Would I notice the performance drop from 2.66 GHz to 2.0 GHz?

[Fuzzy Orange]

To LethalWolfe- No, I wouldn't try to make money off of my video projects. I would do it for a bit of fun. Photography, however, is where I think I might want to try and make money off of. After my Mac Pro, my next big purchase will be a Canon EOS 20D for taking some high quality photos. After that, it's Photoshop CS2!

 

[ravenvii]

Does the Mac Pro or the Dell display come with a DVI cable? I don't have one.

The Dell display, as well as most, if not all, displays come with the required cables. So don't worry about the DVI cable.

 

[JoshRtek]

I originally was going to go for 2.0 GHz machine, but then realized, as mentioned many time above, that I can't upgrade the processor (easily, if at all) but I can upgrade the memory and video card when the money's right.

Plus, you have to look at it from a value standpoint. For 15% more money, you get 33% more power. That's a winning value equation.

 

[Fuzzy Orange]

Thanks guys. I'm getting:
2.66 GHz Xeon
1 GB of RAM
1x Superdrive
160 GB HD
AirPort Extreme
nVidia GeForce 7300 GT

Does this look good?

 

[jsw]

Thanks guys. I'm getting:
2.66 GHz Xeon
1 GB of RAM
1x Superdrive
160 GB HD
AirPort Extreme
nVidia GeForce 7300 GT

Does this look good?

I think you'll be very happy with it. It's all upgradable, but none of it needs to be upgraded immediately. You might find 1GB constraining, but not too terribly bad at first. Good use of your $$$, in my opinion. One thing, though: do you need the AirPort? Wouldn't dropping it get you the system much, much sooner?

 

[spencecb]

I think you'll be very happy with it. It's all upgradable, but none of it needs to be upgraded immediately. You might find 1GB constraining, but not too terribly bad at first. Good use of your $$$, in my opinion. One thing, though: do you need the AirPort? Wouldn't dropping it get you the system much, much sooner?

I agree with the comment about the Airport. For a Mac Pro, it is going to stay pretty much stationary in your home. For every other Mac, I think it makes sense to get Airport...actually, you don't even have a choice, as it comes standard in every Mac but the Mac Pro (I do believe). Some people are complaining about this, but it actually makes sense because I'd say about 90% of Mac Pro users are going to have their computer connected over ethernet. It should, however, come with Bluetooth standard.

 

[Fuzzy Orange]

Unfortuantly, I DO need AirPort. I have a wireless network at my house, and my family's router is downstairs. My Mac Pro is going to be upstairs, in my room. It's going to be a long 2-4 weeks.

 

[Eidorian]

Well, I sucked it up and I'm going to get a 20" iMac Core Duo instead.

1. No LCD for a Mac Pro
2. I NEED Wireless
3. I NEED the computer by the end of the week.
4. I can sell it to my boss next year. (So new iMac/Mac Pro for me next year anyways.)
5. I can spend the $1,000 difference on other things.
6. I move a few times a year.
7. Space is at a premium.

Otherwise my advice is to get the 2.66 GHz model since it's your best deal.

 

[jsw]

Unfortuantly, I DO need AirPort. I have a wireless network at my house, and my family's router is downstairs. My Mac Pro is going to be upstairs, in my room. It's going to be a long 2-4 weeks.

You can configure an AirPort Express (and I'm sure other routers) so that you can plug the ethernet cable into it, then connect wirelessly (i.e., use it as a sort of external AirPort card). Not as elegant, but available today as opposed to a month from now, at little incremental cost.

 

[Palad1]

Why don't you get an airport express?

That way you'll even be able to share your printer without configuring your Mac.

 

[Eidorian]

You can configure an AirPort Express (and I'm sure other routers) so that you can plug the ethernet cable into it, then connect wirelessly (i.e., use it as a sort of external AirPort card). Not as elegant, but available today as opposed to a month from now, at little incremental cost.

I'd be interested in the instructions for doing this on the Airport Express.

 

[jsw]

I'd be interested in the instructions for doing this on the Airport Express.

I'll see if I can find some I wrote earlier. I had an iMac hooked up this way and so I know it's possible, and I also know it wasn't immediately intuitive.

Edit: does this help? I know I posted more instructions earlier (like the year before), but don't have time to search now.

Edit 2: a previous post.

 

[Eidorian]

I'll see if I can find some I wrote earlier. I had an iMac hooked up this way and so I know it's possible, and I also know it wasn't immediately intuitive.

Edit: does this help? I know I posted more instructions earlier (like the year before), but don't have time to search now.

