How long would a Mac Pro last? [Archive]

dwd3885

Oct 3, 2009, 03:46 PM

AZREOSpecialist

Oct 3, 2009, 04:49 PM

You see, I'm going to be in the market for a Mac Pro (I want a Mac again) and I want something comparable to the Dell system in my sig. My uncle bought a PowerMac G5 Dual 2.7 CPU something like 4 or 5 years ago for photo and video stuff. My question is that if I get a Mac Pro (the 2149 refurb model) would it last a while? See I'm always in the rut of buying and selling computers and I want my next purchase to last a long time so I can put an end to that.

I don't do any heavy editing with Final Cut or any graphical stuff with Motion or After Effects. I do use iMovie and Lightroom and Photoshop, with iDVD and all the other iLife apps built-in there. The main reason for the Mac Pro is because I can always add hard drive space internally, without adding external mess to the setup and being cheaper. I also have a Dell monitor which I love. I would think an iMac wouldn't last me as long. But what are your thoughts?

My PowerMac G5 Dual 2.5 GHz (single core each CPU) w/ 4.5 GB RAM lasted me roughly five years. It was starting to get long in the tooth, but still functioning and usable. If you're okay with using your Mac until it is basically unusable, I don't see why it wouldn't last you at least this long. Apple has been really good about keeping Mac OS X lean and efficient over the years, and with Snow Leopard throwing out a bunch of legacy technologies in favor of newer technologies, this should hold true into the future a well.

nanofrog

Oct 3, 2009, 07:41 PM

Given what usage you describe, it would last awhile, as the software is likely to be some time before it can catch up to the hardware, let alone actually exceed it. ;)

The problem is, it's kind of hard to give you an idea, so I'll go with the norms for workstation/server systems; 5 years is the typical time such a system is supported. After that, you may or may not be left out in the cold.

That said, Apple doesn't look at the MP's as workstation systems as far as support length. Take the '06 - '07 models. They came with EFI32, and haven't had an EFI64 update, despite the fact that the CPU/s are 64bit models.

It's already affecting their ability to update the graphics cards, and will soon affect their ability to use newer versions of OS X (once they go 64bit Kernel only). Fortunately, the '08's on have the EFI64. So something like this may be less of an issue. But you should be aware Apple doesn't seem to care about purchasers of previous systems for very long.

TheSilencer

Oct 3, 2009, 08:33 PM

Basically think of three years thanks to Apple Care, then sell it before it passes these three years or just keep the machine as long it suits your needs.

You can upgrade the CPU (violates Apple Care), RAM, graphics card and, most efficient upgrade today, give the OS an SSD which will really make a difference.

Given all these upgrades the machine can last some years without a problem and yeah, every machine you can buy is out of date because manufacturers have better, faster products to come out any time.

Cynicalone

Oct 3, 2009, 09:02 PM

3 to 5 years is a good estimate.

Tesselator

Oct 3, 2009, 09:15 PM

How long would a Mac Pro last?

According to dgm (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=795509), just ten months! :D

numbersyx

Oct 3, 2009, 09:17 PM

3 to 5 years is a good amount for any computer. It would probably be OK beyond that for limited usage. However, as we all know the next step up in technology is far too tempting to miss out on....

Macpropro80

Oct 3, 2009, 09:30 PM

mine lasted one year then went to hell

nanofrog

Oct 4, 2009, 12:23 AM

According to dgm (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=795509), just ten months! :D

mine lasted one year then went to hell
Though both situations are terrible (and should be covered by warranty, if under 12 mo or the extended was purchased), they are anomalies. If it becomes more common, then there's a real issue with the QC of the systems being produced.

3 to 5 years is a good amount for any computer. It would probably be OK beyond that for limited usage. However, as we all know the next step up in technology is far too tempting to miss out on....
General Rule of Thumb:
3 years for desktop systems (consumer gear)
5 years for workstations & servers (professional/enterprise gear)

electroshock

Oct 4, 2009, 12:27 AM

You see, I'm going to be in the market for a Mac Pro (I want a Mac again) and I want something comparable to the Dell system in my sig. My uncle bought a PowerMac G5 Dual 2.7 CPU something like 4 or 5 years ago for photo and video stuff. My question is that if I get a Mac Pro (the 2149 refurb model) would it last a while? See I'm always in the rut of buying and selling computers and I want my next purchase to last a long time so I can put an end to that.

