MP 7,1 Is it worth buying a MacPro7.1?

[Flint Ironstag]

What does a newer machine do, that an old machine doesn't, that people WANT to do? Show me one new feature added to the Mac in the last 10 years that people wouldn't gladly give up, to get 10 year old (secure) macOS.

This right here. I have clients who bought MP2019. They'll probably retire on these machines. They're fast enough. Nobody in the real world gives a damn about all the new 'features' they keep cramming into the OS. It's bloat.

 

[avro707]

Sidecar and the ability to use my iPad as a second monitor as well as being able to launch my phone from my Mac.

That works on my 7,1. Don’t use either of them much.

I have a couple of huge 6K screens already connected and the iPad is rather too small to use compared to a dedicated screen/tablet device.

Nobody in the real world gives a damn about all the new 'features' they keep cramming into the OS. It's bloat.

Liquid Glass really didn’t improve the functionality of any Mac or make anyone’s use of the OS more efficient. It is bloat.

 

[Mac3Duser]

That works on my 7,1. Don’t use either of them much.

I have a couple of huge 6K screens already connected and the iPad is rather too small to use compared to a dedicated screen/tablet device.



Liquid Glass really didn’t improve the functionality of any Mac or make anyone’s use of the OS more efficient. It is bloat.

Liquid Glass is the reason why I'm waiting for M6 Macbook Pro's hoping the next Mac OS will be like Sequoia.

 

[Regulus67]

I visited Puget Systems page, out of curiosity. Because I wanted to see what a modern Workstation is.
The cost of the parts are very high. Not only the ECC RAM, but also the fastest consumer nvidia card 😳

Switching from a Mac Pro to a Workstation seems like double the pain, in my eyes.
Leaving macOS for Windows 11, plus the cost of a new machine.

The 7.1 might be old, but at least it still runs the latest macOS (for those who needs to stay updated) 🙂

 

[Regulus67]

A good number did spend big money on newer Mac Pros. There are some seriously expensive machines bringing run by people here and purchased new.

Check the new prices on the ones I run. Prices of a nice new car.

I just have to respond to this reference to a car. Having just watched this video, the comment hit a string in me.
Dave Plummer tracked down a car, which he purchased. Then did this amazing story about it.

I owned this car from Dec 1990 to 2003. I had to sell it when I lost both my job, and the house I was renting, at the same time. The landlord sold the house, and I had to find a new place to live. I panicked, and sold the car 😕

But Dave's story had a lesson for me. I appreciate top class hardware. Be it that old Lincoln Continental Mark III 1970 (with the automatic dimming headlight, sensor on the hood), or the iMac Pro and Mac Pro 7,1.

Like the car, the Mac Pro is full of special details, that are not found in other computers

 

[keksikuningas]

I just have to respond to this reference to a car. Having just watched this video, the comment hit a string in me.
Dave Plummer tracked down a car, which he purchased. Then did this amazing story about it.

I owned this car from Dec 1990 to 2003. I had to sell it when I lost both my job, and the house I was renting, at the same time. The landlord sold the house, and I had to find a new place to live. I panicked, and sold the car 😕

View attachment 2617818

But Dave's story had a lesson for me. I appreciate top class hardware. Be it that old Lincoln Continental Mark III 1970 (with the automatic dimming headlight, sensor on the hood), or the iMac Pro and Mac Pro 7,1.

Like the car, the Mac Pro is full of special details, that are not found in other computers

funnily enough, Dave also has a M2 Ultra Mac Pro, he did a couple vids about it , comparing it to his Threadripper workstation

 

[Regulus67]

funnily enough, Dave also has a M2 Ultra Mac Pro, he did a couple vids about it , comparing it to his Threadripper workstation

Yes, he got one because of the PCIe SSD storage capacity. Instead of the Mac Studio version.

 

[Flint Ironstag]

@Regulus67 I hear you on the car thing. I have a self-imposed limit of $15k cash for a used vehicle. It must have 2 doors and 12 cylinders. They are special - still faster, smoother, and more refined than 99% of vehicles on the road. Currently on a 20 year old CL600. 😁 It shares a lot of non-superficial qualities with MP2019. I'll probably never sell this car either - certainly don't need anything faster.

[edit]

We had just moved to Texas USA from the UK. I was probably 9 or 10 when I got my first ride in a big personal luxury coupe in the same spirit as your Lincoln. I think it was a Pontiac Bonneville. We had 2 VW Rabbits at the time and were accustomed to smaller, more economical European vehicles (that changed fast 🤣)...

Man, that thing was SMOOOOTH like a magic carpet. I didn't know anything about handling, etc. at that time - all I knew is roads that were HARSH in the Rabbits you could have slept through in this thing. I called it being in the lap of luxury. That era of American coupes certainly made its impact on me. Fell in love with a Jaguar XJS V12 shortly after though, and my path was set!

If I'm ever in your neck of the woods, would love to grab a beer!