I'm looking to create some very basic Videos to upload to sites. I understand imovie 8 is easier to use than imovie 9. I also want to use the computer to watch 720p and 1080p movies sent through an hdmi cable to a 32" samsung TV. I have lots of PC's. I hooked up an old P4 1.8 (Because it has a passive fan and makes almost no noise) and it can handle regular DVD quality movies, but chokes and sputters on 720p movies... the processor can't handle it, even though the video card can. I can get a G5 Dual 2 ghz for about $600 used. I understand they stopped making the PowerPC based macs in 2006. 1. Does the built in video on the G5 support 32bit 1920x1200 resolution? 2. Is imovie 8 better than imovie 9 3. Is a G5 quiet enough to not be intrusive to movie playback in a living room setting? 4. Is $600 a good price? I posted here because these are kind of "multimedia" questions.
For what it's worth...I don't think you'd want to invest in a dead chip, as it is already obsolete and will only become more so with each OS upgrade. You should have no trouble finding an intel duo desktop, or even an early quad, for that price. I have bought three Mac laptops on Craigslist, each time under $600. The one I'm on now was $500 and came with a year of Applecare. Just avoid the shipping scams and deal locally so you can inspect the machine. Keep shopping.