Buying a computer... Please HELP...

[funkypeoples]

I'm using my digi001 on a borrowed windows XP machine.

I'd like to purchase an older MAC. I've looked through some of the threads as well as the compatability sites... Although it states that dual cpu's are not necessary...

Am i better off getting a Dual 450 G4.. or,.. a Single, faster cpu?? (I'd like to stay under $600)

thanks

[maccool]

ProTools isn't optimized for dual processors, although using a 99% CPU setting effectively dedicates one whole processor to PT, leaving the other to run the OS and the graphics etc. It's kind of cool with a dual-processor machine when PT is max'ed out and the graphics are still going full-tilt boogie. But...

the Dual 450 or 500 G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) is probably comparable with a single 733 Digital Audio (with L3 cache). The early 733 Quicksilvers lack that L3 cache while the 867 has it. I'd probably go for one of those 2 faster, later, singles. They have a 133MHz bus vs. the 100MHz bus of the GigE (faster memory), 4 vs. 3 PCI slots, and a better graphics card. Should you want to upgrade the CPU at a later date, all the AGP graphics G4's can be bumped up to a single 2GHz or dual-1.8GHz CPU, and probably dual-2.0's pretty soon!

Hope this helps.

[albee1952]

I have nothing against MACs but building the Allenstien "best PC" for $1000 will smoke any older MAC in PT performance.