Used Mac Pro or refurb iMac?

[dogen]

Decisions, decisions. Would you pick up a used Mac Pro 2.66 quad core, standard configuration, for $1,500 with a year of AppleCare left or a refurb 2.4GHz 24-inch iMac, which would run about $1,400 with tax and shipping? I see 22-inch monitors between $200 specials (Asus at NewEgg currently) and $500. The iMac monitor's probably better, and it has a built in webcam and a remote and the groovy low-profile keyboard, while the Mac Pro's nastier and more expandable. So, opinions, opinions, please.

 

[The Hammer]

You can upgrade the Mac Pro components as you save the money to do so. Whereas the IMac is a dead end.

 

[scienide09]

When comparing, the AppleCare is moot because you automaticall get a free year of the same when buying a refurb (assuming the refurb comes from Apple).

Do you need the Mac Pro? That's a lot of power for checking email and surfing the web. And while I agree that the expandability of the MP makes it tempting, only you can decide if there will in fact be a need to expand in the future.

Personally, I'd choose the iMac because it would meet all of my needs, while the MP would be overkill.

 

[bobbleheadbob]

I think it depends on what you're going to be doing with the machine. If you run or plan to run a lot of pro apps, edit video, etc. and need the processing power then I think the Mac Pro with its expandability is the way to go. If you're working more in the iLife and iWork suites, e-mail, and websurfing then the iMac makes more sense.

Whatever you do, Dude, just don't get a Dell.

 

[belunos]

$1500 is a HELL of a deal for a 2.66 quad, especially with any kind of warranty left on it. I assume it's craigs or something, I haven't seen that kind of deal anywhere on the web. The next closest is $1888 at powermax. With that kind of expandability I would only consider an iMac if it were the highest available. Even if all you're going to do is surf the web I'd still get the quad at that price

 

[194567]

The mac pro is more upgradeable and performance dollar wise more powerful.
For that money the mac pro is bargain that will certainly last at least 4 years.
Get the Mac Pro, try it and if you don't like it you can probably sell it for more money.

 

[dogen]

It is a good deal for the Mac Pro, isn't it? (Yes, craigslist.) That's what's tempting. It doesn't come with a keyboard or mouse—no big deal, since I've got extras of both. Since I may experiment with Logic and Final Cut and reencode a movie here and there, the power of the Mac Pro would come in handy there.

The trouble is the monitor. From what I've read, the 24-inch iMac comes with an S-IPS panel that's very good, and since it's actually part of the machine, I imagine color calibration won't be an issue, as it might be for a Mac Pro with a monitor from another manufacturer. I need a 22- to 24-inch monitor that's good for text, movies, and photos. (I'm not a gamer.) Would I need to spend another $500 for the display and the color calibration? Any suggestions there?

 

[194567]

There is a basic color calibration tool in mac OSX, I did it on my macbook and it definitely makes a huge improvement over the stock configurations so you basically don't have to spend money on that. It is completely up to you if you want a S-IPS panel. You really need to consider it on your usage, since you are in video editing I recommend one, there are some very good TN panels out there too but that is completely up to you.

 

[QuantumLo0p]

For me the choice would come down to power vs. aesthetics. I currently do a lot of audio and video processing. My photo processing isn't that big right now. CAD/CAM/CAE can take a LOT of horsepower to run. Sometimes I have to wait 15-30 minutes for some programs to crunch on my WinXeon computer at work. (reminds me of waaaay back when some CAD/CAM projects would run all night. Whew!)

If you plan to do a lot of processor intensive work I'd opt for the macpro. If not then I's go for the imac because it takes up less desk space and, arguably, has a cleaner look in an office and has other things like a web cam.

If Apple could make an imac with lots of cores, that would not start on fire, I would buy it in a heart beat!

Since you do not have a clear cut purpose for this machine I think you may well be satisfied with either choice. Hmmm?

 

[zer0tails]

go for the mac pro, it'll last you for years. The imacs are sweet looking but once the display goes like it did with my older imac, you're stuck with a computer and busted screen. Integrated monitor and computer sounds nice but when one goes...the other is useless.