iMac upgrade

insinkerator

Okay, so here is the dealio. I am currently running a 1.8GHZ iMac G5 PPC with 512MB RAM, a 75GB Harddrive and a 17"screen running the up to date version of leopard.

I use it mainly for listening to music and internet browsing. However i do some light gaming, and from time to time i look to use power hungry(at least i think they are) apps like photoshop and MS office.

My main problem with the computer is that it is slowing down when i want to listen to music. My music collection is too big for my Hard drive, so i have it all stored on my 160GB ipod. Then when i connect my ipod to the mac, itunes, for want of a better description, tries to eat the computer for about 4 minutes, while it handles the ipod. Then, i am able to play music, but it lags for about 30 seconds every 4 to 5 minutes.(when i say lag, the music plays fine, but itunes itself cant do anything).

Now, my immediate options would be to upgrade my RAM(can go to 2GB i think) and buy an external HD for music.

However, i have the option to pick up a 2GHz dual core iMac with 1GB RAM,a 250GB Harddrive and 20" screen running leopard for €600 quid. Would i be better off on splashing on the new computer, or would i better of just upgrading my current setup?

Thanks in advance for any replies

whiterebel

Personally I'd move up to the 2GHz. But you will probably still want to upgrade RAM, and I would suspect it won't be too long until you need a back up HD too.
M$ office seems to be constantly RAM hungry, so I quit it when not using it. You would really see the difference between the old mach and the newer ones - The dual core machines fly.

insinkerator

yeah MS completely decimates my RAM when i open it. Have to quit everything else. How much do you think i could expect for my current Mac? Dont really have 600 quid at the moment, but its such a bargain!