Hey everyone. I have the chance to buy a 2006 Mac Pro (http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_pro/specs/mac-pro-quad-2.0-specs.html) for $125 USD. I was wondering what the performance would be compared to my current Mac (2010 Mac Mini 2.66 C2D 8 gig ram). Also how cost effective would it be to upgrade it or since it is too old would the cost outweigh the benefits. Thank you in advance.
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Question about buying an older Mac pro
- Thread starter Benjinator
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The 2006 model is firmly on Apple's Vintage and Obsolete List https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624 It has been dropped from the supported hardware list for the OS a couple of versions ago. ( That 2010 Mac mini model is on the list too. ).
It is priced around $100 because it is desupported and old-as-dirt. It is priced in the "spare parts" / "boneyard" range to keep someone's who is stuck on 2006 era hardware still up and running.
If want a faster than obsolete Mini, then get a used Mini that isn't on the obsolete list. That is better than a used Mac Pro that goes so far back in time that is sinks underneath the used (but reasonably current) Mac Mini prices.
It is priced around $100 because it is desupported and old-as-dirt. It is priced in the "spare parts" / "boneyard" range to keep someone's who is stuck on 2006 era hardware still up and running.
If want a faster than obsolete Mini, then get a used Mini that isn't on the obsolete list. That is better than a used Mac Pro that goes so far back in time that is sinks underneath the used (but reasonably current) Mac Mini prices.
As always the answer is: It depends. What do you intend to use it for? Will it be a work system which will generate income? Or will it be a hobby system? Is the $125 the extent of your budget? Is expansion something you want?
The 2006 is a capable system but it all depends on the intended task. As already mentioned is has been on Apple's obsolete list for quite a while (highest officially supported OS is Lion). It is a 10 year old system so keep that in mind. I personally see nothing wrong with picking one up as a hobby system for $125. However if performance is something you require / want then I would look elsewhere if your budget permits.
The 2006 is a capable system but it all depends on the intended task. As already mentioned is has been on Apple's obsolete list for quite a while (highest officially supported OS is Lion). It is a 10 year old system so keep that in mind. I personally see nothing wrong with picking one up as a hobby system for $125. However if performance is something you require / want then I would look elsewhere if your budget permits.