PLEASE HELP! Torn between buying used G4 iMac and G5 iMac

Question

I use Adobe Creative Suite 2. I do a lot of work for magazines, so I work with large files in 300 dpi. I tend to not use more than one program at a time, but will sometimes have several files open at once in Photoshop. I need a computer that can handle that kind of workload. I'm looking at a 17" Flat Panel 1 GHz G4 iMac with 1 GB of RAM and a 17" 2 GHz G5 iMac with 1 GB of RAM. I used G4 iMacs in college and they worked beautifully, but that was back when Photoshop was in version 6. I have used G5 iMacs at several onsite projects running CS2 without any lagging, yet those are very expensive. I do not want to spend the money on the G5 unless I really have to.
Here is the situation. I purchased a used HP Media Center last year and have never been able to get CS2 to run; despite the fact that the machine has a 2.5 GHz AMD Athlon 64 Processor, 1 GB of RAM and 256 MB Videocard. I am worried that I might purchase a used computer only to find the software will not run, or that in a year from now that I will have to sell the used computer and get a new one. This is what happens to me every year and I do not have the money to keep doing this, especially since I really do not have loads of money. Every year I end up buying something somewhat like what I need, but not exactly what I need based on costs. I need something that will work for years to come at the lowest price possible.
I have received opinions from about 15 people that all say if I buy an iMac G4 that it will work beautifully and that I will never go back to PC. One person told me that I am better off getting a G5 machine. I've spoken with Adobe and HP and they will not give me a straight answer. I would like to know if this machine will run CS2 effectively?

Answer 1

I could agree with the above on so many levels, but I think, with what you're doing, that a G4 is suitable. You do not need to go intel for what you'll be doing over the next few years and I think it boils down to which you prefer the look of. I have a G5, specs below, and I am waiting for a G4 to come my way one day. Gorgeous machines. Something about the, that the iMac G5 lacks. I love the G5, but it's lost it's wow factor with me, and my gf even has the 24"! I have a photo of all the current sized iMacs as we own them all (brother owns 17").
Go with a G4 - they're gorgeous.
Go with a G5 if you're doing a lot of work
Go with intel if you need to have hardware insurance, windows or the latest thing on the market.
I would like to add that you'll never go back to windows once you've switched. Ever.