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Okay, maybe the Blu-Ray option and the redesigned case are just speculation, but you've gotta be pretty naive to deny that there's a 100% chance that the next upgrade will include faster Cpu's (Penryn, up to 8 core 3.2Ghz, 1600mhz FSB, 12mb cache), faster graphics (either Radeon 2800XT or GeForce 8800GTX BTO options), and a new motherboard (Stoakley-Seaburg).

Those are givens. And it's those things that to me, are worth paying at least $500 for, during a sell and buy operation. Anything else included in the upgrade would just be an added bonus.

Think about it. Do you know how much it would cost for me to upgrade my current machine to the new CPU's, new motherboard (probably impossible), and new graphics card?

If I can get all of that, PLUS a brand new machine, for under $1000, is there any reason for me not to do it?
 
Okay, maybe the Blu-Ray option and the redesigned case are just speculation, but you've gotta be pretty naive to deny that there's a 100% chance that the next upgrade will include faster Cpu's (Penryn, up to 8 core 3.2Ghz, 1600mhz FSB, 12mb cache), faster graphics (either Radeon 2800XT or GeForce 8800GTX BTO options), and a new motherboard (Stoakley-Seaburg).

Those are givens. And it's those things that to me, are worth paying at least $500 for, during a sell and buy operation. Anything else included in the upgrade would just be an added bonus.

Think about it. Do you know how much it would cost for me to upgrade my current machine to the new CPU's, new motherboard (probably impossible), and new graphics card?

If I can get all of that, PLUS a brand new machine, for under $1000, is there any reason for me not to do it?

What the hell are you using all this for anyway?

All you've implied so far is watching Blu-Ray movies.
 
What the hell are you using all this for anyway?

All you've implied so far is watching Blu-Ray movies.

It's not about what I do with it. It's about how much the stuff costs, how much it's worth, and how much I can get for my money. Anyone who does anything more than email and itunes, enjoys a faster computer, even if it's faster by a margin that doesn't make a difference for them productivity-wise.

I use Final Cut Studio for film editing, iMovie for putting together small videos, and Digital Performer/Kontakt Player 2/Sibelius/GPO Library/Garageband for music projects.

I don't "need" anything faster than my current computer, but it's not all about what I need. It's about the fact that the machine is over a year old, and if I can switch to a newer system with a changeover cost of $1000 or less, then I think it's a smart thing to do.
 
x2


If you NEED 8 cores, then you probably need more than 2gb of RAM. If you don't need more than 2gb of RAM, then just upgrade your Mac Pro with a blu-ray drive (you can do it now even).

I have 4 Gig with my 4 cores and I NEED more RAM, doubt you really need to upgrade your machine.
 
Well, I guess I could upgrade to 4GB. I'd be able to afford it since the price of my current setup included a Ram upgrade to 2GB.

you need more than 2 gig of ram to fully use those 8 cores. you need to have enough ram for each core to get the effect you are looking for.
 
you need more than 2 gig of ram to fully use those 8 cores. you need to have enough ram for each core to get the effect you are looking for.

Yeah, i'll probably get 4GB of ram. It's not that expensive. I was even thinking of upgrading my current machine to 4GB.
 
It's not about what I do with it. It's about how much the stuff costs, how much it's worth, and how much I can get for my money. Anyone who does anything more than email and itunes, enjoys a faster computer, even if it's faster by a margin that doesn't make a difference for them productivity-wise.

I use Final Cut Studio for film editing, iMovie for putting together small videos, and Digital Performer/Kontakt Player 2/Sibelius/GPO Library/Garageband for music projects.

I don't "need" anything faster than my current computer, but it's not all about what I need. It's about the fact that the machine is over a year old, and if I can switch to a newer system with a changeover cost of $1000 or less, then I think it's a smart thing to do.

I agree with this logic... I don't understand the people here who would deny you having a fast computer because you don't "need it". People don't "need" Ferraris... but they're still nice to have.

eBay + PayPal fees are going to eat up more of the sale than you might think, though...
 
I agree with this logic... I don't understand the people here who would deny you having a fast computer because you don't "need it". People don't "need" Ferraris... but they're still nice to have.

eBay + PayPal fees are going to eat up more of the sale than you might think, though...

Thanks. I think when I sold my G4 tower setup for $1375, I ended up with like $1296 in paypal. So the fees aren't that bad.
 
I bought a Mac Pro the minute they were released back in August 2006. I was thinking of waiting until January (2007) to see if they upgrade them then, but I decided not to. I'm extremely happy with my decision, because as you all know, they still have not really been upgraded. So, as MWSF 2008 approaches, with a good chance of an entirely revamped Mac Pro/Display lineup, I'm getting ready to sell my whole current system on ebay, about one week before MWSF.

