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Got my eye on a second hand Mac Pro (Late 2013)

Dolmacje

Dolmacje

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Hi, if all goes well, i can go and take a look at a second hand Mac Pro (late 2013 - 3,5 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon E5 AMD FirePro D500 3 GB - 16 GB RAM).

Do you folks have any tips for me as what to watch out for or what to ask the owner? Also, are there specific things i should absolutely test before buying?

Many thanks in advance for your help and tips...

Greetings from Belgium! 😀
 
If you dont mind me asking....how much?
I know a lot of people have had issues with gpu’s (not sure of current status)
Is it vastly cheaper than Apple refurb?
 
MarkC426 said:
If you dont mind me asking....how much?
I know a lot of people have had issues with gpu’s (not sure of current status)
Is it vastly cheaper than Apple refurb?
Click to expand...

2000 euros is his asking price, that's around 2400 dollars. i don't know about refurb.
The seller is saying it's in mint condition...

Edit: What is the problem with the GPU?
 
Dolmacje said:
Hi, if all goes well, i can go and take a look at a second hand Mac Pro (late 2013 - 3,5 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon E5 AMD FirePro D500 3 GB - 16 GB RAM).

Do you folks have any tips for me as what to watch out for or what to ask the owner? Also, are there specific things i should absolutely test before buying?

Many thanks in advance for your help and tips...

Greetings from Belgium! 😀
Click to expand...

Make sure you run Apple Diagnostics - restart it and hold down the "D" key. It'll probably no faults found, but it's worth running.

Verify warranty status.

Open the case and physically verify what you can - the GPUs, RAM, and storage space.

No idea re value in EU, but $2400 USD would be high in the US unless it has 1 TB flash storage.
 
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Naimfan said:
Make sure you run Apple Diagnostics - restart it and hold down the "D" key. It'll probably no faults found, but it's worth running.

Verify warranty status.

Open the case and physically verify what you can - the GPUs, RAM, and storage space.

No idea re value in EU, but $2400 USD would be high in the US unless it has 1 TB flash storage.
Click to expand...

ok, i'll hold that 'D'! good tip! thanks!!! 🙂
it has only 256 storage though...
the seller just mailed and told he's willing to go as low as 1850 euros (2.282 dollars)
asking price for a new one from apple is 3449 euros...

Edit: when i open it, what do i look for? Dust and scratches or something?
 
Dolmacje said:
ok, i'll hold that 'D'! good tip! thanks!!! 🙂
it has only 256 storage though...
the seller just mailed and told he's willing to go as low as 1850 euros (2.282 dollars)
asking price for a new one from apple is 3449 euros...

Edit: when i open it, what do i look for? Dust and scratches or something?
Click to expand...

Opening: Just verify the graphics cards are D500s, that it has 16 GB RAM, and that the storage is indeed original Apple.

As I said, I have no idea re value in your (beautiful and proud!) country, and relative to the price for new 1850 Euros looks appropriate - but I would defer on the value question to other people in the EU.

If you get it, enjoy, and all the best!
 
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Dolmacje said:
Hi, if all goes well, i can go and take a look at a second hand Mac Pro (late 2013 - 3,5 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon E5 AMD FirePro D500 3 GB - 16 GB RAM).

Do you folks have any tips for me as what to watch out for or what to ask the owner? Also, are there specific things i should absolutely test before buying?

Many thanks in advance for your help and tips...

Greetings from Belgium! 😀
Click to expand...

In my opinion, for the 6 core the price seems really ok if it is indeed in mint condition. One other thing I would look for is the original power cord, (which sinks in completely) and the original packaging with pamphlet and black Apple Stickers. Check the original packaging corners, there you might be able to see past droppings on dented corners.
In Germany the 4-core model goes on eBay for 1500 Euros in mint condition, so you are fine on the pricing I think.
 
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Don’t know what the pricing is for you in Belgium from Apple.
But a refurbed 6 core from UK is £2500, from US $2500.
Personally I would go for the refurb, which is essentially new with full warranty.
 
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Dolmacje said:
....
asking price for a new one from apple is 3449 euros...

...
Click to expand...

Don't compare the price to what you would pay for a new one. Instead compare it to a refurbished one sold by Apple (as suggested by @MarkC426 )

MarkC426 said:
Don’t know what the pricing is for you in Belgium from Apple.
But a refurbed 6 core from UK is £2500, from US $2500.
Personally I would go for the refurb, which is essentially new with full warranty.
Click to expand...
 
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OK, many thanks to all of you for the advice,
i'll report back if i got it or not! 😀

Cheers!
 
I'll say that if you're doing any type of GPU intensive work, it's not worth it. The D500s are 2011 mid-range technology. Had Apple stuck to their guns and just left eGPU over TB2 unsupported (but works), it could be justifiable. As it is now, way too fiddly.

Of course, if you want it mainly for the looks and you can afford it...
 
hi folks,
I'm sending this from my Mac Pro!
the owner threw in a cool extra, a screen!!! All together I payed 2000 euro... it has just a speck of dust in the left upper corner, it's not that bad... it's a 5k screen from HP, namely the 'Z27q', it fits perfectly right next to my Eizo... 😀
I'm happy as can be... 🙂
 
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Dolmacje said:
hi folks,
I'm sending this from my Mac Pro!
the owner threw in a cool extra, a screen!!! All together I payed 2000 euro... it has just a speck of dust in the left upper corner, it's not that bad... it's a 5k screen from HP, namely the 'Z27q', it fits perfectly right next to my Eizo... 😀
I'm happy as can be... 🙂
Click to expand...

This is a super nice combo! Thumbs up!

One more thing, - should you ever consider an SSD upgrade, there is now a great solution out there from amfeltec besides the OWC option. Expensive but real great.

http://amfeltec.com/products/mac-pro-late-2013-carrier-board-for-m-2-pcie-ssd-modules/

Enjoy your new Mac Pro!
 
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Congratulations to the OP. Even thought it is from 2013, it is still a very nice and powerful computer. I myself have bought one 2 moths ago, and am perfectly happy with it.
 
SoyCapitanSoyCapitan said:
Seen this on a few machines I have worked on:

https://9to5mac.com/2016/02/06/apple-mac-pro-repair-program-graphics-video/

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/apple-faulty-mac-pro-gpus/1/

Save your money for the 2019 model. Users will be much happier.
Click to expand...

This was for a specific manufacturing batch.
But I think there's nothing to point that the second GPU is/was the problem.

Fortunately I haven't seen this on a few machines I have worked on. 🙂
So the OP has every right to be happy with his new system and the extra goodies.
 
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