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

Mac Pro Buy Now or Wait?

P

Pallando

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 25, 2009
1
0
Hey Folks!

I am a long time lurker of these forums, but have signed up for a bit of friendly advice…

I have an old PPC Mac Mini which is a little old in the tooth now. Too slow for what I would like to do with it.

Like many people I have been waiting for the updates to the Mac line.

My current set up has my Vista PC connected to my 40" TV via a DVI to HDMI cable.

I've been thinking of getting the 2.8 8-core Mac Pro to replace my current Vista PC, and have this hooked up to the TV via HDMI. I definitely prefer Apple to Windows, and want to get back into Mac in a big way.

The current Mac Pro is more than powerful enough to cope with what I require it to do, in fact it's probably overkill. General PC stuff, and some gaming (WoW) and some HD Video editing. The reason I want to go with the Pro instead of the Imac is simply because I want to be able to Future Proof my purchase, and upgrade it over time.

I've just received a bonus from work of £1500 and I also receive a 10% discount via work for Apple products so I can get a fairly decent price for the Mac Pro.

I just don't know whether to pull the trigger and buy now, or wait for an even better specced Mac Pro, although even more overkill than my current needs require!

I just don't want to regret the purchase.

Should I buy or should I wait?

Regards

Pallando.
 
Pallando said:
Hey Folks!

I am a long time lurker of these forums, but have signed up for a bit of friendly advice…

I have an old PPC Mac Mini which is a little old in the tooth now. Too slow for what I would like to do with it.

Like many people I have been waiting for the updates to the Mac line.

My current set up has my Vista PC connected to my 40" TV via a DVI to HDMI cable.

I've been thinking of getting the 2.8 8-core Mac Pro to replace my current Vista PC, and have this hooked up to the TV via HDMI. I definitely prefer Apple to Windows, and want to get back into Mac in a big way.

The current Mac Pro is more than powerful enough to cope with what I require it to do, in fact it's probably overkill. General PC stuff, and some gaming (WoW) and some HD Video editing. The reason I want to go with the Pro instead of the Imac is simply because I want to be able to Future Proof my purchase, and upgrade it over time.

I've just received a bonus from work of £1500 and I also receive a 10% discount via work for Apple products so I can get a fairly decent price for the Mac Pro.

I just don't know whether to pull the trigger and buy now, or wait for an even better specced Mac Pro, although even more overkill than my current needs require!

I just don't want to regret the purchase.

Should I buy or should I wait?

Regards

Pallando.
Click to expand...

Your needs/wants say iMac, what does your wallet say for paying for it?

Also this question has been exhausted on whether to wait or buy now, try doing a search and see what others have posted in reply's to questions like yours.

READ the other posts and opinions and go from there.
 
To me, the main future proofing the Mac Pro gives you over the iMac is support for more than 4GB of RAM. If you want to run virtualization, then extra memory definately helps.
 
Still running my 06 first gen Intel Mac PRo..

It takes everything I throw at it in stride. I see many more years of use.

I think they are pretty long lasting. if you think about the number of good years of use you do get what you pay for.
 
Tallest Skil said:
It is impossible to future-proof a computer. The only thing that you will be upgrading in the Mac Pro is RAM and the hard drive, which you can do with an iMac.

Just get an iMac.
Click to expand...

Mac Pro is nicer :) Life is too short. splurge and get it.
 
Keep the box

The best way to future proof a Mac is to keep the box and look after it. You'll be able to resell it for more than it's worth if you have the box and it's still shiny and new-looking. Even G4's sell for actual dollars...what's up with that?
 
Tallest Skil said:
If a MacBook can do it, the iMac will be able to do it.
Click to expand...

Well, actually no. The current iMac does not support dual-link DVI output, so it cannot drive a 30" LCD at the native resolution. The new Macbooks and Macbook Pros can drive dual-link DVI output via an adapter, but the adapter seems to be very flakey (according to the reviews on Apple's site).
 
foodle said:
Well, actually no. The current iMac does not support dual-link DVI output, so it cannot drive a 30" LCD at the native resolution. The new Macbooks and Macbook Pros can drive dual-link DVI output via an adapter, but the adapter seems to be very flakey (according to the reviews on Apple's site).
Click to expand...

Notice that I said "will".
 
Tallest Skil said:
Notice that I said "will".
Click to expand...
(1) The phrasing was at best ambiguous and could be interpreted as saying that current iMacs can do it.
(2) Unless you have the new iMac specs that no one else does (if so please share them with us), we don't know what the new iMac models will or will not support.
 
foodle said:
(1) The phrasing was at best ambiguous and could be interpreted as saying that current iMacs can do it.
(2) Unless you have the new iMac specs that no one else does (if so please share them with us), we don't know what the new iMac models will or will not support.
Click to expand...

I don't really see that, as future tense implies the future.

The new iMac will have at least the 9400M. The 9400M can do 2650x1600. Therefore, the new iMac will be able to do 2650x1600.
 
Tallest Skil said:
I don't really see that, as future tense implies the future.
Click to expand...
Which could refer to either the future machines or the future use of current machines by the poster. So either:
(1) iMacs will be able to do this in the future
(2) if you buy an iMac tomorrow, it will be able to drive the display

... at any rate, this obviously isn't an important point, and may be something we'll have to agree to disagree on ...

The new iMac will have at least the 9400M. The 9400M can do 2650x1600. Therefore, the new iMac will be able to do 2650x1600.
Click to expand...
It's not a question of graphics sub-system capabilities, but rather what port Apple includes. The current 8800GS is also capable of driving 2650x1600, but the mini-DVI port does not support it.

However, I do agree that Apple will most likely move all machines to the mini displayport standard, in which case the new iMacs should in theory be able to do this. However, given the abysmal reviews of the mini displayport to dual-link adapter (2/5 stars), this may not be the case in practice.
 
I'm in the same boat here...I'm ready for a new desktop and a great big display but the "old tech" seems to be hanging around for a while longer. 2799 and no display for what is listed isn't appealing with the new refresh coming.
 
If you don't have an immediate need for a new desktop system, wait.

I too am waiting for the next Mac Pro's. Though I'm sure I'd be thrilled with the improvements in the current line-up over my G5 Dual 2.0 (which still works fine), I know that by waiting for the newer, faster models, my pleasure will only be enhanced.

If you've got extra cash that must be spent, buy some bacon. Bacon is always a good buy, in my opinion.
 
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