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  #1   Report Post  
Rodney Sauer
 
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Default Is the new iMac G5 a good studio computer?

I've been dabbling in home recording of scores for low-budget silent
film DVD releases. So far I've been dealing with the noise of my tower
Mac G4's fan by putting the musicians at the other end of the room and
using gate filters on every track to cut background noise during
silences. I thought about getting a quiet box for the CPU, but those
cost a third the price of a newer, faster, quieter computer.

I'd been considering the new liquid-cooled dual G5 towers, but the
newly announced iMac G5 boasts about its quiet fans, and both
processor speed and bus speed are four to six times faster than my
current G4. I've got a Firewire 828mkII so I shouldn't need a slot to
add an audio card. And the all-in-one iMac will be much more portable
than the tower for carrying around to set-up in rooms with better
acoustics and better pianos than my home office. It looks to be better
as a computer than the laptops, since those still have G4 processors.

Is there a down side to the G5 iMac that I'm not seeing? (And no, I'm
not trying to start a flame war about Mac/Windows, switching would
cost over $8k in software alone...)

Rodney Sauer
Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra
www.mont-alto.com
  #2   Report Post  
Jordan Leff
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Liquid-cooled G5 tower is a great computer and I have one in my studio
(dual 2Gigahertz). It is quieter than the G4 tower that it replaced.

However, it does have a variable fan ... it is usually pretty quiet
but it can get loud, as it spins faster the warmer it gets.

If it gets warm in your room you will probably want to put it in an
equipment closet or a separate room.

Only bummer I can think of is that one of the firewire ports is on the
front of the tower.

i use Protools and the G4 definitely feels sluggish compared to the G5
... would be hard to go back

--
Jordan
  #3   Report Post  
Ty Ford
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Wed, 8 Sep 2004 20:12:26 -0400, Jordan Leff wrote
(in article ):

Liquid-cooled G5 tower is a great computer and I have one in my studio
(dual 2Gigahertz). It is quieter than the G4 tower that it replaced.

However, it does have a variable fan ... it is usually pretty quiet
but it can get loud, as it spins faster the warmer it gets.

If it gets warm in your room you will probably want to put it in an
equipment closet or a separate room.

Only bummer I can think of is that one of the firewire ports is on the
front of the tower.

i use Protools and the G4 definitely feels sluggish compared to the G5
.. would be hard to go back

--
Jordan


Dude,

The G5 imac. I don't think it's what you're describing.

Regards,

Ty Ford



-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

  #5   Report Post  
Jordan Leff
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Oh, gotcha, my bad ... I didn't realize there even WAS an Imac G5 ...

but I just went to Apple's website ... and behold there is the new
Imac G5. Just called my friend at the local Mac shop here and he says
they are about 4-5 weeks from shipping.

--
Jordan


Dude,

The G5 imac. I don't think it's what you're describing.

Regards,

Ty Ford



-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com



  #6   Report Post  
Ty Ford
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 9 Sep 2004 17:57:48 -0400, Jordan Leff wrote
(in article ) :

Oh, gotcha, my bad ... I didn't realize there even WAS an Imac G5 ...

but I just went to Apple's website ... and behold there is the new
Imac G5. Just called my friend at the local Mac shop here and he says
they are about 4-5 weeks from shipping.

--
Jordan


I just got an apple email about it this week. The pictures I've seen don't
show a base. So where's the superdrive and the guts?

Ty Ford


-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

  #7   Report Post  
Marc Heusser
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In article ,
Ty Ford wrote:

On Thu, 9 Sep 2004 17:57:48 -0400, Jordan Leff wrote
(in article ) :

Oh, gotcha, my bad ... I didn't realize there even WAS an Imac G5 ...

....
I just got an apple email about it this week. The pictures I've seen don't
show a base. So where's the superdrive and the guts?


http://www.apple.com/imac
the whole computer is behind the screen, 2 inches deep total - including
Superdrive, loudspeakers etc.
There is only a power cord.

HTH

Marc

--
Marc Heusser
(remove the obvious: CHEERS and MERICAL...until end to reply via email)
  #8   Report Post  
hank alrich
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Ty Ford wrote:

Jordan Leff wrote:


Oh, gotcha, my bad ... I didn't realize there even WAS an Imac G5 ...


but I just went to Apple's website ... and behold there is the new
Imac G5. Just called my friend at the local Mac shop here and he says
they are about 4-5 weeks from shipping.


I just got an apple email about it this week. The pictures I've seen don't
show a base. So where's the superdrive and the guts?


It's built kind of like a fat laptop turned up on its edge; all the guts
are in the little bit of case that also presents the monitor screen.

Pics can be had at the Apple sites.

