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Need help... I can get a MBP 4,1 _or_ a MP 1,1 for $400...

Dragonforce

Dragonforce

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 9, 2008
587
5
Germany
Heya,

I can get from my company one of those Macs because they're upgrading to newer machines and sell the "old" ones for a bargain to us employees.

Basically I can get ONE of those machines for $400 (but just _ONE_):

MacBook Pro Rev. 4,1
- 2.4 GHz Core2Duo
- 2 GB RAM
- 200 GB HDD
- 256 MB nVidia 8600 MGT
- matte screen

or

MacPro Rev. 1,1
- 2.0 GHz Xeon x 2
- 4 GB RAM
- 160 GB HDD
- 256 MB nVidia 7300 GT

Which one would you chose ? And why ?
Which one has more processing power ?
I guess if I chose the MP, I could upgrade to a 8600 GT, give it a Velociraptor WD drive and see it outperform the MBP even tho its 400 MHz slower...
On the other hand, the MBP is a more recent computer with better tech... and portable...

Help ... need to tell them which Mac I want by the end of the day...
 
is the macpro going to come with a monitor or keyboard?

I would go with the MBP. you get the power and the portability.

Either way ( i think) you would need to get a keyboard and monitor (if you want to hook up the MBP as a desktop.)
 
Nope, the MP comes "as-is", no keyboard, no mouse, no monitor.
I'm pretty sure that I'm not getting the original Apple box either, its just the machines and the cables / adaptors.
 
i personally would go with the mac pro because you can have so much fun upgrading it. it has lots of potential as well. I believe on that particular model you can even upgrade the processors.

However, if you don't wish to spend more than $400 and don't already have a display and keyboard/mouse then go with the macbook pro.

Either way, both are great deals.
 
Nope, I don't have a monitor at home. I don't even have a keyboard here because I'm using the companys MacBook Pro. I don't _OWN_ a Mac personally, so buying one of those machines would be "my first own Mac". I shouldn't have much troubles walking in a store and buy a nice 22 inch Full-HD monitor and an Apple keyboard tho...
 
I'm actually working in the pre-press, but I do most of my work in the office on a 8 core 2008 MacPro and not at home. I can take a MBP with me if I need to do some work at home or visit customers for presentations.

I don't own any computer at all, not even a Windows machine (last computer I owned was a Pentium machine with 333 MHz and Win 95... lol), so the one I can buy for $400 would be the main (and only) comp at my house.
 
Dragonforce said:
I'm actually working in the pre-press, but I do most of my work in the office on a 8 core 2008 MacPro and not at home. I can take a MBP with me if I need to do some work at home or visit customers for presentations.

I don't own any computer at all, not even a Windows machine (last computer I owned was a Pentium machine with 333 MHz and Win 95... lol), so the one I can buy for $400 would be the main (and only) comp at my house.
Click to expand...

Since you have a MBP for work and a MP at work, I'd get a MP for home since you can take the MBP back and forth, etc, less you wanna use your laptop around the house. Can you get both? Maybe ask a coworker who doesn't want/need one to buy the other one for you? That way you can get both a MBP and a MP. The MP you could easily resell for a crap load more..
 
Mac Pro all the way.

Since this will be your main computer at home, I would suggest that you get the Mac Pro since it will last you longer because it is a lot more upgradable and since it has server grade Xeon processors- it will be much faster than the MBP even though the clock speed is lower. Go with the mac pro, in my opinion its a much better deal and let us know what you decide to do.
 
Nope, can only get one... and there is no chance that I'm cheating :D on my company... what I was wondering right now:

How fast would the MP be outdated ? Will 2 x 2 GHz Xeons last me a couple of years for daily work, watching videos, encoding / recoding videos ?

Are the 2 Xeons @ 2 GHz outperforming the C2D @ 2.4 GHz in AfterEffects, PS ?

What can I upgrade except the graphics card (found the official upgrade kit at the Apple Store), the RAM and the hard drives ? Are the processors end-user upgradable ?

Thanks for any input.
 
Dragonforce said:
Nope, can only get one... and there is no chance that I'm cheating :D on my company... what I was wondering right now:

How fast would the MP be outdated ? Will 2 x 2 GHz Xeons last me a couple of years for daily work, watching videos, encoding / recoding videos ?

Are the 2 Xeons @ 2 GHz outperforming the C2D @ 2.4 GHz in AfterEffects, PS ?

What can I upgrade except the graphics card (found the official upgrade kit at the Apple Store), the RAM and the hard drives ? Are the processors end-user upgradable ?

Thanks for any input.
Click to expand...

heh.

Is it 2 quad cores or 2 dual cores? Even at dual cores, it's still quite a bit faster than the C2D, especially with Snow Leopard. The processors are, but expensive I think..
 
OK then, I guess I'll take the Mac Pro (unless someone else has some other arguments). Should be able to have some fun with it, especially with Snow Leo / Grand Central ;)

Thanks for all of your help, I'll see if I can make some pics when I pick it up.
 
Dragonforce said:
I'm pretty sure that its 2 Intel Xeon dual core running @ 2 GHz, so 4 cores total.
Click to expand...

Correct, the 2GHz Mac Pro only came configured with two dual-core Xeon processors for 4 cores total.

Either way that you go Dragonforce, you are getting a heck of a good deal. Enjoy your new Mac! :)
 
Well OK, made up my mind.
Gonna be the "old" Mac Pro, he will find a new home at my house :eek:
Old boy is a bit dusty, just unplugged and opened it for a glimpse inside... :rolleyes: *cough*

Anyway, thanks for all the replys, helped me decide.
Can get closed / locked.
 

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Dragonforce said:
Well OK, made up my mind.
Gonna be the "old" Mac Pro, he will find a new home at my house :eek:
Old boy is a bit dusty, just unplugged and opened it for a glimpse inside... :rolleyes: *cough*

Anyway, thanks for all the replys, helped me decide.
Can get closed / locked.
Click to expand...

How did you get it so quickly? Where do you live?
 
Is your company hiring? Only for one day? So I can pick up a mac pro for myself :)
 
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