Good time to buy a MacPro?

[houser]

Hello all,

I searched this subject extensively and did not find anything useful, which is odd, as I realise this must be one of the most commonly and dullest questions to answer...;-)

Anyway, I have not bought a new Mac in years and was wondering if the
Current crop of macPro 8-core top of the line Computers is a good buy _today_?

New 16-core around the corner? Anything else I should look at?

Grateful for any hints and rumours that helps in such a decision.

best
jtm

[iBlue]

They were updated fairly recently. (got one of those myself and I love it!)

The thing about the mac pros is that they're a bit more resilient in these terms because they are fantastic as is and easily upgradable.

At the moment it seems apple are working on smaller devices a bit more and a hunch tells me it may be a while before the mac pros are updated again. If you need it now, I imagine it's a pretty safe bet.

[houser]

Thanx,
you are very kind to take the time, really appreciate it
I love straight simple answers, so rare these days.. ,9

thanx again
jtm

[netdog]

Search for the many threads here regarding Intel's Nehalem architecture. Will probably roll out in Mac Pros in 1Q 2009. If you aren't in any rush, this will be pretty radical. That said, the current lineup of Mac Pros are just dandy.

[arn]

Thanx,
you are very kind to take the time, really appreciate it
I love straight simple answers, so rare these days.. ,9

thanx again
jtm

This may help in the future:

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac_Pro

Ya, the next major upgrade probably won't be until 1st half of 2009.

arn

[Virtuoso]

I waited years to get a Mac Pro, waiting for the spec to reach a level I was happy with to finally make the switch from PCs. The 2008 model ticked all the boxes for me, which were:-

1. Dual fast 64 bit processors
2. Up to 32GB of RAM
3. Space for 4TB of storage in the case
4. Nvidia graphics at last!
5. Dual bootable with Windows

The spec is awesome now and makes a much more attractive proposition than a similarly specced PC. I don't think you would have any regrets getting one and you would get a good few years out of it - it will be a long time before this spec starts to feel slow!

There will probably be a faster model out some time next year, but it's like buying a new car - sooner or later you have to draw the line and say 'This one is good enough for me right now' :)

[Mackilroy]

1. Dual fast 64 bit processors
2. Up to 32GB of RAM
3. Space for 4TB of storage in the case
4. Nvidia graphics at last!
5. Dual bootable with Windows
Actually, the last Mac Pro does all five of those, as well. ;)

[cube]

It's not a good time until next year because there will be a new socket.

[andy.barron]

Is it ever a good time? There is always something better round the corner & lets face it is anybody really unhappy with what they are using now?

I would say if you feel tempted go for it, cos if you wait till 'the next best thing' you will wait again till it is upgraded!
:D

[Virtuoso]

Actually, the last Mac Pro does all five of those, as well. ;)
From memory the 2007 model at the time had up to 16GB of 667MHz RAM (now 32GB of 800MHz RAM), the non-Quadra Nvidia option was a 256MB 7300 which is right at the bottom of their range - the current 512MB 8800GT is a much faster card, and only 750GB drives were offered giving a maximum of 3TB (now 4TB). There was quite a price premium for the 8 core model too - now all models are 8 core (unless you CTO a single processor). Also Bootcamp was still an early beta. That makes four significant improvements over the 2007 spec.

[Tallest Skil]

Those restrictions were not hardware based. They were based on the fact that there weren't 4GB RAM sticks, 1TB HDDs, or a finished Boot Camp yet.

[mperkins37]

As an owner of a early 2008 MacPro 3.2, all I can say is go for it, you won't be disappointed.

[Awesome Guy]

16 core? God, man. Even if that was just around the corner, would you need it? You might need it if you do the following things all at once:
-Run Photoshop
-Run Final Cut Studio (every app in the package)
-Run Vista in VMware
-Run Vista in Parallels
-Run Crysis in both VMware and Parallels with full graphics
-Run an application intended to solve the P=NP problem
-Run an application intended to solve CP Violation
-Run Photoshop CS2 through Rosetta

Otherwise, I believe you'd be ready to go even with 4 cores.

[Virtuoso]

Those restrictions were not hardware based. They were based on the fact that there weren't 4GB RAM sticks, 1TB HDDs, or a finished Boot Camp yet.
The thread is about whether it's a good time to buy. :rolleyes: For me, 2007 wasn't a good time to buy for the above reasons. That's all.

