I am currently a pc user and have an old G4 400mhz Single cpu mac for playing around. It has 1GB ram and OS 10.3.7, DVD-ROM, ZIP100, 40GB hdd, ATI Radeon 8500.

Lately I have been bored with Windows and have been enjoying using my mac. I am looking to get rid of this mac as it is pretty slow with the Panther OS and software that I use. However it does do what I need it to, it's just slow. Since I'm not a hardcore mac user I don't really know what I should buy. I'm torn between the iMac and the Power Mac.

It will be for Home use: Internet, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, iMovie, Premier (nothing major w/ premier - home movies), DVD.

I will not be buying an Apple display unless I go with an iMac.

I do not have any experience with any newer mac so I do not really know how fast they are. I would like something comparaple to my pc which is an Intel P4 3.2ghz (northwood), Intel 865PERL Mainboard, 1GB PC3200 RAM, 120GB hard drive, nVidia GeForce FX 5700, 19" Dell LCD 1901FP Monitor.

Anyone have any recommendations?
iMac or Power Mac?
Which speed processor should I go with?
Do I need dual processors?
How much Ram is recommended?

Any adice would be helpful. Also I would Like to stay under the $2000.00 mark.

You should be pretty fine with the new iMac, go for 1.8 GHz one, and if you can gofor the 20", the display is great and really worth the extra price from the 17".
It will suit very well for your needs, since you do almost the same stuffs as me...

edit: sorry i forgot to mention, RAM. Go for 1gb at least, but don0t buy it from apple. Buy 1 512mb module from apple and the other from crucial, you save a lot!

wait until macworld and see what they announce. if this new rumored "sub-$500 headless mac" is announced it might be the best choice.

The iMac is ok, go for 1GB or more RAM tho.

i say imac - if you already ahve a pretty good windows, you shouldn't waste extra $$ on the power maac.

I guess it really depends on your budget but for $2000 you'd be better off with the iMac. The 20" iMac is very nice, just add more RAM and buy it from Crucial not from Apple.

Also I noticed you said you were going to use Premeir, you should drop an extra $100 and get Final Cut Express when you order your machine. Premeir on the Mac is pretty bad.

Thanks all...

I am considering the iMac 20" w/ 250GB HDD, 1GB Ram, Aiport Extreme, Bluetooth Wireless KB and Mouse, and Final Cut. and I also want to see what happens at macwold.

yep best bet would be the iMac, but just in case wait till the mac expo.

I have the same Problem. I dont know
PowerBook or PowerMac
I really wanted something i can takearound. but also i wanted speed. I have a G3 500iBook. Bit Slow.

Here is the thing
Windows you can play games on. Mac hardly any games i can download for. *I dont pay for games* But mac is superfast and stable. Windows has alot of freeware that i can crack myself. Mac cracking would be mars for me.

What do you guys think?
Windows or Mac?
If Mac Which one?
PowerBook Or PowerMac?