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Build an iMac or Mac Pro?

RedCja2008

RedCja2008

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 29, 2011
20
0
VA, USA
I was looking at building my own mac. I've taken apart and put together pcs before, but never even touched a mac. But I really want the OSx And let's face it. 1,000 bucks on any computer is just out of my price range. I can do cost research on my own. but is there any other advice? I don't want to settle for a PC, but it's looking like that will be my only option :/
 
If you bought a logicboard with the processor couldn't you in fact build a Mac? The optical drive, memory and hard drive don't really matter. The case of course you have to hack in order to accommodate the logicboard.

But in the end wouldn't you have an ugly Mac?

Or am I forgetting something?
 
I was hoping to avoid building a hackintosh. I know that it's technically legal and not legal and that apple doesn't care, but I just have a netbook and it's all I have. No one I know has a mac to do the steps that I need one for so it's rather difficult. And the 1,000 is for a used, refurb mac off ebay...Just too much. Every once in awhile I'll find a once in a lifetime deal and by the time I can make the purchase someone else got the item. I've been stalking the macbook pro section in ebay for weeks. If I could find one for 800 or so I would be happy, but I can't. Unless I go earlier than 2010 and then you have dual core processors and those are going obsolete.
 
RedCja2008 said:
I was hoping to avoid building a hackintosh. I know that it's technically legal and not legal and that apple doesn't care, but I just have a netbook and it's all I have. No one I know has a mac to do the steps that I need one for so it's rather difficult. And the 1,000 is for a used, refurb mac off ebay...Just too much. Every once in awhile I'll find a once in a lifetime deal and by the time I can make the purchase someone else got the item. I've been stalking the macbook pro section in ebay for weeks. If I could find one for 800 or so I would be happy, but I can't. Unless I go earlier than 2010 and then you have dual core processors and those are going obsolete.
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The duo core processors may be going obsolete but I can guarantee that a 2010 MBP with the i7 will last you a good 3 4 or even 5 years depending on your needs.

So lets say you get a 2010 i7 (Which I have by the way) for $800 and kept it for 3 years by which time you should be able to save or even be making enough to buy a new one, it will have served you quite well.

There in lies the difference between buying a mediocre Windows laptop and a Macbook Pro. The Macbook Pro will last for years where as a Windows laptop doesn't usually last as long.

There are comments by many users around here who are are very happy with their 2006, 2007 and 2008 MBP's. Of course a lot does depend on what your needs are.

I use Photoshop extensively and have no issues with how it runs on my 2010 MBP. I upgraded RAM to 8GB's to get a boost in performance and installed an SSD, but even without these upgrades the 2010 i7 MBP is a very capable computer that would last you a while.
 
Hmm TBH OP $1000 is fairly cheap for a decent windows machine, let alone a mac. Perhaps you should lower your expectations or get a few hundred more dollars.
 
rocknblogger said:
The duo core processors may be going obsolete but I can guarantee that a 2010 MBP with the i7 will last you a good 3 4 or even 5 years depending on your needs.

So lets say you get a 2010 i7 (Which I have by the way) for $800 and kept it for 3 years by which time you should be able to save or even be making enough to buy a new one, it will have served you quite well.

There in lies the difference between buying a mediocre Windows laptop and a Macbook Pro. The Macbook Pro will last for years where as a Windows laptop doesn't usually last as long.

There are comments by many users around here who are are very happy with their 2006, 2007 and 2008 MBP's. Of course a lot does depend on what your needs are.

I use Photoshop extensively and have no issues with how it runs on my 2010 MBP. I upgraded RAM to 8GB's to get a boost in performance and installed an SSD, but even without these upgrades the 2010 i7 MBP is a very capable computer that would last you a while.
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If I could find one for 800 I would jump all over it. But I can't find cheaper than 1,000. I hate being such a cheapskate, but it's better to be prepared than regretful. Maybe you all know a place that has better prices for students or visually impaired?

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doktordoris said:
Hmm TBH OP $1000 is fairly cheap for a decent windows machine, let alone a mac. Perhaps you should lower your expectations or get a few hundred more dollars.
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1000 for a pc is not cheap. I can get a 17" toshiba with the i processors and all that good stuff for 500. More than I need honestly. My expectations are low. I'm looking for a low end mac with a i processor. And as I've stated I've FOUND deals that are once in a lifetime. Three times now. but they've been snatched up before I could get them. My mental spending limit and what I can actually spend are two different things. My mind won't let me spend over certain amounts and that's not really a bad thing. When you're disabled things are hard. And I wanted to build my own. For a hobby. Need something to do.
 
