Hard to believe, but it’s been two years since i got my Dual 1.25 Ghz Powermac G4 and 23″ cinema display. I’ve been real happy with it, and i find i really do like the OS X environment a lot. I don’t know if its better than other operating systems, but i like it. That’s all that matters, really (nothing is more irritating to me than people who feel that what they like is better just because they like it). I’ve been using it for two years, and i don’t think it’s feeling it’s age yet. This is odd, because i am used to PC want cycles (system is great for 6 months, ok for 6 months, then all you think about is getting a new one 
Based on personal experience, I think it’s easier to live with a slightly older mac than it is with a less cutting edge PC. I don’t feel a need to upgrade this thing. At least, i didn’t until last month.
Now, of course, i’ll have to avoid going back into the local Comp USA again (seeing the 23″ Cinema Display there is part of what got me into this in the first place). They have a high end G5 sitting there with a 30″ Apple Cinema Display that i can, uh, look at and… no, i don’t need it. I’m happy with my still very large 23″ ACD. And my G4 with its plastic case is still very cute. I don’t need a new Dual 2.5 Ghz G5 powermac….
Not needing of course doesn’t mean i don’t WANT one. 
I just don’t NEED it. The fact is, a new system with the specs i’d want is over $7000. Uhm, yeah. Stuff like that requires a certain amount of ‘need’ to get it past the budget department (Seraphim). That and my own conscience… oh wait, that’s her too.
Anyways, i’m not planning any upgrades of that nature, but i am thinking of upgrading my intous 2 tablet to a new Intous 3, upgrading from Photoshop 7 and Illustrator 10 to the CS versions, maybe even getting Painter 9 … those are some serious enough investments ^^;;; Anyways, i seriously want to produce more color work this year, and upgrades are always nice. Still need to get it past the budget department, of course
- pirotunes: Subradial - Bioloophorm 1 Part 3 -
Fred, consider yourself lucky. You at least *have* a ‘budget department’ to keep you from buying stuff you don’t need.
the g4 is still awesome and there is really no need for the G5 but if you think about gettung Photoshop CS i think it would be a wise investment i saved and bought it and i am loving the program
the g4 is still awesome and there is really no need for the G5 but if you think about gettung Photoshop CS i think it would be a wise investment i saved and bought it and i am loving the program
here here. the only thing i have for a budget department is: you need this much for gas and food, im gonna go hide it. Now youre flat broke, so you cant buy anything. :p
Hey man if the G4 is still working stick with it. They are still pretty awesome machine in my eyes. and if you are thinking about getting Adobe Photoshop CS it is alittle costly but it is a good investment i bought the program and i am loving it
Hey man if the G4 is still working stick with it. They are still pretty awesome machine in my eyes. and if you are thinking about getting Adobe Photoshop CS it is alittle costly but it is a good investment i bought the program and i am loving it
I think my credit card can still hold a mini mac and an iPod, but I won’t do that to my credit rating.
If Sera is still registered as a student, get CS using an education discount. That’s the best value. Oy boss allowed me to put his CS suite on my G3 iMac when I got it.
And you know, except for the pesky factor of not being able to watch downloaded movies very well on here, I’m extremely happy with my G3 iMac. I’m trying to decide if I want to put the $400 or so into it to max out the RAM and install a new harddrive or just get a Mac Mini in a few months. It’s been a great way to test out OS to see if I still liked it as much as I did in college. But I’m fine using Photoshop CS on it - even at just 256MB of RAM in here.
My budget department is small, loud, but is never quite able to keep me in line of sight for long enough. The only reason I can spend what I spend on MT loot is that she likes it too.
Eh… I’ve finally figured out the proper price curve for buying stuff (I said leading edge, not bleeding edge, ya scurvy sales pirate).
I know how you feel wrt the G5. The one I want will cost €6000. They’re due for an update though, so I might hold out. I believe CS 2 is due out soon too.
