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The computer is a Mac Pros G5 Dual Cores

    * 2.3 GHz
    * 1GB RAM
    * 250 Gig Drives
    * Keyboard/Mouse
    * Flat Screen Monitors
    * Mac OS
    * iLife programs
    * About 6 years old

The Macs with Apple monitors will go for $275
The Macs with MPC monitors will go for $250

Would this be worth it? What's wanted: something that will last (life-wise, not upgrade-wise...), something with internet (that isn't slow), and will it run photoshop?

Don't get a Mac.  That's old enough, it might still have a PowerPC processor, and you'll run into all sorts of problems.

Get a Mac.

#16 - Apple - Get a mac - Sabotage

"All computers have problems, but macs do not have this problem."

Yes they do. Go with the PC. and upgrade Windows7. You see PC's are much more better because they can afford more commercials about Windows7.(That's a joke btw) But yes PC all the way.

As much fun as it is to root for one's own favorite platform, I say go with what you're most comfortable with. I like Windows, because I know how to make it do what I want it to, and I know very little about Macs (and what I do know irritates me to no end).

As far as photoshop, Adobe isn't very specific about some of the system requirements. They suggest a multicore processor, but don't say what speed or how many (2 should probably be fine, though, as long as you aren't running other things at the same time as photoshop). They suggest 1GB of RAM, but I don't believe that for a second; upgrade to 2GB if you can. They also suggest 256MB of video RAM. I would hazard a guess that since this was a school computer, it didn't have the greatest video capabilites, so this might be where your computer falls short; you could do some quick research and prove me wrong, though. Every thing else is probably fine.

The thing about Macs is that you can't tailor them to your specific needs. The Mac that has the video capabilities that you want, might have other features that are overkill for your needs (and therefore a waste of money). If you either are a computer geek or know one, you could probably get a PC built for pretty cheap that does exactly what you want. Plus you don't get all the junk software that prebuilt computers have (I assume Macs have that stuff too).

Quote from: SomeKittens on January 16, 2011, 10:42:15 PM

Quote from: Ring Wraith on January 16, 2011, 02:34:16 PM

Quote from: SomeKittens on January 16, 2011, 02:26:24 PM

Don't get a Mac.  That's old enough, it might still have a PowerPC processor, and you'll run into all sorts of problems.

Thanks. Weird that it'd have a PC processor...

These are school computers, and weren't used that much (since most people used the windows ones...)

PC stands for "personal computer".  Macs are a computer that's personal.
Incidentally, they now use Intel processors, which are more PC than PowerPC

Yes I know what PC stands for and Macs are technically "PC"'s but they don't preform like a real one.

Out of curiousity, when is the last time you used a Mac?

I have to use them sometimes when I work on iPhone apps.  Not fun.

You hate Macs but develop iPhone apps?

What about Macs bugs you? (I like talking about OSes)

Plus you don't get all the junk software that prebuilt computers have (I assume Macs have that stuff too).

Apple Commercial - Get A Mac, Mac Vs Bloated PC

This would just be a basic computer. ALL my sister really wants is something that'll run photoshop, have internet, and will last. It's a really good price, especially for a college student, and especially for a mac. She has a windows laptop, but she is frustrated with how slow it is.
Photoshop IS a game to her. She could spend hours just fooling around on it.

What about Macs bugs you? (I like talking about OSes)

Honestly, I need to start keeping a list. On the occasions I have to use macs I run into several nuisances right off the bat, and then forget them the next day. Usually, it's picky little interface issues. I was using a Mac once and wanted to change the mouse sensitivity. Where is that? Where's the control panel? How do I get there? There's virtually nothing on my desktop that looks helpful. On Windows I can click the big friendly start button and see "Control Panel" and potentially figure things out from there.

Plus there's lots of gnat-sized nuisances:
Why are the close/minimize/maximize buttons on the left of windows? I've got like 3 inches between my mouse and my keyboard, which means I have to pick up my mouse a time or two to travel far enough to the left side of my screen to manipulate my windows (which I do a LOT). This might have been related to my mouse sensitivity issues, though.

I also don't like command+clicking vs right-clicking. Mouse work should be a job for one hand only.

It also seems that Macs have been on the "function follows form" train for longer than windows. That toolbar thingy that pops up at the bottom of your screen (I forget what it's called) has always annoyed me. It's seems tailor made for the imbecile consumers who only ever use their computers for internet, email, movies, and pictures. I on the other hand like to have quick access to ALL my random collection of installed programs, which is exactly what I get from my Windows start menu.

And does it count as nuisance that every window looks like iTunes?

If I ever get a Mac, one of the first things I'll do, just to stick it to the man, is install a shell on it. (I've heard that you can do that because Macs are based on a UNIX system.) Then I'll have all the customizability and organizational freedom of a Linux shell with whatever perks are to be had from the Mac itself.

Oh, and I like using all of my screen.

Honestly, I need to start keeping a list. On the occasions I have to use macs I run into several nuisances right off the bat, and then forget them the next day. Usually, it's picky little interface issues. I was using a Mac once and wanted to change the mouse sensitivity. Where is that? Where's the control panel? How do I get there? There's virtually nothing on my desktop that looks helpful. On Windows I can click the big friendly start button and see "Control Panel" and potentially figure things out from there.
On Mac, you click the big friendly apple in the corner and click "System Preferences" (which makes a lot more sense than control panel) and click on mouse/keyboard. No problem. You just have to get used to the OS.

Plus there's lots of gnat-sized nuisances:
Why are the close/minimize/maximize buttons on the left of windows? I've got like 3 inches between my mouse and my keyboard, which means I have to pick up my mouse a time or two to travel far enough to the left side of my screen to manipulate my windows (which I do a LOT). This might have been related to my mouse sensitivity issues, though.
Left instead of right. Who cares?

I also don't like command+clicking vs right-clicking. Mouse work should be a job for one hand only.
That can be adjusted, but you're right, that is annoying. I use two fingers on the pad and a click for the right click.

It also seems that Macs have been on the "function follows form" train for longer than windows. That toolbar thingy that pops up at the bottom of your screen (I forget what it's called) has always annoyed me. It's seems tailor made for the imbecile consumers who only ever use their computers for internet, email, movies, and pictures. I on the other hand like to have quick access to ALL my random collection of installed programs, which is exactly what I get from my Windows start menu.
And the Spotlight feature isn't quick access to everything? You just have to search. There's also the Finder, which is pretty quick as well.

And does it count as nuisance that every window looks like iTunes?
¿lolwut?

So, pretty much, you're just not used to the Mac OS.

Quote

What about Macs bugs you? (I like talking about OSes)

I like being able to play games on my computer 

Quote from: Ring Wraith on January 17, 2011, 12:44:41 PM

Photoshop IS a game to her.

You can't spend 19 hours a day, 7 days a week for 15 months playing photoshop to get 200m xp and assure yourself the #1 rank, so therefore it isn't a game.

Macs can play Runescape.