I don't do any heavy editing with Final Cut or any graphical stuff with Motion or After Effects. I do use iMovie and Lightroom and Photoshop, with iDVD and all the other iLife apps built-in there. The main reason for the Mac Pro is because I can always add hard drive space internally, without adding external mess to the setup and being cheaper. I also have a Dell monitor which I love. I would think an iMac wouldn't last me as long. But what are your thoughts?

Let me turn the question around a bit... how long do YOU want it to last?

Reasoning behind that is simple: if you want it to last, say, 5 years, you'll make sure it lasts that long. You'll have any broken parts that gets in your way fixed, replaced, worked around, whatever.

We also don't know how long you want to keep it before (for example) you get tired of it. But a desktop machine with mostly easily found and upgraded parts, there's no reason why it shouldn't be able to easily last 3-5 years of daily use. And even longer if that's what you want out of it.

Genghis Khan

Oct 4, 2009, 02:48 AM

Buying an iMac every 2 years will be cheaper and probably faster for what you need...

leighonigar

Oct 4, 2009, 04:05 AM

Buying an iMac every 2 years will be cheaper and probably faster for what you need...

How?

AdeFowler

Oct 4, 2009, 04:19 AM

5 years.

The G5 in my signature is still making me a living and it'll be 5 years old in December. I have no immediate plans to replace it, unless it dies of course :o

Genghis Khan

Oct 4, 2009, 06:23 AM

How?

He only plans to use iLife and Photoshop, and the only thing he needs that a Mac Pro has over an iMac is 4 internal drive bays. He won't notice the difference otherwise...

So why not get a new iMac every couple of years?

GoKyu

Oct 4, 2009, 07:27 AM

Like the OP, I mainly use my Mac Pro for Photshop/Lightroom and basic day to day stuff (i.e. I'm not using it professionally at this point - I wanted something that would last a long time, and has the internal storage that I want.)

I purchased this machine in January of '08, and I expect it to last at *least* 5 years. I did buy Applecare on it (repair cost would be insane on a machine like this), but I'm hoping to sell it for maybe around half of the original price after that time (maybe someone could tell me if that's a reasonable expectation...)

Hopefully I *will* be using it for professional use before the 5 years is up... :)

JFreak

Oct 4, 2009, 07:37 AM

My question is that if I get a Mac Pro (the 2149 refurb model) would it last a while?

Well if you drop it from 5th floor, it lasts for few seconds. If you place it under your desk and use it appropriately, there's no reason why it wouldn't last you few decades, give or take few hard drive exchanges.

MikeDTyke

Oct 4, 2009, 07:37 AM

Had mine since they were launched in Sep 2006.

I've added since then a 8800GT graphics card, 12GB ram, 4x250GB HD's + 64GB Boot SSD.

Sure these extra toys have cost a bit, but i really like keeping the machine snappy. In its original config it would still do everything that i currently do on the machine, just a little slower. Also most of these are transferable to a new machine.

I've had 3 years excellent usage out of it and don't have any yearnings for a 2009 Mac Pro. I suspect i will continue to keep it for another two years.

M.

iPhone 62S

Oct 4, 2009, 07:44 AM

Macs can last a long time. There are iMac G3s which still work today! Sure, you'd have to replace a dead HD or two if you use it for a long time, but it's certainly doable.

dwd3885

Oct 4, 2009, 08:34 AM

He only plans to use iLife and Photoshop, and the only thing he needs that a Mac Pro has over an iMac is 4 internal drive bays. He won't notice the difference otherwise...

So why not get a new iMac every couple of years?

Well, the refurb Mac Pro is $2199. So getting an iMac would probably be like $1499. I guess I would then sell the imac in two years time and the new one would be something like the same price, so it would probably be a couple hundred difference, making the total for the second one + first one around $1900.

Mainly, if I get a Mac now, I'd want a quad core or at least comparable specs to what my Dell is, otherwise I'd be missing out on power. I just always thought that if an iMac died, i'd be out a good screen at the same time and since I already have a Dell IPS panel that I like, it might not be as wise.

nanofrog

Oct 4, 2009, 05:13 PM

Well if you drop it from 5th floor, it lasts for few seconds. If you place it under your desk and use it appropriately, there's no reason why it wouldn't last you few decades, give or take few hard drive exchanges.
Nah, it won't last decades. The caps will go out before then (10 years max for electrolytics). :eek: :p

And if they do go, they could take out other parts of the system with them , rendering the system absolute toast. Particularly those in the PSU and Voltage Regulators on the logic board.

