[MacDV] 2GHz iMac v's 2.3GHz (dual) tower

[Mark M. Florida]

I'd argue that you'd be better off with a single processor G5 for 
roughly the same price as an iMac:

- faster frontside bus (900 MHz vs. 667 MHz) -- a single 1.8 GHz G5 
Power Mac would probably be just as fast as the 2 GHz iMac G5

- more memory slots (add what you need now, and leave room for more in 
the future)

- two hard drive bays -- sure you could just add FireWire drives to the 
iMac, but internal drives are much faster and more reliable (don't have 
to deal with sketchy FireWire bridges, etc.)

Apple right now has a refurb 1.8 GHz G5 for $1299, add a 20" Cinema 
display for $799, and you're just $100 over the $2k price of the much 
more limited iMac (or get a 20" Dell display for even less -- same LCD, 
different enclosure).

The issue is expandibility.  And while it's no MDD G4 (4 internal hard 
drive bays, 2 optical drive bays, 4 PCI slots), it's MUCH more 
expandable than an iMac.  But if you want the neat package an iMac 
offers, then maybe that's more important -- in my opinion, for video 
work, the Power Mac with greater expandibility makes more sense.

- Mark