I need help deciding what to buy within a $11,xxx budget.

[miniConvert]

Hello!

Just a little nudge from me to consider again if you really need all that hardware to do what you propose. Loading yourself up with debt is never good if it can be avoided, it'll restrict you more than you can appreciate.

It'd be a much better idea, IMHO, to just buy one computer initially, pay it off, then move on to the next one. Buying too much hardware at the same time just means that a) it'll all go out of warranty at the same time and b) it'll all need replacing around the same time.

 

[xUKHCx]

There are lots of people on here that are advising you against this course of action, seriously take time to read the suggestions. You shouldn't take money you haven't earnt for granted.

I will be living with my parents for the first 2 years of of college, and if I decide to move for the remaining 4 years, then they will finance all my expenses.

Please get off the subject of payments; I'll be making $2xx a month and upwards of $7,xxx during Summer vacation. I made roughly $6xx in 2 months working weekends when I was 14.

I already gave my thoughts, if you are really certain you need both and need them both together now.

 

[chriswheat]

all you people just tell this guy what 2 get 2 make his purchase!!! stop telling him how 2 buy it.

In considering what to tell him to buy, you have to consider what his needs are...and in doing so, it's clear that he doesn't need $11,000 worth of computers.

 

[Heeriill]

all you people just tell this guy what 2 get 2 make his purchase!!! stop telling him how 2 buy it.

I see no reason why you shouldn't.

Buy an Xserve with a fold down LCD on a slide out rack shelf and put it all into a rad rack case. It would be the ultimate laptop.

Only if it were a few pounds lighter.

Hello!

Just a little nudge from me to consider again if you really need all that hardware to do what you propose. Loading yourself up with debt is never good if it can be avoided, it'll restrict you more than you can appreciate.

It'd be a much better idea, IMHO, to just buy one computer initially, pay it off, then move on to the next one. Buying too much hardware at the same time just means that a) it'll all go out of warranty at the same time and b) it'll all need replacing around the same time.

I'm not loading myself with debt. It's a $2xx a month expense which can easily be payed and it will even do good to my mothers credit. I don't have a car, cellphone, or any other expensives.

There are lots of people on here that are advising you against this course of action, seriously take time to read the suggestions. You shouldn't take money you haven't earnt for granted.



I already gave my thoughts, if you are really certain you need both and need them both together now.

In considering what to tell him to buy, you have to consider what his needs are...and in doing so, it's clear that he doesn't need $11,000 worth of computers.

Do you need a nice car or cell phone? I don't have a car, cell phone, or any other expenses. The $2xx a month will be my only expense and it will even do good to my mothers credit. I wish I could charge this under my own credit.

I'm not the type of person who feels bad about or hates his hardware just because of an update. I will be happy as long as my hardware can do what I need it to. Everything is constantly being updated and I will either be spending too much money or never live a life of comfort if I always wait for the newest thing.

 

[xUKHCx]

I see no reason why you shouldn't.

Only if it were a few pounds lighter.

I'm not loading myself with debt. It's a $2xx a month expense which can easily be payed and it will even do good to my mothers credit. I don't have a car, cellphone, or any other expensives.

Do you need a nice car or cell phone? I don't have a car, cell phone, or any other expenses. The $2xx a month will be my only expense and it will even do good to my mothers credit. I wish I could charge this under my own credit.

Taking on $11,000 worth of debt and "you aren't loading yourself with debt"

Your only expense now yes can you guarantee this for 4 + years,

It'll do your mums credit good if you can actually pay the thing.

My car cost £500 because I realised what I actually needed rather than what I wanted. Mobile phone free. At 16 I didn't have any real expenses either but that changed pretty dam quickly.

 

[stainlessliquid]

I'm 16 and will be making upwards to $1,xxx a job creating and maintaining websites for local customers, so it's all pocket money which can easily pay for this hardware.

First off no. Just... no. A $1000 website is a big website usually with multiple people, it is not just some graphics and html, it involves programming. I highly doubt you have the skills to do a $1000 website by yourself. If you find people willing to pay $1000 for some graphics and html then they are suckers, and the pool of suckers isnt $11,000 deep. Most people will only be willing to spend around $300 for a standard website to a freelance designer, especially if a website isnt essential to their business.

