!Restored: Time for a new Mac?

[Rick Thompson]

I have been reading the new speed results in Macworld regarding the newest Mac Pro desktops, and I am wondering if it is that time again. I am still on a G5 (2Ghz). It seems the new ones overall score are from 294 (basic) to 327 (all the way). My G5 is rated overall at 166, so that says it is time. However, with AC, I just don't know if the "overall" has much meaning or not. My guess is running AC would not see that percent increase.

My main areas I could benefit would be opening files, updating externally linked drawings, publishing etc. Renderings are not as important, but of course, they count too. I might open and close quite a few files each day, so updating is where I tend to get impatient.

And, then there is the G5 and the intel factor. I think there is not that much difference there, if anyone knows, i would appreciate hearing your experience. I think processor speed is the biggest factor (?).

Assuming (haha) GS is busy making AC multi-processor enabled, then the 8 core would be worth the extra few hundred.

Oh well, any feedback would be appreciated.


thanks

[Karl Ottenstein]

Article with some good info on Mac Pro memory configuration:
http://barefeats.com/harper3.html

[Anonymous]

Being that Apple has already stopped supporting the PPC with the newer technologies, with a few exceptions (even still incorporating some to X.3), a new machine would seem to be a wise investment. However the "new" technologies used in OS X.4+ are implemented in a way that changes the process similar to the way ArchiCAD changed the design process.

You should wait until a solid state drive is available regardless of how small they appear to be. I would only hope they would still keep a spot for at least one internal HDD for storage.

Why.

As usual Apple has taken a backwards approach when they implemented the "new" graphics technologies in OS X.4+ (80's vintage) when they incorporated NeXT. What has been the norm in regards to OpenGL and graphics technologies, especially on a Mac no longer applies.

Virtual memory has typically been a fall back for when you exceeded physical memory. With OS X.4+ that is no longer true. While creating graphics on a Mac you are utilizing your hard drive considerably more than RAM or your processor combined. Thus the SSD is going to have an advantage over the HDD in the actual "right now" graphical user experience as it does not rely on the rotation speed of the drive or the responsiveness of the head.

The processor builds the graphics library and stores it in virtual memory on your hard drive, your graphics card then become a server for those libraries unlike any other commercially available OS even different from NeXT which is what it is/was. Really not so new but a new implementation coined NeXTStep hence the NS prefix you see in the human readable format of the code.

This is the reason that often times the performance on the shared memory machines exceeds that of similar machine with a dedicated GC. Unfortunately each patch/update/point release increases performance on one while producing a hit on the other. IMO part of this was due to the original MacIntel 1,1's and IA-32.

So the SSD is more like RAM only non volatile so does not need to be cleared but can be added to and it has no mechanical "drag" as is experienced with a 7200 RPM HDD. "It's still spinning my head is dizzy That censored beach ball is making me crazy."

One thing to consider is upgrading your current machine until such time as these are available. The most beneficial upgrade would be a large graphics card that is both Quartz Extreme and Core Image supported with an OpenGL texture limit that is capable of producing your target image size.

Why.

To experience the performance increase during interaction and a quicker graphical response to user input.

Rendering for some is also an important part of their presentation yet there has always been one thing or another about the engines that causes "issues" or has certain limitations and is "too complex" or time consuming for others. Mac OS X.4 should (have) change(d) this. With Core Image rendering engines are almost obsolete It is a rendering engine and it is OpenGL, it is QuickTime which is the OS hence "Core Technologies". GS seems to be well aware of this and it is evident in some of the developer tools they have made available. One thing that will break through many limitations is the external Access to the Model (don't recall GS's actual name ATM.). Core Image combined with Core Animation, and Core Video enables you to create a rendered scene that is "live" with leaves swaying, rain, snow, fog, gravity, people moving, real time reflections as something passes a mirror or other reflective surface, sun rising, rivers running, what have you. The technology is already available it's just that nobody seems to be using it, or even know it's there, though GS has provided dev tools to do so. But on the same note it took me about two years to get up to speed trying to forget what I knew about what was.

