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Seeking Power Mac Recommendations?

Posted by Cliff on from the a-nice-blue-juicy-one dept.

Pauly asks: "I'm going to do something I've never done: I'm buying a Mac. I'm a long-time UNIX developer and user for whom the prospect of trading a noisy, heat-spewing workstation or two in favor of a civilized Mac is irresistible. I'm quite used to making x86/*NIX hardware decisions. However, I'm finding myself stumped as I look at the G4/OS X options."

"As attractive as the (i|e)Macs are, I'm pretty certain I'll be getting a G4 tower to re-use my subtantial dual-monitor investment. Specifically, for my needs as a developer and power-user, I wonder:

  • Are modern G4 towers quieter and/or cooler than comparable x86 workstations?
  • Is it wiser to spend money on memory or megahertz?
  • Is it best to buy everything directly from Apple, or just a minimum to be fleshed out with cheaper, after-market add-ons?
  • What's the best video option for dual-head on Jaguar?
  • Does OS X make SMP worth the investment?
  • Is the SCSI performance gain great enough to be worth the investment over IDE?"

4 of 152 comments (clear)

  1. Remember to buy the Development Kit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    The Apple Developer's Kit gives you g++ for only $100!

  2. Let's all buy fucking Macs, then. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Slashdot, Slashdot, Slashdot. What has happened?

    Drugs in the water supply? Kickbacks from Steve Jobs?

    What is it with all this Macintosh shit?

    It's a fucking closed company, more closed than Microsoft.

    1. Re:Let's all buy fucking Macs, then. by axehat · · Score: -1, Troll

      Duh fagz!!! Itz so closed that their kernel is open source. Open source doesnt meen 'open' lik j00 fagz may be teh thinkin, it meenz closed !!!1 YoU STUPAD MAC FAGZZ!!!!1 LOLOL0L. Please, try to be intelligent next time.

  3. Lets sort this out once and for all.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Are modern G4 towers quieter and/or cooler than comparable x86 workstations?

    Yes, they are. It is because the processor is stone cold, just like dead people.

    Is it wiser to spend money on memory or megahertz?

    You can't buy a measurement.

    Is it best to buy everything directly from Apple, or just a minimum to be fleshed out with cheaper, after-market add-ons?

    Its best to buy nothing from Apple as it only encourages them. Cheapest option is a five fingered discount.

    What's the best video option for dual-head on Jaguar?

    Colour. You can now get colour.

    Does OS X make SMP worth the investment?

    Research as shown that shares, bank deposits etc are actual investments. They give you more money thatn you put in.

    Is the SCSI performance gain great enough to be worth the investment over IDE?"

    SCSI always beats IDE as everyone knows.