What to buy: Old g5 PowerMac vs new iMac vs 8 Core Powermac?

Hi all,
I have a five year old Powerbook that has been around the world, dropped, spilled on, neglected. It’s time for a new computer that I can treat with more respect.
My chief problem is that Adobe Photoshop Lightroom runs on this computer almost too slowly to make using it worth my while. I also use Photoshop/Illustrator for design, will be recording more and more music (4 tracks max I should think). I would like something that won’t lag for these programs, while running Firefox (an increasing memory hog) and iTunes (with a 200gb library, also a memory hog).
I don’t know whether to get one of the new big ol’ iMacs, an old G5 PowerMac (which can be had for real cheap on Craigslist), or, to a lesser extent, go all out on one of the new 8 Core PowerMacs (which to me don’t seem worth the hefty price tag, especially as many of these programs aren’t keeping up with Apple’s processing innovations).
Can anyone give me advice based on this alone? I’d much appreciate!
Thank you!
Alec

I am very impressed with my iMac's ability to handle Garageband tracks. I have not been able to turn the playhead anything other than white. This machine is awesome.
I have always been an iMac fan. They are near to impossible to upgrade except for ram but who cares? By the time you are ready to upgrade it is better to buy another machine anyway...a new iMac! CPU and graphic performance is improved so drastically that it is difficult to keep up with it with upgrades.
I also love the new screens. They are much nicer than any of the Windows desktops or monitors I have seen in stores. My only complain is a slight darkening as you go down the page. The same color will be slightly darker at the bottom of the monitor. This has not effected anything I do so I can't really complain.
The hard drive is a little bit of a problem, especially of you are needing 200GB just for music. The least expensive iMac can only be upgraded to 500GB. For me, I only make sure there is enough hard drive space to do my work on with lots to spare. All other items are stored on an external drive. iTunes has no problem keeping the library on an external drive. You just set the drive up in the preferences. I like Firefire 800 compatible drives for speedy transfers. Garageband sessions can be stored their as well and will even run from the drive. Keep Garageband on your mac.
Unless you are a professional with some very demanding needs, the iMacs will be more than satisfying. As soon as you can afford it, max out their ram for more fun!
Older G5's might do fine for you but they are short in Graphic memory, CPU speed and hard drive space.
Kurt

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