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G5 or Intel?

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Redjack

Well-known member
I am just inquiring right now, but I was wondering what this forum's thoughts are concerning the pros and cons of G5 versus Intel. I don't necessarily need the latest and the greatest hardware (not hardcore Mac Pro with quad cores or anything)

I see the following pros for G5: PPC which means *better compatibility with today's and immediately older software. Cheaper on the used market. Runs Leopard, and maybe Snow Leopard.

I see the following pros for Intel: newer, continued development from Apple, Definite Snow Leopard (and beyond-ish) compatibility. I can get my PPC kicks with VMWare or SheepShaver, etc.

I've been using my G4 Powerbook for awhile but I notice that when surfing and watching newer media (say Windows Media 9 and even Quicktime) she lags, even with maxed out RAM etc. So I've been pondering what my next system would be... I'm kind of leaning towards G5 because there are really good deals on CL and eBay, and these forums. What are your two cents? What considerations besides budget should I be concerned with?

 
C

Christopher

Well-known member
Depends on your needs.

Do you mind using software that isn't the latest? Do you mind, if you need software that comes out in later years that it may not be compatible?

And, what are you using the mac for? The G5 is the G4 of 2005, so you are still able to do daily things, just a little bit slower then the g5 of today.

If that makes sense. :-/

 
Unknown_K

Unknown_K

Well-known member
G5's (towers) seem to be very pricey still. I think you are better off with an Intel if you plan on using it as your main machine for a few years.

 
Hrududu

Hrududu

Well-known member
The only thing stopping me from selling my MacBook Pro and getting a quad G5 is the risk of not being able to run 10.6 when it comes out. I would much rather have a tower than laptop, and the Mac Pro is way out of my price range, so I'd love a late G5. I still may do it, but the loss of future OS use seems like an awful big risk.

 
I

istar1018

Well-known member
For me, I would say Intel all the way.

G5s seem to have a number of reliability issues - from faulty PSUs to liquid cooling systems leaking - if you Google around, you can see images of the aftermath. Not good. Further, the G5s are slow compared to Intel machines - don't know if that is because software wasn't really optimized for the G5 or because the Intel chips are really that much faster. If you're going to use current software that runs under leopard, there's really no reason not to get an Intel machine... but if you're going to run older software, you'd probably be able to get a nice G4 that would do just as well as a G5 for less money.

Just my personal opinion.

 
QuadSix50

QuadSix50

Well-known member
I saw go with the Intel Mac. As mentioned by others, the G5 Macs do have reliability problems. The iMac G5s were all affected by the capacitor plague, despite Apple's repair extension program claiming that it's only the 1st-gen and some 2nd-gen models. Mine was actually not in the list of serial numbers (Rev B model with the ambient light sensor) but it was still affected by the same exact issue. Thankfully, Apple did change it when the repair extension program was still in effect. As a matter of fact, it happened to me twice in the same year, with only a 4-month duration between the first and second failure. If it were to happen again (God willing it doesn't), I would be on my own right now since the repair program expired in December of last year.

There are also issues with the Power Mac G5s from water-cooling defects to a few other issues on the older Power Mac G5 models.

The only reason to really stick with a G5 Mac is to run apps that require the Classic environment. This is moot in Leopard. Taking that into consideration, you're much better off today going for an Intel-based Mac, even if it's only a Core 1 model.

 
C

~Coxy

Leader, Tactical Ops Unit
If you're really on a budget I think a G5 can be a good buy still. From the sounds of your post though, 10.5/10.6 compatibility seems like a big deal and PCI/hard disk expandability not important to you so I think you would be much better served with a new iMac or Mini.

 
R

Redjack

Well-known member
Thanks for the replies. I am interested in keeping up with Apple technologies but want to resort to the used market. I thought the G5's were a robust machine at a steal these days, but it seems that C2D and above are just smoking by your reviews.

The only caveat is my older legacy software...but I can definitely keep my G4 and below systems!

PS: Can G5's boot into OS9? Not run classic in OSX, but reboot with OS9 system folder?

 
C

Christopher

Well-known member
Thanks for the replies. I am interested in keeping up with Apple technologies but want to resort to the used market. I thought the G5's were a robust machine at a steal these days, but it seems that C2D and above are just smoking by your reviews.
The only caveat is my older legacy software...but I can definitely keep my G4 and below systems!

PS: Can G5's boot into OS9? Not run classic in OSX, but reboot with OS9 system folder?
Click to expand...

No they can't.

 
Dog Cow

Dog Cow

Well-known member
PS: Can G5's boot into OS9? Not run classic in OSX, but reboot with OS9 system folder?
Click to expand...
Yeah, what Christopher said, No. That's because G5 is a 64-bit processor, and OS 9 likes the 32-bit mode, which goes up to the G4 and stops there. Intel is 64-bit as well, of course.

 
Franklinstein

Franklinstein

Well-known member
PS: Can G5's boot into OS9? Not run classic in OSX, but reboot with OS9 system folder?
Click to expand...
Yeah, what Christopher said, No. That's because G5 is a 64-bit processor, and OS 9 likes the 32-bit mode, which goes up to the G4 and stops there. Intel is 64-bit as well, of course.
Click to expand...
Kinda. Actually, the PowerPC 970 can run fully in either 32 or 64-bit mode, so that wasn't the issue. The G5s, and late-model G4s (AlBooks, iBook G4s, G4 towers w/FW800, eMacs w/USB 2.0), won't run OS 9 because nobody wrote drivers for the newer hardware, in addition to the fact that OS 9 wasn't recognized as a valid OS in firmware (for obvious reasons).

Anyway, according to Apple's own internal tests between the early Mac Pros and the last G5s, the G5 still outperformed the Intel chips at various tasks, such as certain PhotoShop filters and the like. This may be simply because certain apps weren't fully Intel-compatible, or it may be because the G5 was a fairly decent setup.

Google may still be able to turn up the comparisons, if you're inclined to look for them.

 
R

Redjack

Well-known member
Quad G5 sounds so cool...just to say you have it. Nonetheless, an Intel Mac Pro will be on my radar in the next few months. No immediate plans as they are pricey but just gorgeous. Thanks for the replies and I like where the discussion is going, keep it up. I've been out of the loop so long on newer macs I don't know what I ought to be considering when purchasing my next great machine. I can use all the help I can get! :)

 
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