Mac Pro Updates - When should I buy my Mac Pro?

[gazfocus]

Hi Guys (and girls),

After much struggling, I've decided to buy a Mac Pro instead of an iMac. However, at the end of June, I am moving house, so I'm wondering whether I should wait til I move house before I buy my Mac Pro (i.e. one less thing to move (possibly 3, if I get the 2 ACD's)).

Anyway, I know they've only just been updated, but do you think the Mac Pro's will be updated around June time? If so, should I wait until they are updated before ordering one?

The ONLY reason I am thinking about this is because I don't want to buy a nice new Mac Pro, and have the hassle of having to move it in the near future to my new house.

[mad jew]

It really sounds like you don't need it right now. Wait until June. :)

[gazfocus]

It really sounds like you don't need it right now. Wait until June. :)

Yeah, I have a powerful Windows PC and when the MBP's are updated I'll be buying one of those...Just don't want a Mac Pro to get damaged while I'm moving :)

[mad jew]

I think it really makes sense to wait. Chances are reasonable that it'll get updated. Good luck with the move. :)

[gazfocus]

Any other thoughts on this?

[eviltobz]

there's always a possibility of an update. but if you look at the mac pro's track record it seems unlikely that there would be one that soon. and looking to buy one that far down the line might get you caught up in the hype of waiting for the new nahalem thingy.

[gazfocus]

there's always a possibility of an update. but if you look at the mac pro's track record it seems unlikely that there would be one that soon. and looking to buy one that far down the line might get you caught up in the hype of waiting for the new nahalem thingy.

Yeah, that's what I'm worried about (I'm already caught up waiting for Penryn in the MacBook Pro's). I can see me not getting a Mac Pro til this time next year and that would be a nightmare.

[edesignuk]

Really, how hard is it to move a computer?

I say buy now. The new ones are just out so you get that warm fuzzy feeling of having the latest and greatest for the longest amount of time, and you get to start enjoying it right away. Better still you avoid getting yourself caught up in the endless waiting game by delaying for 6 months, then starting to hope for a new next best thing which then fails to materialise for a further 6-12 months.

In the words of Nike, Just Do It.

[Artofilm]

If you do end up waiting, have fun with that.
Mac Pros have gotta be the worst thing for waiting for.

Since it's not a consumer product, no one talks about rumors of it being released. Apple also always seems to prolong the release of each one longer than you would think.

Bottom line, the Mac Pro won't come out when you hope it does, expect it to be about 2 - 4 months later than that time (ie. you want it for June, it will most likely come out around september).

But that's just my 2 cents and experience waiting for my Mac Pro. It was painful!

[gazfocus]

Really, how hard is it to move a computer?

I say buy now. The new ones are just out so you get that warm fuzzy feeling of having the latest and greatest for the longest amount of time, and you get to start enjoying it right away. Better still you avoid getting yourself caught up in the endless waiting game by delaying for 6 months, then starting to hope for a new next best thing which then fails to materialise for a further 6-12 months.

In the words of Nike, Just Do It.

It's not that it's hard to move a computer, it's just that I'm in student accommodation, got far too much stuff to move already, etc, and I doubt I'd be able to keep the boxes to pack it all away again to move (which is particularly worrying about the ACD's)

[ErikAndre]

I would wait, but here's the thing. The new Mac Pro will be updated, but I for one am not going to buy that one (even if it were available today). Even if it comes with a full redesign and has Blue Ray support, blah blah... even if they throw in the Apple remote... I still wouldn't get it. Why? It will feature the new Nehalem chip set.

Why is that important? Because it is a full redesign of the Intel processor, also eliminating the Front Side Bus. This is great news, as it will revolutionize the industry, but I know it will take Intel a few years to really make it a great chip... When the Mac Pro comes out in July/November/whenever, it will feature the very first version of this chip, with all its kinks, etc.... The industry will mature and evolve and v2 will come out which will be a big step up, then v3.

