Compatibility Issues with OSX 10.4 and OSX Leopard/Tiger?

[Miklebud]

Okay, I'm trying to pursuade my boss at work to upgrade my 400mhz G4 Mac for a new(er) one. Currently I'm working in a small office on a network with my g4, 3 G5's (2 Design g5's, 1 Server g5) and a Dell PC. All G5's are running OSX 10.4, as is the G4.

Now here's where I think they're may be a problem: If I were to get a new Intel Mac Pro, would there be any compatibility issues between the Operating Systems (10.5 vs. 10.4)? As in, connecting to the server g5? Or running Adobe Creative Suite 2 on the Intel Mac? Or will the "Rosetta Stone?" take care of that issue?

I suggested getting a G5, but my boss was against buying used. But she cringes at the thought of a $2500 Mac Pro.

Any information would be greatly appreciated! I'm a noob when it comes to OSX

 

[TheStu]

CS2 will run like a dog on Intel hardware because it apparently wasn't that great to begin with, and having it go through Rosetta certainly doesn't help matters.

Networking between 10.4 and 10.5 is easy enough, no compatibility issues to worry about whatsoever. Basically, if you are able to network machines running 10.4 and can share files between them, you will be floored at how much easier and better it is in Leopard.

Depending on what you are doing though.. the iMac with AppleCare should be more than powerful enough.

 

[Miklebud]

This is a rig for designing and outputing graphics. Needs to run photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign simultaneously. yes the iMac may be enough power wise, but needs to be upgradeable, large HDD's, etc.

Considering I'm on a 400mhz G4 right now, even a slow CS2 on a MacPro is faster than a 400mhz G4 at any rate.

I've been bugging her for months to upgrade, and now's the chance. I just need more input and info to relay to her to finally get the trigger pulled!!

 

[erikistired]

pick up cs3 while you're ordering your mac pro.

 

[Kmax82]

Yea, while it will probably be faster, it will definitely drag. I use CS3 everyday, and when I first upgraded to an Intel Mac, before CS3 came out, it was horrible! The performance was almost worse than when I had a PPC Mac.

So definitely think about that before you go Intel, if you're going to be stuck with CS2.

 

[Miklebud]

I'm surely going to be stuck with CS2. If I were to get CS3, the rest of the art department would 'need' CS3. And the lady co-workers are upset enough that *I* get the new Mac...

my boss is a bit of a cheapskate...which is why I'm still on a fucking G4.

Anyone know where to get a G5 with a warranty?

 

[timswim78]

What do you do at work?

 

[KeithP]

Where are you going to buy? I know some places are still selling Mac Pros with 10.4 installed and just include 10.5 disc with purchase. Shop around and you may be able to find one of these and use 10.4 until Leopard gets a little more sorted out.

-KeithP

 

[Miklebud]

I'm a graphic artist for a screen printing company. So we deal entirely with the Adobe Creative Suite. Print films for silk screen printing used for T shirts or posters.

Is it possible to install OSX 10.4.1 onto an Intel Mac Pro!? if that is an option, that may the best solution!

Edit:
There aren't restrictions on where to purchase. Anything but used.

 

[TheStu]

The Mac Pros originally shipped with Tiger, so you can run 10.4 on them

The issue is that you would have to get system specific disks for it since the retail copy of OS X 10.4 will not install on the Intel Macs.

 

[KeithP]

Check macconnection.com. When I looked a couple of weeks ago they still had Mac Pros with 10.4 preloaded. 10.5 was supplied on a separate disc with purchase.

-Keith

 

[Kmax82]

Wait, why do you need Tiger installed now?

 

[Miklebud]

Assuming that 10.4 (Tiger) will run Adobe CS2 better than 10.5 (Leopard), that would be a HUGE selling point.
Unless I'm mistaken, and CS2 will run horribly on either set up, due to it still being an Intel Mac Pro

 

[Kmax82]

Originally posted by: Miklebud
Unless I'm mistaken, and CS2 will run horribly on either set up, due to it still being an Intel Mac Pro

That would be correct. It doesn't have anything to do with the OS version, it's the fact that CS2 isn't Universal binary, so it has to run through Rosetta's emulation of PPC code. It does indeed suck for those that can't upgrade both.

 

[Miklebud]

Damnit.
So, as it stands my options are very limited.

Used G5, if I can find one, would be the easiest, cheapest upgrade.

New Mac Pro/iMac with CS3, expensive, but a lot faster. But having a cheap boss is a kick in the balls.

