well, FW400 version is.  I think the FW800 is OS X only.

 

[Unknown_K]

Fastest OS9 machine would be QS or 1st revision MDD with a 3rd part CPU. You can stuff a 1.4ghz in a MDD (mine has a dual 1.33) and 1.8Ghz in a QS. Anything more then 1.5GB of RAM is wasted so either machine could have MAX RAM. A Radeon 9000 is the fastest GPU you can use.

The beauty of OS 9 is that even a 1Ghz G4 CPU is speedy as hell.

 

[jholt5638]

If that is the case I 2/3 of the way to the fastest OS9 machine. I have the MDD and the Radeon 9000

 

[MacJunky]

A Radeon 9000 is the fastest GPU you can use.

Was the GeForce 4Ti not the fastest OS 9 card?

 

[Unknown_K]

Were there OS 9 drivers for the GeForce 4 cards?

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Fastest OS9 machine would be QS or 1st revision MDD with a 3rd part CPU . . .

That would be the fastest CPU available, check out the DevNotes. The architectural improvements in the MDD series probably make QS processor clock rates the motor for the window in the door the MDD '03 (Native9 Special Edition) would blow off a QS or first gen MDD.

Overall system performance tweaks in a Mac Model change almost inevitably trump a clock rate jump for the previous generation. YMMV

.

 

[beachycove]

The G5 is several generations ahead, is faster, quieter, and can run Classic if that's needed (though I much prefer period beige hardware or the black PBG3s for older Mac OS versions). For OSX, and the large range of PPC-only software that is available, the G4 is a poor competitor for a G5. Keep the G5.

I have noticed over the years that a lot of people on here seem to hate the G5s. I wonder how many of them have actually used a G5 on a regular basis. I have, and like them a lot.

If you have a G5 that works, keep it on your desk. They are capable, elegant machines.

 

[Unknown_K]

I like the tower G5 cases to be honest, the G3/G4 tower case design was nice as well. You just don't find the same styling in 99% of PC cases. Never cared for Imacs.

G5's run ok from the little use I have so far with a 1.6 AGP/PCI machine and a 2.0 DC PCIE based machine. The G5's can use a heck of a lot more RAM then any previous tower (4gb on a 4 RAM slot 1.6 to 16GB on the later DDR2 machines). The major drawback is no native OS 9 support, so they are OSX only machines. OS 9 on a QS or MDD is so fast.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

In many respects, Apple broke the mold to make the G5. The memory leap, cooling system and architecture are vast improvements, but the case design makes it one of those love-or-hate Macs. The handles are an example of "Cube"ist form over function decisions IMO. Although support for an internal Zip Drive installation was discontinued in the MDD (Iomega fixed that problem) the decision to make any front panel I/O modification to the case at all was inexcusable, again, YMMV.

Native9 is an absolute must for a Classic Mac as far as I'm concerned. For any app I've ever used from the era, 2GB and a single processor are plenty. YMMV

Why do folks put G4 or G5 towers on the desktop anyway? Desktop real estate is too valuable to waste on anything that doesn't fit under the display (ergonomically) on my work surfaces.

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

They're "desktop" computers? Lol.

But the G5/Mac Pro case is too big for my desk, so mine is on the floor next to me.

Native9 is pretty much the biggest reason to pick a G4, that and older G4's are a lot more reliable since they came before the era of cheap, counterfeit capacitors. I like both case designs, and there no doubt in my mind that the interior of the G5's is nerd heaven from an asthetic standpoint, but the G4's exterior is also quite unique and pleasant.