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Are all Mac Pro owners Pros?

The iMac is full of laptop components and fail. I would like a computer that is not one revision behind, due to Apple using older laptop hardware because it runs cooler. Form should follow function, not the other way around. That being said, I think the iMacs are beautifully designed; they're just not for me. Also, a glossy/integrated display is not something I want.

Whether or not I am a Mac "Pro"? None of your business. :p
 
fatsoforgotso said:
I'm not a 'pro' but I'm an artist who works with a lot with video, I also work with a lot of high-res scans of film negatives, photoshop occasionally, music apps and gaming.

I bought a PowerBook G4 a few years ago, which will to compliment a Mac Pro. I can't see myself plonking down the cash for another Pro laptop this time, when I can get one of the most powerful desktops available for very similar price.

I want longevity, maximum upgradeability and all round power, which I know the MBP will offer most of, but not all.

I also enjoy gaming, and although I have a console for that, I am a big fan of RTS games and they simply do not port well.

So no, I am not a 'pro' although I do earn money for my work, it is not my primary income, and I am in the market for a Mac Pro.
Click to expand...

Ditto
 
I bought it to do Aperture, CS3 and the occasional Final Cut. I am a biomedical engineer by trade and use Windows at work, but am also a freelance photographer/cinematographer. I hate windows with a passion and wish my company would switch to OS X :mad:

I also play WOW =P

I guess i cover the full spectrum of what this computer was designed for :D
 
The main reason for me to buy the pro was simply the power. I run a lot of fluid dynamics codes for my PhD and simply put, its just easier to debut them on my home machine. Trust me, the more cores I can get a hold of, the better!
 
Yeah I agree the reason I would buy a pro is for the graphics (for video editing and games, but thats kinda pro) and I can see normal consumers buying them because they can afford it, because its future proofed, and you can expand it easily.
 
pscoble said:
Yeah I agree the reason I would buy a pro is for the graphics (for video editing and games, but thats kinda pro) and I can see normal consumers buying them because they can afford it, because its future proofed, and you can expand it easily.
Click to expand...

I think a majority of folks buy the Mac Pro for the Pro apps... but they probably justify those pro apps with the secret desire to aggressively game on the side. :D

Just a thought. ;)
 
I'm currently in the market for an Apple desktop to replace my Windows PC.

I have always built my own PC's and love the ability to upgrade/add more hard drives, etc (something the iMac doesn't have).

I also am reluctant to buy an iMac because (although I absolutely love the design), I don't like the fact that the components are laptop components and also, the spec is the same spec as my 15 month old PC which cost me £1400 when I built it.

I priced up the Mac Pro that I wanted (quad 2.8), and the iMac (2.8), and the Mac Pro was £1649 where the iMac was £1559. So for the extra £90, I get 2 extra cores and a whole load of expandibility.

Ok granted, I would have to either buy an ACD or a 3rd party monitor, but I still think it's a small price to pay.

(Although, I'm still undecided between the iMac and Mac Pro)
 
Hmm..

Making movies for school doesn't really count as Pro, does it?

Mainly I bought my MacPro because I'm a huge fan of apple and nothing else would suffice for gaming.
That AND the fact that I have a massive HDV workflow. The iMac just wouldn't be able to cope.
 
Some people seem to have taken my comments or tone out of context regarding this thread. I am nowhere near a Pro, in fact my own reasons for purchasing a Mac Pro is to have a fast computer, period. I'm still suffering withdraw from hung applications of days in Windows. My current machine is a MBP with 2GB which in comparison to the machines I've built from the past is a monster. If you can afford it, go for it. I believe you've earned the right to spend it however you choose after working hard for it (or whatever the case may be).

The iMac has never really been a contender because of it's built in display. I don't currently own a home yet but when I do, it would be something the den/family room could use tucked away in the corner for quick searches or whatnot. Though with the way electronics are amalgamating, I think we'll soon have that ability from the television.
 
are all ferrari owners racing drivers?
why do people have to justify their purchase anyway? i bought mine because i could, and to be honest, i believe keeping apple prices high is a good thing. kinda acts like a filter, you know? :rolleyes:
 
supercooled said:
Ok, why did you decide to buy a Mac Pro when a Macbook would suffice or even a Mini? I would like to see where the median is in this group of consumers who buy the best of the best, the greatest money can afford, etc.