This is a very foolish idea for the most part and reeks of impulse buying. There are other factors to consider, you may beable to pay the monthly payment but thats all youll beable to pay for. There are other things to buy besides computers, do you REALLY think its worth it to waste all the money you make on 2 computers that do the same things? Youll most likely want to buy other things later but youll be completely screwed for a VERY long time with a $11,000 bill.

Also 2d design does not need a Mac Pro. Not by a freaking long shot. It would be much smarter and more convenient to get the MBP and an external monitor to use it as a desktop at home. Macbook Pros are way more than powerful enough for ANYTHING in 2d design. Getting both is just an absurd waste of money.

You are being very overzealous with the amount of money you think you will make and the hardware you think you will need. Calm down a little and think rationally over what you really need. Dont impulse buy $11,000 worth of crap.

Everyone is telling you to slow down and reconsider, I strongly suggest you take our advice. You do not need all that stuff and if you do get it I guarantee you will regret it later. Even highly skilled professional designers with years of experience would never make the kind of purchase you want to make.

 

[shecky]

if you pay $200 a month on $11,000 at 15% it will take you about 8 years to pay it off. thats 8 years on machines that will start to feel really old in 3-5 years. at 18% it will take close to 10 years.

if you do not understand this simple math then you have no business having either machine. smarten up. i would strongly suggest you see Maxed Out before you do something stupid.

 

[Heeriill]

First off no. Just... no. A $1000 website is a big website usually with multiple people, it is not just some graphics and html, it involves programming. I highly doubt you have the skills to do a $1000 website by yourself. If you find people willing to pay $1000 for some graphics and html then they are suckers, and the pool of suckers isnt $11,000 deep. Most people will only be willing to spend around $300 for a standard website to a freelance designer, especially if a website isnt essential to their business.

This is a very foolish idea for the most part and reeks of impulse buying. There are other factors to consider, you may beable to pay the monthly payment but thats all youll beable to pay for. There are other things to buy besides computers, do you REALLY think its worth it to waste all the money you make on 2 computers that do the same things? Youll most likely want to buy other things later but youll be completely screwed for a VERY long time with a $11,000 bill.

Also 2d design does not need a Mac Pro. Not by a freaking long shot. It would be much smarter and more convenient to get the MBP and an external monitor to use it as a desktop at home. Macbook Pros are way more than powerful enough for ANYTHING in 2d design. Getting both is just an absurd waste of money.

You are being very overzealous with the amount of money you think you will make and the hardware you think you will need. Calm down a little and think rationally over what you really need. Dont impulse buy $11,000 worth of crap.

Everyone is telling you to slow down and reconsider, I strongly suggest you take our advice. You do not need all that stuff and if you do get it I guarantee you will regret it later. Even highly skilled professional designers with years of experience would never make the kind of purchase you want to make.

Thank you for the concern everybody, but I know what I'm going to use the hardware for and I know my budget. I've been in the world of computers, design, printing and art since I was born, so thank you for refreshing my memory.

 

[dornoforpyros]

This whole thread is so weird, from the pie in the sky budget to the secretive $xxx and the request for "higher quality ram".

I have no idea what kind of super secret government work you think you'll be doing, but web/graphic design (the only thing you've hinted at your need for this equipment) certainly doesn't need this much equipment. Unless your outfitting a small company. But even than my boss just bought 2x 20" iMacs and upgraded the rest of the macs (2 powermac g5s) in the office up to CS3 and I don't think it was $11,000 (or is that $11,xxx) on it all.

My point being that our budget this year for 4 designers isn't this high.

Even if money is not an issue for you I still think you should consider scaling this purchase back quite a bit. Remember that any equipment you purchase today is going to depreciate in value, so even you buy 2 (or 3 at this budget) top end machines from apple they aren't going to be worth as much in 12 months. Where as you could buy one today, and then an upgrade in a year or two as apple updates the machines.

 

[Denali9]

Bla Bla - Allright that's my line about watching out for credit and getting in debt.

You mention web site, design and a few other tasks, the Mac Pro is overkill for these. Other question is have you tried Mac OS X? Also, if you go in business, do not use pirated version of software, buy legit and hence have you considered your need in software?

I suggest: Buy top notch Macbook Pro with 4 Gb of RAM (buy third party) and buy a ACD a 24 or 30 and an external drive to store and backup all the work you are going to do. Try it out, unless you do extremly complex scene with video, the Mac pro ain't that useful.

