Do I buy this G4?--MacDV Digest #2656

[Ted Langdell]

What software will come with it, aside from the two operating systems?

I'd look at how processor speed's going to affect what you do, and what 
software is going to work well with your machine.

If you're going to spend that kind of money, why not look at a brand 
new eMac.

The base model is around $794 at many retailers, but is probably lower 
for students.

Apple has education hardware and software pricing for students, and 
offers loans. you may find that the education pricing on Final Cut Pro 
is around the cost of the retail upgrade.

Your list below doesn't show a monitor, which you'll need.

The eMac has a built in 17" with ATI Radeon 7500 graphics card that has 
32MB of Double Data Rate (DDR) memory.

A top-end G4 eMac is around $1094 retail. Less through educational 
pricing.

Either machine has  1Ghz G4 processor, much faster than the older 
400MHz unit in the machine below.

Bott, can take up to 1GB of RAM (recommended for video editing) a 
faster data bus, the top end machine has a SUPERDRIVE that'll burn CD's 
and DVD's.

They both come with iMovie, iDVD, Garage Band, iiPhoto and the other 
iLife software AND a one-year warranty :-)

Get additional storage by adding Firewire drives.  (Estimate 13GB per 
hour of DV material. 120GB drive would give you around 9 hours of 
storage after formatting.)

You may spend more to get set up, but you'll be happier in the long run 
since the package will be faster and  the "window" of effective 
usefulness stretches farther into the future.


My $.25. Your mileage may vary.

Ted.

Ted Langdell
Ted Langdell Creative Broadcast Services
Marysville, CA




On Apr 1, 2004, at 5:31 AM, Macintosh Digital Video List wrote:

> Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 02:17:08 -0500
> From: <ptm at temple.edu>
> Subject: [MacDV] do I buy this G4?
> Message-Id: <3f255456.2a17bc24.8199500 at po-a.temple.edu>
>
> Hi,
>
> I am making a video film for a graduate project (a very large
> project) and I found someone selling a G4 for $825.  It
> sounds good but I'm not that savy, can you tell me if it's
> worth it.  Here's the specs:
>
> 1.25GB RAM
> 3X80 GB hard drives
> 400MHZ cpu
> ATI Radeon 8500 Graphics card
> cd/dvd rom
> zip 100 drive
> dual boot OS 9.2.2/10.2.8 intalled
>
> That's what I know and I would really appreciate any feedback.
>
> Best,  Paul
>
>
> ------------------------------