$3000 Budget: Refurb 8-core 2.4GHz Mac Pro or new iMac?

[HXGuy]

My budget is $3000 for a new work computer that I plan to keep for the next 4-5 years. I was set on ordering a refurb 8-core 2.4GHz w/ 6GB RAM (and adding another 6-10GB) and the 1GB HD5770 video card.

Then today, Apple releases the new iMac and for $2900 you can get a 3.4GHz Core i7 processor with 16GB RAM and 2GB HD6970M video card.

The main drawback to the iMac before was the lack of additional storage...external drives were too slow and of course you couldn't add internal like on a Mac Pro. Now they come with the Thunderbolt port so that solves that.

The work we do is in graphic design and web design which don't require that much power but I like to buy something that will last a few years.

Already have a 30" Apple display so I could either sell that (would really offset the cost) or use dual monitors but that's not really needed.

So..what do you guys think? What's the better buy?

 

[Thepackett]

I would personally go for the Mac Pro.
Why?
To start with it is more customizable in the end. It can take more ram and because it has more processors it can handle more overall.
However i also like iMacs for their simplicity and multiple uses.
it really depends what you need, if you want a home computer for nothing more than browsing the internet, or playing games then i would go with the iMac. However if you use processor or ram intensive programs then i would go with the mac pro. also consider with the mac pro you would have to but a monitor, as well as a webcam and microphone (if you would use the last two).

Hope this helps.

Edit: forget what i said about buying a monitor ^^'

 

[iSayuSay]

You have cinema display already. No reason for you to choose iMac. I'd suggest u go with the MacPro.

For me i chose iMac for its unique concept. I don't have display yet. So MacPro would cost me $3500-$4000 to begin. And MacPro is not different from desktop PC, only it's Mac. But the form factor and have to deal with CPU chassis just keep me off, it's not that special anymore compared to PC

 

[johnfkitchen]

My vote would be for the new iMac, maxed out except for RAM, buy it with 4GBs and add 8GBs of 3rd party RAM (less than $100) for a total of 12GB.

How much is the Mac Pro RAM? (Rhetorical question)

Sell the Apple display (how much would you get for that?), and seriously consider adding the SSD option to make the system really zippy. With the system, apps and maybe currently active files on SSD, this system should fly.

I'm a believer in Thunderbolt, anticipating that when I need it, I'll be able to add huge quantities of really fast external storage.

Either way, I'd buy Applecare, and that's probably cheaper on the iMac than the Pro.

Longer term, you may take the 12GBs of RAM up to 16, or replace the 2*2GB modules with 2*8GB modules when they become affordable. The ultimate limit on the iMac is 32 GB.

For graphic design and web design, I reckon there would be many years life in the top end iMac.

 

[flipster]

Nothing utilizes 8 cores. Almost nothing, anyway.

If your going for a Mac Pro, get a 6 core version. Much better value.

4-5 years? Get a Mac Pro.

I plan to keep my iMac for 4 years though