[Tallest Skil]

Run Crysis... ...with full graphics

I'm going to have to stop you there. Everything else is completely believable except for that. NOTHING that is worth anything can run Crysis yet. :p

[D4F]

16 cores will be overkill for years.
Even top spec apps not always offer support for 4 let alone 8. To find a app that will use all 16 cores will take several years. Hell even now it's not easy to get one operating full 8 cores.
Just look at the memory. So what you can have 32GB. Apps use max 4GB and it will take a little while till you see usable 8GB in apps.

Quad core is a superb machine, 8 is a monster with ********s of unused power and 16 is like Star Wars.

Technology is just one part of computer systems. If software doesn't follow up (and as for now it does but veeeeeeery slowly) then is all just a waste of $$.

That's how I see it and that's why I bought quad core. In a year/two I will dump two 3.2 into it and MAYBE I will have some use of that apart from Cinema 4D (I work with it a lot) that as of now uses all 8 cores.

[Bubba Satori]

Go ahead and buy now. Great computers. Don't buy your memory from Apple. Good luck.

[CWallace]

Anyway, I have not bought a new Mac in years and was wondering if the current crop of macPro 8-core top of the line Computers is a good buy today?

New 16-core around the corner? Anything else I should look at?

Nothing new on the CPU or systemboard side will be coming until Intel releases the workstation Nehalem-class CPUs in Q4, though they will likely not roll out in the Pro until Mac World 2009 or thereabouts.

Future video card and HDD upgrades will work with the current model, so no worries there.

I'm waiting for Nehalem, but only because I don't need a Mac Pro - I just want one. :)

If I needed one, I'd buy it today with no hesitation or regret.

[dmw007]

Quad core is a superb machine, 8 is a monster with ********s of unused power and 16 is like Star Wars.


Great analogy D4F! :D

The current Mac Pros are great machines (I love mine!) and will last you for years to come. New Mac Pros are not due for about another year, so now is a good time to buy. :)

[JeffDM]

The thread is about whether it's a good time to buy. :rolleyes: For me, 2007 wasn't a good time to buy for the above reasons. That's all.

But still, a couple bits of information you gave was wrong, and it should be properly noted so someone doesn't read the thread and assume that's correct.

[JeffDM]

Is it ever a good time? There is always something better round the corner & lets face it is anybody really unhappy with what they are using now?

I would say if you feel tempted go for it, cos if you wait till 'the next best thing' you will wait again till it is upgraded!

I think we all know that, I think it's silly to say that. There are varying degrees of "good time to buy" based on how soon the next update comes and how urgent your needs are. The best time to buy is right after an update.

If you understand what's behind what Apple updates and when, then you can usually get a rough idea of whether an update is imminent. The more imminent the update, the better it is to hold off. But really, I think now is a fine time to buy a Mac Pro if you need one, unless you're willing to wait as much as 9 months, which is quite a long time. But really, if you're within a month of MacWorld or WWDC, then it's often worth the wait because usually a few products are updated at each event like that.

[faumble]

another thing took keep in mind is that although Nehalem is expected to be great we still dont know how it will perform, cost, compare to Harpertown and being a completely new arquitecture the next macpro will be the guinea pig so like anything new and unknow...
(harpertown is built on the same architecture as 2006 chips only a "perfected" or "embellished" version)

[GoKyu]

I got the early 2008 Mac Pro 2.8 octo, and it's just a rip-roaring monster :)

It's honestly way more power than I actually need, but it's my first Mac, and aside from wanting the upgradeable drive bays, I wanted to celebrate getting away from windows, finally ;)

This system will easily last me the next 4+ years, and when it's time to sell, should still have very good resale :)

-Bryan

[synchro505]

Good time to buy?

After you've received your share of the loot after the "job"!:D

Seriously, when doing the deed, be sure to get all the bells and whistles you think you might need and the very fastest processor. You will probably have this computer for some time so getting the fastest processor(s) you can afford when buying will help you get the most out of it.

[gauchogolfer]

16 cores will be overkill for years.
Even top spec apps not always offer support for 4 let alone 8. To find a app that will use all 16 cores will take several years. Hell even now it's not easy to get one operating full 8 cores.
Just look at the memory. So what you can have 32GB. Apps use max 4GB and it will take a little while till you see usable 8GB in apps.

Quad core is a superb machine, 8 is a monster with ********s of unused power and 16 is like Star Wars.

Technology is just one part of computer systems. If software doesn't follow up (and as for now it does but veeeeeeery slowly) then is all just a waste of $$.

