MP 7,1 7,1 Bros: We're headed into 2025. How are we feeling?

[Mac3Duser]

3D projects are better with nvidia.
that's why I prefer to work on windows (or linux for some things) with nvidia for 3D, AI, ...
and on Mac OS for adobe apps, image processing softwares
on macbook pro for everything else (web, invoices, purchases, writing, ...)

 

[wickerstick]

I purchased my first Mac Pro in 2015. and although it was dated ( dual cpu 4.1 ) it was my dream computer since 2009.
thanks to the plethora of information obtained here and elsewhere on the web I became fairly knowledgeable with the cMP and ending up having owned 11 cMP's and 2 trashcans since that time. I've had a ton of fun learning and building out different configurations.

As someone who spent nearly 2 decades in IT, I have a strong desire to own products that can be repaired and upgraded and last.

when they announced the 7,1 , I was shocked that they would even offer a serviceable machine again. then the price tag. it was like apple was saying you complained enough you want it bad enough now prove it with the wallet.

I bought my 7,1 after finding a deal on a refurbished one through apple with the w5700x (most expensive computer purchase I've ever made.) I knew I wanted one and had to buy before they stopped selling the intel MP.

what I wanted and what mattered to me is quite different to what others might want or need but I wanted a Mac that still could run windows, could edit Photo's, Videos, and work with my extensive Music collection and recording setup, and be the family computer. and be upgradeable. This machine for me was the perfect answer ( the 1 machine that can do everything. )

I've been happy with it mostly, although there have been and still have ongoing issues. it mostly works. it took a lot of trial and error to get the storage somewhat reliable. and went though many issues with highpoint.

Now it's 2025 and I can see the end coming. but I am holding on until I can smoothly transition.
Currently Im entertaining the idea of going to the Mac mini M4 Pro However:
The Mac mini m4 pro with the bare minimum requirements (16c/20c, 4TB, 48GB, 10GB) I have would be 3,300.00 and then I would have to build a custom windows build as well. 2.5-3.5k$ currently there is not a TB5 dock the interests me either. Also, still factoring in my time to reconfigure the studio to accommodate, it's not worth my time. I recently received the option to renew apple care+ and did. I'll ride the wave until a can't receive software updates before leaving. I've been using these systems for 10 years and don't want to change till I'm forced to.

 

[AgentPotato]

Still love my 7,1. Just wish we could get drivers in mac OS for newer AMD cards.

 

[avro707]

Nothing short of some amazing magician like software engineering will make that happen.

I'll win the lotto before that happens.

 

[Mac3Duser]

I make a forecast every year for my future professional and home purchases, and I plan to replace the 7.1 mac pro in 2026 with a thinkstation P7 (or something equivalent).
I stay with Apple for ipad, iphone, and macbook pro.

 

[smckenzie]

So I stuck a Sonnet M2 4x4 with 3 Samsung 990 Pro 4Tb's (couldn't stretch to 4) in the 7,1, certainly breathes new life into the machine.

Opening RAW files in Capture One is laughably quick.

I also have a whole bunch of music samples libraries. Native Instrument patches load nearly instantly. Another library by East Sounds, Hollywood strings used to take an absolute age on my Cheesegrater from years ago. These load pretty nearly instantly to and these are big sound patches.

Using ATTO Disk benchmark I get 10.64 Gb/s Read and 9.92 Gb/s write with a file size of 16Gb. Adding a 4th NVME would get that even higher.

Just a reminder the difference fast I/O can make to a computer.

 

[mattspace]

So I stuck a Sonnet M2 4x4 with 3 Samsung 990 Pro 4Tb's (couldn't stretch to 4) in the 7,1, certainly breathes new life into the machine.

Opening RAW files in Capture One is laughably quick.

I also have a whole bunch of music samples libraries. Native Instrument patches load nearly instantly. Another library by East Sounds, Hollywood strings used to take an absolute age on my Cheesegrater from years ago. These load pretty nearly instantly to and these are big sound patches.

Using ATTO Disk benchmark I get 10.64 Gb/s Read and 9.92 Gb/s write with a file size of 16Gb. Adding a 4th NVME would get that even higher.

Just a reminder the difference fast I/O can make to a computer.

Yes, the 990 Pro shows higher IO speeds than the built in storage, and it's certainly better for C1 than loading off an external device over thunderbolt, or ethernet.

 

[Polymorphic]

I sold my 16 core Mac Pro 7,1 last month while I could still get some cash out if it. But overall I’d say resale was very poor.

I’m trying to decide whether to pick up an M4 Mac Studio (when it arrives) or just go back to Windows for heavy lifting. I don’t have intense GPU needs, but I do need a lot of RAM and fast storage for terabytes of sample libraries. This can’t be done economically on any Apple machine. But I don’t really enjoy building and troubleshooting PCs anymore, either. Just have better things to do with my time.

The sweet spot with Apple increasingly feels like standard configuration MacBook Airs and iPad Airs. Beyond that, the value proposition starts to vanish very quickly.

