[DeathEngine2]

Hi,
I was wondering about which SGI machine I should get first.
Should I go with something like an Indy or O2? Or maybe an Octane?

[Irinikus]

The Octane is definitely the better of the two, but the O2 does have the advantage of having a built in CD-ROM and a standard VGA output, however, you will need a monitor which syncs on green.

[Jacques]

Octane, it's fast enough not be as annoyingly slow as the O2 (unless you can grab a 400Mhz O2)...irrespective of CDROM and VGA. A 13w3 adapter is a few $£ on eBay. And O2 ram is expensive, and you really want a system with 256mb+, preferably 512mb.

[Trippynet]

I've never owned one, but I'd say the Octane. O2 has some advantages (VGA out, built-in CD), but the plastics are unbelievably fragile, plus it does feel slow at many things. Octane is noisy, but relatively reliable and quite powerful. You can also get decent 3D capabilities that aren't too expensive.

I'd avoid Indy because despite being a nice little machine, it is relatively underpowered. Another alternative would be an R10k Indigo2. Solidly built and much quicker than and Indy and many O2s, but the downside is that decent 3D options for them are in short supply and are pricey these days.

[Intuition]

I found my 300 Mhz O2 to be acceptable for playing with Maya 6.5 and Softimage 3.9 but it would be the slowest choice I would make.
Sometimes I see 400 mhz cpus or even whole o2s on ebay. I bought a 300mhz o2 outright back in 2009 off ebay and later a 195mhz r10k and put in a 400mhz cpu.

The 400mhz cpu was nice and made the o2 experience a bit better than even the 300mhz.

Then finally acquired an Octane and upgraded it to dual 400mhz procs and it is quite snappy for the Maya/Softimage work.

Though the Octane is much more snappy and responsive than either O2 I would say that it is nice having the O2 be so small and lightweight.
I can move around my O2 and mess with it easier. The Octane just sits where it is and I keep it in a safe spot but do not move it. Its not ridiculously heavy but it is enough for me to worry about my back to be moving it regularly. The fan on My Octane doesn't seem to make much noise such that I wonder if it is a stock fan as people have complained about Octane fans.

Overall I prefer the Octane responsiveness but the 400Mhz O2 is snappy enough I did a few Retro Tutorials on it and it shows that it works well enough.

[eudatux23]

Definitely Octane. Can be upgraded relatively cheap and got much more graphics power than the O2

[BackPlaner]

I'd actually say the O2 is a better beginner machine, barring the monitor issue. It's got more built-in including the CD-ROM, and in many ways more resembles a PC of the not-too-long-ago.

Plus the Octane weighs a metric ton

[DeathEngine2]

The Octane is definitely the better of the two, but the O2 does have the advantage of having a built in CD-ROM and a standard VGA output, however, you will need a monitor which syncs on green.

Thanks. I've actually subbed to your Youtube channel. I can tell you really like your Tezro.

[Irinikus]

The Octane is definitely the better of the two, but the O2 does have the advantage of having a built in CD-ROM and a standard VGA output, however, you will need a monitor which syncs on green.

Thanks. I've actually subbed to your Youtube channel. I can tell you really like your Tezro.

There’s no need to start small, if you can get your hands on a Tezro, why not! (comes standard with DVI video out and a DVD-ROM!)

It’s by far the best SGI in my opinion!

Thanks for subscribing to my channel!