on 6/20/05 10:11 PM, Jeff Walther at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > At 20:55 -0500 06/20/2005, Ansberry wrote: > >> Wow! 2 posts in one night. That is a record for me. I usually lurk on >> this list because there are so many more knowledgable people here than I am. >> I am a neophyte digital video person and have been learning to convert >> my family videos to DVDs on my old S900. I have been asking questions on a >> forum called "videohelp.com". The people there have been extremely patient >> and helpful to me. But the last time I asked a question over there, one >> individual told me I need to invest in a "real" Mac. Not a "new" Mac, but a >> "real" Mac. I figure that was a slam at the Umax computer. My S900 has >> been a exceptional value, and my C600 did great before I got the S900. Is a >> 9500 "real" Mac better than the S900? > > No. The 9500 will only gain you two advantages over the S900. It > will eliminate the lower PCI slot issues and it will up your maximum > RAM from 1040 MB to 1536MB. > > If you're not having PCI card problems and already have enough RAM in > your S900, then those are not issues. > > The disadvantages of the 9500 as compared to the S900 is that with G4 > processors you may have problems in the lower three PCI slots of the > 9500. The 9500 case is a terrible design. The 9500's motherboard > cache is more difficult to disable in hardware than the S900's (may > be a non-issue since this can be done with software), and the S900 > usually supports higher bus speeds. I have not met an S900 yet that > won't support at least a 60 MHz bus speed. The trick is that most > CPU cards will not work properly at 60 MHz even if they have a > setting for a speed that high. > > If you get a 9600 that will eliminate the horrible case problem. > Arguably, the 9600 case is even nicer than the S900 case. There is > no doubt that it's nicer than the 9500 case. > > In my opinion, the S900 power supply is easier to replace with a > standard ATX unit when it wears out than the 9500 is to replace when > it wears out. But neither one is a piece of cake to convert. > > However, if your correspondent meant a *newer* Mac, even an early G4 > will have several advantages. I think the model right after the Blue > and White--the Black & White?, Gray & White? is a pretty good one. I > can't remember the names. My favorite in a used model would be the > one with AGP and four PCI slots. > > The problem with the Blue & White is that there was an IDE controller > issue in that, IIRC. So I'd avoid that early model, although, if you > need an ADB bus for some reason, it's hard to pass up. > > IIRC there was the B&W with just three PCI slots and no AGP. Then > there were a couple of models with AGP and three PCI slots. And at > some point there was a model with AGP and four PCI slots. Then > didn't the G5 drop back down to three PCI slots? > > Jeff Walther
Thanks. Great information, Jeff. Yea, I know I need "newer" equipment. I wouldn't have had a bone to pick if they had said new equipment. My S900 is doing what I need it to do for my video and audio work. I think it is amazing that a 7 year old machine can do just about anything the new machines can, just not as quick. I have a new iBook from school. (I'm a teacher) It has a fairly fast G4 in it. I do the importing, editing and preparation on the S900, then burn the DVD on the iBook. It takes about 15 or 16 hours on the S900 to burn a full DVD. On the iBook it takes about 8 or 10 hours. I'd love to get a G5 dual 2 Ghz, but it isn't in the monetary cards. Mike -- SuperMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | Service & Replacement Parts [EMAIL PROTECTED] | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> SuperMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/supermacs/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/supermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