Can I reason this to the guy who has 6 figures and buys an M5 with 400hp just to commute to work because he can afford it? Can I reason that a computer is more of an appliance that would not get gawkers as you cruise by at 30mph so unlike a nice ride, a nice computer will only serve as eye candy to you, principally.
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Yes, it's an appliance IMO. Now the Alienware boxes are eye candy, and they fill a niche. But as a pro user, I wouldn't want it for its exterior alone. And I don't consider my PowerMac (soon to be Mac Pro) eye candy.

Maybe Apple should have named their systems:

Mac, Big Mac, Supersized Mac.

Then pros and amateurs could buy what they want (or can afford) without the workflow connotation.
wink.gif


Sometimes pros are doing heavy duty client work on their pro machines and sometimes nothing to do with client work, like web surfing. And sometimes pros use amateur macs too. I don't think it's so black and white across the lines. But I see that in general, the demographic is aimed toward the pro or ultra-hobbyists and it makes sense for Apple to differentiate as such.

I like expandability--if I want to add an extra drive, it's easy. Can't do that with an iMac. 'Pro' is for extra capability I might not need but it is insurance for that unpredictable project that may come tomorrow.
 
I bought one of the new Mac Pros. I am a software developer by profession, not a graphics pro, and an iMac probably would have been good enough.

But I actually thought the Mac Pro was a pretty amazing deal for an 8-core Xeon, very reasonable. And a tricked out iMac 24" gets quite close in price to the stock Mac Pro.
 
I think lots of people choose Mac Pro's for lots of different reasons, such as expandability, raw power, etc.

One of my main reasons is simply that the Mac Pro is the only Mac that uses TRUE desktop components.
 
audio user...
i just got sick of windows and probably i was a little afraid (i've been running SX3 on P4 2,4 with 1gb RAM and crappy motherboard), because the current machine couldn't handle my mixes even at 1366 audio buffer. crappy machine.
so i decided i'm gonna go with Mac, and since i'm NOT too fond of laptops and any kind of portable garbage it was the only way to go :)
i'd probably buy 8 core even if there were a midsize tower available, i'm just sick of midrange crap, it gets old after 6 months and outdated after 2 years.
i've had this PC for 5 years now and to be honest if i changed PC's at normal rate(~2years) this mac would have been unjustified for, but i just waited and squeezed the last out of current one (literally 95% CPU abuse for continous work ~6hours), and i owe myself a machine that works. :D
 
College Student / freelance audio engineer

I sometime "lend" my time and gear to film students and help edit.

I also recently picked up on photography with a Rebel XTi, shooting in Raw and the using Aperture, Lightroom and Photoshop.

I really don't need all that power, coming from a DP 2.3Ghz G5, but it's really nice to have something very quite and more energy efficient.
 
ErikAndre said:
I think a majority of folks buy the Mac Pro for the Pro apps... but they probably justify those pro apps with the secret desire to aggressively game on the side.
Click to expand...

I am not a pro.
You are right, I will use the Mac Pro for Pro applications.
I will use it for non-pro applications.
And I will use it for gaming (not secretly).

It will be my all-in-one computer just as my G5 is now.
 
supercooled said:
Ok, why did you decide to buy a Mac Pro when a Macbook would suffice or even a Mini? I would like to see where the median is in this group of consumers who buy the best of the best, the greatest money can afford, etc.

Can I reason this to the guy who has 6 figures and buys an M5 with 400hp just to commute to work because he can afford it? Can I reason that a computer is more of an appliance that would not get gawkers as you cruise by at 30mph so unlike a nice ride, a nice computer will only serve as eye candy to you, principally.
Click to expand...

I am a photographer on the side and I love my new MacPro.

By the way, I also love my M5 which I drive to work everyday and it's 507 not 400 hp ;)
 
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