Difference between Single and Dual G4?

[Raven]

Some of you good people have been answering my questions to help me move from my G4/400 OS9.1 to a new G4 with OSX/9.

I've been comparing prices and options and like the Dual G4/1.25GHz/256/80gb/Combo the best, that boots into OSX & 9.
However, the single G4/1.25GHz/256/60gb is more attractive because of the lower price.

What's the difference between the two besides speed? Does it make much of a difference for OSX or my applications such as Photoshop 7 or Quark Xpress 4?

I am confused about what is available between the two when I read the specs.
Here is a comment from my only local supplier who I would like to buy from, but whose price is much higher...

- "There is only one current G4 sku that will run OS 9 ( M9145LL/A )
Which is a single G4 1.25/256MB/80GB/Combo.
- The dual G4 1.25  OS 9 sku is a custom build, that requires several weeks to
order. It is possible that a vendor might have a custom configuration in
stock.  You can order the dual 1.25 with any configuration of memory HD, and
optical drive.
- What the other suppliers are probably quoting you is a ( M8840LL/A ) Power Mac G4 (Dual 1.25GHz/256MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM/80GB/Combo/R9000
Pro/GigEnet/56K modem). This sku is OS X only"

Is he right by saying that ONLY the single G4/1.25 GHz model runs OS9?
I saw ads at MacConnection and MacWarehouse that shows Duals with both OS.

[chrisharjo]

Hi,
yes, they should run OS 9 in the dual boot mode that OS X has bulit into the system.  Apple has produced multiprocessor machines before, the PowerMac 9500/180, 9600/200 both ran the Mac OS, and these were produced way before OS X. There is a readme file on the Mac OS 8 cd about Multiprocessor software use in the OS.
The idea of having more processors is true multitasking, you can run one application using one processor and do other things like using the internet with the other one. The OS will take care of the divison of power for the applications.

[Bill]

Raven.
Below are examples of the sku #.
M9145LL/A =Single Processor
M8840LL/A7 =Dual Processor "Mac OS X v10.2 Jaguar (this system does not boot to OS 9)"

I tried using the search at Apples site with these sku's. Nothing.
 
Got a hunch that "your local supplier" is correct.
There could be a wait of at least four/six weeks with the duals from any third party vendor.
Fact! There might not be any sku for a dual processor/dual bootable because it would be a custom built.

[kelly]

Apple sells Dual 1.25s as a Built To order Option.

http://www.apple.com/hardware/powermacg4/specs.html

Any G4 with Firewire 800 is not OS 9.x Bootable.

The ones that are have Firewire 400.


http://new.lowendmac.com/ppc/deals.html

http://dealmac.com/sections/systems.html

[chrisharjo]

I think someone will cure that problem with OS 9 on these new mac's. I got OS 8.5 to work on a mac workgroup server 80 using a program called I wish I were. there are some talented people out who write stuff like that along with this program called Born Again. With the Darwin source out there someone is going to write some improvements out there, look at the growth of Linux there are versions for the mac now.

[Bill]

Actually myself personally, just about every program, application that I needed to jump back into 9xx I can now do in Jag.
Still have a few small guys back on 9xx that hasn't upgraded their goodies but hey.
Course that's my choice of apps/programs.
Your milage will differ.

[Raven]

I've been trying to learn all this stuff, and in the process I had been arguing with the closest local supplier (500 miles away!) via email that the Dual G4 1.25GHz/256/80/Combo was OS9 bootable and he's been telling me it's not! That is the model I was interested in.

I had printed an ad from MacConnection a few days ago on just that model. I have it right at my desk. It states "Its turbo charged dual processors...". And "machine can also boot into OS9". For $1394 with Office vX.  Sounded like a deal to me, and that's what I was comparing all others with.

Today I went back to the same MacConnection listing, and guess what? They took the words "turbo charged dual processors" out of the description!
http://www.macconnection.com/scripts/produ...oduct_id=351177
Talk about confusing a novice like me! ;-)

So, let me get this straight one more time...
I can/have to custom order the above Dual G4 that will boot into OSX and 9 from any(?) Apple dealer ? Or, some dealers may have it made up already in stock?

[kelly]

I see you've also asked at dealmac. That's good.

This situation has never happened before.

The introduction of the G5 and Apple changing G4s back to OS 9. Boot.

Apparently it's only from Apple Authorized resellers.

Custom Build is going to take some extra time.

If this is what you want the wait will be worth it.

Who has this on hand? There's no way to know or predict.

If you're impatient you may look into older OS 9.x Bootable Models Refurbished.

[bil207]

Raven,

   The G4s that are OS 9 bootable have firewire 400 and are 1st gen. Mirror Drive Doors models that were first introduced last summer. Apple continued to produce these models for those that need to boot into OS 9.

 If the G4 has Firewire 800 it is not OS 9 bootable. These are 2nd gen. Mirror Drive Doors G4s that were introduced in Jan. 2003.

[Bill]

Raven.

"in a sleek Quicksilver enclosure" ??

"and two FireWire 400 ports"

From your link at the bottom:
Mfr. Part No. .. M9145LL/A

[Raven]

Do you all think this model,
Dual G4 1.25GHz/256/80/Combo/ATI Radeon/. OSX & OS9,
is a good buy now at about $1600???

... for using mainly Quark Xpress 4, Photoshop 7, Freehand 9.
And later maybe InDesign 2.

Considering it was much higher 6 months ago... of course.
I would add more RAM , of course.

I only have one computer at my home office. Do I need AirPort Extreme Base Station?

Anything else to consider?

Thanks again to everyone! :-)

[kelly]

That would be a good price.

You have no need for Airport Extreme.

It would only be to Network without wires.

You can always add it if you need it.

Besides RAM you are doing ok.

[Raven]

I am still using an Apple Laserwriter Select 360 printer. An old workhorse that still puts out quality impressions. It's a SCSI device, so I think I would need a SCSI card in the Dual G4? Is that right?
If so, what kind of card would be the best?

[ljocampo]

Raven:

From a software perspective, you should buy a dual processor.  With the exception of Quark, the other programs you seem to depend on are dual processor optimized.  For example, PhotoShop will share its workload between both processors. InDesign, also optimized for dual processors, will probably replace Quark, and you can get a competitive upgrade from Adobe.  To you, that mean faster renders and more productivity.  You seem to be a graphic artist, like myself, so my hardware advise to you is get a low end G5 if money is tight, but at least make sure it's a dual processor.  As for OS 9 bootability, think of the future and go OS X.  You always can use classic for those few programs that lag behind the times.

[Raven]

I am going to stick with the Dual G4/1.25 GHz. I don't need to be on the cutting edge of a G5.

As a graphic designer I still haven't decided whether to stay with Quark4 or switch to InDesign2, so that's why I want the OS9 option for the moment. Quark ticks me off cause their upgrade prices are ridiculous.

Still wondering about my SCSI question above. What's the recommended card to get to be able to work my Laserwriter Select 360?