That's how I see it and that's why I bought quad core. In a year/two I will dump two 3.2 into it and MAYBE I will have some use of that apart from Cinema 4D (I work with it a lot) that as of now uses all 8 cores.

Just a correction here: there are apps that can address more than 4GB of RAM. I'm using Matlab in Vista and it will use however much isabailable when doing large calculations. I've got 8GB right now and routinely need to use the pagefile so I'd like to upgrade to more. More cores the better too, obviously.

[D4F]

Just a correction here: there are apps that can address more than 4GB of RAM. I'm using Matlab in Vista and it will use however much isabailable when doing large calculations. I've got 8GB right now and routinely need to use the pagefile so I'd like to upgrade to more. More cores the better too, obviously.

Correct... But you are using Vista 64bit :)

[gauchogolfer]

Correct... But you are using Vista 64bit :)

I've not tried running in Leopard, but I thought that was 64bit also?

[CWallace]

I've not tried running in Leopard, but I thought that was 64bit also?

It is and it can address all the RAM in the system.

However, the applications running on it also need to be 64-bit to address more then 4GB of RAM themselves.

[gauchogolfer]

It is and it can address all the RAM in the system.

However, the applications running on it also need to be 64-bit to address more then 4GB of RAM themselves.

Sounds like that shouldn't be a problem with Matlab. It might be interesting to compare the two systems.

[Mr Ikasu]

I wish Apple would update something in the Mac Pros a bit more regularly.

I'm looking to buy one end of September time and its looking like I'll be buying the same box I could have got have got 9 months ago for the same price. Almost unheard of in the tech world. Even if they upgraded the GPU/RAM/HDD in the base spec it would make me a bit less loathed to buy towards the end of the 'cycle'.

I suppose I could probably hold out a few more months for Nehalem but my iMac is becoming a drag. On the other hand the buyers guide says the average time for update is only 3 months away so fingers crossed...

[CWallace]

I wish Apple would update something in the Mac Pros a bit more regularly.

I'm looking to buy one end of September time and its looking like I'll be buying the same box I could have got have got 9 months ago for the same price. Almost unheard of in the tech world. Even if they upgraded the GPU/RAM/HDD in the base spec it would make me a bit less loathed to buy towards the end of the 'cycle'.

I suppose I could probably hold out a few more months for Nehalem but my iMac is becoming a drag. On the other hand the buyers guide says the average time for update is only 3 months away so fingers crossed...

Well the GPU, RAM and HDD is all they can upgrade. Intel has released no new workstation-class CPUs (and won't before Nehalem) so there is also no need to release a new chipset/systemboard.

Apple could increase the base RAM to 4GB and the base HDD to 500MB, but frankly the Mac Pro is about the cheapest 8-way Xeon workstation in the market (at least from the majors) so Apple would just be eating into their margins a couple hundred bucks for no real reason...

[SDLSteve]

I got my NIB 2.8 2 quad core stock macpro last week for $2465 shipped. Yes, it's a good time to buy.

[MAC RULEZ]

LOL better be i just ordered one for a grad present, maxed it out yo!

[gauchogolfer]

LOL better be i just ordered one for a grad present, maxed it out yo!

What are you going to be doing with such a beast of a machine?

[Roy]

What are you going to be doing with such a beast of a machine?

Emailing and surfing the Web in style.:D

[330toSRT8]

It is and it can address all the RAM in the system.

However, the applications running on it also need to be 64-bit to address more then 4GB of RAM themselves.
That first statement is only partially true. The Leopard kernel is not 64-bit. They did that for compatibility. That's the reason Leopard can still run on 32-bit processors such as the Core Solo.

[Julien]

I got my NIB 2.8 2 quad core stock macpro last week for $2465 shipped. Yes, it's a good time to buy.

Where did you get that price and what does NIB stand for?

Acronym Definition (http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/nib)
NIB National Industries for the Blind
NIB National Institute of Biology (Ljubljana, Slovenia)
NIB National Insurance Board
NIB National Intelligent Bureau
NIB National Irish Bank
NIB National Irrigation Board (Philippines)
NIB Nativity In Black
NIB NATO Intelligence Board
NIB Naval Infantry Brigade
NIB Navigation Information Bulletin
NIB Network Interface Board
NIB New In Box
NIB Newly Initiated Brother (fraternities)
NIB News in Brief
NIB NIMA Integration Board
NIB No International Bidders (eBay)
NIB Non-Interference Basis
NIB Nordic Investment Bank
NIB Not in Bin
NIB Not in Budget
NIB Not-to-Interfere-Basis
NIB Notified Inspection Body
NIB Número de Identificação Bancária
NIB Nuova Italia Bibliografica
NIB Neighbor Information Base
NIB Network in a Box
NIB Network Information Base
NIB Network Interface Boards
NIB Network Interface Box
NIB Node Initialization Block

[CWallace]

That first statement is only partially true. The Leopard kernel is not 64-bit. They did that for compatibility. That's the reason Leopard can still run on 32-bit processors such as the Core Solo.

