*** What is the bare min. iMac to buy for editing HDV footage

Just wondering if someone could give me feedback on their editing experiences with a new iMac, HDV footage, and Final Cut Pro. I'm hiring an editor that will be working regularly with HDV footage. I'm currently on a PowerMac DP 2.7 G5 but there isn't the budget to give him a Mac Pro at this time. Just wondering if people think a 17" iMac w/ superdrive would be enough for that person to comfortably edit the HDV footage I give them. I'd be running a 19" monitor along side the iMac, so that's why I am not really considering the 20" at this point. Can anyone let me know if they think the iMac's can handle this kind of footage? I have a last generation powermac G4 tower, but I'm assuming that would be slower than a new iMac.
Thoughts?

I'm currently on a PowerMac DP 2.7 G5 but there isn't the budget to give him a Mac Pro at this time.
While the iMac will work for you, personally I'd stick with what you've got and save your pennies till you can afford what you want. You'll be happier in the end with a machine that you can expand.
Remember that your computer can render when that lazy editor of yours goes home to sleep. (;
rh

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