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hardware dilema – buy a G5 or wait for Pentium macs
I am new to both FCP and Macs but ready to switch from Avid PC editing system. Is it unwise to invest in Mac hardware now, running the risk of software becoming out of date when the Mac Pentiums come out? I know a G5 will be plenty for me to do what I need to do, its more an issue of whether the FCP future software upgrades will still work for the next few years…
Please advise.
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4 Replies
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Hello,
You’ll be fine. Apple will continue to have software support for a couple of years with the current G5s.The real trick is an i/o card. If you are going to be needing a hardware card for SDI or analogue decks…then it is more of an issue. Not because Apple won’t support it, but-right now-there are 2 generations of G5s; ones with PCI-express and older ones without. The hardware cards can’t work with both G5s. So if you need a card, or would like a card to work in the future, then it becomes more of an issue.
Good Luck,
Todd at UCSB
Television Production -
Amen to that, Todd.
I’m going through that at the moment with my G5. Wanting to get a Kona card – fortunately they make PCIe and PCI versions (my machine has PCI only). But sadly, I likely won’t be able to upgrade my Mac around the Kona card once the Intels are released unless they maintain standard PCI support.
I think the key is always to remember that computer technology will always be out-of-date once you unpack the box. As long as the gear can do what you need it to do, then that will see you right.
If I were in your position, if I was in no rush I’d wait for the Intels. If you need to get cracking with work straight away, then buy in now – with any luck you’ll be flooded with so much work that you’ll need to buy a second suite when the Intels come out ;o)
Enzo Tedeschi
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Editor
Sydney, Australia -
Hi Enzo,
I’m in the same boat. But I’m going to stretch & try to buy the G5 (so I can get the new Kona 3), otherwise I’ll wait for the intels.
I can’t imagine Apple will go back to the PCIs w/ the intels?? BUt I’d pay a pretty penny to find out!!
Todd at UCSB
Television Production -
That’d be my guess. Apple seem to be pretty quick to dump legacy stuff – think floppy drives when the G3 was released – they jumped onto the ZIP bandwagon, but by G4… gone…
For my two cents, I don’t see old-school PCI sticking around long, and I certainly would be surprised to see it in the Intel macs…
It wouldn’t be Apple if they didn’t push the envelope just a little :o)
Enzo Tedeschi
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Editor
Sydney, Australia
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