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Resolved Buying Used: iMac vs Mac Pro

CKlepka

CKlepka

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 17, 2016
3
0
Hello MacRumors,
I am in the market for a new Apple desktop. I am just starting to get into teaching myself both Web Design/Development and/or iOS development. I currently have a Lenovo PC and a Surface Pro 4, both of which I am trying to get rid of.

I am looking at two used machines in my area that are within my budget (~$1000):

$800
Mac Pro Tower (4,1 - Early 2009)
2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
13 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 Ram
NVidia Quadro 4000 for Mac
(Additional OEM video card included)
1TB Caviar Black Hard Drive


$850
iMac (Late 2012)
I5-3335S
8GB RAM
1TB (5400RPM) HDD
NVIDIA GT 640M

The Mac Pro doesn't come with ANYTHING but the power cord, but I do have my own keyboard, mouse, and monitor to reuse. So far, anything I've found suggests the iMac would be better performing (slightly) and that the 2009 Mac Pro's were not as easy to upgrade as earlier Mac Pro models.
 
You didn't say what size iMac (monitor). While the iMac CPU is more modern, I don't believe you would see much difference in what you want to do with either of these systems. One thing - I think the iMac will benefit from a better disk (and the current one is probably close to end of days, anyway). Get an SSD in there -- you'll be pretty happy with the results.
 
Based on the GPU that iMac is likely 21.5 inc. model. I wouldn't pay that kind of money for it.

Compared to Mac Pro it has faster processor but only thing you can easily upgrade is RAM. Good luck if the GPU or other expensive component breaks...

While I think there is some room to negotiate on the Mac Pro price because its the base model it seems better option for your needs. Especially since you already have monitor...

Mac Pro 2009 is easily upgradable, only potential problem is processor but compared to iMac even that is much easier.
 
CKlepka said:
Hello MacRumors,
I am in the market for a new Apple desktop. I am just starting to get into teaching myself both Web Design/Development and/or iOS development. I currently have a Lenovo PC and a Surface Pro 4, both of which I am trying to get rid of.
Click to expand...

Your thread title says you're looking for USED, but your post says you're looking for NEW.

If your budget is $1000 or so, I would suggest you just get a NEW Mac Mini or iMac.
 
Thanks! I bit the bullet and went for it. Amazed overnight-before-noon shipping is only $34 D:
 
CKlepka said:
Hello MacRumors,
I am in the market for a new Apple desktop. I am just starting to get into teaching myself both Web Design/Development and/or iOS development. I currently have a Lenovo PC and a Surface Pro 4, both of which I am trying to get rid of.

I am looking at two used machines in my area that are within my budget (~$1000):

$800
Mac Pro Tower (4,1 - Early 2009)
2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
13 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 Ram
NVidia Quadro 4000 for Mac
(Additional OEM video card included)
1TB Caviar Black Hard Drive


$850
iMac (Late 2012)
I5-3335S
8GB RAM
1TB (5400RPM) HDD
NVIDIA GT 640M

The Mac Pro doesn't come with ANYTHING but the power cord, but I do have my own keyboard, mouse, and monitor to reuse. So far, anything I've found suggests the iMac would be better performing (slightly) and that the 2009 Mac Pro's were not as easy to upgrade as earlier Mac Pro models.
Click to expand...

It seems I am a bit late to join this discussion. Anyway, I am not familiar with the iMac, but $800 for this Mac Pro is too expensive.

Within $100. You can get
1) A base Mac Pro 4,1 (and then flash it to 5,1 by yourself) $400
2) A W3680 3.33GHz (turbo 3.6GHz) Hex core (12 thread) CPU $150
3) 32G 1333MHz ECC RAM $75
4) HD7950 / R9 280X (and then flashed by yourself) $100
5) 250G 850 Evo SSD $80

You can get all these with just around $800, and this config kill the iMac easily for web design / development etc.
 
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