Cons: Base configuration of 512MBs RAM is not enough - Needs 1GB or more.
The Bottom Line: All in all, if you need a powerful workstation level computer for multithreaded CPU intensive tasks, the Power Mac G5 Quad is perfect!
pruss's Full Review: Apple Power Mac G5 Quad (M9592LL/A) Mac Desktop
I purchased my Quad Power Mac in late October 2005, and received it four weeks later in late November. I could have received one quicker except I ordered mine with 2GBs of Ram instead of the insufficient 512MBs (2x 256MBs) base configuration. This is only my second Mac in over 12 years.
The previous model was the $599 Mac mini 1.42Ghz, which I bought to see what all the Mac OS X hype is all about. I was sceptical, so I did not buy a higher end model, but it took me all of about 2 weeks to realise that Mac OS X is everything Mac users have been saying for years, and so much more. I cross-graded all my application software from Windows to Mac (most was free or just the cost of shipping media). My windows computer quickly became little more than a file server and within a couple months, I had become so much more efficient than I was on Windows that the performance limitations of the entry-level Mac mini had become a hindrance, and I realised I needed something more powerful.
As an unemployed (until recently) middle aged University Student learning new tricks for a new career choice, I did not have enough money to buy a faster computer right away, but had decided to buy the a dual G5 2.7Ghz Power Mac with my supplemental student loan money, which would take a couple refunds to accumulate the $3000 for the Dual 2.7, and when I finally had it, the Quad 2.5 was announced for only $300 more, and I knew that the timing was telling me "buy me," and though a Quad CPU machine is a bit of overkill for my present needs, it will last longer and serve me better as I expand my skills...
Which brings me to what I use the Quad for... As I said, I am a University student, working towards a Bachelors degree in Interactive Media Design at the Art Institute Online. From day one, I cross-graded (and upgraded) Adobe Photoshop CS for Windows to the entire Adobe Creative Suite 2 for Mac and also added Macromedia Studio MX 2004, and Alias Maya Complete 7. Of all those apps, the most CPU intensive is Maya, which for those that don't know is the world's most powerful, fully integrated 3D modelling, animation, effects, and rendering solution, and has been used in hundreds of motion pictures to produce those amazing CGI effects, as well as game developers, visualisation professionals, and Web and print designers.
Despite being configured with the standard PCI-Express GeForce 6600 video, I have not experienced the slightest performance issues and can't see any use for the higher end GeForce 7800 or Quadra 4500 video cards at this time.
What really makes the multi-CPU configuration so useful (and a single dual-core CPU would provide the same functionality, though with some limits), is the ability to have very CPU-intensive applications such as Maya in the process of rendering a complex image working on one or more CPUs while the system uses another, and other more mundane applications such as email, iCal, iTunes and even playing Quicktime movies on other CPU cores, with no slowdown of any sort (except a slightly longer render time when the other apps are working harder in the foreground, of course).
Now, for the average home user, whose needs are primarily web browser, email, playing music and movies, some word processing and other relatively dull tasks, a Mac mini is more than sufficient and provides the added benefit of OS X, thus removing all the ridiculous technical and security issues inherent to Windows.
For professionals and students studying high end computer based applications, the Quad may be overkill, or may be perfect, but if a computer that will hold it's performance for years to come, it is a very smart buy.
Note that a comparably performing Windows PC would be a Quad AMD Opteron 2.4Ghz system, and with the same base configuration of a GeForce 6600, 256MBs of RAM, 250GB hard drive, etc. would cost about $4500-5000, while the Power Mac G5 Quad is $3300.
So far, with an average of about 12-16 hours of daily use, 6-7 days a week for about 2.5 months, I have not had a single problem.
All in all, if you need a powerful workstation level computer for Video, animation, and other CPU intensive tasks, you would not at all be going wrong in any way with the Power Mac G5 Quad. Some users may had GPU intensive tasks, such as Maya, that if they have the extra budget, would potentially want to consider the GeForce 7800 ($350 upgrade) or Quadra 4500 ($1600 upgrade) video cards strait away, but if your budget insists you wait, I am sure that Apple will be offering these two cards independently in the future, once production catches up.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2999 Operating System: Macintosh Processor speed: over 1000 RAM: More than 256 Internal Storage: SuperDisk Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
Power Mac G5 Desktop Quad 2.5 Ghz - Apple Computer M9592LL/A. Great deals on used Certified Preowned Apple Macintosh Power Mac G5 Quad 2.5Ghz - M9592L...More at GainSaver
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