Apple Power Mac G5 (dual 2.7GHz): a first look
Published: 13 May 2005
The Apple Power Mac G5 received more than just a new OS in recent weeks. Not only do Power Macs come preloaded with the new Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, they also boast faster G5 processors, better graphics and larger hard drives.
The top-of-the-line default configuration is still priced at £1.999 (inc. VAT) but now includes dual 2.7GHz processors, ATI's 256MB Radeon 9650 graphics card and a 250GB hard drive. The 2.7GHz PowerPC processors boast a faster clock speed and also feature a faster 1.35GHz frontside bus (up from 1.25GHz). Upgrade to Nvidia's high-end GeForce 6800 Ultra graphics card, and you can connect the Power Mac G5 to two 30in. Apple Cinema HD Displays. You can also select two 400GB drives, for a total of 800GB of storage; the dual 2.5GHz Power Mac G5 we reviewed last year topped out at 500GB of disk space. The SuperDrive is now 16X (up from 8X) and also double-layer. Rounding out the rest of the Power Mac G5 line are dual 2.3GHz and 2.0GHz models costing £1,699 and £1,349 (inc. VAT) respectively, and a £999 (inc. VAT) single-processor 1.8GHz configuration.
There's no question that the Power Mac G5's design is easy on the eyes, but internal and external expansion options are lacking for such a high-end system. It still features a single optical drive bay and just two hard drive bays. It also supplies only three USB 2.0 ports, and there's no option for an internal media-card reader. Unlike with the updated iMac G5 line, wireless AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth haven't been made standard features on the Power Mac G5. Apple's standard warranty lasts only the industry-average one year, and free phone support lasts a mere 90 days. Finally, the single-processor 1.8GHz Power Mac G5 didn't receive any updates, so the baseline configuration provides a measly 256MB of memory, a puny 80GB hard drive and the old 8X SuperDrive.
It's hard to gripe about getting more for less -- or in this case, more power at the same price points. Still, the Power Mac G5's upgrades are incremental -- slightly faster processors, newer graphics cards, larger hard drives, a faster DVD burner -- rather than revolutionary. We aren't complaining, but we are holding our applause until Apple addresses some of our expansion concerns and improves the pricey Power Mac's dinky warranty. Check back soon for our full review of a souped-up dual 2.7GHz system.
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