Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Is the 2009/2010 Mac Pro the best Mac Apple have ever made?

J

JazzyGB1

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 18, 2002
304
335
UK
I know it sounds like a loaded question, but I honestly believe it is.
I type this from my 2009 Mac Pro which was recently firmware flashed to 5.1 firmware and then upgraded from an 8 core 2.26 to a 12 core 2.9Ghz behemoth - so it's pretty much equivalent to a 2012 model spec wise.
I use it primarily for writing music using Logic, but also for Photoshop and occasional video editing and it's never been anything other than totally dependable for me - so much so that I don't even think about it, I just use it - perfect! :)
Now this would be impressive regardless, but when you consider it's a 6 year old machine now, I think it shows just how good these towers were to begin with and how great their design was. I've loaded it with 4 internal hard drives plus an SSD via a PCIe card, a blu ray writer and CD/DVD writer too and 24GB RAM and this 6 year old machine hasn't even broken a sweat really.
For that reason these have to be the best Macs that Apple have made to date IMO, capable of running every OS from 10.6 to 10.10 and with the flexibility to grow with you (like mine has) and they still don't struggle to run any modern software either - not bad for an 'old' Mac! :)
The way things are at the moment I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted another 6 years too.
A real shame they killed it off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brazzan, Supersoberguy, aaronhead14 and 4 others
JazzyGB1 said:
I know it sounds like a loaded question, but I honestly believe it is.
I type this from my 2009 Mac Pro which was recently firmware flashed to 5.1 firmware and then upgraded from an 8 core 2.26 to a 12 core 2.9Ghz behemoth - so it's pretty much equivalent to a 2012 model spec wise.
I use it primarily for writing music using Logic, but also for Photoshop and occasional video editing and it's never been anything other than totally dependable for me - so much so that I don't even think about it, I just use it - perfect! :)
Now this would be impressive regardless, but when you consider it's a 6 year old machine now, I think it shows just how good these towers were to begin with and how great their design was. I've loaded it with 4 internal hard drives plus an SSD via a PCIe card, a blu ray writer and CD/DVD writer too and 24GB RAM and this 6 year old machine hasn't even broken a sweat really.
For that reason these have to be the best Macs that Apple have made to date IMO, capable of running every OS from 10.6 to 10.10 and with the flexibility to grow with you (like mine has) and they still don't struggle to run any modern software either - not bad for an 'old' Mac! :)
The way things are at the moment I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted another 6 years too.
A real shame they killed it off.
Click to expand...

Yes, hands down!
 
  • Like
Reactions: JeanLCP
2000 PowerBook with Firewire (aka "Pismo"). I was never more in love with Macs than when I owned that machine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bernuli
Chapeau for the cMP! My 3.1 which I bought in 2008 still hums like a new one, my cMP 5.1 (2012) 12C @2,66 is my new 'work'horse and I just love the way it can be customised to my needs/likings!

That's why I skipped the nMP and bought it "open box", so brand new and enlisted it for AppleCare!

Safe and sound for the first upcoming 3 years, but just like the 3.1, it will last a very long time!

Apple is my best computer hard- and software experience EVER!, since I started with a Philips Computer PC, a very long time ago, using a 2400 baud external modem!

I'm 52 btw! ;-)

Cheers
 
  • Like
Reactions: z970
JazzyGB1 said:
I know it sounds like a loaded question, but I honestly believe it is.
I type this from my 2009 Mac Pro which was recently firmware flashed to 5.1 firmware and then upgraded from an 8 core 2.26 to a 12 core 2.9Ghz behemoth - so it's pretty much equivalent to a 2012 model spec wise.
I use it primarily for writing music using Logic, but also for Photoshop and occasional video editing and it's never been anything other than totally dependable for me - so much so that I don't even think about it, I just use it - perfect! :)
Now this would be impressive regardless, but when you consider it's a 6 year old machine now, I think it shows just how good these towers were to begin with and how great their design was. I've loaded it with 4 internal hard drives plus an SSD via a PCIe card, a blu ray writer and CD/DVD writer too and 24GB RAM and this 6 year old machine hasn't even broken a sweat really.
For that reason these have to be the best Macs that Apple have made to date IMO, capable of running every OS from 10.6 to 10.10 and with the flexibility to grow with you (like mine has) and they still don't struggle to run any modern software either - not bad for an 'old' Mac! :)
The way things are at the moment I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted another 6 years too.
A real shame they killed it off.
Click to expand...
I had a 2008 Mac Pro as my main computer at home until late last year when I broke down and bought a 5K iMac. The pro is now at the office and still running strong. The thing's a tank. I must admit though that it's a dog compared to the iMac, but still a great computer. Before I had it, I must have gone through a half dozen PCs during the same period of time I owned it. By far the best computer I've ever owned.
 