Dreamail

Oct 4, 2009, 05:38 PM

I would think an iMac wouldn't last me as long. But what are your thoughts?
See it that way:

Computers last a) as long as they can be repaired, or b) until you want new features no longer supported by your hardware.

Re a) Apple guarantees spare parts to be available 3 years after the model stopped being produced. And if you get AppleCare (highly recommended if you want to keep hardware that long) hardware failure will be repaired for free for 3 years.
After that typically third parties still repair the computer for another year or two. Then certain replacement parts start to get scarse.

So from that point of view any Mac Pro purchased today would last you at least 5 years.

b) is the tricky one of course.
Mac Pros due to their expandability can last you longer than an iMac as they can be retro fitted with new hardware via its expansion slots.

But you won't be able to get past PCI Express speeds. So once SATA 6 Gbit/s becomes mainstream or Light Peak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Peak) your hardware requirements might have moved on and your Mac Pro might no longer be sufficient.

Also consider max RAM requirements. The quad-core Mac Pro only comes with 4 RAM slots, in a few years 4GB sticks will be affordable, but you'd probably be stuck with a 16GB maximum for a while.

That's plenty today, but in 3 years might not seem so much any more and you might have to buy new hardware simply because you want more memory.

It really boils down to your own needs in the future.

If you set up a system 'as is' today and won't upgrade anything ever again, chances are you could use this easily 5 years.

But if you want to upgrade HD space, more RAM, new ports/connections then you might run into limitations.
All of these can be much better expanded on a Mac Pro than an iMac, but perhaps still not well enough.

The safest option is to purchase a new, current model every year (selling the old one). That way you're up to date. And for that route an iMac is sufficient.
If you don't want to go that route a Mac Pro will last you longer - depending on your own 'I want current technology' needs.

Typically Macs last 3-5 years.
They tend to be a bit more expensive but provide longer life spans so overall can actually be cheaper.

SimD

Oct 4, 2009, 06:22 PM

Quite long if you stick to the current software and don't upgrade.

A lot of studios out there are still on CS1/2 running Tiger and see no reason to jump to Leopard, let alone Snow Leopard. Why? Because what they run is perfect for what they need.

A studio I worked for ran first-gen Mac Pros and Powerbook G4s, 8 year old large format printers. They ran on Tiger and used CS2. We were just as good as a studio running the latest Mac Pro's with CS4. I'm sure our studio could still be running those for another 2-3 years without seeing a need to upgrade.

Now if you plan on running the latest and greatest OS/software, don't expect to see more that 5 years max.

thermodynamic

Oct 4, 2009, 08:57 PM

My PowerMac G5 Dual 2.5 GHz (single core each CPU) w/ 4.5 GB RAM lasted me roughly five years. It was starting to get long in the tooth, but still functioning and usable. If you're okay with using your Mac until it is basically unusable, I don't see why it wouldn't last you at least this long. Apple has been really good about keeping Mac OS X lean and efficient over the years, and with Snow Leopard throwing out a bunch of legacy technologies in favor of newer technologies, this should hold true into the future a well.

Seconded! On my (now sold) iMac (2.93GHz, 4GB RAM, 2009 model), Leopard (10.5.8) flew over my Vista PC (which had a Q9650 o/c to 3.6GHz, 8GB, 10000PRM hard drive, GTX260 video). Snow Leopard knocked my socks off too; MUCH faster with file access times, refined interface (enhances what's a darn good design), and lays the groundwork for future app development (GCD, OpenCL).

Case design is sublime and unsurpassed by any plastic PC pablum...

As an outsider, reading the complaints against Apple just don't often seem warranted. (Apple controlling everything means it's their reputation and responsibility, which even on the worst days is still light years better than Windows. So far!) If anything, the single quad Pro would have been nicer with 8 RAM slots, but it's all good... I will be more likely to move to a 3.33GHz CPU than upgrading RAM anyway, when the time comes... 8GB is plenty and configuring AfterEffects to use 6 cores (3 real 3 HT), the remaining 2 cores can be used for photoshop without problems...)

