[buckster]

I've decided to switch from a PC to a Mac, so I'd like some advice on how to configure my new Mac. I'm a student, so I'll be ordering through the Apple website with a discount. I'm very new to all of this, so some basic questions will follow.
I want to order the Dual 2.5 PowerPC G5. I want to get a computer that will last a long time and have plenty of power. I plan to use it for DV editing, some gaming, creating music, and general purpose work. Eventually I want to get a High Definition DV camcorder and be able to edit on the Mac. I'm interested in getting into graphics design also.
1. RAM - only comes w/ 512MB, so I want to upgrade. Would 2GB (4X512) be enough for now?
2. Hard Drive - since it's only $90 more, I think I'll upgrade to 250GB.
3. Graphics card - I'm not so sure about this one. I do play games on XBOX and PS2, but not so much computer. But now when I have a computer this powerful, I may get into it more. I was thinking of at least upgrading to the ATI Radeon 9800XT. Would it be worth it to go for the NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL? What advantages other than gaming would this give me?
4. Display - I plan to get the Apple 23" Cinema HD display.
5. Internet - right now I have a Cable Modem on my PC for high-speed internet. Is there a way to create a wireless network so I can have my old PC and a new Mac sharing the connection? What hardware will I need for that? AirPort Extreme card, Express or Extreme Base Station? Also, will I be able to connect my XBox or PS2 to the network?
6. Keyboard and Mouse - Are the Apple Bluetooth keyboard and mouse good devices? It's an additional $89 to get them and the Bluetooth module.
7. Speakers - Does this system come with any speakers? Although I won't be using this system for DVD viewing, I would like good sound. The 5.1 systems listed at the Apple store are from Klipsch and Logitech and are around $300.
8. Etc. - Applecare Protection Plan: Is this worth the extra $200? .Mac: is this worth $70 extra?
Sorry for some of those very basic questions. I would really appreciate any help in customizing my new Mac.
Thanks,
Brian

[drmbb]

1. 2GB will be plenty - don't order it with the machine though. Get it via a place like www.ramseeker.com or such (Apple is notorious for overpricing their BTO RAM).
2. I wouldn't bother getting the bigger drive now, unless you truly need the space. You have an empty drive slot, so could add a second drive when/as/if needed - and HDs just keep getting cheaper and bigger.
3. Again, I'd hold off until you see how the 9600XT card does (it's actually a pretty good video card) - it may be fine for your needs. 9800-series cards will just get cheaper over the next year or so, and in awhile, you could upgrade (if you want/need to) for less then the $270 Apple's going to charge you now.
5. All you would need is an airport extreme card in the G5, and a wireless router (just about any will do - Belkin, Linksys, D-Link, Buffalo Tech., etc, etc). Similarly, all your WinPC, XBox, etc would need is an 802.11b-or-g compatible wireless adaptor.
8. A matter of choice really - I'v always gotten Applecare with my laptops, but wouldn't bother with a desktop - but that's up to you, really.

[Grant_G]

6. Go to (shudder) Microsoft or Logitech or Kensington and get a multi-button programmable mouse. And if you can handle a bit of clatter (similar to a real old manual typewriter), get a Matias Tactile Pro keyboard. Just superb. (And it's the sound ONLY that I refer to -- the feel of this 'board is just great).
7. No speakers with the G5 except a small and tinny internal. I have analog Logitechs that cost around $60 and I like them a lot, but for the cleanest sound plus 5.1, go with the digitals. Logitech and Klipsch both seem to get high marks here in the forums.
8. .mac is optional -- for all of us. Many have it, many don't. Purely your choice and if what it has to offer appeals to you, then $70 is $20 off the regular price so go for it.
G

[Arne]

The others answered already most of your questions, so here is just some stuff to add:
6. Bluetooth:
You should order your PowerMac with the build-in Bluetooth module, since you cannot add the internal one later. All you can do afterwards is getting the external Bluetooth dongle, which occupies one USB port.
8. AppleCare:
For 200$ extra you have a 3 year warranty on your PowerMac & your Display. Personally, I think it's worth it.
Cheers,
arne

[Praxis]

1) You need at LEAST 512. That should work for simple photoshop and video editting. If you're doing something serious, get a gig. 2 gigs would be more than enough. Don't buy from Apple though, their memory is way overpriced. http://dealram.com/p...0633/256MB.html get some PC3200 memory for the G5.
2) Good idea.
3) The Geforce 6800 Ultra DDL is the only current card in existance that can run a monitor with a resolution higher than 2000xwhatever. Meaning, it's the only graphics card that can run a 30" Apple Cinema display. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Plus, it has approximately 2 to 3x the performance of a Radeon 9800 XT- it's screaming fast. However, there are no games in EXISTANCE that are beyond the Radeon 9800 XT, so I wouldn't worry about it /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif And since you're not getting a 30"...
4) 23"...cool.
5) You'll need an Airport Extreme card for the PowerMac to connect to the wireless network. If you don't already have a wireless network, then you need a base station. Apple's Airport Extreme base station is sorta expensive- either get the Airport Express (miniturized Airport Extreme, very nice, only $129) or get an 802.11g (get G, not B)wireless router from anyone (Belkin makes a good station).
6) Yeah, they are. But personally, I dislike the one mouse button, although Apple's one mouse button is VERY comfortable. I would probably buy a different mouse with a second mouse button and scroll wheel.
7) Small internal ones, not really.
8) AppleCare, well, since you plan to keep this for a long time, a 3 year warranty wouldn't hurt. .Mac is optional- if you'd like online backup of a few hundred megabytes and an @mac.com email address and antivirus, sure. But Antivirus isn't even necessary since there are practically no viruses for OS X.
Congrats! You must have a ton of money /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[GlennBlaylock]

