I tested FlowJo for a number of different tasks (e.g.,generating complex graphical layouts; generating large tabular outputs; even analyzing 13-parameter, million-event data files) on G4's vs. G3. The G4 was significantly faster (taking into account the clock speed), even when the program was not G4-optimized. I also tested a G4-optimized version of FlowJo that takes advantage of the AltiVec instructions (no, not yet commercially available!), and it's another large step up. As more and more applications come out to be AltiVec-aware (and they are!), everyone will realize the enormous speed benefit from this technology. Note that the multi-processing nature of Altivec should not be confused with the multi-processing capability of dual-processor machines (like the new G4 cube). There's a completely different set of optimizations that programs need to fully take advantage of multi-processor machines (and I'm sure that will be forthcoming in the next year or two as well). Bottom line--G4's are faster, but G3's are a lot cheaper (right now). But as more and more applications are Altivec-aware, then there won't be a comparison. mr (PS--Intel-based machines, even the gigaherz processors, don't come close to the G4 capabilities.)
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