I appreciate everyones input. I started this thread because I am going to be buying a new mac as soon as they upgrade the current line-up (which'll hopefully be Jan since this is killing me). I'm going to be using this new baby of mine as the foundation of a new video production company I hope to start up soon (oh Final Cut, how I love you). Im interested in the superdrive-speed-upgrade issue since I forsee myself burning a lot of dvds...and speed will probably be an issue with dealines and all...so i'm just debating on nixing the superdrive, and buying a separate faster dvd burner. but being an anal minimalist and all, I hate external drives...and the G4 looks so damn pretty that it would be a shame to have some ugly bulky burner hanging around. so apple if you're listening- upgrade the superdrive!