I tend to buy a new MacPro every 3-5 years (I am upgrading from a MacPro1,1) and I usually try and buy in the "sweet spot" (best value for the money). I am considering getting a 12-core (faster CPU speed, more cores, faster memory) since I need this computer to be fast now (obviously it will be) AND 4-5 years down the line (using OS X 10.7/8). If the 12 core is a better "value", I'll get it and it will last that much longer.
Here's what I'd use it for ...
- XCode (iOS and OSX) development
- Website (PHP, mySQL, Apache) development
- Lots of php/bash scripts running in the background (rebuilding header files from .m files for example)
- Games (WoW, SC2, Diablo 3 when it comes out, etc.)
- Permute to convert TV Shows from Torrent
- Browsing, Email, irc, iTunes, watching TV with eyeTV
Here's what I'd use it for ...
- XCode (iOS and OSX) development
- Website (PHP, mySQL, Apache) development
- Lots of php/bash scripts running in the background (rebuilding header files from .m files for example)
- Games (WoW, SC2, Diablo 3 when it comes out, etc.)
- Permute to convert TV Shows from Torrent
- Browsing, Email, irc, iTunes, watching TV with eyeTV