Apple users..
 

I'm going to be working on a new side project in mainstream, that I have to use a Apple on. It's browser baised 3d content system and there is no option other than to publish on the Mac.

I'll be doing most of the heavy work in 3ds max on my PC then importing to this program that will be run on the Apple. So I need a capable machine, but doesn't have to be anything outragious nor does it have to be some $5k 8 core system..

I know little to nothing about Apples other than I'd rather not have to use one.. :1orglaugh however I need some advice here.

I was thinking of a used G5 2x 2.5 system off E-bay (about $1k) but I had another person on another forum say that one of these newer imacs would be more powerful that the G5. Is he right?

I just need something fast enough to run this program and I really don't want to pay $2 or $3k for a new mac pro or what ever they call them. I just built a quad core PC so I'm set for a high end system.

get one of the new imacs rather than a used g5. They are smokin fast.

Don't go with G5. Nobody is developing for the G5 platform and all the newest software will most likely not run on it. Definitely go with one of the later Intel based Macs. You may also want to look into hackintosh so you can run OS X on your PC system.

Yea I looked into the emulation stuff, but looks like more trouble that it's worth and from what I understanmd this program wont run on them.

I was checking out the i-mac's earlier... decided to get one instead of a new pc... never used apple before though.

anyone have a iMac? how is it?

I just got a new 24" imac.. Get some extra ram in there and you'll be good to go. Its VERY fast.

my mother just bought a new iMac ;)

but i had to set it up etc.

and actually i like the new macs - i even consider buying a macbook

Same here, got the 24" iMac, 2.8Ghz dual core, 4GB Ram. Very fast. Just buy the additional ram aftermarket at Crucial or somewhere like that and you will save some money.

If you want to get a G5 it will run all the latest software provided you has OS 10.5.2 installed. Its not as fast as the latest machines but still does a great job. To run PC programs at PC speeds all you need is to use BOOTCAMP which works seemlessly from within the Mac OS http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/bootcamp.html.

Yea if the new ones are faster I'll just go with a refurb imac or maybe the macbook pro. The refurbs have a year warranty and it was suggested to me that Apples hold their value pretty good so you can just sell it in a year or so and buy another.

I'm thinking I'll just go that route because it's about the same price as trying to buy a G5 dual cpu unit off e-bay. I hate having to buy one at all but I need it to work on this new project.

Now I just have to decide on if I want the laptop or the desktop. I really don't use a laptop much and if I buy one I'd need to get a separate monitor because I can't work on a little 15 inch one. However then it would be like having dual monitors.. so more work space.

Then on the flip side, I could go with the 24 inch imac at the same price and not have to buy anything extra, but it wouldn't be portable.