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A yuppie with an old Mac Pro; crisis of faith explored.

What should an average yuppie with an old Mac Pro do?

  • Wait it out. Apple will come through!

    Votes: 11 22.0%

  • Attempt to build a hackintosh.

    Votes: 8 16.0%

  • Get a Windows or Linux box and move on.

    Votes: 10 20.0%

  • Just keep using the old Mac Pro forever.

    Votes: 22 44.0%

  • Cut the internet cord and get a life.

    Votes: 9 18.0%
  • Total voters
    50
P

Ph.D.

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 8, 2014
553
479
My favorite on this list is "get a life." Seriously, I feel dismayed when I think about how much time I've spent in front of a computer (at least my career has profited from it).

But after the recent disappointment, and feeling tired of the interminable wait, it's time to move on in some way. My 3,1 has been upgraded many times - just about to the limit - and yet in day to day tasks it's feeling old and slow.

I've ordered parts for a hackintosh. If it fails, I can make a Linux box out of it.
 
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If you are planning to get nMP...it would still be a good time to get it after 2.5 years old....that's if you need it though.
 
After a crisis of faith, I've ordered components for a Hackintosh:

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv micro-ATX case (high-end, aluminum exterior).
Gigabyte micro-ATX motherboard.
Intel 6700K 4-GHz Skylake CPU.
etc.

The case is superficially close to a classic Mac Pro - maybe a more modern take on it, even. I have a 280X graphics card that should be compatible, and I'll wait to see if a high-end 14 nm card becomes workable in the near future. I'll add a fast M.2 SSD if and when the hack is stable.

My aging but trusty 3,1 will remain intact and with me for many years as a legacy computer.
 
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I know how you feel! It seems like I've been waiting forever for an update to the 2013 Mac Pro.

The annoying thing is that there is no indication from Apple, one way or the other. In one sense, I would prefer that Apple just make the statement "We are exiting out of the computer hardware business. For the future, we will focus on consumer electronic gadgets." This way, all of us can move on, rather than stick around and hoping for the best (like in a dysfunctional and doomed relationship).

As for me, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I've been tempted to try the Hackintosh route. I've also been tempted to just make a clean break and transition to the Windows platform and be done with it. I'll have to make a decision in the not-too-distant future.

As for what Apple is doing now, it's clear that they are making tons of money. However, I couldn't care less about the iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, AppleTV and services that Apple is focusing on right now. I really do think that Apple's best days have passed by long ago.

richmlow



Ph.D. said:
After a crisis of faith, I've ordered components for a Hackintosh:

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv micro-ATX case (high-end, aluminum exterior).
Gigabyte micro-ATX motherboard.
Intel 6700K 4-GHz Skylake CPU.
etc.

The case is superficially close to a classic Mac Pro - maybe a more modern take on it, even. I have a 280X graphics card that should be compatible, and I'll wait to see if a high-end 14 nm card becomes workable in the near future. I'll add a fast M.2 SSD if and when the hack is stable.

My aging but trusty 3,1 will remain intact and with me for many years as a legacy computer.
Click to expand...
 
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I'm curious how do you know what parts to buy for hackintosh or will just anything work? Apple is forcing my hand on this but I don't even know where to start with hackintosh.
 
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b0fh666 said:
is skylake good for hacks these days? used to be very flakey recently.
Click to expand...

People still have various problems, with sound and sleep being somewhat common. Fixes, when they are available, require some technical knowledge and includes the possibility of making mistakes. The whole process is just a little bit involved if you haven't done anything like it before. Updating can potentially require patches or even a clean install too.

The tonymac86.com website is definitely the place to go. Expect to spend some time on it.
 
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Ph.D. said:
After a crisis of faith, I've ordered components for a Hackintosh:

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv micro-ATX case (high-end, aluminum exterior).
Gigabyte micro-ATX motherboard.
Intel 6700K 4-GHz Skylake CPU.
etc.

The case is superficially close to a classic Mac Pro - maybe a more modern take on it, even. I have a 280X graphics card that should be compatible, and I'll wait to see if a high-end 14 nm card becomes workable in the near future. I'll add a fast M.2 SSD if and when the hack is stable.