Indeed, if Apple were to sell a 3.33GHz upgrade I'd probably bite. Going to 2.97GHz, for $500, is pointless - even if newegg sells the same CPU for $600. :eek: Not for the 260MHz difference. The margin offered by 3.33 is likely worth its price ($1000) despite not having read enough performance benchmarks, apart from the static one I'd read here...

nanofrog

Oct 4, 2009, 09:46 PM

As an outsider, reading the complaints against Apple just don't often seem warranted. (Apple controlling everything means it's their reputation and responsibility, which even on the worst days is still light years better than Windows. So far!) If anything, the single quad Pro would have been nicer with 8 RAM slots, but it's all good... I will be more likely to move to a 3.33GHz CPU than upgrading RAM anyway, when the time comes... 8GB is plenty and configuring AfterEffects to use 6 cores (3 real 3 HT), the remaining 2 cores can be used for photoshop without problems...)
You've got a lot to learn. :eek: :D :p

Keep in mind, the hardware is the same as anything else out there now (it's Intel based, and there's equivalent hardware).

The OS is the only real difference. But to lock OS X to the systems, Apple chose to use a proprietary version of EFI (based of v.1.10). So it and the other "changes" are made to lock out competition and keep margins high, such as using the PCB traces to give their own Apple RAID Pro card an advantage over better 3rd party RAID cards via incompatibility without an expensive adapter. Not to improve the product or overall experience.

iZac

Oct 5, 2009, 06:51 AM

RobMSantos

Oct 5, 2009, 09:44 AM

dwd3885

Oct 5, 2009, 09:53 AM

Based on the usage you describe, I don't think you'll really use all the resources of your rig for awhile. I do a bit heavier graphics and film work and my 2006 Mac Pro is still running amazingly well.

I personally try to make my hardware last 3 to 4 years, and I stagger my upgrades among a laptop and desktop. I just got a MacBook Pro so in a year or so, I'll replace the Mac Pro, then a year or so after that I'll replace this MacBook Pro if my usage habits stay the same. That way I feel I'm getting the most out of my per-purchase hardware investment while still giving me the flexibility of accessing newer resources more often.

That's a good way of doing it.

Now, I think I'm going to wait for the new iMac, just to see if it's quad. The price of the Mac Pro puts me off, over $2000 is a ton to spend for me, an iMac might be more reasonable. I just would want the iMac to last at least 3 years for me also though.

mmulin

Oct 5, 2009, 10:17 AM

That's a good way of doing it.

Now, I think I'm going to wait for the new iMac, just to see if it's quad. The price of the Mac Pro puts me off, over $2000 is a ton to spend for me, an iMac might be more reasonable. I just would want the iMac to last at least 3 years for me also though.

..and you always can use your dell monitor as 2nd monitor on the imac. that said, i am also still running an '06 mp, 12gb ram, and a ati 4870hd, doing all the rough video editing at home for commercial productions. no thoughts of replacing it in the next two years or so.

eelpout

Oct 5, 2009, 10:53 AM

my 4+ year old dual 2 GHz G5 PowerMac is still going strong without an issue (unlike my wife's 18 month old iMac which just recently blew it's hard drive). And if it wasn't for the fact that PowerPC app support wasn't increasingly becoming an issue, I'd keep it. Instead I see an Intel box in my future soon.

TheStrudel

Oct 5, 2009, 11:35 AM

More recent Mac Pros (the 2006 turned out to be a little unfortunate for most people) are ahead of the software by a few years. Smart upgrading will let a current machine stay good for up to 8 years, I think. When you consider that recent OS upgrades have made the same hardware faster, and that the multicore nature of the machines and their GPUs has yet to be tapped by software - but such work is underway - we're looking at a long tail.

It's impossible to tell, of course, but it should last a very long time for what you're doing. Aftermarket upgrades will extend it. At least 3, but 5 years is a good guess.

tekboi

Oct 5, 2009, 01:17 PM

Well, my Power Mac G4 has lasted me all the way up to this point. (I bought it in 2002)

So I would like to think that Mac Pro's have a pretty good lifespan. Although I must say that I am discouraged lately. I have not been hearing many good things about apple and the future of mac pro.

Plus, windows 7 is really looking like it's going to be a promising OS. So, I'll just have to see.

