G5 Now Or Wait ??, I have a digidesign 002... what to do? Options

[rafamira]

I need some help here, friends!

In my homestudio I have a G4 1'25Ghz, 1 processor, 1,75Mb RAM running PROTOOLS 7.0 LE for my new DIGI002. (I record in an external FW800 HD)

When my session has a few plugins, problems happen. My MAC just can't hold it all together...

I know I need a G5 (Quad if possible.. haha), but...

SHALL I BUY IT NOW with the ibm processors or WAIT until they offer a new G5 based in intel processors, and wait everybody (Digidesign, Spectrasonics, etc... ) to upgrade their software ????

PLEASE I NEED YOUR PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THANKS A LOT

[synfever]

At this point, if I were you, I would wait, even if it's frustrating (I know, I had almost the same G4.). Just because I'M not so convinced developers will still bother to develop universal binaries for pre-MacIntel machines for very long. Companies tend to forget about obsolete technologies very fast and move on to the next big thing.

I mean by the time I finish paying for my dual 2.5 G5, I don't know how much new software will still be available for it. I don't really like the idea of always having to buy a new computer especially after paying so much for the G5 I have now.

Maybe somebody has a more enlightened opinion on the matter.

[rafamira]

Thank you very much for your oppinion.

I agree with you, but also I think G5 is not an old computer (you know what I mean). Lots of people have it, and It's hard to believe Apple or software developers are going to forget all you....

Improvement in technology is really fast, and maybe it doesn't matter if I buy a G5 now or in the future, in 5 years or less I would have to change it again, don' t you think??

Those are the ideas my head play with, but I can't made up my mind and make a decission...

[lepetitmartien]

If it's your job, stick to G5, as you've got the software and hardware already and it'll work together with the less headaches fast. I don't see a serious opening for Professionals till autumn at least. also for those who rely on plug-ins, it's still a long way to go.

The fact the macintel are coming doesn't mean we can't work on G5 (and even on G4 for a lot of people). The question is more: Can it cope with what I do? Which one will work for me right now? How long do I plan to keep it?

rafamira, as you rely on PT, I think the real question is more which G5 will you buy than are you going to intel. If you work now, there's just no intel answer.

The Quad is a HUUUUUUGE machine. (jealous I am) but if you plan to move in less than 2 years to intel, balance with a dual before deciding. i'd see also what people say about PT and quad on the DUC too and the compato page. The Quad is still not proven tested for Digidesign so only users can tell you.

Thinking about keeping a pro computer more than a 3 to 5 years span is… well…

[straydog]

Yup, it's all a question of how much you need. I used to work with an imac G3, about a year ago, and I was happy with it, but then it was few tracks and fewer plugins. As my experiments became more demanding, I HAD to upgrade (sadly not to a tower G5, I couldn't afford). But the system 9 G3 was and still is usable in terms of software, it just didn't have the computing power...

So, if you buy a G5 now, there are enough plugins and software around to keep you going for years, and, no matter the technology, it will always be a bunch of AIFF and MIDI files in the end, no compatibility problems there

And since there are lots of people upgrading, you can get a used one at a very decent price (I missed that chance by maybe a couple of months)

Otherwise, you should probably be a little patient, I'm sure next generation Intels will have a lot of their problems solved...

[synfever]

Thinking about keeping a pro computer more than a 3 to 5 years span is… well…

I would and I would like to agree with you but then I'm looking at my payment plan and I'm paying this G5 that I love for the next 3 years and it's almost as much as my rent so...


Things are moving fast... sigh...

[lepetitmartien]

In computers yes, so the best course is:

- if you're a demanding professional and you really make money out of it, to keep on top of the performance, though it means you have lag a few months because you must be sure it works, you get the top of things and change fast.
- if either you're not that power hungry and/or you can't justify the price/performance every year, you upgrade by big steps then settle as much as possible on a stabilized platform. You'll have to move from it anyway after 3-5 years.

[rafamira]

Thanks a lot for your comments, lepetitmartien, you're a wise man...

Now I'm putting all in my head and trying to make a decission, but I think the best option for me is buy a G5 Dual now (I know what I need in the present and I don't know when apple is going to offer a G5intel with its logical "adaptation-disperation" time / I've read in the spanish forums some people bought a mactel and in a few days they give it back to the shop...)

i'd see also what people say about PT and quad on the DUC too and the compato page. The Quad is still not proven tested for Digidesign so only users can tell you.

Can I ask you a favour? Please can you give me a link to that DUC compato comments about G5 Quad and PT?

Thank you very much again...

[lepetitmartien]

The compato page at digidesign never go out without it

Search you exact Digi product and you know which systems are known by Digi to work 100% (they are weeks to months late as it takes time to test or have enough users reports)

The 002 with 10.4 and Pro Tools LE 7 compato page
The relevant G5 page (quad is on it…)
This seems the main PT LE thread on the Quad

For the forthcoming powermac macintel equivalent, they are reasonably expected this autumn round october, but the grapevine tells july. Also, count at the very least 2-3 months before there's enough feedback for some move professionally to occur seriously. I bet pro will move only next year…