Can I even use a new 23-inch Cinema Display?

gullwing · **Posted:** Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:23 pm

Looks like I'll be using my PowerMac G4 for a couple more years and I'm currently using a 17" LCD Studio Display.

I really need a larger monitor and I'm wondering whether I can use a NEW 23-inch Cinema Display, or whether I should go with a really nice pre-owned 23" Cinema Display (Acrylic Bezel) which matches the age of the CPU? They would cost about the same.

I'm thinking I'd need to purchase a new video card, and the requirements listed for a new one don't mention G4's. Anyone know if the G4 can even power a new 23" Cinema, and what card I might need?

In case it helps, below is current info:

Video Card:
Type: display
Bus: AGP
Slot: SLOT-1
VRAM (Total): 64 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x4966
Revision ID: 0x0001
ROM Revision: 113-99702-142

17" LCD Display:
VRAM (In Use): 64 MB
Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Depth: 32-bit Color

KingFish · **Posted:** Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:34 pm

I had a Radeon Dual DVI 9600 card in my G4 - ran it no problem, you should be able to run a cinema display just fine.

Make sure you get a MAC compatible AGP video Card

gullwing · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2007 5:03 am

Thanks Kingfish,

I can make them sing when it comes to graphic design, but I'm pretty clueless when it comes to the technical side. Is this the card you refer to?: http://www.smalldog.com/product/41685

If I replace the present video card with this one, am I up and running with a new 23" Cinema Display? Anything else to be concerned with ... processor speed etc?

gullwing · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2007 5:19 am

Or, is this refurbished one worth considering?:

http://www.welovemacs.com/0827rnsh.html
:?:

cjr · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:18 am

gullwing, I'm not smart enough to know the vid-card specs your G4 needs to run a current monitor, but I do know that after Apple dumped its (AWESOME, in my opinion) ADC connector several years ago, using a G4 with a newer monitor is more challenging. (I still run an ancient G4 DP450 tower at home, using an original acrylic ADC Apple display.)

The short-lived ADC concept provided power to the monitor without an additional power cord but Apple dumped its usual proprietary hardware outlook years ago (monitor-wise) and adapted whatever the standard connector(s) are. Too bad, but I semi-recall that I wasn't able to utilize a newer unused aluminum Cinema (or whatever it's called!) monitor with my G4 because I didn't have the right adapter plugs and/or it just wasn't possible.

Again, I can't remember the specifics and I apologize, but whatever you end up doing, please check both the vid card specs AND the connector you'd need. Apple used to include with its stuff several short this-to-that cables but no longer does :-(

gullwing · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:55 am

Thanks for the input cjr.

I hadn't even thought about the connection. That's the kind of info I need. I sure can't afford to buy something I can't use.

I know I'd be safe buying the recon 23" (acrylic) Cinema Display for my G4, but my thinking was (for the same amount of money), if I could buy the new (aluminum) Display, it would save me having to buy one in a couple of years when I'm looking to buy a new Mac Pro or whatever the new one is called at that time.

I guess I'm finding out, however, that it will cost a lot more than just $899. for the monitor.

Michael Snow · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:00 am

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

When people ask me about upgrades (very often, it seems) I always encourage them to consider how far the cost of the upgrade would carry them toward a new computer. In your case, you are considering purchasing a very expensive display for a computer that is nearly obsolete, so you are right in the bull's eye for this discussion.

Apple Cinema HD Display (new) $899 (worth the extra cost, IMHO)
Apple Cinema HD Display (refurb) $749
AppleCare $99 (required, IMHO)
Radeon 9600 Pro PC & Mac Edition $199 direct from ATI

The upgrade cost is $1,197 plus tax
-----------------------------------------------

Refurb iMac 24" 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo Superdrive, 1 GB RAM, 250GB drive, GeForce 7300GT $1449
AppleCare $169
$1,618 plus tax

The refurbished iMac costs an additional $421.

Assuming that the 2 GB of RAM in your G4 is really necessary for your work, you could upgrade the iMac to 2 GB for $59.99, or to 3 GB for $129.98 from Crucial.
-----------------------------------------------

We all love our Macs, so you may want to hang on to the G4. If you sold it, you could certainly end up spending far less on the new machine than the cost of the upgrade. I understand that there may be other considerations that I cannot see from here. From a strictly monetary standpoint, the upgrade is more expensive than trading up to a newer machine. Even if you went with the less expensive (and top quality) 24" Dell display, the upgrade would be more expensive than the refurbished iMac.

gullwing · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:01 am

Very very good thinking Michael. I hadn't even considered an iMac. I guess I just had it in my head that they were geared for surfing, games and fun rather than as working machines. Reading the specs, however, they sure seem to have what it takes. What is the target audience for the iMac?

I went to the Mac site to see the Refurbished iMac you referred to. I didn't even know Apple sold refurbs. Where do they come from?

Michael Snow · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:19 am

This is straight from the refurb section of Apple's web store.

Quote:

Apple Certified Refurbished Products are pre-owned Apple products that undergo Apple's stringent refurbishment process prior to being offered for sale. These products have been returned under Apple's Return and Refund Policies. While only some units are returned due to technical issues, all units undergo Apple's stringent quality refurbishment process.

Each Apple Certified Refurbished Product:

-is fully tested (including full burn-in testing).
-is refurbished with replacement parts for any defective modules identified in testing.
-is put through a thorough cleaning process and inspection.
-is repackaged (including appropriate manuals, cables, new boxes, etc.).
-includes the operating software originally shipped with the unit and the custom software offered with that system. See each products "Learn More" for more details.
-is given a new refurbished part number and serial number.
-is placed into a Final QA inspection prior to being added to sellable refurbished stock.

Refurbishment procedures follow the same basic technical guidelines as Apple's Finished Goods testing procedures.

I have had great service from several refurbs purchased from the online store. There is some anecdotal evidence that refurbs are returned more frequently for service, but I have had catastrophic failures from new Apple computers too. The AppleCare program guarantees the same length of service as a new product.

gullwing · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:31 am

Thanks Michael. I'm definitely going to consider the iMac. You've been a great help.

cjr · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:48 am

Michael's comment is right to the point, i.e. the $$ involved to upgrade now vs. what you might buy at some point down the road. Plus, the whole reason I think Apple dumped the ADC idea is because third-parties provided/still provide Mac-compatible monitors that offer as much/more screen real estate at a lower per-inch cost. I spent more than I needed to because I'm a dork and the monitor carried the Apple logo, but it's definitely worth looking into a non-Apple monitor (new or used) to meet your current needs - especially if you think you'll want to upgrade your Mac eventually to one that needs an external monitor.

KingFish · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:54 am

Gullwing....

Just for the record, I used a Dual G5 for a workstation / audio and video editing, recording etc...

I replaced it at home with a 17" 1st gen intel iMac - these iMacs are definitely beyond surfing, and games.

A new iMac will blow your G4 out of the water - you will though, have to thoroughly investigate update paths for all your software, to Universal Binary versions.