Mac G5 all it's cracked up to be?

[Enforcer]

And I've always been a PC guy. How much of a contrast is there in usage? (i.e. easy or hard to get used to because I'm already used to the other one?)

I generally use PCs, but while working this summer at an overnight camp, my only computer access was confined to iMacs. I mostly (in my opinion) hated them. The mouse was round and had only one button, and you couldn't fully maximize a window to fill the entire screen (at least not that I could figure out). I also had some problems learning my way around, but it wasn't insurmountable. The lack of a right-click button on the mouse is inexcusable, however. Why should I have to use two hands to do something that is easily done with only one? I do think you can buy a special mouse that has two buttons (but even the G5 comes with the one-button variety).

But, in Apple's defense, iTunes is waaaay better than MusicMatch Jukebox or any other mp3 ripper/player I've used on a PC. I'll be buying that little beauty as soon as it comes out for Windows.

 

[WizarDru]

However, the PC numbers in several benchmarks Apple was promoting at the G5 launch were utterly ridiculous.

From the article originally linked above: "After all, Apple had made that boast in the past, and those claims did not tend to hold up when independent third parties (such as ourselves) ran tests on current, real-world applications (not the synthetic benchmark tests Apple cited)."

Apple's over-exuberance in marketing has given them something of a reputation. I'm not sure I share the belief that the Opteron would have performed better, though, based on some of the data at Tom's Hardware.

I would like to get a new G5 for the wife, though, to do her web development work on. But I'd have to get her a two-button mouse and a tablet, most likely. Why hasn't Apple given up the ghost on the single button mouse, yet? It just seems oddly traditionalist for a company that once was the young maverick (though those days are more than 20 years gone, I know).

 

[Drengy]

I generally use PCs, but while working this summer at an overnight camp, my only computer access was confined to iMacs. I mostly (in my opinion) hated them. The mouse was round and had only one button, and you couldn't fully maximize a window to fill the entire screen (at least not that I could figure out). I also had some problems learning my way around, but it wasn't insurmountable. The lack of a right-click button on the mouse is inexcusable, however. Why should I have to use two hands to do something that is easily done with only one? I do think you can buy a special mouse that has two buttons (but even the G5 comes with the one-button variety).

Sounds like you were probably using older iMacs (the round mouse gives them away) running Mac OS 9. Running Mac OS X on newer (3 years or less) Macs is a completely different beast. Much more stable, capable, and more polished. Any Mac you buy today is going to be light years ahead of the old iMac you were using.

Any USB mouse will work on the Mac (most without any extra drivers), so if you don't like the mouse that comes with the Mac, it's only $30 or so to get a new one.

 

[Drengy]

I would like to get a new G5 for the wife, though, to do her web development work on. But I'd have to get her a two-button mouse and a tablet, most likely. Why hasn't Apple given up the ghost on the single button mouse, yet? It just seems oddly traditionalist for a company that once was the young maverick (though those days are more than 20 years gone, I know).

Apple sticks with the single mouse as the default for a couple reasons. First, because it's much simpler to use, especially for new computer users or longtime Mac-only users. My technophobe father has a terrible time with a two-button mouse, he never remembers which button to push and ends-up getting into contextual menu hell all too often. A single button mouse makes things much easier for people like him. And on the other end of the spectrum, I work with some designers who have been using Macs exclusively for 12 years, and whenever they have to use a PC they often have the same problem as my father.

By making the one-button mouse the lowest common denominator, Apple forces software developers to design their programs to work with a single button mouse, so you never run into situations where functions are hidden behind the second mouse button and not in any menus. And those people who like using a single-button mouse can continue to do so without penalty.

The nice thing about Mac OS X is that it fully supports a two or more button mouse. Just buy any multi-button USB mouse and it will just work, with the second button and scroll wheel automatically recognized without installing any drivers. You need drivers for additional buttons, but the basics are built-in. So if you are more advanced, you need only go spend $30 and you get a very decent multi-button mouse.

 

[Drengy]

Apple's over-exuberance in marketing has given them something of a reputation. I'm not sure I share the belief that the Opteron would have performed better, though, based on some of the data at Tom's Hardware.

Unfortunately Apple is forced to do this because of the "megahertz-myth." As showed by the PC Mag article, a 2 Ghz G5 is comparable to a 3 Ghz Xeon (or P4). But many in the general public will only see the numbers, and automatically assume that the G5 is slower. Apple exaggerates to get people talking about their systems, and hopefully get interested enough to look past the raw megahertz and look at the overall system.

Plus I think the whole world of benchmarking is a false one. As shown, benchmarks are easily bent to the purpose of those conducting them, plus the fact that no two computers are alike (considering all the hardware options, software, and even things like how fragmented your hard drive is).

The bottom line is to use the computer and software you are most comfortable using. And as long as Apple (and Linux) remain viable options, people will be able to do that.

 

[Dimwhit]

But, in Apple's defense, iTunes is waaaay better than MusicMatch Jukebox or any other mp3 ripper/player I've used on a PC. I'll be buying that little beauty as soon as it comes out for Windows.

Well, unless Apple steps WAY out of their norm, you won't have to buy it. It will be a free download. And you're right, iTunes a way better than any similar program on Windows. At least that I've used.

I was going to comment on the one-button mouse issue, but I think Drengy summed it up quite nicely.

 

[Drengy]

And I've always been a PC guy. How much of a contrast is there in usage? (i.e. easy or hard to get used to because I'm already used to the other one?)

Like anything new, there will be a learning curve. From personal experience at my work (which is all-Mac) when a PC-user is hired, they are initially uncomfortable using a Mac, but once they start really using the Mac, they like it a lot. Several people have gone so far as to replace their home PCs with Macs because they like it so much.

The most important thing for you though is going to be the application software. If a computer is working well, you'll be dealing with the operating system a fraction of the time you are using your programs, and I truly believe Final Cut is a best-in-class app for video editing and production.

 

[uv23]

[rant]The 1-button mouse is a hot issue and particularily important for me. Yes, we all know you can go and buy a two-button mouse. But including a newbie 1-button mouse with a pro level G5 is ridiculous. Every mac user I know hates 1-button mice. Some people are simply not designed to use computers, its a fact of life. They are not for everyone. And for those who have such difficulty there are iMacs and 1-button mice. But don't insult the rest of us by glossing over the fact that context menus have long been a part of OSX and that using a mouse click is far and away more efficient than a damnable command-click.[/rant]

whew

 

[Enforcer]

Besides, if Apple wants to convert more Windows people, getting rid of the 1-button mouse would be a good strategy. And the "spend $30 on a real mouse" argument doesn't really work for laptops, which is what I like. Yes, I have an external mouse for my laptop, but I only use it at home (not at class, during travel, etc.).

Oh, and they'll figure out some way that I can play cutting edge games (that aren't made by Blizzard) when they come out, not 6 mos. later.

If they solve both of those issues, I'd give 'em a shot. After all, I really like the way Macs look. They're damn sexy. I think my new Dell laptop is pretty cool looking, until I see a couple classmates' G4 laptops...

As for iTunes, if it's a free download, consider me a happy camper. But I would pay probably $20, maybe more, for the program--if only for the new Apple Music Store (or whatever it's called).

 

[mojo1701]

Wait, I remember having an old Mac when I was about 5. I remember the one-button mouse. I totally forgot about that. Thanks for clearing that up.

I was at a Costco one time and they had an iMac on display. I didn't like the mouse. It was too round for my palm, and only one button really confused me. Other than that, maybe I'll save some money to get a Mac to play around with in the future.