Jump to content

Which to buy, iMac G5 or Dell Zino HD 400


7 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Ok, so here's the plan for the computer I am buying.

 

I want to use this for multimedia (photo, video [particularly HD, but lower will work] and music)

I also want to use this for editing. So, I would like it to run CS4 (illustrator, photoshop, and indesign being most important in that order)

 

I have a 32" 1080p Tv (so monitor is NOT an issue, BUT connectivity is)

 

iMac:

Cons:

- comes with VERY limited connectivity options (and finding a place for a second screen next to my mounted 32" would be an issue, small, but an issue nonetheless)

- It bothers me that it won't run OSX Snow Leopard (I have this NEED to have the latest OS or my computer is considered dead to me)

BUT

Pros: iMac G5 runs CS4 like a champ assuming you get a beefier one

 

The Dell:

Cons:

- AS far as I can tell the processor may not run CS4 as expected (but that's what I'm here to talk to you about)

- Can run W7 like a pro

 

Pros:

- small form factor and simply stylish (for easy placement on the shelf below my tv)

- basically CREATED for multimedia

- Would be able to by NEW (making me feel better about it not being dead until sometime around W9 =])

- MUCH much easier access to upgrade components, i.e. HD and RAM

- the video card seems halfway decent with the two options being:

- Integrated ATI Radeon HD3200 Graphics

- 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330

 

I know that these lists are supposed to help me decide but because I don't know nearly as much about iMacs as I do about the Zinos, making the lists is nearly impossible because my knowledge is not equal.

 

So, on that note, please tell me which one and why and be reasonable.

 

ALSO, this is VERY important, IF there is a better solution (used or new) for under $400 PLEASE tell me, I NEED a computer able to run CS4 and soon. Thank you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would be getting the Zino with these options:

 

2GB Ram

Athlon Neo X2 6850e (1.8GHz) (does this mean 2x1.8GHz = 3.6GHz?) (best option)

250 GB HDD (I have a TB external)

ATI Radeon HD 4330 512 MB (Best option)

 

This makes the computer only $434.

 

Let me know if this is good for CS4 or not. Thank you

 

Another option is this:

 

Inspiron 546

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic SP1, 32-Bit (will upgrade to 7 upon receipt)

AMD Athlon™ II X4 630 (2.8GHz, 2MB)

1 Year Basic Service Plan

2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2 DIMMs

No Monitor

320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™

Dell 1525 Wireless-N PCIe Card

ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB

No Floppy Drive or Media Card Reader Included

16X DVD+/-RW Drive

No Speaker Option

Dell Consumer Entry USB Keyboard and Mouse

No Modem Option

Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio

Piano Black

 

Yet another option is by HP:

 

p6350z

 

• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

• AMD Athlon X4 620 quad-core processor [2.6GHz, 2MB L2, up to 4000MT/s bus]

• 3GB DDR3-1066MHz SDRAM [2 DIMMs]

• FREE UPGRADE! 500GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive from 320GB

• 512MB ATI Radeon HD 4350 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]

• LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive

• Integrated 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) Ethernet, No wireless LAN

• 2 USB, front audio ports

• No TV Tuner

• Integrated 7.1 channel sound with front audio ports

• No speakers

• HP multimedia keyboard and HP optical mouse

• Microsoft® Works 9.0

• No additional security software

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...