--
ha
  #9   Report Post  
Marc Heusser
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In article ,
Ty Ford wrote:

On Thu, 9 Sep 2004 17:57:48 -0400, Jordan Leff wrote
(in article ) :

Oh, gotcha, my bad ... I didn't realize there even WAS an Imac G5 ...

....
I just got an apple email about it this week. The pictures I've seen don't
show a base. So where's the superdrive and the guts?


http://www.apple.com/imac
the whole computer is behind the screen, 2 inches deep total - including
Superdrive, loudspeakers etc.
There is only a power cord.

HTH

Marc

--
Marc Heusser
(remove the obvious: CHEERS and MERICAL...until end to reply via email)
  #10   Report Post  
hank alrich
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Ty Ford wrote:

Jordan Leff wrote:


Oh, gotcha, my bad ... I didn't realize there even WAS an Imac G5 ...


but I just went to Apple's website ... and behold there is the new
Imac G5. Just called my friend at the local Mac shop here and he says
they are about 4-5 weeks from shipping.


I just got an apple email about it this week. The pictures I've seen don't
show a base. So where's the superdrive and the guts?


It's built kind of like a fat laptop turned up on its edge; all the guts
are in the little bit of case that also presents the monitor screen.

Pics can be had at the Apple sites.

--
ha


  #11   Report Post  
Ty Ford
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 9 Sep 2004 17:57:48 -0400, Jordan Leff wrote
(in article ) :

Oh, gotcha, my bad ... I didn't realize there even WAS an Imac G5 ...

but I just went to Apple's website ... and behold there is the new
Imac G5. Just called my friend at the local Mac shop here and he says
they are about 4-5 weeks from shipping.

--
Jordan


I just got an apple email about it this week. The pictures I've seen don't
show a base. So where's the superdrive and the guts?

Ty Ford


-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

  #13   Report Post  
Jordan Leff
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Oh, gotcha, my bad ... I didn't realize there even WAS an Imac G5 ...

but I just went to Apple's website ... and behold there is the new
Imac G5. Just called my friend at the local Mac shop here and he says
they are about 4-5 weeks from shipping.

--
Jordan


Dude,

The G5 imac. I don't think it's what you're describing.

Regards,

Ty Ford



-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

  #14   Report Post  
Ty Ford
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Wed, 8 Sep 2004 20:12:26 -0400, Jordan Leff wrote
(in article ):

Liquid-cooled G5 tower is a great computer and I have one in my studio
(dual 2Gigahertz). It is quieter than the G4 tower that it replaced.

However, it does have a variable fan ... it is usually pretty quiet
but it can get loud, as it spins faster the warmer it gets.

If it gets warm in your room you will probably want to put it in an
equipment closet or a separate room.

Only bummer I can think of is that one of the firewire ports is on the
front of the tower.

i use Protools and the G4 definitely feels sluggish compared to the G5
.. would be hard to go back

--
Jordan


Dude,

The G5 imac. I don't think it's what you're describing.

Regards,

Ty Ford



-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

  #15   Report Post  
Bob Cain
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Rodney Sauer wrote:


Is there a down side to the G5 iMac that I'm not seeing? (And no, I'm
not trying to start a flame war about Mac/Windows, switching would
cost over $8k in software alone...)


None that are apparent right now. It _really_ got my
attention. It may not be a portable laptop but it is
eminently transportable.

Anybody know if it can be powered by DC?


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein


  #16   Report Post  
Rodney Sauer
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Bob Cain wrote in message ...
Rodney Sauer wrote:


Is there a down side to the G5 iMac that I'm not seeing? (And no, I'm
not trying to start a flame war about Mac/Windows, switching would
cost over $8k in software alone...)


None that are apparent right now. It _really_ got my
attention. It may not be a portable laptop but it is
eminently transportable.

Anybody know if it can be powered by DC?


It doesn't have a battery, if that's what you mean. I happen to have
an electric boat battery and a power inverter, which would presumably
power an iMac, but a grounded extension cord is a LOT lighter... if
portability were the main factor I'd get a laptop. But 98% of the time
it would be sitting on my desk, and the more powerful processor is
appealling. And presumably someone will make a carrying case for it.

--Rodney
  #17   Report Post  
Philip Perkins
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The guts of the IMac G5 are all behind the screen. The optical drive
is mounted vertically
and ejects out the side. All the connectors are on the back. There
are no electronics in the stand. The Apple people told me that there
were no fans in it at all.

Philip Perkins
  #18   Report Post  
Eric Desrochers
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Philip Perkins wrote:

The Apple people told me that there
were no fans in it at all.

Philip Perkins


It have 3 fans, controled dynamically at the OS level. They surely spin
at low speed most of the time...

