now that the price has dropped on the Mac Pro is it worth buying? I've been waiting on updates on the iMac but now I'm thinking a refurb or low end Mac Pro might be an option. I do basic Video, Photoshop and Illustrator.
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Is the Mac Pro still worth buying at the new price point?
- Thread starter vapourtrails
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I see you said the word "basic", so I'll just go ahead and say no, you don't need a Mac Pro. I don't exactly know at what price you can get the old 2013 Mac Pro, but I'm guessing it's cheaper to get an iMac 5K (considering you probably also need a monitor, keyboard and mouse). The iMac 5K is plenty fast for your needs as far as I can see.
Maybe it's worth it to wait on updated iMacs, but who knows when they arrive...
Maybe it's worth it to wait on updated iMacs, but who knows when they arrive...
My question was more to do with value than need. Obviously an iMac would also do the job but I like choosing my own monitor. I also already have a keyboard and mouse.
I believe the value comes from what you are going to do with it. The Mac Pro has always been very expensive, meant for professional productions, real power users. It's what the processors are design for too.
So the components make the computer expensive and even though the new price point is more attractive than before, you still get not that much more computer for your buck than when buying an iMac when you only use it for basic video editing. Maybe the Mac Pro has more potential and that would make it worth the difference in price.
I can only really recommend a Mac Pro if it would suit your needs. That's just my way of thinking here, but go ahead and spend your money as you please
If you KNOW the apps you use ALL THE TIME can use six cores and you don't mind paying 3 grand + tax for them, the 2013 mp is still a nice machine. It was designed 3-1/2 years ago.
Where it really shines is with Final Cut Pro, as that app can utilize both GPUs.
You won't see any improvement with six cores over 4 cores with any of Adobe's CS/CC apps (PS, IL, ID).
3D apps will like the extra 2 cores, but a 6 core machine is kinda wimpy for rendering anything significant.
There is still the issue of the GPUs burning up sometimes which hasn't been addressed or fixed and there are more than a few people who bought it, had problems with it & regretted they ever got involved with it.
There are others who like it & haven't had any problems at all & think it's a great machine.
Obviously it's a much more powerful computer than a Mac Mini, and if it only cost $1500 they would probably fly off the shelves. But 3 grand for a 3-1/2 year old computer with known issues is a lot of cash.
Where it really shines is with Final Cut Pro, as that app can utilize both GPUs.
You won't see any improvement with six cores over 4 cores with any of Adobe's CS/CC apps (PS, IL, ID).
3D apps will like the extra 2 cores, but a 6 core machine is kinda wimpy for rendering anything significant.
There is still the issue of the GPUs burning up sometimes which hasn't been addressed or fixed and there are more than a few people who bought it, had problems with it & regretted they ever got involved with it.
There are others who like it & haven't had any problems at all & think it's a great machine.
Obviously it's a much more powerful computer than a Mac Mini, and if it only cost $1500 they would probably fly off the shelves. But 3 grand for a 3-1/2 year old computer with known issues is a lot of cash.
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