Again you have not mentionned what you want to do, it's hard to suggest a setup and needed memory without details of the work and number of hours you plan on spending in front of system.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Where in the world is Suze Orman when you need her!!!!!

 

[techlover828]

Am I the only one that keeps coming back to this thread, starts to post and then just shakes my head and moves on...?

Woof, Woof - Dawg

Nope, but now that I am, I suggest just getting the loaded mbp and at least see if you need the extra power of the mac pro. I suggest at least waiting for the update if you must make the purchase.

BTW, ever think of just getting the MBP, having a "2xx.xx" dollar payment for a year or two, and then start saving money! That would be a smart thing to do.

 

[Clix Pix]

Two questions:

(1)Why do you think you need to buy two machines right now? Yes, I understand the concept of one laptop and one desktop. Actually, I'm typing on my own MBP right now as I'm sitting outside enjoying the wonderful weather, and my other Macs (two-year old G5 iMac and 1-year-old Mac Pro, in addition to my other few-months' old MBP) are inside the house..... While I enjoy the convenience of owning laptop(s) and desktop(s), I did not buy any of my machines at the same time. Why do you feel you need to have both brand-new machines immediately?

(2)Are you 100% positive that your mom's credit will be approved for this purchase?

 

[66217]

I agree with the people telling you to wait and only buy the MBP first. It is a very capable computer, and surely would be able to do what you want to do.

Buy a 17" MBP and try getting better on what you do, and when time comes buy a Mac Pro.
You could probably survive with only the MBP for now, and when you return from college buy the Mac Pro. It's a long time, but probably when you finish college you would want to have the newest computer to work on it.

What are you planning to study?


I know you don't want to hear about it, but reconsider spending soo much. I don't doubt you can pay for it. But having money does not means you have to spend it right away.

 

[Denali9]

Dell vs ACD

BTW go Dell, similar screen lot cheaper.

 

[valiar]

Of course, this is your money.

But it does not seem to me that you actually know what you need this kind of computers for.

You will be working at Vons (gasp!), and you don't know which computer will do what you need to do... Both of these things tell me that you are hardly an experienced design pro. Can't blame you because you are 16. And everyone needs to start somewhere. But dumping 11K on hardware you don't need is hardly a good start.

You don't choose your work tool by its price. You choose it by what it is capable of, and what you need to accomplish.

Having a shiny Mac Pro on your desk does not make you a "pro" - just like I would not become a world-famous musician if I bought myself a Stradivarius. If you buy a machine that you have no need for, it is a waste of money. You have to understand that computers are not homes, or even cars - they depreciate rapidly, and are generally worthless after 3-4 years.

You absolutely don't need a Mac Pro for web design. You can do it very well on a 13' MacBook with an external monitor.

On the other hand, if you are a Maya pro, and you do plenty of rendering - then, yes, a Mac Pro is what you want. These 8 cores will come in handy. I doubt you have Maya in mind, though.

So, my advice would be to get a cheap computer (if you don't have one yet). Do some actual work with it. See where its limitations are - and upgrade, or get a new one.

Oh, and paying credit card APR is just silly. You will end up paying literally twice the price in the end (not even mentioning other negative things that come together with credit card debt).

But it is your money, of course.

 

[xUKHCx]

Thank you for the concern everybody, but I know what I'm going to use the hardware for and I know my budget. I've been in the world of computers, design, printing and art since I was born, so thank you for refreshing my memory.

Time since you are actually aware of things is probably only 8 years and time since you knew the value of money, quite clearly haven't learnt that one yet. Also listen to these people, don't be so facetious.

Did your dad build up his business with two top of the line systems he bought straight away, would your dad splurge 11,000 in his business.

 

[stainlessliquid]

Your experience in computers and "design" is highly questionable if you think you seriosuly need a Mac Pro for 2d work. Youre wrong if you think the Mac Pro will somehow help or make things go faster. It wont. Its impossible, completely 100% scientifically impossible.

The simple fact is that 2d programs have not been bottle necked by hardware in YEARS. As long as you have enough ram then Photoshop and Illustrator will run exactly the same speed on a G4 powerbook and the most expensive decked out Mac Pro possible. These programs can only run as fast as you can work, they are highly dependant on ram and once they get enough then they will run at realtime speed no matter what you throw at it, the processor is completely insignificant.