My aging but trusty 3,1 will remain intact and with me for many years as a legacy computer.
Click to expand...

If it works out, I'd actually recommend picking up a Mac Pro case, and converting it to house your hackintosh parts.

If i build one, that is what I will do
 
Not a yuppie so I can't really answer..but since you have decided to build a Hackintosh you need to keep the internet cord so you can read about it
 
lowendlinux said:
Not a yuppie so I can't really answer..but since you have decided to build a Hackintosh you need to keep the internet cord so you can read about it
Click to expand...

Heh - I'm not a yuppie either, as I'm not young anymore. Maybe it's more a state of mind?

I have an old G5 Pro which I've toyed with using as a case. But it's too much work, and I think it would prefer to rest in peace.
 
An update after many frustrating hours trying to get a hackintosh up and running:

In my opinion, a hackintosh is not a viable solution for the average person. While the base code can run without too much trouble, the devil is in the details. A typical install will have a variety of problems with sleep, shutdown, USB, graphics, networking, sound, fast disk options such as M.2, thunderbolt, etc., and some of the more modern OS features (handoff, etc.) may not work.

At the moment, I do not believe there are any "golden" builds that will successfully offer full functionality with up-to-date hardware and software (e.g. Z170 chipset and OS-X 11.5). Certainly mine does not. There are some ad-hock (post-installation) fixes for some problems, but they are tricky and subject to the vagaries of different hardware. Some "fixes" come with the risk of causing damage (failure to boot, etc.) seemingly at random. Help is available on various forums such as tonymac's, but it's scattered across a large number of pages and posts.

Try a hackintosh if you are a hobbyist who enjoys a challenge and if you have a lot of time on your hands. Otherwise, if you want a Mac, get a real Mac.
 
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For someone like me who doesn't have the skill to futz around with settings, I have to decide which I want more, macOS (and stay with Mac) or hardware (move to Windows). I am beginning to question if Apple will ever give me both :(
 
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JimGoshorn said:
For someone like me who doesn't have the skill to futz around with settings, I have to decide which I want more, macOS (and stay with Mac) or hardware (move to Windows). I am beginning to question if Apple will ever give me both :(
Click to expand...

From '06-'09 I sold Macs.
Tiger and Leopard vs. XP and Vista.
The dawn of the amazing switching phenomenon.
A world of difference in operating system and hardware ease of use and stability.

Fast forward 10 years.
Lion- El Capitan vs W7-10.
Flip a coin other than for personal preference.
If I was still selling today I would find it hard to recommend any
Apple computer except the iMac. Everything else is expensive, poor value,
antiquated and shrouded in mystery with excruciatingly slow updates.

I voted for wait it out.
Until September.
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/16/hardware-free-wwdc-second-half-2016/
 
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Ph.D.,


Thank you for your update on the building of your Hackintosh. Occasionally, I have thought about building one as well. I never did because of the high probability of problems creeping in (such as you have described).

I hope that you'll be able to resolve the issues and have a reasonably stable system for your computational needs.

As for me....I'm still stuck between a rock and a hard place. My 2011 Mac Mini will need to be replaced soon. I do not wish to purchase the current 2013 Mac Pro, an iMac, or an OS X laptop. I am waiting for a refresh to the Mac Pro, which may never happen. This is a frustrating situation.


richmlow


Ph.D. said:
An update after many frustrating hours trying to get a hackintosh up and running:

In my opinion, a hackintosh is not a viable solution for the average person. While the base code can run without too much trouble, the devil is in the details. A typical install will have a variety of problems with sleep, shutdown, USB, graphics, networking, sound, fast disk options such as M.2, thunderbolt, etc., and some of the more modern OS features (handoff, etc.) may not work.

At the moment, I do not believe there are any "golden" builds that will successfully offer full functionality with up-to-date hardware and software (e.g. x170 chipset and OS-X 11.5). Certainly mine does not. There are some ad-hock (post-installation) fixes for some problems, but they are tricky and subject to the vagaries of different hardware. Some "fixes" come with the risk of causing damage (failure to boot, etc.) seemingly at random. Help is available on various forums such as tonymac's, but it's scattered across a large number of pages and posts.