With respect to games, I have something for you to consider. First of all, you say that you say that you have and X-Box and P/S 2. Now as much as I love the Mac OS and Apple's computers, I have to admit that the variety of software titles is more limited for us. That considered, are there really any Mac games that you want to play that don't also come in versions for your game systems? If your answer to this question is no, then I would point out that the X-Box and P/S 2 are specificaly built to play games. If I am not mistaken (which is a distinct possibility), being gaming systems, they generally run games better than personal computers do. This being the case you may be better off sticking with the X-Box and P/S 2 for games rather than spending the money on a better video card.
You say that you are a student. That being the case, odds are that you are chronically short on money. (Living on student loans is still shorts on money because that is debt that you will have to pay off in the future.) So, money saved on your computer can be put toward other things that you need (food, rent, utilities, etc.)

[d00d]

Glenn, while it may be more cost effective to just use console gaming systems, I wouldn't agree that it's better. Any FPS is going to be better on a computer (even if the game is available for the console). No contest.

[Praxis]

Definitely. I have two PCs with Star Wars Battlefront on it (don't have a desktop Mac yet...:'( just a PowerBook)and I networked them. I had someone over. He has the XBox version of Battlefront and had never played with a keyboard and mouse before. I gave him one PC, I took the other. He'd never gotten a head shot before, or more than 20 kills, and now he was getting 20 head shots and 40 kills per round
NOTHING beats a keyboard and mouse for FPS.
And btw, Macs have plenty of FPS games. the Battlefield titles, Jedi Academy, Jedi Knight 2, the Elite Force games, Doom 3 is coming, etc, etc.

[d00d]

Don't forget Call of Duty and the Medal of Honor series. So good.

[Praxis]

I'm just waiting for Battlefront for Mac
But considering the amount LucasArts is dragging their heels on that game...sigh. They haven't even released an SDK yet!
screams of Star Wars fan agony ensues

[GlennBlaylock]

I stand corrected. I am not a big gamer and I especially don't like the first person shooter type games. So, I guess I am ignorant of just how computers comapare to the game consols.

[buckster]

Thanks for all of your help! You've helped me make some decisions that I was unsure about.
I'll probably just stick with the standard 9600XT graphics card. I do almost all of my gaming on the consoles anyway.
It seems like 1GB of RAM should be fine for now. I can get it at a discount through the University computer store.
The Airport Express seems like a good option to me. I live in a 2-story house; will the network carry throughout the house? I'll probably place the unit on the first floor near my entertainment system, while my new Mac will likely be on the second floor.
Thanks again,
Brian

[drmbb]

Note that at $129 the Airport Express is still on the pricey side if all you need/want is a wireless base station. Of course, it has some nice features that you may want, but if you don't want or need the specific features it offers, just grab something else. I have a 802.11g Belkin wireless router with 4-port switch built in, and it cost me about $60 USD, and I have a useful range of at least ~160ft (ie. max that I know of for sure, with my TiBook from outside, across the parking lot from my apartment and "through" my neighbors apartment as well).
P.S. I have a 9600XT in my WinXp box at home - Medal of Honor, Call of Duty, MS Flight Sim 2004, AE MVP Baseball 2003, etc., - even Doom3 (albeit not at it's optimal imagery) run fine on it.

[Praxis]

[indent]In reply to:

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The Airport Express seems like a good option to me. I live in a 2-story house; will the network carry throughout the house? I'll probably place the unit on the first floor near my entertainment system, while my new Mac will likely be on the second floor.

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[/indent]
I think so. My Belkin station covers almost all of my two story 5000 sq. ft. house. Does anyone know if the Airport Express has the same reception as most base stations?
The Airport Express also can stream music to a speaker (handy)
Actually, come to think about it it might be smarter for you to get a base station with a switch or router with several ethernet ports in it (maybe the $60 belkin mentioned above)?
Here's why. With an Airport Express (only one ethernet slot, you need to plug the cable modem ethernet line into that), you'll need a wireless card on BOTH computers.
With the Belkin, you can plug one computer directly into the belkin, and plug the cable line into the belkin, and only buy the wireless card for the Mac.
Saves you the $50-$100 for the extra wireless card, don't ya think?

BTW, I agree with most of your decisions. The 9600XT is a fine card- I still use an FX 5200, even weaker than the card in the iMac, and it plays all my games PERFECTLY (SW Battlefront, Jedi Academy, etc) and the 9600XT easily outperforms the FX 5200.
And 1 gig of RAM is a fine amount.