“The single-processor G5, the entry-level box, occupies an odd spot: It’s the bottom-end version of a machine built for the highest of high-end users,” James Maguire writes for NewsFactor Network. “As I sat down to work with it, I wondered if it would blow away all my previous computing experiences. Sure, it’s the entry-level G5, but Apple claims the G5 is the world’s fastest personal computer. Virginia Tech University assembled a warehouse full of G5’s into a supercomputer now rated as one of the world’s fastest. The processor that powers the G5 is IBM’s PowerPC chip — the core of which can run servers, not just personal computers.”
Maguire writes, “Does the entry-level G5 scream? Not in my experience. A basic task like booting up a Web browser is certainly prompt, but it still takes several moments. And a more robust application like Photoshop definitely takes a few moments. A fast machine, yes. Blazing, no.”
“Of course, there are faster G5’s than the single-processor 1.6 GH model. By a long shot. The dual 1.8 GHz is faster, and the dual 2 GHz is fastest. (Yes, these machines actually have two processors. That’s forward looking.) The entry-level machine’s frontside bus clocks in at 800 MHz. The higher-end models run at 900 MHz and 1 GHz, respectively. But the attraction of the 1.6 GHz single-processor unit is price, and price is an issue that divides the G5 into two camps. The 1.6 GHz starts at US$1,799, within the range of general users,” Maguire writes.
Maguire writes, “The bottom line: The entry-level G5 may not be blazing enough to satisfy the high-end professional the G5 targets. But as a family or average user machine (granted, a pricey one), it has major pluses. Its 64-bit design means it will stay current for years to come, and its generous allotment of ports means you can use it for most anything. To top it off, you won’t have to worry about the plethora of viruses that plague Windows users. Just don’t expect it to scream.”
Full article here.