So how is Leopard addressing up to the 32GB you can shove into a Mac Pro? PAE?

[Tallest Skil]

Where did you get that price and what does NIB stand for?

Here it's New In Box.

[D4F]

So how is Leopard addressing up to the 32GB you can shove into a Mac Pro? PAE?

4GB max per application. And with 8 cores you can run quite few of them :apple:

[Julien]

Here it's New In Box.

As opposed to OOB.:D

[JeffDM]

So how is Leopard addressing up to the 32GB you can shove into a Mac Pro? PAE?

As I understand it, that's how it's done in Tiger.

As far as I know, the kernel in Leopard is available in 32 and 64 bit versions.

[SDLSteve]

I got it on Amazon. $150 rebate and then a gold box deal that brought the before rebate to $2615.

[phalewhale]

I'm wanting to get my hands on a new Mac Pro but there is no chance I will be shelling out for a high-end machine that doesn't come with at least a 500GB hard drive or 4GB RAM. The RAM is kind of forgiven but 320GB??? Get serious!!! I know it's not much extra to add on but surely this should be the standard now!!!

What's the likelihood of an intermediary update between now and the new processor next year?

[CWallace]

What's the likelihood of an intermediary update between now and the new processor next year?

I imagine it will be driven by Mac Pro sales. We might see a boost in Q4 because some folks (like myself) will be holding off waiting for the Nehalem's, so Apple could increase memory and HDD capacities to spur sales.

[Julien]

I'm wanting to get my hands on a new Mac Pro but there is no chance I will be shelling out for a high-end machine that doesn't come with at least a 500GB hard drive or 4GB RAM. The RAM is kind of forgiven but 320GB??? Get serious!!! I know it's not much extra to add on but surely this should be the standard now!!!

What's the likelihood of an intermediary update between now and the new processor next year?

While the RAM and HD's are a little skimpy they are the easiest and cheapest performance enhancers to upgrade.

[umbilical]

I think that yes! and one good reason its beacuse this last model are so tested! I never buy a first gen mac product! never... and the next mac pro comming with new case (its the rummor) and well this 08 mac pro are best! I buy one 3 months ago and I expect have it on my hands 3 years... later I say bye bye and buy a new... (for that time the new are tested too)

lucky with your buy! :)

[stiles]

I think that yes! and one good reason its beacuse this last model are so tested! I never buy a first gen mac product! never... and the next mac pro comming with new case (its the rummor) and well this 08 mac pro are best! I buy one 3 months ago and I expect have it on my hands 3 years... later I say bye bye and buy a new... (for that time the new are tested too)

lucky with your buy! :)

huh..?

[PAUL BRIAN]

i've decided to wait until they make the base model at least 500 MB, which could happen on the next update whether its major or minor. it should (hopefully) also drive down the price the the 1 TB upgrade.

[D4F]

i've decided to wait until they make the base model at least 500 MB, which could happen on the next update whether its major or minor. it should (hopefully) also drive down the price the the 1 TB upgrade.

Oh... so 8 cores, 32GB of ram, nVidia graphics, RAID option is not worthy the $99 HD (I'm talking full 500GB and not the 180GB difference) you can buy at any store?? Not mentioning you can drop 4 more whatever HDs you want in there...

I have never heard of a more stupid reason.

[CWallace]

I would not say stupid, but when I get mine, I certainly plan to toss whatever HDD ships with it into an external enclosure and stuff four 1TB+ drives into her, so 320GB or 500GB would matter not to me.

[PAUL BRIAN]

"I have never heard of a more stupid reason."

i already have a macbook white thats doing its job pretty well. i'm eventually going to need more power with what im planning to do but i'm in no rush. calm down :rolleyes:

[D4F]

"I have never heard of a more stupid reason."

i already have a macbook white thats doing its job pretty well. i'm eventually going to need more power with what im planning to do but i'm in no rush. calm down :rolleyes:


I am calm:)
But to call a 180GB hard drive space a deciding factor in such a powerfull machone is ridiculous no matter how you look at it.