Apple Power Mac G5 Turnkey Video Editing Computer Review (page 2)
Apple or Windows
In general, applications optimized for 64-bit processing will be much faster on the G5, but most legacy 32-bit apps will also be faster, simply because the machine as a whole is faster. The machine is quicker than the fastest G4 and it will go toe-to-toe with the fastest PCs we've seen. While we are not prepared to crown it "World's Fastest," 64-bit computing is the future and your next Mac will be a 64-bit machine. Dropping that into conversation may not get you any phone numbers at your next cocktail party, but it will impress the geeks.
Sidebar:
G5 Optimized Video Software
As this article was closing, Apple released G5-optimized video software, including Final Cut Pro 4.1 and Compressor 1.1. We barely had time to include this note, much less re-run all of our benchmarks with the new software. Our "un-optimized" numbers were quite speedy, however, so we suspect that the new software won't disappoint.
TECH SPECS
Platform: Macintosh
OS: Mac OS X v10.2.7
CPU: dual 2.0GHz PowerPC G5
RAM: 2GB (1GB per processor/PC3200)
Hard Drive: 160GB System (7,200 rpm, Serial ATA)
Sound card: integrated, digital output
Display card: ATI Radeon 9600 (64MB)
Disc Writer: SuperDrive 4x DVD-R/RW
Additional Hardware: 1x FireWire 800, 2x FireWire 400, 3x USB 2.0, 2x USB 1.0, 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11g wireless, keyboard/mouse
Editing Software: iLife suite
Apple Cinema 23-inch HD Display: $1,999
MPEG-2 Render (2-pass VBR): 17fps
STRENGTHS
- Top Mac performance
- Stem-to-stern improvements
- 64-bit ready for the future
WEAKNESSES
- Limited space for additional hard disks
- LiveType was slow
SUMMARY
The Mac is back with a killer G5, improved from the ground up.
$2,999
Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 996-1010
www.apple.com