Just to give you an idea, the whole Pentium line had many many kinks when it was introduced. It's just the fact of life. The Xeon chip (Penryn) that's in the Mac Pro's now are the seniors in their class... every fix and build and revision of the whole Intel line (and Xeon line) is all in this chip. That's why I've decided to buy the Mac Pro now and wait for that v3, v4 revision of the Nehalem chip (that is if I can't wait any longer).

http://www.truewalk.com/vault/hmm.gif

So... i know that's a lot to think about... but I just wanted to give you (and anyone else in this forum) a little insight of why I (for one) will not be buying the next Mac Pro revision. If I were you, I'd wait till you move, etc... then buy the Mac Pro... but go for the one that's out now. Just my $0.02.

[gazfocus]

If you do end up waiting, have fun with that.
Mac Pros have gotta be the worst thing for waiting for.

Since it's not a consumer product, no one talks about rumors of it being released. Apple also always seems to prolong the release of each one longer than you would think.

Bottom line, the Mac Pro won't come out when you hope it does, expect it to be about 2 - 4 months later than that time (ie. you want it for June, it will most likely come out around september).

But that's just my 2 cents and experience waiting for my Mac Pro. It was painful!

Thanks :) I'm thinking maybe wait til I move and then just buy the best I can afford at that time, whether it's the current model or a new one

[G4DP]

The next update won't be until this time next year at the earliest. You might get a few more BTO options but thats it.

Nehalem and the Caneland Platform don't arrive until next november at the very earliest. Even after release it'll take Apple at least two months to get the new chips in the machines.

You've got a long wait.

[gazfocus]

I would wait, but here's the thing. The new Mac Pro will be updated, but I for one am not going to buy that one (even if it were available today). Even if it comes with a full redesign and has Blue Ray support, blah blah... even if they throw in the Apple remote... I still wouldn't get it. Why? It will feature the new Nehalem chip set.

Why is that important? Because it is a full redesign of the Intel processor, also eliminating the Front Side Bus. This is great news, as it will revolutionize the industry, but I know it will take Intel a few years to really make it a great chip... When the Mac Pro comes out in July/November/whenever, it will feature the very first version of this chip, with all its kinks, etc.... The industry will mature and evolve and v2 will come out which will be a big step up, then v3.

Just to give you an idea, the whole Pentium line had many many kinks when it was introduced. It's just the fact of life. The Xeon chip (Penryn) that's in the Mac Pro's now are the seniors in their class... every fix and build and revision of the whole Intel line is all in this chip. That's why I've decided to buy the Mac Pro now and wait for that v3, v4 revision of the Nehalem chip (that is if I can't wait any longer).

http://www.truewalk.com/vault/hmm.gif

So... i know that's a lot to think about... but I just wanted to give you (and anyone else in this forum) a little insight of why I (for one) will not be buying the next Mac Pro revision. If I were you, I'd wait till you move, etc... then buy the Mac Pro... but go for the one that's out now. Just my $0.02.

Thanks. That's really useful info. I had heard about the Nehalem chip set but had no idea it was such a significant change. Sure, it would be nice to own such a revolutionary product but as you so rightly say, it will be possibly an extremely unreliable system for the Rev1.

[deathshrub]

Chances are reasonable that it'll get updated.

:confused:

No. No they aren't.

Product Mac Pro
Recommendation: Buy Now! - Product just updated
Last Release January 08, 2008
Days Since Update 16 (Avg = 217)

You may want to wait if you want an updated cinema display, although those are likely to come out at WWDC and not some random point in June.

To the original poster: if you want to wait because you think it would be easier to not move a huge computer and cinema displays, great. More power to you. But the chance of a MP update even in June is extremely low. If you want a MP now, buy it now. You will not be sorry.

[netdog]

Boys, I think we've found ourselves the first real member-to-be of the "Official Waiting For Nehalem Club".

It'll be a long and painful wait, btw, so just scoop up whatever is on offer in June. Trust me as I was a "Waiting for Penryn" victim.

[gazfocus]

:confused:

No. No they aren't.

Product Mac Pro
Recommendation: Buy Now! - Product just updated
Last Release January 08, 2008
Days Since Update 16 (Avg = 217)

You may want to wait if you want an updated cinema display, although those are likely to come out at WWDC and not some random point in June.

To the original poster: if you want to wait because you think it would be easier to not move a huge computer and cinema displays, great. More power to you. But the chance of a MP update even in June is extremely low. If you want a MP now, buy it now. You will not be sorry.

