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Advice for seeking a 2012 5,1

D

designer22

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 8, 2008
74
7
Minneapolis MN
I've been looking around for a 2012 Pro tower to replace/supplement the early 2008 Pro that has been my production machine since I bought it new. I don't see the sense of waiting for a new Pro model that will most likely be overkill and over costly for what I do. But I'd like to have that elder step up to the 5,1.

I've looked at OWC, eBay, PowerMax and others for a clean, non-bent handle product. In your valued opinion, where would you spend your hard-earned dolars for this? I know many of you would not consider stepping back and might tell me to get an iMac or a faster pc - but for me that's not a consideration. I would be willing to spend at the higher range of what I am seeing for these used Pro's in order to receive a clean and reliable product that will carry on for a number of years yet.

Thanks for your responses.
 
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MacOfAllTrades has a good selection of used macs. But i'm not sure about the 2012 models. Have you considered a 2010? Those should be supported for just as long as the 2010's. People tend to charge a premium for 2012 machines.
 
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designer22 said:
I've looked at OWC, eBay, PowerMax and others for a clean, non-bent handle product. In your valued opinion, where would you spend your hard-earned dolars for this? I know many of you would not consider stepping back and might tell me to get an iMac or a faster pc - but for me that's not a consideration. I would be willing to spend at the higher range of what I am seeing for these used Pro's in order to receive a clean and reliable product that will carry on for a number of years yet.
Click to expand...


If you're comfortable with hardware replacements, get the most basic one you can that's treated well, and replace all the components yourself. CPU, GPU, storage, RAM - on the towers you can change it all.
 
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devon807 said:
MacOfAllTrades has a good selection of used macs. But i'm not sure about the 2012 models. Have you considered a 2010? Those should be supported for just as long as the 2010's. People tend to charge a premium for 2012 machines.
Click to expand...

I’m not sure how many others here would agree but I second macofalltrades. I bought a 3,1 from them in 2013 or so and a 2012 5,1 in December 2016. The 3,1 came with a few scratches on the door, but nothing bent. The 5,1 is flawless. They also come with a warranty and you can purchase an even longer warranty (not sure if the specifics). The price I paid for my 5,1 was less than what owc and powermax were asking. Although, the optical drive in the 5,1 was making horrible noises when I got it so I ordered a new one off amazon and was reimbursed by macofalltrades, and didn’t even have to send them the defective one. Very good customer service.
 
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designer22 said:
I've been looking around for a 2012 Pro tower to replace/supplement the early 2008 Pro that has been my production machine since I bought it new. I don't see the sense of waiting for a new Pro model that will most likely be overkill and over costly for what I do. But I'd like to have that elder step up to the 5,1.

I've looked at OWC, eBay, PowerMax and others for a clean, non-bent handle product. In your valued opinion, where would you spend your hard-earned dolars for this? I know many of you would not consider stepping back and might tell me to get an iMac or a faster pc - but for me that's not a consideration. I would be willing to spend at the higher range of what I am seeing for these used Pro's in order to receive a clean and reliable product that will carry on for a number of years yet.

Thanks for your responses.
Click to expand...
The problem isn't finding one, the problem is ensuring the seller packages it appropriately to ensure you receive it that way.
 
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To be honest, the absolutely best way to obtain a Mac Pro is to use Craigslist. This allows you to test it, look at it cosmetically, and get a chance to learn the history. It also allows you to score better deals.

I purchased my 5,1 for $600 6 months ago from CL. Not the greatest deal, but certainly not a bad deal at all. It was in perfect shape, was part of a marketing studio, and was unmolested, authentic. I took it home on the spot.

Be aware from purchasing from any place online:

* UNLESS THE MAC PRO SHIPS IN THE ORIGINAL BOX, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT CHANCE OF DAMAGE. The ONLY proper way to package a Mac Pro is the OEM box, PERIOD!

* MANY 5,1s ARE NOT REAL 5,1s AND HAVE BEEN FLASHED! The label on the back doesn't lie, and buying locally allows you to verify.

Many of the GOOD Mac resalers are certainly viable options, but keep in mind, you will pay hundreds more compared to locally. As much as I LOVE my 5,1, they are old machines. Pay accordingly.
 
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pl1984 said:
The problem isn't finding one, the problem is ensuring the seller packages it appropriately to ensure you receive it that way.
Click to expand...
Two sellers I've dealt with in the past, dvwarehouse and OWC both use excellent packaging.
dvwarehouse uses a poured in place expandable foam to create what amounts to one solid block, and OWC uses a super strong container in conjunction with rigid foam blocks, a successful system which they also sell separately.
 
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I think it's overpriced as well. Nearly $1,000 shipped is a lot to pay for 8-9 year old technology. Check Craigslist first. Be patient. **** still pops up.

Working for a technology company, I can guarantee you that OEM packaging takes 6 months of design effort. Not saying that OWC can't package it right, just saying that there has been LOTS of testing with OEM packaging and there's a reason why OEM packaging always makes it safe.

Take the variables away and buy locally. Get a better deal. Get a real 5,1 is my advice. Being in a rush, you will have to spend many hundreds more, and you'll have to sweat during shipping. Mac Pros suck to transport even without a box, so imagine how much it sucks keeping them protected in a box!
 
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I second others that have recommended Craigslist. I have purchased 2 over the years on CL. Be patient and a perfect one will pop up eventually.

Also consider a 2010. From my understanding 2010s and 2012s are identical other than the OEM shipped CPUs which you can replace for next to nothing anyway!
 
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Or get a 2009 4,1 and flash it to 2010/12 5,1. 4,1 dual cpu models are not easy to find, but there is a plethora of 4.1 single cpu MPs out there, and they can easily be flashed and upgraded to quite powerful hex 5,1; about $400-450 for a quad 4,1 + Xeon X5680.
 
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