Mining with old MacPro? and USB-C MacBook?

[carestudio]

so I am new to bitcoin and ethereum, and wondering:
1. what is the best software for mining?
2. I have a MacPro from 2010, is it a good machine to run mining software?
3. I have an USB-C Macbook 12", slow, I know, but would it be a cost effective way to run the software?

 

[biffuz]

Forget about it. Nowadays you need specialised hardware for mining and make some money. Without it, you can use a very fast graphic card, but unless you have free electricity, it won't even repay itself. CPU-only mining is meaningless, and laptops are completely useless.

 

[carestudio]

Thanks for the information. I still want to give it a try Did any one try the old MacPro tower?

 

[PS9]

Thanks for the information. I still want to give it a try Did any one try the old MacPro tower?

That would still be CPU mining or graphic card at best. Biffuz's statement is still correct; you need specialized hardware to make money. Forget about it.

I can't speak for Biffuz, but I'm certain neither one of us are saying this to ******** you. Using a regular computer will cost you more in energy costs than you'd gain by mining. If you want to try it for the *****-and-giggles be my guest but a MacBook Pro has an estimated hash rate of ~0.01Ghps, at current bitcoin rates you'd make $0.004 per year, less than half a penny, and it would cost you (running the 60w power brick) about $63.07 in electricity costs.

You want to use a MacPro tower? Congratulations, you're up to ~0.04Ghps. At current bitcoin rates you'd make $0.016 per year, about a penny and a half, and it would cost you (running the standard 270w power supply) about $283.81 in electricity costs.

Even if you only mine while you're using the computer, the increased energy costs by running the CPU full tilt all the time vs idling between tasks would mean you'd lose money. MacBook for 8 hours a day, you'd make maybe $0.001 per year and it'll cost you an extra $20 in electricity.

 

[Yvan256]

Your best bet is to mine something else that's CPU and/or GPU friendly. There's dozens if not hundreds of crypto-currencies out there. Mine a few thousand coins of each that is CPU/GPU friendly and just keep them in a paper wallet. Check their value once a month or so but be prepared to wait years for their value to either climb high enough to be worth something or crash down into nothingness.

 

[macpronoob]

Your best bet is to mine something else that's CPU and/or GPU friendly. There's dozens if not hundreds of crypto-currencies out there. Mine a few thousand coins of each that is CPU/GPU friendly and just keep them in a paper wallet. Check their value once a month or so but be prepared to wait years for their value to either climb high enough to be worth something or crash down into nothingness.

I'm a **** and giggles type of guy lol.

I just finished upgrading an old macpro tower (1,1 to 2,1) and have another that I'm going to give away.

This is just for fun and learning. I'm following the cryptocurrency news lately and looking to dive in and invest a little something. I do find Mining Crpyto to be an expensive endeavor though.

Just finished watching youtube videos of tech guys using old phones to mine cryptocurrency. I'm sure to many in this forum it's nothing new but to me it is and I find interesting. I got some old phones laying around.

So before I get a " Don't dooo itttt! " lol again just for fun , I like DIY project involving old tech.

@Yvan256 Which coins do you recommend that is CPU/GPU friendly.