400mhz G4 with CS2. PWNING my face. I'm so sick of waiting multiple minutes for my screen to update after moving an object .25".

 

[Kmax82]

I don't know your boss personally, but I would consider doing a report about the features/upgrades, and usability advantages to having CS3 on your machines. Research it a little bit and I'm sure that it would make her less appalled at the thought of spending that dough. Especially if it would make the business work faster, which means more money for them, y'know? Again, if she won't go for it after that, then I would do my best to convince her to pick up a used G5.

Realistically, if you already have a CS2 license, the upgrade to CS3 is pretty inexpensive for the massive upgrades that they made to the suite. I hate management that thinks you shouldn't ever spend money. Yes, I agree that you shouldn't spend money on new computers every year, but they definitely need to put forth the expenses to get your team up to snuff. Maybe play the angle that if they spend this money on MacPro/CS3 now that will be less money that they'll have to spend in the future.

I don't know, you'll have to analyze your manager and do whatever works best for you.

 

[Kmax82]

Maybe pitch this idea?

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2130162&enterthread=y <-- Mac Pro "Lite"?

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: Kmax82
Maybe pitch this idea?

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2130162&enterthread=y <-- Mac Pro "Lite"?

he wants something for a business environment, not something hacked together in someone's basement.

 

[Kmax82]

But if it runs the same and still looks like a professional desktop, then I think it would be an option. I know it wouldn't be the easy route, but if it allowed him to then spend the extra money on CS3, I think it'd be worth it.

 

[MrTransistorm]

Originally posted by: fisher

Originally posted by: Kmax82
Maybe pitch this idea?

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2130162&enterthread=y <-- Mac Pro "Lite"?

he wants something for a business environment, not something hacked together in someone's basement.

Not to mention it's illegal.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: Kmax82
But if it runs the same and still looks like a professional desktop, then I think it would be an option. I know it wouldn't be the easy route, but if it allowed him to then spend the extra money on CS3, I think it'd be worth it.

i'm sure his boss wants him to cobble together an illegal and likely unstable solution for his WORK COMPUTER.

doing something to futz around on at home is not the same as something you spend every day working on.

 

[umrigar]

A couple of ideas:

? Apple G5/2.7GHz Dual Processor
2.0/250GB SuperDrive (9650 256MB) (PCI-X) (no keyboard/mouse) (AppleCare to 6/26/08) $1800
http://www.macofalltrades.com/..._0_250GB_p/g527dp2.htm

? Apple Intel Dual-Core Xeon/2.0GHz Mac Pro
1.0/250GB SuperDrive-DL (7300GT 256MB) (no keyboard/mouse) (Apple Warranty to 1/2/09) $1900
http://www.macofalltrades.com/..._0_250_p/icdx20mp1.htm

Almost the same price.
The G5 has twice the RAM (2 GB). Both have 256 MB VRAM. Both are well under $2500, and are still under some kind of Apple warranty.

G5:
+ Will run CS2 faster
- Somewhat more prone to problems (power issues, logic board & processor failures, etc)
- Only holds 2 internal HDs, 1 optical drive
+ Has Tiger
- No OS discs

Mac Pro:
- Will run CS2 somewhat slower
+ Consumes less electric, outputs less BTU (heat)
+ Holds 2 optical drives, 4 hard drives
- Has Leopard
+ Has OS discs

Lots more G5 buying options on this site:
http://www.megamacs.com/catego...acs--PowerMac-G5/7004/

 

[TheStu]

I fail to see how Leopard is a con.

 

[Kmax82]

Originally posted by: fisher

Originally posted by: Kmax82
But if it runs the same and still looks like a professional desktop, then I think it would be an option. I know it wouldn't be the easy route, but if it allowed him to then spend the extra money on CS3, I think it'd be worth it.

i'm sure his boss wants him to cobble together an illegal and likely unstable solution for his WORK COMPUTER.

doing something to futz around on at home is not the same as something you spend every day working on.

Geez.. make a suggestion and everyone jumps down your throat. It was an idea! That's all.. everybody calm down.

 

[Miklebud]

LOL, thanks for the suggestion Kmax, but that Hack Pro Lite wouldnt be suitable for work. At home, that'd be an uber idea!

And thanks umrigar for that synopsis. I just sent my boss a similar break-down of the possibilities this morning. As for the link to "MacofallTrades" they offer a 1 year warranty on G5's!! That may be the best bet for the G5 route. But I still want an Intel Mac, dammit. With CS3!