On a budget. Need a better mac.

[Phluxy]

My Powermac G3 is great and it was a great trial as a mac but I am serious about macs now and on a budget. So I am thinking of getting a few upgrades for it. Including a G4 upgrade. But I also want a little better video (not really needed but i wanna know is my 16mb vram will cut it for most effects) and want a cheap dvd drive and hard drive. I DO NOT WANT A MINI. no expandability and it just isn't that cool. Please tell me what should be done.

 

[Lt Major Burns]

i know you say you don't want a mini, but the simple fact of the matter is that to upgrade that "expandable" system up to a halfway decent standard will far exceed the price and value of a mini. the mini is just a far more modern computer. the bus speeds, graphics, ram, and compatibilty, combined with all the preinstalled new software will outstrip any upgraded G3, for less than £400. however, wait till after janurary, as the mini will become far more tempting, according to rumours.

plus the fact that it is very small will free up desk space you didn't think you wanted. my G5 is HUGE, and placing it anywhere is a task in space clearing.

 

[Thank The Cheese]

I'm not a mac expert, but while we wait to see what the pros are going to say, I will suggest it all depends what you will be doing with it. What sort of things do you do? video editing, image editing, just word processing, etc..?

My iMac G5 (see signature) is great and can handle Photoshop CS2 and even Final Cut Pro and After Effects (hell, it even handles Doom III). Of course, multi-tasking these major apps can become slow(er), but still usable. I often work with Photoshop and Illustrator open, plus EyeTV capturing video in the background and it runs fine.

Obviously, a PowerMac is going to handle anything you throw at it, but if you're on a budget, the iMacs are the best bang for your Mac buck IMO (just make sure you get the 20" for the love of cheese, and at least a gig of RAM).

but again it depends on what u plan on doing with it. everything I just said is moot if you're just going to use it for is checking your email.

(also, are you looking at a desktop or a laptop?)

 

[Johndoemanny34362]

Do not upgrade that box by any means as it is a waste of money. With what you will pay ridiculously for a processor can practically buy a mini. The mini, despite it's size and slower specs, is still faster than the g4 upgrade and will provide more useful as long as you stay away from games and 3d apps. If you do that than the mini isn't for you since it's video card won't cut it. But that's what i would get...

 

[sourcehound]

My Powermac G3 is great and it was a great trial as a mac but I am serious about macs now and on a budget. So I am thinking of getting a few upgrades for it. Including a G4 upgrade. But I also want a little better video (not really needed but i wanna know is my 16mb vram will cut it for most effects) and want a cheap dvd drive and hard drive. I DO NOT WANT A MINI. no expandability and it just isn't that cool. Please tell me what should be done.

A G3 isn't really worth upgrading. By the time you're done, with all the software and everything, you'll be up near the price of a new iMac or iBook. Keep your eye on the refurbished deals on Apple's site or cruise EBay.