Some Mac Questions

[BeauJangles]

I've been contemplating buying a mac laptop for about a year now. Originally it was a question of whether I wanted one, now it's just become a matter of time / money.

Here's what I'm interested in:

• When are the new x86 macs coming out? Will they be priced the same as macs now (ie could i get one for around $1200?) or will they be a lot more expensive?

• I'm mostly using this machine for word processing, listening to music, and probably some light web design work (mostly just coding though, I would probably to do graphics work on my 2.4 ghz PC) - what are the minimum specs I should be looking at?

• Finally, should I start aggressively looking now or should I wait for the new macs (either to purchase one or for it to drive down the price of older models?)

Thanks!

 

[erwos]

Wait for the new Macs. No one knows when they're coming out. They will probably be priced comparably to the current models.

If you absolutely cannot wait, the current 14 inch iBook is a reasonable buy, but still slow compared to what $1300 will get you in the PC market.

-Erwos

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: erwos
Wait for the new Macs. No one knows when they're coming out. They will probably be priced comparably to the current models.

If you absolutely cannot wait, the current 14 inch iBook is a reasonable buy, but still slow compared to what $1300 will get you in the PC market.

-Erwos

Okay, but for what I'm doing how much mac computing power do I need? Basic image manipulation and web design isn't the most CPU intensive process.

 

[dnuggett]

They will be coming out late 1Q or 2Q 06.


For what you are doing now a G3 would be fine.

 

[chcarnage]

The x86 Macs come out circa June 06. However some rumor sites say we'll see the first x86 even in April. The entire transition however takes Apple a year, so they will offer both x86 and PPC Macs from Q2 06 - Q2-07. There's no hint yet that x86 Macs will have significantly different prices than the actual product lines.

Every current Mac fits your requirements. If you decide to buy a second hand Mac make sure you've at least 512 MB RAM and an OS X 10.4 compatible model. You can check this here: http://www.apple-history.com

The end of a product cycle mostly is a good time to catch some cheap offer or to get a brand new model. However, processor architecture preferences aside, there's no big reason why to buy now or later. http://buyersguide.macrumors.com offers some information about the product cycles (Apple itself doesn't offer roadmaps), but the introduction of x86 may lower the predictability.

 

[hopejr]

Just a tip: I wouldn't buy a revision a mac, especially when they're moving to a completely different architecture. I've been contemplating updating my iBook G4 with a 15" Powerbook G4, and decided today that I may as well, because by the time the Revision b intel Powerbooks come out, it will be at least the end of next year.

 

[HermDogg]

Just what all of them said. You can wait for the Intel Macs, but you'll have to wait until at least revision b, it's never a good idea to take the first one. Since you're not doing much of anything, you could probably even get away with an Apple IIe- it's not like you need anything more for word processing and the like. Honestly, if that's all it's going to be used for you're wasting your money. A $600 Wal Mart special would serve you just as well, since you really don't need anything. I actually made the same mistake of buying a Mac laptop, but frankly I don't need it, I could do the same stuff with Windows for less. I'm even selling my PowerBook and getting a windows machine, so I can have some extra money arouhd while still having a laptop that does what I need it to.

 

[LtPage1]

We likely won't see any Intel-powered iBooks in 2006. For what you're doing, though, it doesn't sound like you'll really need that extra power. I say pull the trigger now- any of the current lineup will serve you very well.

 

[Corporate Thug]

OP, i'm in the same situation but i found a KILLER deal on a 15 inch/1.5 ghz G5 w/ applecare for $1399 NEW

i say if you find a killer deal, just take it

 

[jdiddy]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
OP, i'm in the same situation but i found a KILLER deal on a 15 inch/1.5 ghz G5 w/ applecare for $1399 NEW

i say if you find a killer deal, just take it

Whoa where you find that deal???

 

[HermDogg]

Uh.... 15 inch what?? No such thing as laptop G5s.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: jdiddy

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
OP, i'm in the same situation but i found a KILLER deal on a 15 inch/1.5 ghz G5 w/ applecare for $1399 NEW

i say if you find a killer deal, just take it

Whoa where you find that deal???

YGPM

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: HermDogg
Uh.... 15 inch what?? No such thing as laptop G5s.

sorry, i meant G4. got carried away with the 5's there...