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Convince me to get a Mac Pro not an iMac
- Thread starter Junk DNA
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Buy it and love it and don't look back. Guilt is rarely useful.
It's going to be everything you dreamed of!
If I was in your shoes, I would honestly consider just getting the 24" LED display for your MBP or adding a Mac Mini and the display instead of the iMac.
This way, you get a display that will last you several generations of PC instead of having to throw one out every time.
Unless your computing needs can justify it (and you almost need to have a business that depends on computing power of this magnitude to do that) then the Mac Pro is simply way too expensive for a recreational PC.
This way, you get a display that will last you several generations of PC instead of having to throw one out every time.
Unless your computing needs can justify it (and you almost need to have a business that depends on computing power of this magnitude to do that) then the Mac Pro is simply way too expensive for a recreational PC.
well, that is not totally true... In the last 15 years or so I've probably got through about 6 or 7 computers... and I've always found that within about 2+ years of buying a machine I'm regretting not having a more powerful machine because the apps I use and number of actual uses for the machine always grown more quickly than I imagine...
The problem with a Ferrari is that the city streets just get slower and more congested - where as in computing the roads get straighter and longer so we are free to travel faster,if, we have the power
(not very well expressed but you get my meaning)
honestly my mind is not made up. I know I would LOVE to get a Mac Pro, but its a big expense for me.
Most people on here are saying that getting a Mac Pro is over kill for what I need - its good to have that argument thrown at me so I can figure keep running the argument around my head to work out what's best for me
You'll never use a Ferrari for it's intended purpose when you just commute from your apartment to your office. It's a total waste of money.
Instead of spending $3,200+ now, spend $1,500 now, then buy a new computer in three years when it gets slow.
Go waste your money, it'll be old in three years either way.
Instead of spending $3,200+ now, spend $1,500 now, then buy a new computer in three years when it gets slow.
Go waste your money, it'll be old in three years either way.
Mac mini plus a really nice display or an iMac. Even if you replace the Mac mini each year for the next 4 years, you'd still come out ahead.
If you're really and truly doing a Windows VM (with active apps, not just sitting idle) plus a DVD rip plus other apps all at the same time on a daily basis, then perhaps a Mac Pro with lots of RAM is something you need. But, if its an occasional thing, then just pack your mini or iMac with RAM (cheap these days) and you'll be ok.
I use the Mac Pro's 4 cores and 9 GB of RAM for 64-bit Osirix rendering. Otherwise, my 2.2GHz MacBook is fast enough for everything else.
If you're really and truly doing a Windows VM (with active apps, not just sitting idle) plus a DVD rip plus other apps all at the same time on a daily basis, then perhaps a Mac Pro with lots of RAM is something you need. But, if its an occasional thing, then just pack your mini or iMac with RAM (cheap these days) and you'll be ok.
I use the Mac Pro's 4 cores and 9 GB of RAM for 64-bit Osirix rendering. Otherwise, my 2.2GHz MacBook is fast enough for everything else.
But you'd have a Ferrari....
THIS IS THE VOICE OF REASON SPEAKING:
If you go for a Mac Pro, get the quad. You have a MBP and are having trouble multi-tasking? Well, it has 2 cores, the quad has 4. Thats already 2 times as much multi-tasking. But it doesn't really have 4, it's got 8 virtual, so it can run 8 things completely independently side by side (but still not limited by 4 actual cores). But you are using single threaded programs too, so you will loose out if you buy an octo 2.26 because it is slower than the old 2.66 in that regard. If you buy a quad, you get a 2.66 for cheaper, or you can go for a 2.93 for a similar price and get much much much better single-threaded performance.
From what you have said before, you don't need tons of cores, but everyone can benefit from a couple. The octo would be a bad choice for what I said above and cost you a lot more.
As for RAM being limited to 8GB, who cares. If you are torn between an iMac and a Mac Pro, you obviously don't need more than 8GB because it's the same limit as the iMac.
Now if you buy the Pro, you'll need to buy a screen as well. You can get so so LCDs for $200-$400. Take a look around at Newegg, Futureshop, Best-Buy etc. The iMac's screen is way better than most of the offerings. I am disgusted by the ****** viewing angle of my Samsung syncmaster 2693. But since I usually sit right in front of it, it's not that big a deal. But considering how amazing my old 20inch ACD was... this screen sucks. The only thing I got it for was for multiple input and for that it's great, but you do have much more controls over color ect.
For graphics, it's your choice to get the nvidia or ATI. The ATI is much much faster now... but you may decide to save $200 now, and buy a new card in a year or 2 that is much faster than the current ATI card anyway. The nvidia is still ok, as it is 3 times faster in most tests than the 2600 was.
So my recommendation from what I read (sounds like money is a little tight): 2.66 quad, 3 or 6GB of RAM if you need it, GT120 + a $400 LCD. That will run you $2899 ($2499 without display) vs $2249 for the iMac. Trade off is 2X (or 4) as many cores but with lower clock-speed, upgradable graphics, room for 3 more HDs, PCI cards if you need them (who doesn't want 23 USB ports?), potential (not confirmed) to upgrade CPU in the future and possibly up to 16GB (not confirmed) of RAM.
I didn't say it was the SANE voice of reason did I?
Sounds to me like you fully realize that you don't need the mac pro and are trying to justify it to yourself. That said, it's your money and you don't need our approval to spend it. Just don't try to convince yourself of something that's pretty obviously not true.
Great post ! Okay I'm going to do some costings. If the price difference comes out at only £300 or so, then I think I can go that route with out feeling guilty .
cheers
If you cant decide whether or not to get a mac pro then you don't need a mac pro. Get the imac with a nice graphics card and big display and you'll be happy for years to come 
.
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i bought the 2.8 octocore and have never looked back. Been in computing heaven ever since. Go for it if you can afford it. If you get the iMac it wouldn't be a bad choice considering your usage BUT you'll always wonder what if I had gotten the mac pro instead?
Then the OP should go cheaper for a BMW 7 series (2.8ghz 8 core mac pro).
But please DONT EVER BUY A CORVETTE!! Their the poor mans ferrari but looks super ugly!! I hate corvettes.
Even the '56 Vette?
I'd vote for the iMac too. If you needed the Mac Pro, you wouldn't be debating this.
The iMac is ugly, I'd pay more for the new mini + new 24"er, to not have the iMac chin.
What makes the 24" LED display special? IT HAS NO FRICKEN POWER BRICK! WOOOHOO!!! *ducks* I hope the 30" gets like that soon! Power bricks turn me off!
>_>
GET THE MAC PRO!
Or the Mac Mini + 24"er + 2000 tacos. I like this idea.
What makes the 24" LED display special? IT HAS NO FRICKEN POWER BRICK! WOOOHOO!!! *ducks* I hope the 30" gets like that soon! Power bricks turn me off!
>_>
GET THE MAC PRO!
Or the Mac Mini + 24"er + 2000 tacos. I like this idea.
i bought the 2.8 octocore and have never looked back. Been in computing heaven ever since. Go for it if you can afford it. If you get the iMac it wouldn't be a bad choice considering your usage BUT you'll always wonder what if I had gotten the mac pro instead?
god knows i'm tempted..... gotta see if i can scrap some new funds together