Why I'm Buying a 2009 MP today

[UltraNEO*]

Truth be told, I ordered a 2009 MP (2.26 x 2) from Amazon 10 days ago. Once it arrived, I realized I could just hold it for 8 more days and see if there was a 2010 MP at WWDC, something I was willing to give a 20% probability to. If there was, I would ship the 2009 MP back to Amazon and only have to eat the shipping cost. If not, well....

So, I'm going to unbox it today and keep it. There is no 2010 MP. I know many of you would be willing to suggest that a 2009 MP is a bad deal, over priced, etc, but I beg to differ. Here's why:

1. I'm not a Windows fan. I had a never ending cycle of problems with XP, and I don't care to chance Win7. Plus, the software I run the most is known to be far more stable in MacOS than Windows.

2. I don't really want to have to dive back into the world of Windows again after 6 years away. I'm a Mac guy, and I like Mac. I know Mac.

3. If you go to Dell and configure a comparable Precision workstation, 6 GB, 2 x 2.4 GHz Xeons (the 2.4 GHz is the closest Xeon of the same series), etc, you end up with a system from Dell ($2984 after $400 instant savings) that is $100 less expensive than a 2009 MP from Amazon ($3069 + free shipping). Toss in shipping and tax to the Dell order and AppleCare to the 2009 MP and it's a wash. So, the often argued huge price premium for a Mac doesn't exist if you compare a commercially available workstation from a major company. And it is VERY easy to make the Dell Precision cost $8000 with dual hexacores, lots of RAM, etc.

4. I don't want to home build. I'm not a hobbiest. I'm an end user. Yes, I can build an i7 with parts from New Egg for $1500. But why? It ain't a 8 core MP.

5. Hackintosh? Forget it! I want a workstation, not a project. Again, I'm a user. I don't care how easy it is, etc., there is a reason the majority buy a pre-built computer.

6. Most of the Hack possible computers from custom builders are NOT the same as a MP. They are i7's, not Xeons, single processor, not duals. I have a need for dual processors and can use every single core.

So, I'm THRILLED that today I have a brand new computer. It is a wonderful machine. I can't wait to unbox it. Cheers!

Congrats man, you've made the right choice.

 

[tmacmo]

The 2009 MP is unboxed, setup, purring like a kitten. I added an Intel 80 GB SSD for the boot/app drive, a 300 GB WD Velociraptor for recording video (SSD's are not terribly hot for sustained writes, but 10K drives do well), and kept the 640 GB drive for data. Not sure if I need to upgrade to more RAM, but 12 GB is tempting. I had a 30" ACD, so we are in good shape.

I gotta say, this thing feels like a tank. Almost got a hernia unboxing it. It weighs a ton. The interior is a dream. I have NEVER had an easier time installing 2 hard drives. Had to install 2 PCI cards, too, and that was cake.

I gotta say: why would Apple update this computer? There is on need to. We aren't going to see a new Mac Pro until Light Peak and next round of Intel processors. Maybe.

 

[Halamolo]

The 2009 MP is unboxed, setup, purring like a kitten. I added an Intel 80 GB SSD for the boot/app drive, a 300 GB WD Velociraptor for recording video (SSD's are not terribly hot for sustained writes, but 10K drives do well), and kept the 640 GB drive for data. Not sure if I need to upgrade to more RAM, but 12 GB is tempting. I had a 30" ACD, so we are in good shape.

I gotta say, this thing feels like a tank. Almost got a hernia unboxing it. It weighs a ton. The interior is a dream. I have NEVER had an easier time installing 2 hard drives. Had to install 2 PCI cards, too, and that was cake.

I gotta say: why would Apple update this computer? There is on need to. We aren't going to see a new Mac Pro until Light Peak and next round of Intel processors. Maybe.

I´m glad that you´re happy, but don´t kid yourself. The 2009 Mac Pro is way outdated and overpriced.

It´s funny how people always need to justify their purchases.

 

[Vylen]

In a similar way to how we justify not making purchases.

 

[Halamolo]

Bad value is bad value, no matter how you try to justify it.

 

[Vylen]

If you want to keep believing that everyone considers value to always be a monetary measure, then so be it.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Bad value is bad value, no matter how you try to justify it.

I agree, but personally, I think anyone that's needed a Mac Pro to earn bread money should've already purchased it and shouldn't even worry about justifying it.

At this point, with no new Mac Pro update, a user should be purchasing refurbed or used unless they have the cash for a new, grossly overpriced system.

