2008 8 core Mac Pro or 2010 quad i5 Imac?

[bjoplin21]

I'm in the market for a more powerful computer for my AVCHD video rendering and music production. I currently have a 2008 Macbook Pro 2.66ghz core 2 duo with 8GB of ram and 240GB SSD. I was looking at older mac desktops and I was wondering do you guys think a 2008 Mac Pro with dual 2.8ghz Xeon (E5462) quad Processors would be better for my needs or a 2010 IMac quad i5 at 2.8ghz? I've found them both for around the same price and I do like the upgradeability on the Mac Pros. Thanks for your help

 

[Macsonic]

In my opinion, I would go for the 2008 2.8ghz Mac Pro since you will be doing video and music work. You might be needing more than one monitor, hard drive or SSD support and video card upgrade which the iMac does not have.

 

[chrismacguy]

I'm in the market for a more powerful computer for my AVCHD video rendering and music production. I currently have a 2008 Macbook Pro 2.66ghz core 2 duo with 8GB of ram and 240GB SSD. I was looking at older mac desktops and I was wondering do you guys think a 2008 Mac Pro with dual 2.8ghz Xeon (E5462) quad Processors would be better for my needs or a 2010 IMac quad i5 at 2.8ghz? I've found them both for around the same price and I do like the upgradeability on the Mac Pros. Thanks for your help

Id go for the 2008 8-Core, since those can even give my Quad 2010 Mac Pro a run for its money (Bottom-end of the current Pros), certainly slightly faster than the iMac, and it lets you upgrade it later, which is very useful for audio/video work.

 

[bearcatrp]

Definitely go for the Mac pro. I edit AVCHD and you want internal drives. I tried it with external drives on a iMac and it sucked. The Mac pro will serve you well.

 

[RasmusJensen]

The 2008 2.8Ghz 8-Core Mac Pro, if you can find one at a fair price... It's perfect for heavy video, music and 3D-work - even after 3 years.

I was at the same Imac vs. 2008 Mac Pro last summer.

I went for a used 2008 Mac Pro with a 30" cinema display - I've never had second thoughts...