MAC or PC... there are no major differences if you are doing 2D graphics, audio or video editing. But for 3D the answer is clear : get a PC (either win2000 or win XP pro) !

Many 3D softwares don't run on MAC (Softimage, Houdini, StudioMAX, etc...)... And if there is a MAC version of the core application, then it's a plugin that is not compatible with the MAC OS (Next Limit Real Flow, Promethean FX, etc...) or a rendering engine. Moreover, hundreds of little useful applications (freeware modelers, texture generators, etc...) are only available for PCs.

Concerning "pure performance" the G4 are now very weak compared to the latest Athlon and Pentium processors. Most of the 3D softwares companies are even optimizing their applications for Athlon and Pentium 4 processors. Take for example the forthcoming Cinema 4D 8 : the rendering engine will be 30% faster. But only on PCs! And don't think that it's only "targeting" a bigger market. Here is the answer that MAXON gave to the MAC users :

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"The new render speed improvements have been gained partly due to more optimised code, but also because Maxon is able to take advantage of the new features on modern processors such as the Athlon and Pentium 4.

Unfortunately there have been no such improvements on the Mac side because the G4 chip is beginning to show its age. Should a new chip be release by Apple, this would be supported as soon as possible. It is simply a fact that other than MHz increases, the Macintosh Processors have had no real improvements in recent years."

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And this is something that even MAC users complain about. Apple release new cute little machines, but there is no improvement of the system itself. So, if you're into 3D graphics and animations : get yourself a PC. It means better performance, more choice and lower price !

:) Eric