Try a hackintosh if you are a hobbyist who enjoys a challenge and if you have a lot of time on your hands. Otherwise, if you want a Mac, get a real Mac.
Click to expand...
 
Ph.D. said:
An update after many frustrating hours trying to get a hackintosh up and running:

In my opinion, a hackintosh is not a viable solution for the average person. While the base code can run without too much trouble, the devil is in the details. A typical install will have a variety of problems with sleep, shutdown, USB, graphics, networking, sound, fast disk options such as M.2, thunderbolt, etc., and some of the more modern OS features (handoff, etc.) may not work.

At the moment, I do not believe there are any "golden" builds that will successfully offer full functionality with up-to-date hardware and software (e.g. x170 chipset and OS-X 11.5). Certainly mine does not. There are some ad-hock (post-installation) fixes for some problems, but they are tricky and subject to the vagaries of different hardware. Some "fixes" come with the risk of causing damage (failure to boot, etc.) seemingly at random. Help is available on various forums such as tonymac's, but it's scattered across a large number of pages and posts.

Try a hackintosh if you are a hobbyist who enjoys a challenge and if you have a lot of time on your hands. Otherwise, if you want a Mac, get a real Mac.
Click to expand...
The reverse it it never takes me more than 30 minutes to get them running.
 
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There are loads of scripts to get hardware running but if you are minted why muck around just by a maxed out 5K iMac.
 
lowendlinux said:
Except that all works
Click to expand...
because of the Hackintosh reality distortion field:) Seriously it sounds like you have been exceptionally lucky as the Hackintsh forums are full of people complaining about these minor niggles (so I guess the Hackintosh reality distortion field don't always work):)
 
nigelbb said:
because of the Hackintosh reality distortion field:) Seriously it sounds like you have been exceptionally lucky as the Hackintsh forums are full of people complaining about these minor niggles (so I guess the Hackintosh reality distortion field don't always work):)
Click to expand...
No I just apply how I learned Linux to doing all my computer stuff. Read a lot, then think, then act/talk. There is stuff out there that just isn't going to work no matter, there are bios revisions that will kill your hack etc. its why I preach read not just following a build guide. Forums are always filled with problems its why they exist they are for part three. Hackintoshing isn't for everyone just like Linux isn't you have to want to do it for me it's competitive I have to prove I'm smarter than my computer and at some level to be different. There's simply no right answer and way there's only the right way "for me" and hopefully it's fun and you lean stuff in the process
 
Ph.D. said:
After a crisis of faith, I've ordered components for a Hackintosh:

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv micro-ATX case (high-end, aluminum exterior).
Gigabyte micro-ATX motherboard.
Intel 6700K 4-GHz Skylake CPU.
etc.

The case is superficially close to a classic Mac Pro - maybe a more modern take on it, even. I have a 280X graphics card that should be compatible, and I'll wait to see if a high-end 14 nm card becomes workable in the near future. I'll add a fast M.2 SSD if and when the hack is stable.

My aging but trusty 3,1 will remain intact and with me for many years as a legacy computer.
Click to expand...
Your choice of a 280X for your hackintosh will give you problems with sleep/wake-up. See the following thread for AMD/ATI graphics cards info on hackintoshes. The "guide" is by Fl0rian who is a member here and at netkas.org > http://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/radeon-compatibility-guide-ati-amd-graphics-cards.171291/

For more information on hackintosh compatible components, see this Buyer's Guide > http://www.tonymacx86.com/buyersguide/june/2016

Good luck! ...and have fun. :) As others have cautioned, don't rush to fail (olde coaches saying).
 
For now, I've installed Linux Mint. I might try hackintoshing again a little later.

Virtually everything worked out of the box including sleep, etc., which was a very pleasant surprise after the absurd number of problems I was having with the hack.

It lacks that last bit of Apple polish, but it's really quite good, with a fast, reasonably-attractive and easy to use interface. I can also directly install and use some programs that I've thus-far had to use on a remote Linux server. :)

I'm curious to see how far I can get with it. At least it gives me something to play with while we are Waiting for Godot.
 
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