  • Like
Reactions: z970
I've got a soft spot for the G4 PowerMacs, which were all great machines for their day, but dealing with the new workstations at the office and upgrading an old MDD for my own purposes at home have made me realize that Apple's ease of pulling out and swapping components progressed significantly from those days, and is still not quite matched by competition.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Silencio and z970
I'm really happy with my '09 MP, but I think the best Macs are the iMacs and MacBooks. Apple simply does that better than anybody else, and there is something about those machines that makes them, well, more 'Mac'. Maybe it is because the software and hardware are even more tightly integrated there.

If you think about it, All-in-one is really in the company's DNA. The original Macintosh was pretty much like an iMac. They didn't do towers until much later, when Steve Jobs had already left, and they were trying to compete with PC's.

As far as I'm concerned, the iMacs and laptops are the real Macs. And Apple obviously feels the same way.

My tower is great, and better suited for what I do, but my MacBookAir is a better experience. And I could say that for my old iMac as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Synchro3
I agree. My cMP is the best computer I have ever owned. It has been my primary system for 5 years now, and I can see it lasting another 3-5, after that it will be my server. I use it for graphic design, digital illustrations, video editing, photography, gaming ... no other Mac is able to last that long because of the lack of upgradability. It's one of the best Apple designs ever, because it's pure form follows function.

The newer Macs are more and more function follows form, to a point where they become almost unusable. I don't think I will buy another desktop Mac.
 
  • Like
Reactions: z970, JeanLCP, someoldguy and 1 other person
zephonic said:
I'm really happy with my '09 MP, but I think the best Macs are the iMacs and MacBooks. Apple simply does that better than anybody else, and there is something about those machines that makes them, well, more 'Mac'. Maybe it is because the software and hardware are even more tightly integrated there.

If you think about it, All-in-one is really in the company's DNA. The original Macintosh was pretty much like an iMac. They didn't do towers until much later, when Steve Jobs had already left, and they were trying to compete with PC's.

As far as I'm concerned, the iMacs and laptops are the real Macs. And Apple obviously feels the same way.

My tower is great, and better suited for what I do, but my MacBookAir is a better experience. And I could say that for my old iMac as well.
Click to expand...
I never bought a Mac till the Mac II came out, I always found the-all-in-ones to be big compromises, and these days, Apple's all too willing to compromise.

Still feel the same way, Long Live the Old Mac Pro!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Synchro3
m4v3r1ck said:
Chapeau for the cMP! My 3.1 which I bought in 2008 still hums like a new one, my cMP 5.1 (2012) 12C @2,66 is my new 'work'horse and I just love the way it can be customised to my needs/likings!

That's why I skipped the nMP and bought it "open box", so brand new and enlisted it for AppleCare!

Safe and sound for the first upcoming 3 years, but just like the 3.1, it will last a very long time!

Apple is my best computer hard- and software experience EVER!, since I started with a Philips Computer PC, a very long time ago, using a 2400 baud external modem!

I'm 52 btw! ;-)

Cheers
Click to expand...
Youngster. I'm 53.

I recently retired my 3,1 and upgraded to a 4,1 (firmware upgraded to 5,1) 12Core 3.46Ghz. I could not be more pleased. These machines are built to last, and it's entirely possible this will make it to my retirement, as I don't plan on working much past 60, if I can avoid it.
 
for sake of argument on 'best'..

if i could have one mac.. the one that would best fulfill my needs.. it'd be a laptop.. 2014 or 2015 15"mbp


-----
but the actual best computer apple has ever made is the new mac pro.. i get that people will argue it but so what.. those are mainly emotional arguments ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Flint Ironstag
Without a doubt, I think it is. Upgradeability, longevity, ease of repair, keeping everything in one place/organized - it should be a no-brainer. The ability to run just about whatever graphics card you want, tons of internal storage, USB 3.0, blu-ray, numerous processor options; and for the most part, they just keep running. I've only had the misfortune of having to use the new mac pro once, and while performance-wise it was undeniably good, it made my workspace the ugliest, most cluttered workspace possible. Once you have 5 external devices plugged into it, It just becomes a goofy line or stack of equipment next to a "sleek" desktop, with cable clamps keeping all the wires as neat as possible. News flash - desktops don't need to be extra slim or portable. In an attempt to make things more compact and "nicer", they made a product that takes up more space on a desk and looks downright ugly, depending on what you need attached to it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: z970, Mac Hammer Fan and Synchro3
MacStu09 said:
I've only had the misfortune of having to use the new mac pro once, and while performance-wise it was undeniably good, it made my workspace the ugliest, most cluttered workspace possible. Once you have 5 external devices plugged into it, It just becomes a goofy line or stack of equipment
Click to expand...
aww. you should of taken a picture of that.
remember everybody's favorite picture in 2013?