Mac Pros are made for rendering video and 3d. Thats it. There is no rendering in 2d except with filters, and if you call yourself a designer you sure as hell better not be using filters except in rare instances. MBP's are more than capable of handling standard professional video rendering as well, you will only need the power of a Mac Pro if you are working under very strict deadlines or are rendering extreme amounts of video, which obviously you wont be.

Forget about the Mac Pro, its a waste of money. Get the laptop and use it as a desktop at home by connecting an external monitor and keyboard/mouse up to it. MBP's are more than capable of being able to handle being used as a desktop for long periods of time.

Personally I wouldnt even get a 17" MBP, there are many other cheaper alternatives that are more than adequete enough for graphic design (which Ive been doing for 10 years).

 

[maccam]

Hmm... If you don't mind paying all the extra interest GO FOR IT!!!

But if you don't need this set-up RIGHT now, save as much money as possible then get the credit card. I'm 15 and would like a Mac Pro (because I'm a serious gamer), I was going to get it on credit card but then I thought I could wait 4-5 months, then i'll have all the money.

Nice set-up if you get it, try to get third-party Ram!!

 

[chriswheat]

OK - so you've heard everyone tell you this is a bad idea. Now I'm going to tell you what I think would be a good idea.

Max out a 17" MBP. Get all the ram/HD space you want.
Get an external 750GB hard drive
Get a Docking Station for the 17" MBP.
Get the wireless bluetooth mouse and keyboard.
Get a 30" ACD.

You now have a setup at home with more power than you'll need for web editing, you've saved the cost of a Mac Pro and you have room to grow.

 

[Clix Pix]

Of course, this is your money.

Actually, it sounds as though it's his mom's money....or, rather, he's asking her to apply for a fairly hefty amount of credit on his behalf. Since he is a minor, just sixteen, no way he could ever expect to get that kind of credit on his own at this point in time....and the question, of course, is, will he indeed be able to make the payments he is assuring his mom he'll be able to cover? At age 16, it's not as though he's out of school and working full-time in any sort of professional capacity. Ah, the optimism of youth!

If I were either of his parents I would simply flat-out say no way to his proposed plan. If his mom indeed follows through with applying for this, well, she's only got herself to blame....

 

[maccam]

Your experience in computers and "design" is highly questionable if you think you seriosuly need a Mac Pro for 2d work. Youre wrong if you think the Mac Pro will somehow help or make things go faster. It wont. Its impossible, completely 100% scientifically impossible.

The simple fact is that 2d programs have not been bottle necked by hardware in YEARS. As long as you have enough ram then Photoshop and Illustrator will run exactly the same speed on a G4 powerbook and the most expensive decked out Mac Pro possible. These programs can only run as fast as you can work.

Mac Pros are made for rendering video and 3d. Thats it. There is no rendering in 2d except with filters, and if you call yourself a designer you sure as hell better not be using filters except in rare instances. MBP's are more than capable of handling standard professional video rendering as well, you will only need the power of a Mac Pro if you are working under very strict deadlines or are rendering extreme amounts of video, which obviously you wont be.

Forget about the Mac Pro, its a waste of money. Get the laptop and use it as a desktop at home by connecting an external monitor and keyboard/mouse up to it. MBP's are more than capable of being able to handle being used as a desktop for long periods of time.

Sounds like your a little jealous. (Like me )

 

[chriswheat]

At age 16, it's not as though he's out of school and working full-time in any sort of professional capacity. Ah, the optimism of youth!

If I were either of his parents I would simply flat-out say no way to his proposed plan. If his mom indeed follows through with applying for this, well, she's only got herself to blame....

Agreed. It's his parents fault for telling him this was a good idea. His father sounds like a good business man...I'm sure he didn't get where he is by getting into $11,000 of debt to get started.

And to the OP: have you considered taxes? You will have to pay taxes on the $11,000 you make. Don't forget that.

 

[techlover828]

Hmm... If you don't mind paying all the extra interest GO FOR IT!!!

But if you don't need this set-up RIGHT now, save as much money as possible then get the credit card. I'm 15 and would like a Mac Pro (because I'm a serious gamer), I was going to get it on credit card but then I thought I could wait 4-5 months, then i'll have all the money.

Nice set-up if you get it, try to get third-party Ram!!

I'm 15 too and I have a question, how do you have enough money to get a mac pro!?!

 

[chriswheat]

I'm 15 too and I have a question, how do you have enough money to get a mac pro!?!

He doesn't. Period.