I a little helpful. It's not like it's life or death right now. Take your time.

 

[jsw]

I a little helpful. It's not like it's life or death right now. Take your time.

Those are, I think, my only two instructional posts on the subject.

 

[Fuzzy Orange]

I'm starting to think about getting an AirPort Express. It does sound nice, except for the fact I would have to probably get a refurb display. I'm really starting to pinch pennies here; I have gone beyond the budget I set for myself right now. After reading the reviews of the AirPort Express, however, I am not so sure it is worth $120. Our wireless network isn't driven by an AirPort Extreme. Would it still work? Our router is a Linksys and our modem is a Motorola Surfboard.

 

[Palad1]

or...

buy PLC adapter an hook one end on your router if you want more bandwidth.

Airport express is great, wireless is really nice, but more often than not, I've had terrible slowdowns when some machines are located on different floors.

Cheers,
Palad1

 

[Fuzzy Orange]

Our router is practically right under my room, and I've had no connection problems whatsoever with any of my wireless items. The only thing is that I don't know if the AirPort Express would work with a non-AirPort router and modem. Also, if anyone has or used a 20'' ACD, would the 400:1 contrast ratio be adequate for viewing photos?

 

[weldon]

I have heard that there are problems using the Airport Express in extender mode with other brands of routers. I think it's because the protocol is implemented differently by different vendors and this creates interoperability problems.

You'd be best to do a google search on the issue and check in the forums here to see if anyone has successfully used the Airport Express with your specific model of wireless router / access point.

 

[jamesi]

well if the chips are not sodered into the motherboard then there prolly could be the possibility to upgrade the processors. the processors on the mac mini has a chip that isnt sodered and you can upgrade it with something off of newegg. tho....id much rather what for some difinitive evidence on this before spending less and being disapointed

 

[dpaanlka]

I think with the word "ghz" floating around, several hundreths and tenths doesn't seem like a lot.

Everybody seems to forget, that 666mhz is a pretty huge difference.

 

[Fuzzy Orange]

Hey guys. Just ordered it last night. Here were my specs:

2 GHz Xeon
1 GB RAM
AirPort Extreme
nVidia 7300 GT
1x SuperDrive
160 GB HDD

Yeah, I know I downgraded to the 2 GHz model. I just felt that overall, the price was too pricey. I think the 2 GHz proc will do fine for my needs. If I REALLY need to, I'll upgrade to 3 GHz in the future. My parents are paying for a bit of the system, and fell into sticker shock after seeing the price of the 2.66 GHz system. Originally, I had to BEG them to let me get a Mac Pro in the first place. Anyways, I'm just happy knowing that my Mac Pro is being built and on the way. My free iPod and Cinema display will be coming the 18th, but my Mac Pro is coming Sept. 14. But I needed AirPort, so I didn't really have a choice. The hardest part is going to be seeing my beautiful ACD sitting in front of me and not having my Mac Pro to go with it.

 

[brikeh]

Will people stop with the Rev A myth...it's so old and ridiculous. That's idiotic reasoning. "Buy a slower laptop because it's revision B whereas the true professional grade workstation, which smokes the laptop in every sense of the word, is revision A." Want a workstation? Buy a workstation! You run no more a risk buying a Rev A product than a Rev B (regardless of screen defects, battery issues, etc. these are potentially inherent of all revision products)

I wouldnt call it a myth.

 

[Fuzzy Orange]

This thread is pretty much dead, but I have one more question. Do you think, when Photoshop CS3 comes out, it will run very well on a 2 GHz system? I would be able to use the saved money later on more RAM.

 

[kevin.rivers]

I originally was going to go for 2.0 GHz machine, but then realized, as mentioned many time above, that I can't upgrade the processor (easily, if at all) but I can upgrade the memory and video card when the money's right.

Plus, you have to look at it from a value standpoint. For 15% more money, you get 33% more power. That's a winning value equation.

Um the CPU is socketed. So why wouldn't it be easy to upgrade?

 

[kevin.rivers]

This thread is pretty much dead, but I have one more question. Do you think, when Photoshop CS3 comes out, it will run very well on a 2 GHz system? I would be able to use the saved money later on more RAM.

CS3 will run great on your Mac Pro. I am in the same boat as you right now. I am trying to decide between the 2.0 and the 2.66. I realize that the 2.66 is a good deal, i will probably end up going with the 2.66 but who knows.

Anyhow, more Ram and Quad 2Ghz will make CS3 fly as it will be a UB. It wont be as fast as the stock Mac Pro, but it will be fast none the less.

Congrats to you on the Mac Pro. Where did you get the ACD from?