In many respects, Apple broke the mold to make the G5. The memory leap, cooling system and architecture are vast improvements, but the case design makes it one of those love-or-hate Macs. The handles are an example of "Cube"ist form over function decisions IMO. Although support for an internal Zip Drive installation was discontinued in the MDD (Iomega fixed that problem) the decision to make any front panel I/O modification to the case at all was inexcusable, again, YMMV.

Native9 is an absolute must for a Classic Mac as far as I'm concerned. For any app I've ever used from the era, 2GB and a single processor are plenty. YMMV

Why do folks put G4 or G5 towers on the desktop anyway? Desktop real estate is too valuable to waste on anything that doesn't fit under the display (ergonomically) on my work surfaces.