Hi, this is my first post here, and would like to say the forum is a great source of information and most times I do not need to post, but thought my question is so specific perhaps it be best to get an opinion focused on my situation.
First off my occupational background is in Flash video/animations for broadcast etc. and I have felt the need to upgrade my 21.5" iMac 3.06 GHz from late 2009 as I was having frame dropping issues with Flash CS5 on 1080p exports. Assuming the Mac was lacking processing power it went for sale. The iMac has since been sold, and I found a @$600 local deal on a Mac Pro 1,1 with Dual core 3.0GHZ processors x2, 4GB Ram, and a X1900XT GPU. Whether this was a good deal or not I am unsure but I have never had a Pro model before and heard they were a real workhorse when it came to video.
All this was fine until I thought... since I have the Mac Pro, a nice display would be great with it, so I buy the 27 inch display (with timely open box discount at electronics store)... with the mini display port... Now, as you can imagine with the x1900XT, I realize there isn't a simple way of having these two devices work that isn't going to cost at least $200 to either buy an adapter or new 5770 video card from Apple.
Then came my buyer's remorse.. all things considered, perhaps I should have just purchased the newest version of the 27" iMac instead. Trying to save a little money, I think I may have cost myself to spend just as much on an older machine. I liked the idea of the display being independent of the computer for future upgrades, and buying this aged Mac Pro allowed me to have both at once, but really is this the wisest decision given the choice? I can afford a new iMac or upgrade what I have now, but where to go from here is a big question. Where would the cost vs benefit come down on?
These are the options I have come up with, and any experienced Mac opinions on these I welcome...
1) Keep the Pro and display since I have them, and buy the 5770.
2) Keep the Pro, return display and buy a $300 monitor at a big box store. Have a new setup that is at least two thirds as fast as my previous one for under $1000
3) Sell the Pro for what I bought it, and return display, take the money and buy the iMac 27".
4) Your advice that I may not have thought of..
Thanks for the help in advance...
First off my occupational background is in Flash video/animations for broadcast etc. and I have felt the need to upgrade my 21.5" iMac 3.06 GHz from late 2009 as I was having frame dropping issues with Flash CS5 on 1080p exports. Assuming the Mac was lacking processing power it went for sale. The iMac has since been sold, and I found a @$600 local deal on a Mac Pro 1,1 with Dual core 3.0GHZ processors x2, 4GB Ram, and a X1900XT GPU. Whether this was a good deal or not I am unsure but I have never had a Pro model before and heard they were a real workhorse when it came to video.
All this was fine until I thought... since I have the Mac Pro, a nice display would be great with it, so I buy the 27 inch display (with timely open box discount at electronics store)... with the mini display port... Now, as you can imagine with the x1900XT, I realize there isn't a simple way of having these two devices work that isn't going to cost at least $200 to either buy an adapter or new 5770 video card from Apple.
Then came my buyer's remorse.. all things considered, perhaps I should have just purchased the newest version of the 27" iMac instead. Trying to save a little money, I think I may have cost myself to spend just as much on an older machine. I liked the idea of the display being independent of the computer for future upgrades, and buying this aged Mac Pro allowed me to have both at once, but really is this the wisest decision given the choice? I can afford a new iMac or upgrade what I have now, but where to go from here is a big question. Where would the cost vs benefit come down on?
These are the options I have come up with, and any experienced Mac opinions on these I welcome...
1) Keep the Pro and display since I have them, and buy the 5770.
2) Keep the Pro, return display and buy a $300 monitor at a big box store. Have a new setup that is at least two thirds as fast as my previous one for under $1000
3) Sell the Pro for what I bought it, and return display, take the money and buy the iMac 27".
4) Your advice that I may not have thought of..
Thanks for the help in advance...