This is no joke, can I trade in my PC hardware as credit for a new Mac?

[Deja Q]

Like the TOTL dual-G5 model? I'd still have to eventually add 512MB more RAM (to get 1GB total) and replace the Radeon 9600 for a 9800 if that's possible (or if it's worth it, is it?), but I'd be willing if it were possible.

My budget is rather slim right now, but once I recover I'd definitely consider doing this just to learn something new.

Or am I being dumb?

[Rick Myers]

1. Dude, yer havin' a stroke!!!

I'd love to have a Mac in addition to my PCs, but the software costs alone would break my bank...

The G5 is slick, I played with one in Minneapolis last week, but it's still an issue of software availability. 3DS Max will NEVER run on a Mac, and the rest of the stuff I use (Adobe AF, Premiere and Photoshop) are too expensive to buy in BOTH formats. And Premiere Pro will not run on the Mac. Yes, there is FCP, and I'm even certified in it, but the cost of everything else would sink me...

[Deja Q]

4. Yipes

Yeah, I would have to buy software again. :-( But I have to thank the chap from the other thread who forwarded me to Linux for Mac. As my favorite games are Linux-happy (Unreal Tournament series, Return to castle wolfenstein, Quake 3), I would then be quite content on a Mac - and probably very happy by the oomph of the FPS power... assumng the executables are compatible and something tells me they won't be...

Have you tried any Windows emulators under the G5? How do they perform?

[BigMcLargehuge]

10. all three of those games have Mac ports

and as for a Windows emulator on the G5...

The best of the lot, Virtual PC (now owned by Microsoft) won't run on it because it capitalizes on a chip instruction known as Little Endian mode that is not present in the G5. There is a alternative whose name escapes me at the moment but I've read that it runs Windows slower on the G5 than VPC did on a G4.

[dwckabal]

2. I haven't heard of Apple doing that,

maybe a computer store in your area would do that, but unless your PC is brand new, you probably wouldn't get much on a trade in. Your best bet may be to auction your PC online and use the proceeds from that for a new Mac.

I doubt you'd see much of a difference by upping the video from a 9600 to a 9800, but you'd definitely see the difference with 1 GB of RAM.

[Deja Q]

3. How does OS X use the extra RAM?

I know with XP, for general use, anything above 384MB becomes silly. (depending on your needs, of course more is better. Especially 3D games...)

With NT/2k/XP and Linux, any RAM not used by OSes and apps/data becomes a big cache for files. Does OS X use the extra RAM for similar means?

My PCs are all homebuilt clones, fairly new. But as a whole PC with 1GB RAM had cost me under $700 each (and are now what can be called used), you're right - I doubt I'd get much. :-(

[paradisiac]

7. with OSX

I'd consider 384 megs to be almost the minimum you need, it's fine to go with less but you'll have to endure a lot of paging to VM. The OS is kinda a RAM hog in my opinion. I think it's best to have 512 for fastest performance (though my iBook has only 384 and it's fine with me, I have no desire to add more).

Inactive memory is used by OSX to store apps/files/whatever that have been quit, so they relaunch quicker. For more info on the particulars try a Google.

[RoonShark]

5. Computer Stores

Computer stores that sell high-end Macs generally don't sell used PC's. Maybe some stores let you "trade in" your old PC, but they don't re-sell it. They throw it out.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi RoonShark!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[emulatorloo]

6. Ebay the PC and look for bargains

dwckabal is right. Ebay it! My observation there is that you may do better parting it out.

http://www.dealmac.com is a bargain hunter site for systems, peripherals, software etc.

They even have a fun and helpful forum there where members get into some political skirmishes. Could use more DUers there!

Some have built g4's out of parts picked up on ebay and put them in ATX cases:
http://www.macopz.com/buildamac/

I don't know if that's cost effective or not. . .picking up a used G4 might be cheaper.

If you built your PC's and like to tweak, you will probably also get a kick out of http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/

But consider whether you reallly need a dual g5 to start with or if you'd be happy getting your feet wet w a G4 or older G4 or even a Blue and White G3.
Here's a "pricewatch" type listing:
http://www.lowendmac.com/ppc/deals.html

BTW Quake 3, Unreal Tourney, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, are out native for OS X.

also BTW Adobe was one of those vendors who used to do crossgrades. Sadly you just missed a promotion from Apple where you could "even trade" your Win or Mac Premiere disk for Final Cut Express, or get a $500.00 rebate for Final Cut.


OnEdit: corrected XLR8yourmac URL and added Lowendmac.com deals page

[Awsi Dooger]

8. I post on the DealMac forum occasionally

With virtually the same user ID as here. That forum is extremely well traversed and helpful, along with the bargains listed on the main page. My last 4 peripheral purchases have all been thanks to DealMac alerts.

Emulatorloo's advice is correct, part out the PC or advertise it whole on eBay. Even if a CompUSA, for example, might buy your PC toward a Mac, their offer would be a prototype ripoff.

Also, check out the Apple Store at Apple.com, particularly the Special Deals. They have refurbs of G4s and G5s at extremely attractive prices, better than the going rate on eBay or Mac retail sites.

[Zech Marquis]

9. yes, go for those special deals at the Apple Store

You can get some great deals on a refub Power mac G4, the Powerbooks, etc. I'm not sure if any G5s will be in the Special Deals YET, but keep checking to find out :)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

13. Yes, the refurbished items are a great deal

My refurbished iBook has been going strong since December 2000.

I recently suffered a hard disk crash on my iMac (vintage January 2000, the first real trouble I've had with it), so I took the opportunity to add an extra 256MB of RAM and upgrade to OSX and AirPort on both machines. This should eliminate the need to buy new computers for a year or two. Besides, my old apps still work in Classic Mode, and I can gradually upgrade the apps so that they're all there when it's time to move over to completely new machines.

You might want to look at some of the catalogue distributors of Mac hardware and software. Apple seems to frown on discounting current models, but you can get the equivalent of a discount with package deals that throw in things like a printer, extra RAM, or major software for either a very low price or free.

By the way, unless you're really a power user, like a graphic designer or game developer, the G5 would be overkill. Those G4 Powerbooks and iMacs are plenty of computer for the average human being.

[newyawker99]

12. Hi emulatorloo!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[emulatorloo]

14. Thanks, newyawker99!

Right back at you!
:toast:
I am so happy I found DU a few months ago, and it is great to have signed up.