Refurb Mac pro?

[dbwrobel]

I'm looking at getting a Mac pro and have been sorta on the fence about it (currently own a 2011 15" MacBook pro I maxed out but probably going to try to sell because the fan noise and heat it's generating is worrying me it won't last the 4-5 years I plan to keep it for)....anyway I'll be starting my phd soon and I was looking at the refurb store and the one for 2199 in the Canadian store caught my eye:

2.8ghz quad xeon
Radeon 5770
3gb ram (would likely upgrade)
1tb hd
SuperDrive

I'm hoping this machine will last me for many years and I will be using it to run simulations and do scientific stuff (aerospace and computational fluid dynamics as well as video editing on the side part time)...would anyone recommend it? I would likely also eventually get a MacBook air for on the go stuff (or an iPad). I also took a look at the iMacs but I already have two screens, nice speakers, etc

Also, as far as upgrades go I'm kinda hoping for some expandability...is it possible to upgrade the CPU in these machines?

Thanks!

 

[Hellhammer]

Your current MBP might actually be faster, especially in CPU intensive tasks. Unless you need the upgradeability of Mac Pro, my advice would be to take a look at the iMac. The new 27" offers two display outputs so you could keep using your current displays alongside the 27" monitor. Separate speakers are almost a must anyway. iMacs are currently much faster than the Mac Pro in CPU intensive tasks like the ones you will be doing so getting a Mac Pro doesn't make that much sense now, unless upgradeability is a must.

 

[dbwrobel]

Is there any issue with heat though from them? I used to have the 2008 model as well as an i5 in 2010 and they were so hot to touch even at idle; running anything intensive I would burn my hand lol

My big sorta concern is I want it to last...reading about people spending a lot and then having their machine die after their warranty expires makes me nervous :S This machine will be used on a daily basis very very often running high intensity tasks.

 

[dbwrobel]

Sorry, forgot to add the last option would be to build a very high power custom pc...

 

[Hellhammer]

Is there any issue with heat though from them? I used to have the 2008 model as well as an i5 in 2010 and they were so hot to touch even at idle; running anything intensive I would burn my hand lol

Aluminum is a great conductor so its purpose is to get hot as then the heat is transferred from inside to outside. iMac isn't a laptop so I can't see the heat being an issue as it won't burn your lap anyway.

My big sorta concern is I want it to last...reading about people spending a lot and then having their machine die after their warranty expires makes me nervous :S This machine will be used on a daily basis very very often running high intensity tasks.

Same stories can be read about any machine. Get AppleCare so it will last at least 3 years. After that, you should consider a new computer anyway if you run intensive tasks, maybe even after 2 years already.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Your current MBP might actually be faster, especially in CPU intensive tasks. Unless you need the upgradeability of Mac Pro, my advice would be to take a look at the iMac. The new 27" offers two display outputs so you could keep using your current displays alongside the 27" monitor. Separate speakers are almost a must anyway. iMacs are currently much faster than the Mac Pro in CPU intensive tasks like the ones you will be doing so getting a Mac Pro doesn't make that much sense now, unless upgradeability is a must.

Solid advice from HH, as always