RobMSantos

Oct 5, 2009, 01:21 PM

What exactly are you discouraged by?

I have the original 2006 Mac Pro. On the Mac-end of things it has Snow Leopard and runs it great. I also have the RTM of Windows 7 Ultimate from my MSDN license. On the gaming-side of things, I have an ATI Radeon HD 4870 which is offered on the newest Mac Pros and it works in both OS's.

There are a few hoops every now and then as to getting the newest hardware to run on it, but as of today, my Mac Pro is really holding its own.

nanofrog

Oct 5, 2009, 02:50 PM

My '06 Mac Pro is 3 years and still ticking. It runs a little warmer than id like, but i keep my fans ticking over at 900rpm and the DVD drive started clicking intermittently. Other than that its as good as gold.

It still handles 150cm squared 400 dpi photoshop docs (little bit slow, but i blame that on CS4) but i only have a paltry 3 gig of RAM in it at the moment, so it's probably paging like hell.

Im in a dilemma, wondering if i should upgrade the RAM and GPU, (maybe a BR drive when we finally get playback) which should keep it fresh for another year or two. My dad expects to get it as a hand-me-down, so i have no chance of selling it at the end of its life!
That machine only uses EFI32, and that's already limiting graphics card choices. Currently, the HD4870 would work in that one, but not the newest nVidia cards. :(

It's also going to be a problem in the near future with upgrading OS X, when it finally goes full 64 bit (true K64; 64 bit Kernel only versions).

Just so you're aware of it. ;) So long as you or your dad can live with this, you'll be able to keep the system for awhile yet.

emt377

Oct 5, 2009, 07:33 PM

It still handles 150cm squared 400 dpi photoshop docs (little bit slow, but i blame that on CS4) but i only have a paltry 3 gig of RAM in it at the moment, so it's probably paging like hell.

How long would it take you to do a smart sharpen of that file? Or a 0.2 degree rotation and crop? Or a perspective crop? Or a profile conversion? The difference between the machine you have and a current well configured Mac Pro is minutes vs seconds. What if you try to read your email or do something else while waiting for an action with a long string of operations like this run? So not only will it take forever, your machine is totally consumed by it...

iZac

Oct 6, 2009, 04:57 AM

How long would it take you to do a smart sharpen of that file? Or a 0.2 degree rotation and crop? Or a perspective crop? Or a profile conversion? The difference between the machine you have and a current well configured Mac Pro is minutes vs seconds. What if you try to read your email or do something else while waiting for an action with a long string of operations like this run? So not only will it take forever, your machine is totally consumed by it...

"little bit slow" is obviously subjective. :p I feel it still holds its own for the time being, and its not every day i use it for such big files. Its only a home machine so I try to keep work in work.

Yeah, nanofrog, its unfortunate that its GPU choices are limited, but ill find a good solution. By comparison, my dad is still happy running Tiger on my old G4 mac mini, with an old version of Adobe CS. My Pro would be like greased lightning for him!

sushi

Oct 6, 2009, 05:01 AM

Computer wise, Apple hardware is fairly well constructed and should last a long time. For example, my PowerMac 933 still runs fine after 7 years.

As for being able to do what you want, that is a bit subjective. For example, my PowerMac system will not run Snow Leopard for example. Nor will it run Windows via VMWare Fusion or Parallels. However, if it still does what I need, then it still is a viable computer after 7 years. I hope that makes sense.

Bucko

Oct 7, 2009, 05:17 PM

Your probably talking about the new MacPros but my G4 400mhz, System 9.2.2 I bought new in January 2000 is still working like a charm. 2 HDs the main one and a WD internal 120GB which I had for about 7 years still work fine (knock on wood) I use Norton Disk Doctor about 2c a month to see if any problems exist.

macgeek18

Oct 8, 2009, 12:13 AM

Get a Mac Pro,don't get a Power Mac with Power PC,Though I love my Power Mac G4 to death it does have it's limits,like can't get Snow leapard on it,(I'm so bummed over that):mad:And little things like netflix,I have it and it tells me I need an Intel processor to run,makes me pretty mad.But Still I have OSX 10.5.8 and iLife08 and iWork09 and microsoft word,Powerpoint,Excel,:cool: and tons of other things that run so fast on my 867Mhz Power PC G4.Get Intel and it's last you forever!