[ditti80]

Hello,
I purchased my first mac about 2 months ago, 17" iMac 1.25ghz/80gb/512mb ram. And I love it, it's a joy to use. My concern is how will it stand the test of time, I'm a technology freak and would love to own a G5 but I just dont need its capabilities. The iMac is plenty fast now but what about two years from now. Will macs new OS require a 64 bit processor? Do Macs tend to "age" better than pcs? After two years, my dell was just plain garbage. Hope this makes some sense. Any thoughts.
Thanks.

[jasondudley]

Macs do age well, and your computer will be completely useable, functional, and compatible in 2 years. I wouldn't see the OS switching to full 64 bit until OS 11. Why? I doubt the 64 bit chips will span the entire range of Apple computers until then, and they certainly won't release an operating system that is incompatible with any computers made within 2-3 years.
I have had my dual 500 g4 for 3 years now, and the new technology is definitely tempting but my computer still runs wonderfully. For average use, I would say a life span of 3-4 years is possible.
The only feature you may fall behind on quickly is Firewire 800. Also, your graphics (64 mb I assume) are wonderful now but in 3 years may be slow and even incompatible with newer games.

[GlennBlaylock]

In reply to:

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I have had my dual 500 g4 for 3 years now....

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I can top that. I have been using my B/W G3 for almost 5 years now and it is still mostly compatible with the Mac OS. As far as I know, the only things that I won't work on my Mac are Quartz Extreme and the DVD authoring software.

[braindoc]

There was a thread a short while ago discussing who is using the oldest mac. It would not be at all unusual to find Macs in use since 1995-96. Typically these would have a CPU upgrade of some sort and certainly have the RAM maxed out. However, that vintage would be able to run OS 9 without problems. Personally my wife and I use a 1997 20th Anniv. Mac, on a daily basis. We use it to surf the web, access our clinic's server, word processing, watch movies, TV... There are certainly older macs in use but their use would be more limited.
So not to worry, you'll get good use out of your new Mac for a few years. This of course would not be of comfort if you truly are a techno-freak, wherein you must have the latest and greatest. Then it won't matter which brand you buy, there'll be something from somebody better within 6 mos. or less.
Here's a link to that thread
http://www.macworld....true#Post206175

[superman19]

I bought my Tibook about a year and half ago, and it still flies! Since I upgraded to panther, it's been more responsive and I don't feel any need to upgrade, except for the fact that the G5 is beautiful. I want a G5 just for the wow factor, but I know I'll still be using my tibook all the time.

[doggdamac]

me 2, me 2 /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
1999 B&W runnin Panther that is !

[lemac]

Only been using my B&W for a year, but the machine itself been in use for 5 years /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

In reply to:

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As far as I know, the only things that I won't work on my Mac are Quartz Extreme and the DVD authoring software.

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DVD authoring software will install on the B&W if a G4 and a DVD burner are present. Quartz Extreme can be enabled if you got a Radeon card. QE hack works great under Panther.

[Visions_of_them]

I sold my BW 350 mac to a friend for is a magazine editor as I do video work, but she says the G3 is great for magazine work she was so glad to get rid of her PC
I think at the end of the Day it depends what your doing, where I work we have a Dual 450 G4, and it's usless for video work 4 days to render 1 hour of video my baby did it in 6 hours, but god I would love a G5, so at the end of the day it's all relative, why upgrade, if it can do what you need, the rapper Ice T uses a Power Mac 9600 to do his work on, I'm sure he can afford a G5 but it does the job for what he needs

[Praxis]

Want to see something scary?
Try to buy a 400 mhz Titanium PowerBook off ebay and watch them demand $900-$1200.
For a 400 mhz machine.
Macs sure don't lose their price quickly.

[Visions_of_them]

No this was scary the girl that brought my G3, it's maxed with Ram and upgraded HD but even stillI she paid me $2000 willingly she thought the $1500 originally wanted was too cheap for a 3year old machine !!!!!

[kyle988]

for 2000 dollars she could get a SP 1.6 G5!!

[Praxis]

Or a 12" with Superdrive...
Okay, that's scary. You win.
lol

[SueG]

You may be interested in some of the buying strategies described in the thread What's your threshold for upgrade vs new?
Using a five year old Blue & White tower here. I was moved to upgrade the processor, etc. after four years. It's a matter of keeping up with applications, and in my case, the way the kids use everything all at once.

[mystery_stain]

In reply to:

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No this was scary the girl that brought my G3, it's maxed with Ram and upgraded HD but even stillI she paid me $2000 willingly she thought the $1500 originally wanted was too cheap for a 3year old machine !!!!!

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So...um...I have some old Macs, what's this girls phone number?? /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif