Should I get a new G5 Mac?

[OzzyKP]

My folks are thinking of getting me a G5 for Christmas. I'm not sure though, I hear its an amazing machine but as I have quite a lot of stuff on my PC I don't want to throw it all away because nothing is compatable with a Mac.

Also I don't want my parents to waste a bunch of money on a computer that seems to be really expensive when they could get like $300 worth of components to bring my PC up to speed.

I don't like the idea of throwing away 5 years worth of my life on this computer. No way it'll happen. I'd rather stick to my crapbucket than erase it all. But then again if this G5 thingy is as amazing as one of my tech friends says, then am I a fool to look a gift horse in the mouth?

As for more civ specific questions: All my saved games and scenarios and modpacks and maps and other goodies for civ2, are they still useable for the Mac version?

And since I don't like the idea of having to replace my entire game catalog (and since I'm poor as dirt) how available are Mac games (if they even exist) online for download? Civ2, MOO, CtP, etc.

[Agathon]

All the games you mention are available for the Macintosh. You can buy them at any good Mac retailer.

I have no idea about the Civ 2 stuff.

If you want the G5 because of the computer's speed, I'm a bit worried. Sure, it's a fast computer, but the real reason for buying one is that you like the Mac OS. Play around with it and see what you think. I love macs, but not everyone does.

[FrostyBoy]

Have your parents upgrade your PC, its cheaper, you'll much more prefer a faster PC than a fast MAC and a slow PC. Eventually the G5 will be slow, and you'll wish you had upgraded your PC instead.

TRUST ME

[monolith94]

Civ 2, as far as I know, won't run on a new G5, because I don't think the new G5s will support OS 9. An OS X port of civ 2 has not even been announced, or anything.

Considering the G5 just came out, if you decide you want to go macintosh eventually, just wait for prices to decline a bit, because they undoubtedly will.

As far as transitioning from pc to mac, macs are pretty generous - your photos, documents, movies, basic files and such should port over easily. The only area where I can see you as being dissapointed would be in terms of games.

[OzzyKP]

I'm indifferent on most things. I've switched back and forth between PCs and Macs for as long as I've had computers. I know and am comfortable with both.

I know my current computer is very slow, small, and outdated. But I can update that with $300 like I said.

But my friend who gave me that $300 shopping list said the G5 is still far superior, and he recommended I go for it. I don't need the biggest baddest computer on the block, but if its such a good computer then I might as well. As long as its not a soul crushing upheaval to switch over.

[korn469]

Stay with a pc it's cheaper and you'll be better off in the long run

[Agathon]

Originally posted by monolith94
Civ 2, as far as I know, won't run on a new G5, because I don't think the new G5s will support OS 9. An OS X port of civ 2 has not even been announced, or anything.

Civ 2 runs just fine in OS X's Classic mode - at least it does for me.

Man, I wish my parents would buy me a new G5.

[monolith94]

"Civ 2 runs just fine in OS X's Classic mode - at least it does for me."

But the thing is, I'm 75% sure the new G5s won't have classic mode.

[Drake Tungsten]

I'll take the G5 if you don't want it...

[klesh]

I'll ask my roomate to come on and answer G5 questions you have. His just arrived and he hasn't set it up yet. I think he's waiting for a monitor. I'll give you a shot of the box and the insides tomorrow. He's asleep and the machine is in his room.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by monolith94
"Civ 2 runs just fine in OS X's Classic mode - at least it does for me."

But the thing is, I'm 75% sure the new G5s won't have classic mode.

They run Jaguar and that does.

[Drake Tungsten]

I think they're only going to run Jaguar (the 64 bit port) for a short time. They're supposed to be switched to Panther as soon as possible, which may not have Classic.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
I think they're only going to run Jaguar (the 64 bit port) for a short time. They're supposed to be switched to Panther as soon as possible, which may not have Classic.

I can't see why they'd want to remove it. It doesn't affect the running of X at all.

[Drake Tungsten]

Panther is going to be a 64-bit OS, IIRC. So is the version of Jaguar that the G5's run. Maybe Classic isn't compatible with a 64-bit OS?

edit: It appears Panter won't be fully 64-bit after all. It's a hybrid 32/64 bit OS.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/39/31600.html

[BustaMike]

Hell no you shouldn't get a mac.

http://webdev.o1.com/rvb/movies/switch/RvB_switch.mov

I think this sums up my thoughts on Mac gaming .