 

[Halamolo]

At this point, with no new Mac Pro update, a user should be purchasing refurbed or used unless they have the cash for a new, grossly overpriced system.

Exactly. If you are rich and have money to throw away in bad deals, it really doesn´t matter at all if it´s bad value or not.

 

[Zigrivers]

Buying refurbs

I agree, but personally, I think anyone that's needed a Mac Pro to earn bread money should've already purchased it and shouldn't even worry about justifying it.

At this point, with no new Mac Pro update, a user should be purchasing refurbed or used unless they have the cash for a new, grossly overpriced system.

I've been lurking for some time hoping for a Mac Pro update, and consistently being disappointed...

I would consider buying a refurb, but they don't give me any options to add the Airport Extreme Wi-Fi card or additional video cards to the system? Is it possible to add these things myself after I receive the system? I know it's probably easy enough to do for the video card, but what about the wi-fi card?

This would be my first MacPro (coming from a Win 7 system).

Thanks!

 

[Icaras]

I've been lurking for some time hoping for a Mac Pro update, and consistently being disappointed...

I would consider buying a refurb, but they don't give me any options to add the Airport Extreme Wi-Fi card or additional video cards to the system? Is it possible to add these things myself after I receive the system? I know it's probably easy enough to do for the video card, but what about the wi-fi card?

This would be my first MacPro (coming from a Win 7 system).

Thanks!

This is why I have not gotten a refurb. You could have Apple add this, but as I recall, it might only be in store, which is a PITA.

Of course, you could always buy your airport card elsewhere, such as ebay and install it yourself, but I've heard it can be tricky. Anyways, I personally would like to avoid doing it myself, and just have it CTO added and ready to go, while being fully covered by Apple warranty, but that's me.

 

[nanofrog]

This is why I have not gotten a refurb. You could have Apple add this, but as I recall, it might only be in store, which is a PITA.

Of course, you could always buy your airport card elsewhere, such as ebay and install it yourself, but I've heard it can be tricky. Anyways, I personally would like to avoid doing it myself, and just have it CTO added and ready to go, while being fully covered by Apple warranty, but that's me.

It is possible to add in such items yourself, but some, such as yourself, may not wish to do that.

It might be possible to buy the refurbished unit, and have them added at the Apple store, but I'm not sure what Apple's official policy is on such things (though I do recall users getting a genius to install things here and there from MR posts).

The only sure-fire way to get it though (particularly out of the box), is go with a CTO system, which you have to pay full price for.

 

[VirtualRain]

Adding the Wifi or BT modules in the 2009 is a trivial exercise. It's astonishing that people interested in buying a Mac Pro (presumably for the expansion capabilities) are intimidated by the prospect of going inside. You won't find an easier case and internals to work with.

 

[xBerserker]

I'm starting to save up for a Mac Pro. I currently have a PPC Power Mac G5.

About 3 months out until I have enough saved up. I'm looking at the 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon Quad Core. Unless there is a refresh by then ...

 

[Icaras]

It is possible to add in such items yourself, but some, such as yourself, may not wish to do that.

It might be possible to buy the refurbished unit, and have them added at the Apple store, but I'm not sure what Apple's official policy is on such things (though I do recall users getting a genius to install things here and there from MR posts).

The only sure-fire way to get it though (particularly out of the box), is go with a CTO system, which you have to pay full price for.

Yea, it's a real shame that Apple doesn't allow a more easier way to do this while retaining warranty on the card. I mean they won't even allow you to purchase the card online AND i don't think instructions are provided in the manual, so that tells me they only want to install it themselves, or else your on your own.

Things work out for me though because I'd like to CTO more options than just the wifi card, so it'll just be something to toss in once I have the chance to buy the new Mac Pro.

Adding the Wifi or BT modules in the 2009 is a trivial exercise. It's astonishing that people interested in buying a Mac Pro (presumably for the expansion capabilities) are intimidated by the prospect of going inside. You won't find an easier case and internals to work with.

Oh, I'm quite seasoned and comfortable with expanding a machine with PCIe cards, hard drives, and memory, but network cards and wireless options for the Mac Pro aren't as straightforward. And I don't think they are supported by Apple under warranty if you do it yourself. And theres no way in hell am I lugging a Mac Pro to the store to have them install it. I remember doing that with my PMG5 that had a faulty logic board, 3 blocks away from where I parked, and I'd like to avoid a repeat if possible.