[MacDV] Re: What Computer

[Powermac]

I always tell people to buy the cheapest machine for the task that they want
to do. Basically that means know what you want to do, figure out what
software does this, and test that software out on a few machines (if there
is a local store) or go by the recommended (not minimum) equipment that
software has written on the box.

The difference in speed of the top model and the one under it are not great,
but the price sure is.
If you have chosen wisely you will be able to acomplish your task without
breaking your budget. If by some chance new software comes out that you HAVE
to have for specific functions that doesnt run fast enough for you then sell
the older rig and upgrade. Dont get stuck in the perpetual upgrade hype
every time new equipment or software comes out. They always hype it as the
best thing since sliced break and hardly ever deliver. In general it takes
time to learn the best/fastest way to do something with your new software,
and each upgrade produces changes in the way you work along with headaches
on software bugs.

Wether your buying a PC or a Mac these days they will be obsolete in 2-3
years. Buying the 2nd or 3rd machine from the top will let you run your
current software at a decent speed and let you upgrade every 3 years if
needed without breaking your budget. Processor speed, bus speeds, memory
types, video cards, HD's change way too much in  a few years time to
overspend on the top of the line (for this month) machine.

If your a buisiness your probably better off just leasing the equipment for
2 years and always having current equipment.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Matthew Guemple" <mo.og at verizon.net>
To: "Macintosh Digital Video List" <MacDV at lists.themacintoshguy.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2003 12:21 PM
Subject: [MacDV] Re: What Computer


> It's been said 1000 times and is worth repeating. Buy the best machine
> you can afford. It might sting a bit now, but inevitably if you cheap
> out you will (probably and quickly) get to the point where what you
> want to do will be limited by the machine. Or by that machines ability
> to run the new software that just came out that you want to use... etc.
>
> The advantage of the tower is that you will (almost) always be able to
> find some way to work around. iMac and eMac will always be limiting at
> some point.
>
> I spent years working with FrankenMacs and underpowered systems. The
> time suck and frustration alone would have been worth the expense (in
> retrospect) I just didn't have the cash. It's a trade off I would not
> recommend.
>
> Or you could go PC? Yikes... but cheap.
>
> ________________
> Matthew Guemple
> Art Director/03