mac-pro-2012-vs-2013-spoof-640x353.jpg

..i still haven't seen a real life example of that one ;)
sounds as if you did though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rodedwards, z970, JeanLCP and 2 others
JazzyGB1 said:
I know it sounds like a loaded question, but I honestly believe it is.
I type this from my 2009 Mac Pro which was recently firmware flashed to 5.1 firmware and then upgraded from an 8 core 2.26 to a 12 core 2.9Ghz behemoth - so it's pretty much equivalent to a 2012 model spec wise.
I use it primarily for writing music using Logic, but also for Photoshop and occasional video editing and it's never been anything other than totally dependable for me - so much so that I don't even think about it, I just use it - perfect! :)
Now this would be impressive regardless, but when you consider it's a 6 year old machine now, I think it shows just how good these towers were to begin with and how great their design was. I've loaded it with 4 internal hard drives plus an SSD via a PCIe card, a blu ray writer and CD/DVD writer too and 24GB RAM and this 6 year old machine hasn't even broken a sweat really.
For that reason these have to be the best Macs that Apple have made to date IMO, capable of running every OS from 10.6 to 10.10 and with the flexibility to grow with you (like mine has) and they still don't struggle to run any modern software either - not bad for an 'old' Mac! :)
The way things are at the moment I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted another 6 years too.
A real shame they killed it off.
Click to expand...

I think the MacBook air rocks! There is nothing like it, in terms of battery life on a mac computer. I think the question asked was which is the best MacBook ever made. This is a matter of opinion because each owner of an apple product thinks theirs is the best. End of the day the one that worked for you is the best of them all. To those with less money to spend the best is the 2015 MacBook pro and to those who love burning holes in their pockets because they can afford to, the 2017 MacBook pro is by far the best provided you don't get a defective one with a broken keyboard or clicky keys or with unresolved issues.

To the latter, its best to check your new 2017 MacBook pro properly the first two week so you can return it if there are any issues because apple with give you a hard time when it comes to the keyboard after your two weeks is over. To those buying the old 2015 MacBook, most of them still run perfectly with no issues and buy second hand is far safer than trying to buy a 2016 MacBook pro second hand.

9 times out of ten the 2016 and 2017 MacBook sold on eBay and other sites have keyboard issues and defects that have not or just could not be resolved so you will find yourself buying someone else’s problems unless you buy refurbished - certified refurbished - not user refurbished. Now it's a known fact that from 2012 to late 2015 99 % of buyers of used MacBook pros were very happy with their purchase but in 2017 those opting to buy used 2016 and 2017 MacBook pros are shocked to discover the inevitable outcome which for many has brought with it much heart break.

All said and done, from the above mentioned I would say the 2015 MacBook pro is by far the best MacBook ever made. Really now - what's the use of new tech in 2017 when you sitting with a defective machine - but there is a grand surprise on its way for 2018 as apple decides to scrap the new keyboard all together and to give their devoted fans an android like glass panel with keys under the glass that vibrate when your fingers find them. So, if you must have the last MacBook pro with actual keys you better go out and grab one because pretty soon the physical keys will be dinosaurs in the museum of apples past history.

Personally, I feel Apple made a grave error in the naming of the New MacBook Pro 2016 and 2017 - They should have named it the New Mac Ultrabook, that would have gone down much better because the real New MacBook Pro with the new battery giving us outstanding battery life and the new vibrating glass top android phone-like keys on this new MacBook Pro which will replace physical keys will only come out in mid 2018 and that should have been named the all new MacBook Pro but hey who am I - JUST SAYING! LATER Y'ALL...
 
Last edited:
My Mac Pro 2009 was the best computer I ever had. Upgradeable, expandable and reliable. I bought a second one two months ago. Both are flashed to 5,1, have a 6core 3,33 Ghz processor, two SSDs and three large harddrives. What a difference compared to the trashcan released in 2013! I hope to use these wonderful machines another 3 years at least.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mar58, JazzyGB1 and h9826790
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back