Looking to buy a mac

sproutpunx

sproutpunx

sproutpunx

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1 Sep 2003
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Milton Keynes
Hi there, I know absolutely nothing about Macs, and would like to learn. I am thinking of buying one, but get put off by the low processor speed, but I'm sure that doesn't really matter.

Can anybody tell me how they relate to windows pc's in that respect?
 
low processor speed??! where are you reading that from?

I have a macbook pro and it is an absolute flying machine with Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz processor, 4MB cache etc etc.
 
They no longer sport low processor speeds. They've switched to Intel processors. This means that they can run Mac OS X and Windows natively.

For the most part they're small, quiet, fast computers that many users find pleasurable to use. :)
 
Macs are nice, and very quick since they got rid of the old Motorola CPUs. Apple keyboards and mice are crap, though.
 
Sorry, should have mentioned I am not able to spend lots of money to afford one of the newer ones with a decent processor. How do the slightly older ones compare? I'm not talking too old, but old enough to be cheap and new enough to be good.
 
Have had a look, and quite tempted. But still, I am really not looking to spend a lot. Have found some older second hand ones, processor speed of 450Mhz. Now to me this seems stupidly slow, am I wrong?
 
OS X runs pretty well on 450 MHz. The main factor in system quickness at that low of a frequency is RAM. You want as much as possible.

It'd certainly be quicker than an x86 rig at that clockspeed when given the same RAM.
 
Sorry, I am being confusing. I mean x86 rig when I say windows. You say it'd be quicker than an x86 rig at that clockspeed when given the same RAM, but what would it be the equivalent to.
 
Probably something like a PIII at around 833 MHz. I had a 450 MHz G4 and a 833 MHz PIII at work for a while and I'd be damned if I could tell the difference in day-to-day use. YMMV.

If you're getting an older one like we're discussing I suggest a PowerMac. You'll be able to upgrade to faster hard disks and faster video cards if you do so desire.
 
Thank you, this has given me a lot to think about. Thinking maybe I should save up and buy a new macbook, but can't justify those costs. And if a G4 at 450mhz is not so bad, maybe I can find one a little faster that will be even better!
 
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