I think my initial post has been a little misunderstood. Please note, I am not waiting in the hope of an update. My sole reason for waiting is the fact that I'm moving and have far too much junk to move as it is. I was just wondering if there's likely to be an update around the time I'm ready to buy.

[Macinposh]

Why? It will feature the new Nehalem chip set.

Why is that important? Because it is a full redesign of the Intel processor, also eliminating the Front Side Bus....When the Mac Pro comes out in July/November/whenever, it will feature the very first version of this chip, with all its kinks, etc....

Yeah,like all the huge problems intel had with CD and C2D.
Yeah!! Wait! Wait!



...The Xeon chip (Penryn) that's in the Mac Pro's now are the seniors in their class... every fix and build and revision of the whole Intel line (and Xeon line) is all in this chip.

Yeah!! Just like the Xeon5100 series,the first macpros, wich were C2D design too! Yeah! Yeah! HUUUuuge problems. Enormous.Giganttic.Almost gargantuan.
Wait,wait! Problems,sirens,disasters,cry!


Jeesus...

[Kosh66]

Yeah, if you have alot too move already, then wait to buy it AFTER you move. Like you said, it's one less thing to move. As well, if you get a chance, try and filter out any junk you don't want to move. The less stuff you have when you move the better, no matter if you're getting friends to move it or a company.

A small benefit of waiting to buy till after your move might be that you won't have to wait for so long for it to ship.

[eviltobz]

...I doubt I'd be able to keep the boxes to pack it all away again to move (which is particularly worrying about the ACD's)
really REALLY try to keep boxes for displays. if not make extra double superstrength sure that you pack them well. after the trip back from a lan party a while ago the lcd i had taken had probably around 100-200 stuck pixels of various colours :( and i was pretty careful with how i placed it.

fortunately it was still just under a year old, so i was able to swap it at the shop and ended up with a better screen :)

acds do have a nice solid front unlike some lcds, but you really don't wanna risk it.

[siorai]

1. Seriously. How hard is it to move a computer and a couple monitors? Even without the boxes it's dead easy. It's computer equipment not a delicate orchid. It can take being moved around. :p

2. Look at how long it took for the current update of the Mac Pro to happen. Do you really think they'll update it again in the summer? I highly doubt it. Apple has far more important (mass consumer) issues to deal with. They've satiated the Pro-segment of their market, they can now go back to iPods and iMacs.

3. The waiting game when it comes to computer equipment is a long, frustrating road. Eventually you have to either admit that you're never going to buy new hardware or just dive in and do it. There's always something better just around the corner.

I just bought a Mac Pro. Did I need it right now? No. I really don't need it until the fall when I go back to school. There's no way that I would wait until then though. It's just too annoying. The current Mac Pro is a beast. It will still be a beast in the fall, next fall, and the fall after that. It will still be a beast if they do actually update it in the summer. It just won't be quite the e-peen stroking beast that the new one would be, but then again I don't care about that.

I guess what it all comes down to is that most importantly Apple has not had a stellar track record for issuing Mac Pro updates. So you can either buy one now and use it and enjoy it, or sit around, wait for an update that more than likely will not happen and then buy the same system anyways.

[rockinrocker]

Yeah,like all the huge problems intel had with CD and C2D.
Yeah!! Wait! Wait!





Yeah!! Just like the Xeon5100 series,the first macpros, wich were C2D design too! Yeah! Yeah! HUUUuuge problems. Enormous.Giganttic.Almost gargantuan.
Wait,wait! Problems,sirens,disasters,cry!


Jeesus...



ummm, i gotta say, the transition to nehalem is gonna be a much bigger deal than moving to CD or C2D or any of the rest of them. it seems like there's a lot more involved than just updating the proc. yes, it'll be great once the kinks are worked out, but for my money, it's worth waiting to avoid the 1st gen hardware on that one....

[ErikAndre]

Yeah,like all the huge problems intel had with CD and C2D.
Yeah!! Wait! Wait!

