Need a Mac Pro - Buy now or wait for update

[Matt-Exeter]

Hi

This is my first post to this forum.
I have been waiting for a while to replace my PC for a Mac Pro. I can't believe how long it takes Apple between updates - not the same with PCs!!

However, I could really do with a Mac Pro now - the 2 x 2.8 spec meets my needs. Is it a good time to buy, or should I just keep waiting and waiting until the new model is released!!.

Thanks in advance

[Tallest Skil]

I can't believe how long it takes Intel between updates - exactly the same with PCs!!

Fixed.

If you need it for work, buy now. If you can wait, do.

And also search. That sentence is probably the most repeated of any on the whole site.

[bearcatrp]

Grab the 2.8 octo. It will last you for the next few years. If you want to save 400 bucks, grab a refurb. I did a few weeks ago. Same warranty as new. Just comes in a plain brown box. Bump up the ram from 2gb to 8 or 10, add a few drives and you have a smokin machine. The new ones a supposedly going to be around 30-40 percent faster but until they are released, nobody really knows. Myself, I'll wait and let the folks with deep pockets buy them and report back how fast they really are.

[Chaos123x]

I would not even buy now even if you NEED it. It's so close I can taste it.

Try to make due with whatever you have.

Worst comes to worst buy a used G5 and sell it for the same price when the new mac pros come.

[Tallest Skil]

I would not even buy now even if you NEED it. It's so close I can taste it.

Still about four months out, though.

[Chaos123x]

Still about four months out, though.

But the chips ship in march and Apple gets them early most of the time.

[Tallest Skil]

But the chips ship in march and Apple gets them early most of the time.

They got a chip early once. By two weeks. That's really meaningless compared to the rest all releases.

Even when they get them early, they only release six to thirteen weeks after production begins. ;)

Has it begun?

[nanofrog]

They got a chip early once. By two weeks. That's really meaningless compared to the rest all releases.

Even when they get them early, they only release six to thirteen weeks after production begins. ;)

Has it begun?
For Intel to meet the March 29 release date, they've already begun production. Apple, and any other vendor should have them on the 30th. So 6 - 8 weeks later is realistic (order from Apple), assuming they don't run into any problems. :eek: ;)

[Chaos123x]

For Intel to meet the March 29 release date, they've already begun production. Apple, and any other vendor should have them on the 30th. So 6 - 8 weeks later is realistic (order from Apple), assuming they don't run into any problems. :eek: ;)

OEM's get them way before retail sales of cpu's.

If the CPU does launch retail on March 29 I bet Apple already has them, and just has to wait for the release date.

[nanofrog]

OEM's get them way before retail sales of cpu's.

If the CPU does launch retail on March 29 I bet Apple already has them, and just has to wait for the release date.
Most of the parts will be OEM (trays), not retail packaging. That said, if you examine Intel's recent history, particularly the Core i7, they released on the same day. Retail parts tend to be offered up for individuals building their own systems (OEM sources later), while all the initial OEM parts are sent directly to large vendors to meet their sales (large order) obligations.

The vendors design off of ES parts (Engineering Samples) prior to release, so if they get their act together (all parts available at once), they can begin manufacture immediately. More of a factor of making JIT Scheduling actually work. The real work remaining is to develop the OEM install disks (gathering all of the drivers, and making sure they work on the production models), especially since most order already manufactured components. If any of the components, whether case, boards, graphic cards,... have problems, or the drivers don't actually work, delays ensue.

[m1stake]

I don't look forward to buying a rev A, but at this rate it's what I'm going to have to go with. I guess Applecare will take care of any really terrible issues.

[nanofrog]

I don't look forward to buying a rev A, but at this rate it's what I'm going to have to go with. I guess Applecare will take care of any really terrible issues.
This is the way of the electronics industry these days.
The name on the box has given up control in the quest to save any penny possible. ODM's design and manufacture the parts, resulting in haphazard testing, and all stages of QC. :rolleyes: :( Yes, Apple is among them. :eek:

Given the replacement costs for Apple's replacement parts, AppleCare is definitely the way to go. ;) A cheap insurance policy. ;)

[m1stake]

Applecare + American Express = companies get bent over.

[nanofrog]

Applecare + American Express = companies get bent over.
In what sense? :confused:

Individuals or small businesses makes a little more sense. Large companies tend to go for service contracts anyway. It makes better sense for them in regards to tax purposes alone, if I understand that part correctly. Tax code is too big. 70K+ pages. :eek:

I don't see how anyone can actually understand it all. :confused: ;)

[bumzo1]

personally I would wait until you can afford the config you want and if the new ones arent out by then get the current one.... 40-50% of a 4 sec render time is only 2 sec. not a big difference

[nanofrog]

personally I would wait until you can afford the config you want and if the new ones arent out by then get the current one.... 40-50% of a 4 sec render time is only 2 sec. not a big difference
I was under the impression render times take longer than that, so the performance gains would be worth it, assuming these tasks are performed repetitively.

