Base Mac Pro vs Mac mini for basic stuff

[George Dawes]

Would a base mac pro be ok instead of a mac mini for basic stuff ? I'm sick of waiting for the mini to be updated and would like to think that if I buy something it will at least be up to the minute spec wise.??

Is it worth upgrading the ram and ssd or is 12 gigs and 256 on the quad enough ?

I'm only using it for basic photo viewing / editing , office stuff and emails

No 3d modelling / 4k video editing etc

 

[mad3inch1na]

Get an iMac if you are jumping in between those options.

If you have your own monitor setup and everything and don't want an iMac, a mac pro will be fine, but it will really not be worth the money for your needs. That is my opinion, and if you just have money lying around, go ahead and get it.

 

[tuxon86]

Would a base mac pro be ok instead of a mac mini for basic stuff ? I'm sick of waiting for the mini to be updated and would like to think that if I buy something it will at least be up to the minute spec wise.??

Is it worth upgrading the ram and ssd or is 12 gigs and 256 on the quad enough ?

I'm only using it for basic photo viewing / editing , office stuff and emails

No 3d modelling / 4k video editing etc

You need an iMac not a nMP. Or you could go with a rmbp for the added bonus of portability.

 

[fredr500]

Used/refurb Mac Pro 5,1?

Have you considered a used or refurb Mac Pro 5,1?

I picked up one like new from CraigsList for less than an equivalent new mini. Everything is faster, I'm driving 4 displays with a used $30 graphics card, a $35 USB3 card and a PCI SATA III with an SSD make it scream.

 

[fuchsdh]

Get an iMac if you are jumping in between those options.

If you have your own monitor setup and everything and don't want an iMac, a mac pro will be fine, but it will really not be worth the money for your needs. That is my opinion, and if you just have money lying around, go ahead and get it.

You need an iMac not a nMP. Or you could go with a rmbp for the added bonus of portability.

Have you considered a used or refurb Mac Pro 5,1?

I picked up one like new from CraigsList for less than an equivalent new mini. Everything is faster, I'm driving 4 displays with a used $30 graphics card, a $35 USB3 card and a PCI SATA III with an SSD make it scream.

All of these are good options. Problem is the mac mini hasn't been updated in quite some time so aside from maybe getting a refurb version and performing some upgrades I don't think you'll get your money's worth. The Mac Pro will certainly serve you well but if you're doing basic stuff you're blowing money on power you won't use.

A RMBP 13" would be more powerful than the mini and portable, and you could drive another display.

An iMac obviously comes with a display but you could connect another or just use it as is.

A used Mac Pro is going to be highly upgradeable, and probably will be good for most things you want to use it for stock, but it's a 50lbs box of huge.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

The maxed out iMac has higher benchmark scores than the low entry Mac Pro.

 

[paulrbeers]

Would a base mac pro be ok instead of a mac mini for basic stuff ? I'm sick of waiting for the mini to be updated and would like to think that if I buy something it will at least be up to the minute spec wise.??

Is it worth upgrading the ram and ssd or is 12 gigs and 256 on the quad enough ?

I'm only using it for basic photo viewing / editing , office stuff and emails

No 3d modelling / 4k video editing etc

Seriously, don't waste your money! Any Mac will do the things you want to do for a lot less.

 

[Che Castro]

Get a refurb Mac mini base model 2012

 

[fuchsdh]

The maxed out iMac has higher benchmark scores than the low entry Mac Pro.

Maxing it comes to $2,749 in NA (16GB RAM, i7 processor, 256GB SSD, GTX 780M.) That's only $200 cheaper than the entry Mac Pro. It's still far more money and power than the OP suggests he needs.

 

[fa8362]

The base mac mini is more than enough for what you do.

 

[taelan28]

Get an iMac if you are jumping in between those options.

If you have your own monitor setup and everything and don't want an iMac, a mac pro will be fine, but it will really not be worth the money for your needs. That is my opinion, and if you just have money lying around, go ahead and get it.

I can agree with what he says and I can understand where the OP is coming from, you want something but they're not giving it to you. Like Mad3inch said, if you got the cash laying around then why not?

 

[Silly John Fatty]

Maxing it comes to $2,749 in NA (16GB RAM, i7 processor, 256GB SSD, GTX 780M.) That's only $200 cheaper than the entry Mac Pro. It's still far more money and power than the OP suggests he needs.

Yes, so it's cheaper and more powerful. Also, the Mac Pro doesn't come with anything. You have to spend another 1000 on a screen (of course you get cheaper ones but I'm just comparing it to the iMac which has more or less the same screen like the Thunderbolt Display), and then also on a mouse, and a keyboard…

So if you wish to have a Mac Pro with higher benchmark scores you'd have to go with the 6-core, and then also spend money on the rest like I said. It seems like the quad core has always been a lousy deal in the history of Mac Pros…