No! Don't do it! You really want to wait for Apple to start using Nehalem-based 8 core Xeon CPUs - around 2009/10! Anything you buy within the next 18 months is going to be sooooo outdated it just isn't funny! You will really be kicking yourself if you settle for anything less!
 
No! Don't do it! You really want to wait for Apple to start using Nehalem-based 8 core Xeon CPUs - around 2009/10! Anything you buy within the next 18 months is going to be sooooo outdated it just isn't funny! You will really be kicking yourself if you settle for anything less!

Then i'll sell my Penryn machine and upgrade to Nehalem when that happens.
 
Totally agree with you Jade, you are doing the the rite/smart thing, I am also waiting for the next significant Mac Pro upgrade, I will probable do the same thing as you are doing now in 12 - 18 months. Computers move so fast and you loose allot of money on them as you do with cars.

Jack.
 
I agree with this logic... I don't understand the people here who would deny you having a fast computer because you don't "need it". People don't "need" Ferraris... but they're still nice to have.


Your logic only holds true if you are rich and can afford a Ferrari. It's stupid to pay for something you don't need unless you have money to burn. While I think it is a good idea to buy more system than you need so that it will have a longer shelf life, it is stupid to buy a really high end system that you will under-utilize. If you don't need or can't afford (without giving something up) a Macpro, you are better off buying an iMac and extra ram. If you need a Macpro, then that's another matter... but if you don't, then... well, here let me use a metaphor. Buying a Macpro to surf the web or to edit a movie now and then, is like using an 18 wheeler semi truck to move a one bedroom apartment. Since Apple doesn't have a decent mid-range system to buy instead of the Macpro, I can understand why some people would opt for buying one. However, when you get caught up with spending money to keep on the leading edge when you don't need to be out there, then that is a waste of money. If the OP stated that he is close to maxing his system, spending money on an upgrade would be a different matter. But from what I read, he is nowhere close to realizing the full potential for his current setup. To upgrade without solid justification is a dumb idea. You don't buy computers as an investment. You buy them to get work done... and when your computer gets so slow that you can't effectively work on them anymore, you buy a new one. To do it any other way is expensive. Does it matter if your system is worth less than what you paid, or is not a fast or "good" as the latest greatest from Apple if you don't need all that power?
 
Your logic only holds true if you are rich and can afford a Ferrari. It's stupid to pay for something you don't need unless you have money to burn. While I think it is a good idea to buy more system than you need so that it will have a longer shelf life, it is stupid to buy a really high end system that you will under-utilize. If you don't need or can't afford (without giving something up) a Macpro, you are better off buying an iMac and extra ram. If you need a Macpro, then that's another matter... but if you don't, then... well, here let me use a metaphor. Buying a Macpro to surf the web or to edit a movie now and then, is like using an 18 wheeler semi truck to move a one bedroom apartment. Since Apple doesn't have a decent mid-range system to buy instead of the Macpro, I can understand why some people would opt for buying one. However, when you get caught up with spending money to keep on the leading edge when you don't need to be out there, then that is a waste of money. If the OP stated that he is close to maxing his system, spending money on an upgrade would be a different matter. But from what I read, he is nowhere close to realizing the full potential for his current setup. To upgrade without solid justification is a dumb idea. You don't buy computers as an investment. You buy them to get work done... and when your computer gets so slow that you can't effectively work on them anymore, you buy a new one. To do it any other way is expensive. Does it matter if your system is worth less than what you paid, or is not a fast or "good" as the latest greatest from Apple if you don't need all that power?

Your logic only works if you're talking about Sony PCs (or the like) which hold their value about as well as a 2-day-old cupcake. The unusual state of affairs with respect to Apple computers is that their resale value is surprisingly stubborn. I think many economically-minded people would disagree with your assertion that they are not investments. If you can get 75% or 80% of your money back every 12 months, then it can hardly be said that it's a better idea to just wait 4 years to completely replace the system. The total "money spent" might come out to roughly the same amount, but the benefits certainly are not. For one, you stay on the "cutting edge", which is apparently a frivolous and unsavory pursuit in your eyes. Second, your hardware is newer and, at least ostensibly, less likely to break down. Third, and relatedly, you remain under warranty the whole time. There are certainly costs to reselling your computer versus not having to worry about it, but if the benefits listed above exceed the cost of reselling, then it makes perfect economical sense.
 
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