Nov 16, 2001 06:23 AM
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(Updated Nov 20, 2001 06:34 PM)
A beautiful design, sleek look and feel, and stable OS make the G4 a great choice for designers, but only a decent one for consumers.
Quick Info:
The G4 is the evolution of the Mac staple G3. It is not necessarily faster in all respects, but the Altivec engine, exclusive to the G4 chip, allows significant performance jumps in supported applications. These include Photoshop, Flash, and Final Cut Pro.
The processor speeds start at 350mhz (now discontinued) and (so far) stop at 867mhz. The G5 series will most likely lead to the next speed step. Configurations range from single CPU to dual CPU, and possibly quad CPU in the next year (rumor).
Standard configurations include (can be customized):
G4 CPU with 256K (or 512k) L2 cache and 1MB L3 (backside) cache, 128-256MB of RAM, 40-80GB hard drive, SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW), 56-Kbps modem, 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet, two FireWire ports, headphone audio out, powered speaker out.
On with the review…
Good:
The reason I mentioned that the G4 would not be the first choice for consumers is simple…it is geared toward designers. Literally built from the bottom up, as a graphics machine, the G4 is powerful enough to run any app affectively.
The primary graphics tool, Photoshop, takes full advantage of the speed/performance of the G4, running faster than a comparable G3 most of the time. Not all aspects of Photoshop use the Altivec engine, so some speeds are actually slower than the G3.
It is sleek, with a gorgeous case, housing a powerful (albeit integrated) motherboard, Ethernet port, and Firewire ports.
Installation of the RAM and hard drive is simple enough. Just pull the handle on the side, and the chassis opens up. Very easy.
The Not-So-Good:
Macs in General
Some of the main disadvantages to the Macs is the severe lack of choice in hardware and software. While PCs have a full range of hardware options including – Network cards, graphic card, sound cards, and a full allotment of joysticks – the G4 can only take the hardware specifically made for them. In other words, PCs can choose from 50+ video cards, but the G4 only has a choice of about 4 or 5 (ATI Radeon and nVidia Geforce 3 being the latest additions). These custom cards are also, on average, 50-70% higher priced than the PC counterpart.
Software selection is also weak. Though web/print designers love the large software selection for graphics, everyday consumer programs and 3D programs are sorely misrepresented. The expensive MS Office series is available, but expensive. Amount of software is somewhere around 20% of the PC selection.
Macs are also, more expensive than comparable PCs.
G4 Specific
The machines are definitely fast, but…
They are, on average 40% more expensive than comparable PCs.
When I say comparable, I am not referring to the “megahertz speed”. That is a misconception. The computers are different breeds, therefore must be gauged on performance rather than “megahertz” comparisons. For example, in general tests, a 500mhz G4 is comparable to an PIII/P4 800-900mhz, or an Athlon 750-800mhz machine. Also, the Athlon is faster in most all programs than the PIII and P4.
This brings me to a large disadvantage to the G4.
My 1.3mhz Athlon is faster (in Photoshop, Flash, Office) than an 700mhz G4 at my work. The newer 2ghz Athlon is faster than the dual 800mhz G4. The Athlon is half (if not less) the price than a G4…with more hardware, even…for the same (if not better) performance.
The price/value factor is a HUGE deterant.
Bottom Line:
The G4 is a great computer…fast, stable, and beautiful….
But the Athlon systems offer the same performance, with much more software/hardware offerings, and at half the price.
Non-designer consumers may want to have more choice than a G4 offers.
You decide…
Note: I also have a review up of the iMac, if anyone wants to see about a more consumer-friendly Mac.