Yeah!! Just like the Xeon5100 series,the first macpros, wich were C2D design too! Yeah! Yeah! HUUUuuge problems. Enormous.Giganttic.Almost gargantuan.
Wait,wait! Problems,sirens,disasters,cry!

http://www.truewalk.com/vault/dot.gif


ummm, i gotta say, the transition to nehalem is gonna be a much bigger deal than moving to CD or C2D or any of the rest of them. it seems like there's a lot more involved than just updating the proc. yes, it'll be great once the kinks are worked out, but for my money, it's worth waiting to avoid the 1st gen hardware on that one....

Some people just don't get it.

[bobbleheadbob]

I'm in the same boat, although probably moving a little earlier (March or April). We've got way too much stuff as well. I'm going to wait until after the move, fight with my wife over the best area for a workspace in the new house, "surprise" her with the delivery of a new MP, and then duck and run until she calms down.

[Macinposh]

Some people just don't get it.


Indeed.

Even if this is a rumour site, it is "quite" retarded to state the downfall of nehalem at this point. Why not tout that in 2 years if will be totally dumb to buy the Sandy Bridge Macpro?

When Core Core2Duo were released there were exactly the same arguments then.
Pity that the transformation was about the smoothest and least painfull in the history of microprocessors...

Intel has gotten grip of itself in the last years and for the moment,they seem to keep it.
If they start to loose it then it is a another discussion.
Until then the fearmongering is quite futile.

So before burying the victim, at least wait untill it is dead.

[ErikAndre]

Indeed.

Even if this is a rumour site, it is "quite" retarded to state the downfall of nehalem at this point. Why not tout that in 2 years if will be totally dumb to buy the Sandy Bridge Macpro?

When Core Core2Duo were released there were exactly the same arguments then.
Pity that the transformation was about the smoothest and least painfull in the history of microprocessors...

Intel has gotten grip of itself in the last years and for the moment,they seem to keep it.
If they start to loose it then it is a another discussion.
Until then the fearmongering is quite futile.

So before burying the victim, at least wait untill it is dead.

You still don't get it, man. Seriously, think this through.

I didn't say it was going to be dead, I didn't say it was going to be a disaster. I said it was going to be a first generation chip and that I (for one) wouldn't buy it. The Core2Duo was the best example you could come up with? This migration is nothing compared to that.

I've been in this industry for years and I know about the minor kinks, quirks and things about every Intel chip.... that's how I make a living... even if you don't notice them, or read little about them... they're still there. That doesn't mean the chip is dead or a failure... it just means I want to buy a computer with a chipset that's been around the block a few years. With any new chipset, Intel usually addresses them on the next version with the new updates. Also, do a little more reading about Nehalem... it's a big upgrade (not just another Xeon upgrade). If any product were perfect, Apple wouldn't have to release a 10.5.1 or a 10.5.2... but you can't do that with a processor.

[Tallest Skil]

It's computer equipment, not a delicate orchid.

No, no. It's a Mac, not a Beigebox. One washes their Mac every day and polishes the parts that can be polished to within an inch of their life. If any damage is ever incurred, the guilty party is sought out (it's never the owner) and is sued for the cost of the entire machine. One always keeps all of one's previous machines in a special room of one's house, free of dust and the like. To dispose of a Mac is to dispose of a part of one's soul.

From the Annotated Guide to Apple Evangelism: First Edition

[Madhawk]

1. Buy the New Mac Pro now, keep the original box until you move.
2. Put Mac Pro into original box when you move.
3. Don't buy ACD displays now, only when updated or after you have moved.
4. Use your PC LCD display on the mac pro until you move and then purchase ACD displays.
5. Life is simple once again. No worries, no stress. ;)

[gazfocus]

Thanks for all the thoughts.

The Mac Pro is NOT just a computer. I've worked extremely hard to be able to afford one and it's not simply a matter of if it gets dented or something 'oh well nevermind'. I've always had PC's in the past, and they're simple enough, because if the case gets dented or something, you can just buy a new case...not possible with a Mac Pro!

I think I'm going to wait until I move before I buy my Mac Pro (probably order it a couple of days before so that it arrives the same day I move in or the day after), and wait until the ACD's are updated/reduced before I buy those.

I agree I could have the enjoyment of using my Mac Pro for the next 6 months, but the way I've decided to look at it is if I buy it now, I will only be able to get the 4 core 2.8GHz, whereas if I buy it in July, I will be able to buy the 8 core 2.8Ghz (so still an update in my mind due to what I can afford).