I'm interested in buying a Mac G5.  But Jobs recently announced that
Apple will switch to Intel based processors and abandon the IBM
PowerPC processor.  Should I wait till Spring 2006 and get the
Intel-based Mac then or just go ahead and purchase a PowerPC based G5
now.

I would appreciate explanations with respect to price of the H/W, S/W,
and compatibility issues.

Thanks.

As I understand it, only the miniMac will switch next year. The other
desktop models won't get Intel chips till 2007

Go ahead and buy it. Apple will continue to support the current line
of PowerPC computers. Apple will be selling PPCs for the next two
years, and AT LEAST support PPC for three more years after that (a
better guess would be five years).

So, if you get a PowerPC iMac right now you will be supported for at
least five to eight years.

As far as i know, there is not much difference betreen the two
processors. It is the Mac operating system that matters.

Bassically the transition will be (supossedly) transparent and
smoothly, so you would still get support for your Mac G5.

With the new processor all the instructions will be traslated so you
wouldnt notice the difference.

i hope it helps.
Phossil.

The current (G5) PowerPC chips have issues with overheating. This is
why there is not a laptop with a G5 PowerPC processor. The iMacs and
Power Mac G5s have issues with reduced processor lifetime due to high
operating temps.

If you do not plan on getting an applecare plan to cover this
possibility you might be stuck buying a new processor in 6-18 months.

Other than that the changeover is supposed to be transparent.