RedCja2008 said:
If I could find one for 800 I would jump all over it. But I can't find cheaper than 1,000. I hate being such a cheapskate, but it's better to be prepared than regretful. Maybe you all know a place that has better prices for students or visually impaired?.
Click to expand...
You could try Craigslist but make sure you can meet the person in person and even better meet them at an Apple store where you can have it thoroughly checked out and be safe at the same time. I'm not the paranoid type but when dealing with someone you don't know it's always best to take every precaution.
 
rocknblogger said:
You could try Craigslist but make sure you can meet the person in person and even better meet them at an Apple store where you can have it thoroughly checked out and be safe at the same time. I'm not the paranoid type but when dealing with someone you don't know it's always best to take every precaution.
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Agreed. When it comes to electronics I'm defiantly the paranoid type lol
 
RedCja2008 said:
If I could find one for 800 I would jump all over it. But I can't find cheaper than 1,000. I hate being such a cheapskate, but it's better to be prepared than regretful. Maybe you all know a place that has better prices for students or visually impaired?

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1000 for a pc is not cheap. I can get a 17" toshiba with the i processors and all that good stuff for 500. More than I need honestly. My expectations are low. I'm looking for a low end mac with a i processor. And as I've stated I've FOUND deals that are once in a lifetime. Three times now. but they've been snatched up before I could get them. My mental spending limit and what I can actually spend are two different things. My mind won't let me spend over certain amounts and that's not really a bad thing. When you're disabled things are hard. And I wanted to build my own. For a hobby. Need something to do.
Click to expand...

I am sorry I didn't mean to offend you. Being english I am used to paying a good deal more than you for computers. I have never built a windows PC worth owning for less than 2 thousand pounds, and I have built 5 or 6 in the last 12 years or so, but I have never built a PC for less than £2000; A CPU is at least £400, a MB is £200, video cards cost £300 each and a decent PC needs 2 of those, a couple of HDDs for £100 each, a decent case is £100, a PSU is nearly £100, memory is £200, a decent monitor is £500 or so, mouse for £80, a keyboard is £90. That is why I think owning a mac is a cheap option compared to building a decent PC. I hope whatever you decide to do makes you happy. BUt please don't try to tell me that a mac is expensive. No doubt you think it a little unfair that I have chosen top end-ish hardware to build my hypothetical windows PC but by buying a Mac you get a top-end computing experience, so I think the comparison is fair.

doris
 
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doktordoris said:
I am sorry I didn't mean to offend you. Being english I am used to paying a good deal more than you for computers. I have never built a windows PC worth owning for less than 2 thousand pounds, and I have built 5 or 6 in the last 12 years or so, but I have never built a PC for less than £2000; A CPU is at least £400, a MB is £200, video cards cost £300 each and a decent PC needs 2 of those, a couple of HDDs for £100 each, a decent case is £100, a PSU is nearly £100, memory is £200, a decent monitor is £500 or so, mouse for £80, a keyboard is £90. That is why I think owning a mac is a cheap option compared to building a decent PC. I hope whatever you decide to do makes you happy. BUt please don't try to tell me that a mac is expensive.

doris
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You didn't offend me, defensive mode just went off for some reason lol. I'm sorry if I was rude. And I will tell you a mac is expensive. I'm not making a lot of money. I can go out and get PC for 500 bucks that will suit my needs just fine. I've had this one for several years and all the while I've been aggravated with it due to small screen size. I don't want to settle for a PC, but I can't deny I need something. I would be happy with a mac. Want a mac. but for my class level it is expensive. I know it will last me for several years if I get a mac, but unless I can get it at a lower price I'm rather screwed. lol
 
RedCja2008 said:
Second time I've been assumed a guy. Female all the way people lol
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Haha, folks think I am a lady just on account of me being called doris. But as I said I think a PC is a costly experience in the long run. Thanks for being so understanding about my posts. I hope you are happy whatever you choose to do. If you need any extra help contact me at doktordoris@me.com.

cheerio

doris (which is short for Dorian, a blokes name)
 
Check out the mac pro section of the forum, several users including me have built mac pro's with apple parts.
 
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