If this is the case, the time saved (increased productivity) would more than make up for the $200 difference expected for the next MP, and a machine isn't needed right now.

[jjahshik32]

personally I would wait until you can afford the config you want and if the new ones arent out by then get the current one.... 40-50% of a 4 sec render time is only 2 sec. not a big difference

Whoa! 4 second render cut down to 2 seconds is actually HUGE in difference in speed. Put that into a ratio difference and imagine a 2 hour project cut by 50% to 1 hour which adds up over time.

Say in 6 months you cut down to 150 hours from 300 hours that's phenomenally HUGE difference!!

[m1stake]

In what sense? :confused:

Individuals or small businesses makes a little more sense. Large companies tend to go for service contracts anyway. It makes better sense for them in regards to tax purposes alone, if I understand that part correctly. Tax code is too big. 70K+ pages. :eek:

I don't see how anyone can actually understand it all. :confused: ;)

Big purchases are for my Amex card, they add a year to whatever warranty the unit has. It's a great feeling to be blown off by a company, call American express, and have them shove the company foot in some other companies behind at my will :p

[Chaywa]

I don't look forward to buying a rev A, but at this rate it's what I'm going to have to go with. I guess Applecare will take care of any really terrible issues.

I bought a rev. A G5 tower in 03 and it is still going strong. That wasn't just a speed bump, that was a formfactor/proc manufacturer/ bus change and it went very smoothly. I don't think you have too much to worry about switching to the next mac pro.

[m1stake]

I bought a rev. A G5 tower in 03 and it is still going strong. That wasn't just a speed bump, that was a formfactor/proc manufacturer/ bus change and it went very smoothly. I don't think you have too much to worry about switching to the next mac pro.

I'm not particularly worried about it, all of my iPods and my G4 were bought within a week of release with no issues. Everyone's luck runs out eventually right? :p

[nanofrog]

Big purchases are for my Amex card, they add a year to whatever warranty the unit has. It's a great feeling to be blown off by a company, call American express, and have them shove the company foot in some other companies behind at my will :p
Extension of manufacturer warranty. :D :cool:

That really is a nice feature. :)

[rylin]

Extension of manufacturer warranty. :D :cool:

That really is a nice feature. :)

Another great policy is price matching.
If you find the same product at a lower price within 30-90 days (depending on country), AMEX will make sure you don't feel shafted ;)

[nanofrog]

Another great policy is price matching.
If you find the same product at a lower price within 30-90 days (depending on country), AMEX will make sure you don't feel shafted ;)
Hmm....I'll have to go back and read the details on the AMEX documentation (policies). :D

[iMacmatician]

They got a chip early once. By two weeks. That's really meaningless compared to the rest all releases.And that chip was not a new microarchitecture or a new process shrink. Gainestown is a new microarchitecture. Apple didn't get Yonah early, or Merom (microarchitecture), or Penryn.

Apple products have otherwise been released after the release of the corresponding Intel CPUs.

[rylin]

Hmm....I'll have to go back and read the details on the AMEX documentation (policies). :D

Just double checked, since amex is being phased out on my side of the pond ;)
MC give me 1 year extended warranty, 90 day price match, 90 day insurance (theft, breakage, etc.).

There are limits though, but all in all, it's great customer protection.
Maybe I should switch my Visa for a MC ;)

[tom.]

There are so many of these threads. If you need one, then you dont need to ask the question as it isn't an option whether you get one or not.

If it is an option, then wait!

[nanofrog]

Just double checked, since amex is being phased out on my side of the pond ;)
MC give me 1 year extended warranty, 90 day price match, 90 day insurance (theft, breakage, etc.).

There are limits though, but all in all, it's great customer protection.
Maybe I should switch my Visa for a MC ;)
I wasn't aware AMEX was pulling out of the European market. :eek:
As for MC, that's the primary card I use. Quite decent, but it's also an older account. The terms may be different than a new one. :confused:

[rylin]

I wasn't aware AMEX was pulling out of the European market. :eek:
As for MC, that's the primary card I use. Quite decent, but it's also an older account. The terms may be different than a new one. :confused:

It's not so much pulling out as it is getting pushed out.
Most card terminals don't do AMEX -- in fact, the only place I've seen the AMEX logo recently was in the hospital, though I do know that most upscale restaurants still take it if pressed.

Hopefully they'll do a push soon to get back properly in the market, but it means lower purchase fees (making sellers happy, lowering AMEX's income).

[nanofrog]

It's not so much pulling out as it is getting pushed out.
Most card terminals don't do AMEX -- in fact, the only place I've seen the AMEX logo recently was in the hospital, though I do know that most upscale restaurants still take it if pressed.

Hopefully they'll do a push soon to get back properly in the market, but it means lower purchase fees (making sellers happy, lowering AMEX's income).
I don't get the time to follow European news/markets/... nearly as much as I'd like. Not enough time.