 

[smckenzie]

I sold my 16 core Mac Pro 7,1 last month while I could still get some cash out if it. But overall I’d say resale was very poor.

I’m trying to decide whether to pick up an M4 Mac Studio (when it arrives) or just go back to Windows for heavy lifting. I don’t have intense GPU needs, but I do need a lot of RAM and fast storage for terabytes of sample libraries. This can’t be done economically on any Apple machine. But I don’t really enjoy building and troubleshooting PCs anymore, either. Just have better things to do with my time.

The sweet spot with Apple increasingly feels like standard configuration MacBook Airs and iPad Airs. Beyond that, the value proposition starts to vanish very quickly.

I tried using a PC for music production - first thing that was annoying that plugging in a USB-C audio interface resulted in latency and popping. Adjusting buffers didn't help and the next thing you end up doing is going down the rabbit hole disabling devices etc trying to figure out where the latency is coming from. Plug the same interface in the 7,1 and works perfectly. The nvme's I've added load those big sample libraries stupidly fast, but I agree, only way to that now with a current Mac is a Studio and external storage over Thunderbolt.

I find Windows hard to work even though it has the horsepower.

 

[Polymorphic]

I tried using a PC for music production - first thing that was annoying that plugging in a USB-C audio interface resulted in latency and popping. Adjusting buffers didn't help and the next thing you end up doing is going down the rabbit hole disabling devices etc trying to figure out where the latency is coming from. Plug the same interface in the 7,1 and works perfectly. The nvme's I've added load those big sample libraries stupidly fast, but I agree, only way to that now with a current Mac is a Studio and external storage over Thunderbolt.

I find Windows hard to work even though it has the horsepower.

Low-latency audio can be tricky on Windows, for sure. But I made it work for many years. I attribute most of that success to RME's rock-solid drivers, which generally work just as well on Windows as macOS.

Most of my dislike for Windows is due to Microsoft's continual encrapification of the experience and its obvious disrespect for users. An OS that spies on you and advertises at you is not one I willingly use to get work done. Truth be told, if Kontakt was native on Linux, I'd probably go that route and learn Reaper.

But for computer audio, we have an effective duopoly, and both choices come with frustrating tradeoffs.

 

[mattspace]

I sold my 16 core Mac Pro 7,1 last month while I could still get some cash out if it. But overall I’d say resale was very poor.

I’m trying to decide whether to pick up an M4 Mac Studio (when it arrives) or just go back to Windows for heavy lifting. I don’t have intense GPU needs, but I do need a lot of RAM and fast storage for terabytes of sample libraries. This can’t be done economically on any Apple machine. But I don’t really enjoy building and troubleshooting PCs anymore, either. Just have better things to do with my time.

The sweet spot with Apple increasingly feels like standard configuration MacBook Airs and iPad Airs. Beyond that, the value proposition starts to vanish very quickly.

I hate to say this, but "lots of RAM and lots of fast storage" is literally the sweet spot of the 7,1.

You're unlikely to find a better solution to those criteria from Apple, ever.

 

[Mac3Duser]

yes.
For music, I would keep the 7.1 with a lot of Ram, and DDR4 ECC is now very cheap !
For 3D, AI, Photogrammetry... the answer is very simple because we need nvidia and a workstation/server with a lot of pci lanes is better than a common PC
For video, I don't know, but I think it is better to think about M4Max ou M4ultra
...

 

[Polymorphic]

I hate to say this, but "lots of RAM and lots of fast storage" is literally the sweet spot of the 7,1.

You're unlikely to find a better solution to those criteria from Apple, ever.

The slow single core performance of the machine was starting to become apparent and problematic. I also never found any NVMe PCIe expansion cards that were rock-solid stable. Sonnet and HighPoint solutions could both be flaky in my experience.

Unfortunately, I don’t think I will miss the 7,1. It just never quite lived up to my expectations.

 

[mattspace]

I also never found any NVMe PCIe expansion cards that were rock-solid stable. Sonnet and HighPoint solutions could both be flaky in my experience.

That's a macOS issue (primarily with Sonoma), that was worse in the Apple Silicon Mac Pros.

Unfortunately, I don’t think I will miss the 7,1. It just never quite lived up to my expectations.

It certainly wasn't well served by Apple.

 

[avro707]

Unfortunately, I don’t think I will miss the 7,1. It just never quite lived up to my expectations

Mainly the fault of Apple who didn’t support it very well - running away from newer GPU support, then we had other faults when Sonoma arrived.

With my dual W6800 Duo machine I don’t dare upgrade to sequoia because of the issues I had on sequoia betas with GPU related kernel panics.

 

[smckenzie]

Mainly the fault of Apple who didn’t support it very well - running away from newer GPU support, then we had other faults when Sonoma arrived.

With my dual W6800 Duo machine I don’t dare upgrade to sequoia because of the issues I had on sequoia betas with GPU related kernel panics.

Mines been really stable. No issues.

