any advice about new computer purchase

I am watching the little colored ball go around way too much with my G4 dual processor 500 mhz with 1 gig ram. and the latest HD is dying, so. . . I know an upgrade is way overdue.

It's going to be just as well for me to get one of the G5s being sold with applecare if I don't anticipate ponying up for the next generation of software... yes?

(I only managed to upgrade to the version of FCP (4 I think) I'm running cause it came with a laptop I bought!)

Just wanted to make this post in case anyone thinks I should be urged to dig deeper and go for a mac pro. But it seems completely like a silly idea to me since I just want to run the software I have now, which I only just scratch the surface of capability wise as it is...

Is there a signifigant difference between 1.8 and 2 Gig dual processor? should I be holding out for more/faster?

Want to run FCP and after effects. don't anticipate getting into a lot else... that requires much heft.

thanks for any input!

The question has to be asked.... are you doing this for a living?
I imagine probably not.
Right now you could pick up a used G4 1.5-1.67 powerbook for $1000 or more on EBAY.
This wold probably be all you need , 1.5GB of ram, and an external FW 800 HD.
If you need speed for a living , then maybe more.
With this you could run motion and AF.
Bj

hey thanks. the laptop I bought before is a 1G. . I could work on it better than on my faulty tower.

anyway, looks like I found a great deal on a tower:

$1350

dual 2 G

160 G drives

2.5G ram

Geforce FX 5200 - (what is this?)

with FCP 5 (upgrade for me from 4.5), AE 6.5 (up from 5.5)

and it has applecare through mid march or so.

So we are planning to make it happen tomorrow afternoon.

Viva craigslist!

Great
Make sure you have at least 2 drives, one system and other media....
BJ

be careful buying a used computer (especially via craigs list) that is sold with software on it.
unless they include the install disks and transfer ownership formally, you dont own it and will be operating illegally

I didn't read the fine print.

<with FCP 5 (upgrade for me from 4.5), AE 6.5 (up from 5.5)>

Don't buy a computer with software on it.
You will not own the software.
Wayne is spot on.
Bj