MDD or G5

Is there any reason you couldn't go with a G4 Mini and some external drive cases? I haven't played the games you list, but in general the Mini is a very capable machine. For having such a large library you may want to take it to 1GB of RAM.

I've got a 1.5GHz Mini on 512MB and running Google Earth puts the bottle neck on my DSL connection. I think many people overlook the Mini because they are enamoured by expandability they (might) want at some point. How much expansion do most people really do that *needs* PCI slots? Most stuff I see now tends to be FW or USB based. You'll have a hard time saturating FW400 without doing heavy AV work, and if you are doing that then go for the G5.

Why not get a new iMac 17" ($1299, cheaper if you buy a G5) and spend an extra $100 or so for an external firewire/usb 2.0 case to put the hard drive in. If you're looking to spend around $1500 on a machine, you may as well get something that's going to last you a while. Considering that the newest MDD is 3 years old, and that the G5 towers are something of a non expandable platform. (it's doubtful that an upgrade market will suddenly appear for these after non existence for three years). Unless you have some custom peripherals or ADC displays that require a PCI card or native ADC support, a tower isn't easily justifiable. For little over $1k, you can get a very fast machine with a nice lcd, easy ram expandability, warranty, as well as support for multiple displays (core duo iMac).

The new mac minis are at a price point where I recommend buying an iMac instead. For a few hundred more, you get a machine that's faster, has faster, larger hard drives (and better options here), multiple display support, and a very nice internal lcd. If portability on the cheap is a concern, hold out for the iBook (or it's replacement). I think May/June is a realistic time to expect a new iBook and/or macbooks.

It may also be a time to consider migrating to an iBook or PowerBook of some kind. Though, I've been using PowerBooks and iBooks for years (since the mid 90's). Since you've been getting along with a blue and white g3, a 12" iBook would probably blow your mind (sudden motion sensor and all). Also - if you're buying an iBook G4, I'd lean towards the 1.33 ghz 12" and 1.42 ghz 14" models. The earlier models lacked the sudden motion sensor, and had less secure connections for the hard drive and such on the board. Either way, best of luck with your purchase and enjoy.

One of the points here is: stay PPC or go Intel? Then it comes down to if a Core Solo/Duo mini fits your needs and you already have all the other stuff to use it (monitor & USB kbd/ms) or you want to go full-on and get the AIO iMac to save on buying a seperate LCD.

I personally would go with a refurb g5 imac or something similiar with external ide cases. Even the highest end g4 machines are beginning to show their age. I have heard problems with the 1.8 G5's and tiger.

well, we were looking at a imac or a mini, but i really like the upgradeability of the desktops. i have a couple of PCI cards that i use and i also have 1 external drive case. but i don't really like using them. makes everything look cluttered to me. and i don't like the idea of a computer being tied to a screen. i like being able to chang either the screen or the computer at any time. i currently have an older ibook (that im trying to sell) and my wife has a 867 powerbook. so our laptop needs are met. what we are thinking right now is spend 1000-1500 on a computer right now, and when the intel shift is completely mature (3ish years or so) get a nicer (about 3k) intel desktop.

thanks a ton for your thoughts.