On another note, a bit of a caveat emptor with what Megs had to say about the discount. If you’re planning on doing that you might want to make sure that you can use the software for commercial purposes and not just for educational use.
Finally, I was having a look at your MT rant about the competition going on over in Darkhorse. I surfed on over to it and would like to make a comment about it: Beneath the Flapdoozy and Volume 2 there is a circular picture of Miho. This would make an excellent circular mouse pad imho.
Keep up the good work and keep out of CompUSA, or the budget dept. will have your guts for garters!
btw, the cost for Photoshop CS and Illustrator CS isn’t as bad as you think - i already own licences for PS7 and IL10, so it’s just upgrade costs ($170 each).
as for using educational versions, nah, i try not to do that because since i do use it for business, you aren’t supposed to.
Like any other biz, i feel like i have to pony up for the software i use. It’s not a bad feeling, actually, even if the price tag does hurt initially.
Stick with the comp u have, that’s way too much money and your computer is only two years old. My computer is like over five years old. I would say, upgrade the software for now if you can, then buy a new comp some other time. That’s just my opinion though.
Stick with the comp u have, that’s way too much money and your computer is only two years old. My computer is like over five years old. I would say, upgrade the software for now if you can, then buy a new comp some other time. That’s just my opinion though.
uh, i am seeing a lot of double posts. When you post, and you see that your comments aren’t there, don’t post again, refresh your browser. Thanks.
My problem is just having the money to buy CS initially. The upgrades aren’t bad at all, you’re right. We have 7 and CS at work and I don’t see too much of a difference between the two. Now if you compare 6 to 7 or 6 to CS, there is a world of difference. We use Adobe InDesign 2 at work and there’s a huge difference between that and CS.
If there doesn’t look to be too much of a difference in the products, I’d hold out and see what Adobe CS 2 has to offer. I’ve been seeing some rumors floating around out there about CS 2.
Yeah, I’ve spent a pretty penny with software upgrades this past year. 2 more are coming out within the next couple months. So, I’ll be uprading ot Tracktion 2 and Reason 3. Thankfully they have a decent pricing scale for previous owners.
Heh, I just got a job and now I’ve got a full list of parts for the building of a sweet machine. I’d get a Mac but that’s just way out of the ballpark at the moment…
Heh, you should get REASON 2.5 (Haha I just had to put that in there just for ya)! And FL STUDIO 5! And Cakewalk Project5! And Steinberg Cubase SX! All for your audio-creating needs! You’d have to get a MIDI-controller as well…
currently i’m running photoshop cs and it’s great. got ill cs hanging out too but have’nt given it any time really. they are’nt exactly liscensed, but i’m very poor, and at some point i can see me shelling out 850.00 cdn for ps. too many needs and wants in the first tho.
I say go half way. Treat yourself to something. Everyone deserves something once in a while. I personally would go crackers if I didn’t get to shop pointlessly once in a while. Then you can go ‘ooo’ at it and then when the novelty wears off you can either be ‘very glad I didn’t sell an arm and a leg to get the rest’ or buy another small (or big) something
Though you may have a hard time hiding that from your conscience…
Life is too short, live for today, prevent looking too far ahead and spend the money when you have it and enjoy it. Live life to it
Consult with the budget department and look at bills. Look at itemized bills. Do your taxes. That should kill any joy and hopefully you don’t rebound shop (some people do…what a cycle)
Or Seraphim can make fans out of your bills and whack you periodically. That might work, too.
Then hope to get a tax return and promise to put it towards something fun
“uh, i am seeing a lot of double posts. When you post, and you see that your comments aren’t there, don’t post again, refresh your browser. Thanks.”
Sorry about that. I’m using the Macintosh at school and it like, doesn’t show my posts here all of the time. O.o;
Fred:
I moved up from a G4 system to a G5 system a year back. Haven’t regretted the decision whatsoever. Also, the Intuos3 Wacom tablet is great - if you have an older tablet - sell it off and get the new one - the feel of the stylus and the pen are worth it.
Nice artwork, BTW!
-Krishna