IMO An ideal office for AC (a one person outfit) would be to have an Original G4 with DVD MPEG 2 hardware support and a G5 almost any configuration networked together via FireWire over IP. This will allow one to view and create content from OS 8 to OS X.whatever- and AC 5+. Upgrading the graphics cards in these machine to a modern one (QE and CI) would also provide an advantage as well as a speed boost for rendering your final project while working on the new one with an about zero performance hit. The technologies that enable this is called xGrid, again already available but under utilized and promoted. Have offices across continents? No problem xGrid allows you to utilize the processors of the machines that would otherwise be dormant after hours to your offices that are working their normal hours. 1- 100, 1000 or what ever processors plugging away rendering while keeping the host machine free to continue working. Closets full of G4's or G5's time to dust them off and put them to use. You can even keep them in the closet you just need to plug them in.

The other reason to NOT get rid of a G5 and to invest in one if you don't already have one is that you will need one if you produce anything with sound that needs to be synced. Core Audio is still big endian and little endian cannot swap bytes c c c cor r r r rect t t t ly. However the PPC running 10.3.2 w QT 6.2 or less is still pure PPC and can make use the images (provided they are rendered to a file as you will lose CI textures if they are not) and sync them together with Audio.

Jeffrey

[Anonymous]

Remember before making a large purchase, you might have options available to you.

If you are a student of a university, or someone in your family is a student - then you can use the Apple Developer Connection Student Membership.

It costs $99, but you get a free copy of Leopard which you can sell on eBAY (remember it is a 1 Time use only option).

Base Price becomes $2479. Which comes well under the regular Student discount, and far below the standard price.

see:
http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/WebObjects/ADC?qprm=38839

Otherwise, a Mac Pro 8 core 2.8 Ghz with 500 GB HD and 8800GT at standard price comes out to $3,099 - a savings of $620 smackers.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Burginger wrote:
If you are a student of a university, or someone in your family is a student - then you can use the Apple Developer Connection Student Membership.

Good point, Mark! In the case of non-students, the $499 'select' fee can be worthwhile for a very expensive Mac Pro.

If one wants warranty support/etc, probably not a good idea to scam a non-family student into getting a machine for you since the contract specifies:

You may not resell or otherwise transfer any items purchased for a period of at least one year from the
date of shipment. You may use products that you order under the ADC Hardware Purchase Program only
for the purpose of maintaining your company’s IT infrastructure, developing internal software for your
Company, and developing software and/or hardware products that will be sold for use with Apple
products.

Also, the contract notes that developer machines may take 4 to 6 weeks to ship. I guess since they're sold at such a discount, Apple puts them on the back of the list to sell retail machines first.

Thanks for the heads-up,
Karl

[Anonymous]

Did I say scam? I don't remember saying that or even insinuate such a thing. I have a son in college and maybe Rick and you do too. Don't you already spend too much on tuition?

[Karl Ottenstein]

Burginger wrote:
Did I say scam? I don't remember saying that or even insinuate such a thing. I have a son in college and maybe Rick and you do too. Don't you already spend too much on tuition?

Sincere apologies for implying anything, Mark! You said no such thing, and I know both you and Rick have kids. I was leaping ahead to the other readers who might read between the lines and think...hey, so and so has a kid in school, and ...

Sorry. Hope you're enjoying the move to Oregon...

Cheers,
Karl

[Rick Thompson]

Kids in school? Several down, and one to go. I got the latest who just graduated a MacBook for graduation, and he went out and got a job with Dell So, if any of you guys need a bunch of new Dells for your office, let me know. After he finishes the training he will be in business sells, and I am sure he would like a call.

[Anonymous]

Karl wrote:
Sorry. Hope you're enjoying the move to Oregon...

Cheers,
Karl

Enjoy the move? Sure, if I could only find my ArchiSnowShovel Object. Excuse me while I talk to my neighbor's kid regarding my next purchase.

[Erich]

Mark,

At least while you are shoveling snow with your ArchiShovel you can see some sky. Try living on the wet side...

[Anonymous]

You have been filling the weather radar for over a week? month? whew!