Having just purchased a new iMac G5, I'm sitting here wondering what I'm supposed to be worrying about? Certainly for the next two and probably three years I'm going to get support and upgrades. I'm happy with the OS now (Tiger). I have all the software I want or need. I see no reason I can't hold it 4-5 yrs. After all, I'm still using some ~98 - 2000 iMacs with OSX and old software & they suit my needs. In fact, it's my eyes that have failed me, not the computer (though I admit they seem to hav e become noticeably slow in the last year, but after 7 & 5 years, I'm not complaining). If I had a desperate need to have the most cutting edge software, I would be upgrading machines every two to three years to keep up anyway. My real needs are for ease of use and security, which shouuld continue to be superior. I suspect my usage is a better reflection of consumer usage than that of power users, who are in the minority. The biggest downside for me is the possibility that a new killer app will come along and won't work on the old chips. But if its just a Photoshop upgrade, I would want a new computer anyway to maintain max speed.
So I think there is some downside to owning or urchasing a new G5, but not for most users. However, I agree that consumer perceptions may be to the contrary and that could be the Achilles heel of this switch.
Dan |