 

[Polymorphic]

It certainly wasn't well served by Apple.

It definitely felt like Apple recommitted to professionals with the 2019 Mac Pro, only to quickly forget about them again. The reality is probably somewhat more complicated. I suspect Apple Silicon priorities didn't always neatly serve the Mac Pro roadmap. I think they're still trying to figure it out (M4 Extreme, Hidra, etc.). But fool me once...well, you know the rest.

 

[JesterJJZ]

I'm looking forward to a MacPro refresh. It will be smaller for sure, probably less slots. I'm thinking 3-4.

 

[flowrider]

When the refresh happens, I hope to pick up an M2 Mac Pro to replace my 7,1.

Lou

 

[SDAVE]

Still love my maxed out 7,1

I also have a maxxed out 2021 MBP 16" M1 Max and it is faster in certain things than the 7,1 which is funny.

I always had a Laptop/Desktop combo to go mobile and with a desktop. Most likely I will replace the 7,1 in 2026/2027 and I have a feeling this years macOS will stop supporting the 7,1

 

[penguinlust]

I've got a 2019 16-core with 384 GB DRAM and a 6900 XT reference GPU. The machine itself was purchased in December 2019, so I got in early. Today I have no need to upgrade anything but storage. Looking at adding another Sonnet card with either 4 x 4 TB 990 Pro's or, if they work, 4 x 4 TB 990 Evo+'s. I might bump it to a 24- or even 28-core model, but for now there is no need.

The machine is rock solid, and like last time, I'll ride this tower for 10 years (my last machine starting as a 2009 4,1 dual processor tower that got upgrades in every way I could think of). However, right now, after 41 years of being on a Mac, I'm seriously looking at a high-end Threadripper/Epyc machine. Still got 4 years to go. I hope by then Apple makes another Pro machine -- the M2 tower was a disappointment.

Running the latest Sonoma -- will switch to Sequoia when I think it's safe. Like a few others I have a 16'' M1 Max MacBook Pro (64 GB). Been really happy with it, but I prefer working on the tower.

I've been toying with building a render machine, and what I have will not cut it, and truly, right now no Mac would. Threadripper Pro + nVidia is just too much for Apple to take on currently.

Still, if I get 10 years out of this machine it will well have been worth it. No regrets.

 

[avro707]

I think the 28 core is a sweet package if you can find a good CPU. My two are both dependable.

The random unexpected thing was in windows, with the 28 core Xeon Flight Sim 2020 runs so stable without stutters that affect a lot of newer and more potent CPU/GPU combinations. I might not see the crazy high FPS some of them get, but it is steady and usable at all times. Just a total random benefit - I don’t use it that much, just installed it to see how it would run.

 

[blackquartz]

I've been a Mac Pro user since 2010, and while I love my 2019 model, I can't help but feel abandoned by Apple's poor decisions—especially for a so-called professional workstation.

What really pushed me over the edge was the lack of GPU support for the recent and current Mac Pro lineup. Not only is that a stupid decision, but it's outright insulting. And let's not even get started on Sequoia and the lackluster support for a $5,000 W6800X Duo MPX.

Once I'm done with my 2019 Mac Pro, I'm leaving this platform for good. It's no longer worth the money, effort, or time. Apple had absolutely nothing to lose by supporting at least the AMD 7000 series, but they chose not to—so I’m choosing not to give them my money anymore. **** Them.

 

[SDAVE]

I've been a Mac Pro user since 2010, and while I love my 2019 model, I can't help but feel abandoned by Apple's poor decisions—especially for a so-called professional workstation.

What really pushed me over the edge was the lack of GPU support for the recent and current Mac Pro lineup. Not only is that a stupid decision, but it's outright insulting. And let's not even get started on Sequoia and the lackluster support for a $5,000 W6800X Duo MPX.

Once I'm done with my 2019 Mac Pro, I'm leaving this platform for good. It's no longer worth the money, effort, or time. Apple had absolutely nothing to lose by supporting at least the AMD 7000 series, but they chose not to—so I’m choosing not to give them my money anymore. **** Them.

Sounds like you'd be better off with a PC if GPU is your main concern. Tbh the M4 Ultra GPU is most likely going to be a beast. Maybe not 5090 levels, but still close enough.

The Intel situation isn't totally their fault and neither is lack of NVIDIA/AMD drivers. Apple has been trying to make their own GPUs for a very long time now.

 

[avro707]

Apple had absolutely nothing to lose by supporting at least the AMD 7000 series, but they chose not to—so I’m choosing not to give them my money anymore. **** Them

Hear hear!

I don’t trust what Apple might do. So I would wait and see what they actually do and how that goes.

Apple could have quite easily worked with AMD to do drivers for the 7000 series but chose not to. AMD reps pointed the finger at Apple (I have their email).

Looking at Nvidia 5090 now it is released that’s not an option either with exorbitant prices and scalpers trying to profit. Not to mention the power cable issue that some folk have raised.

I should have taken out a loan and purchased 10 of them and sold them at double price.