IMAC or G5 for HD Final Cut 5 editing?

I'm switching over to HD and need to get a new computer, as my G4 can't support Final Cut 5. I was going to buy a G5, when I realized that for much less $, the new iMacs with their intel processors could be a much better deal (especially since the wide screen comes with it). I work on large scale documentaries which are not heavy on special effects. The only down side I noticed on the iMac is that there are only 2 firewire ports. Don't know if more can be added.
Anyway, any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, but don't like the idea of being inside the computer. Something happens to the Mac, and you are stuck.<<</div>
That makes absolutely no sense. If something "happens" to your iMac, what good will your external drive do you sitting there all by itself? If there's a fire or flood and your computer is destroyed, chances are that the Firewire drive sitting a few feet away won't survive either.
but aren't the RAID drives very expensive<<</div>
The drives themselves are nothing more than regular SATA drives. It is true that the housing and controller card do add to the cost, but performance and data speed is phenomenal. You can forgo the housing and add up to three SATA drives in the front of a G5 (inside) and another drive in bay II for a total of 5.
but where do I get a used one? I hesitate to buy one sight unseen from Ebay<<</div>
Can't blame you for that. Buying ANYTHING used, one has to be cautious. But I did buy my last three Macs from ebay sellers and each has performed near flawlessly. If you go that route, just be very careful/selective when looking at the sellers.
In all seriousness, it sounds like you had already decided to buy an iMac before you posted here ... and just wanted some reassurance that your decision was correct. Sorry that I can't accommodate you.
-DH

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