--
Eric (Dero) Desrochers
http://homepage.mac.com/dero72

Hiroshima 45, Tchernobyl 86, Windows 95
  #19   Report Post  
Ty Ford
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 9 Sep 2004 22:26:53 -0400, Philip Perkins wrote
(in article ) :

The guts of the IMac G5 are all behind the screen. The optical drive
is mounted vertically
and ejects out the side. All the connectors are on the back. There
are no electronics in the stand. The Apple people told me that there
were no fans in it at all.

Philip Perkins


Hmm, internal power supply. How's that going to work for S/N if it's used
for audio? Apple already took a hit for how poorly they implemented the
power supply in the G5 tower (one of which I own).

Regards,

Ty Ford



-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

  #21   Report Post  
hank alrich
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Ty Ford wrote:

Hmm, internal power supply. How's that going to work for S/N if it's used
for audio? Apple already took a hit for how poorly they implemented the
power supply in the G5 tower (one of which I own).


Yeah, they could blow it there, but if a Lynx card can deliver what it
does, Apple, at least in theory g, could get the power circuitry under
control vis a vis audio.

--
ha
  #23   Report Post  
hank alrich
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Ty Ford wrote:

Hmm, internal power supply. How's that going to work for S/N if it's used
for audio? Apple already took a hit for how poorly they implemented the
power supply in the G5 tower (one of which I own).


Yeah, they could blow it there, but if a Lynx card can deliver what it
does, Apple, at least in theory g, could get the power circuitry under
control vis a vis audio.

--
ha
  #24   Report Post  
Eric Desrochers
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Philip Perkins wrote:

The Apple people told me that there
were no fans in it at all.

Philip Perkins


It have 3 fans, controled dynamically at the OS level. They surely spin
at low speed most of the time...

--
Eric (Dero) Desrochers
http://homepage.mac.com/dero72

Hiroshima 45, Tchernobyl 86, Windows 95
  #25   Report Post  
Ty Ford
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 9 Sep 2004 22:26:53 -0400, Philip Perkins wrote
(in article ) :

The guts of the IMac G5 are all behind the screen. The optical drive
is mounted vertically
and ejects out the side. All the connectors are on the back. There
are no electronics in the stand. The Apple people told me that there
were no fans in it at all.

Philip Perkins


Hmm, internal power supply. How's that going to work for S/N if it's used
for audio? Apple already took a hit for how poorly they implemented the
power supply in the G5 tower (one of which I own).

Regards,

Ty Ford



-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com



  #26   Report Post  
Makatac
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I guess if you don't want to buy one you could always try to win one.
check it out at http://prizewise.com/productDetails.asp?id=16554
  #27   Report Post  
Makatac
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I guess if you don't want to buy one you could always try to win one.
check it out at http://prizewise.com/productDetails.asp?id=16554
  #28   Report Post  
Philip Perkins
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The guts of the IMac G5 are all behind the screen. The optical drive
is mounted vertically
and ejects out the side. All the connectors are on the back. There
are no electronics in the stand. The Apple people told me that there
were no fans in it at all.

Philip Perkins
  #29   Report Post  
Rodney Sauer
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Bob Cain wrote in message ...
Rodney Sauer wrote:


Is there a down side to the G5 iMac that I'm not seeing? (And no, I'm
not trying to start a flame war about Mac/Windows, switching would
cost over $8k in software alone...)


None that are apparent right now. It _really_ got my
attention. It may not be a portable laptop but it is
eminently transportable.

Anybody know if it can be powered by DC?


It doesn't have a battery, if that's what you mean. I happen to have
an electric boat battery and a power inverter, which would presumably
power an iMac, but a grounded extension cord is a LOT lighter... if
portability were the main factor I'd get a laptop. But 98% of the time
it would be sitting on my desk, and the more powerful processor is
appealling. And presumably someone will make a carrying case for it.

--Rodney
  #30   Report Post  
Jordan Leff
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Liquid-cooled G5 tower is a great computer and I have one in my studio
(dual 2Gigahertz). It is quieter than the G4 tower that it replaced.

However, it does have a variable fan ... it is usually pretty quiet
but it can get loud, as it spins faster the warmer it gets.

If it gets warm in your room you will probably want to put it in an
equipment closet or a separate room.

Only bummer I can think of is that one of the firewire ports is on the
front of the tower.

i use Protools and the G4 definitely feels sluggish compared to the G5
... would be hard to go back

--
Jordan


  #31   Report Post  
Bob Cain
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Rodney Sauer wrote:


Is there a down side to the G5 iMac that I'm not seeing? (And no, I'm
not trying to start a flame war about Mac/Windows, switching would
cost over $8k in software alone...)


None that are apparent right now. It _really_ got my
attention. It may not be a portable laptop but it is
eminently transportable.

Anybody know if it can be powered by DC?


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein
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