I was thinking about the possibility of a Mac Pro in 2025, of the older generations. Pre-2013. Would such a thing still be usable and possible in 2025? Is there anyone who makes use of such a computer these days?
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MP 1,1-5,1 Buying a Mac Pro in 2025
- Thread starter JanetTheGreat
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Unless you want a hobby, or a tamagotchi to maintain, there have to be some pretty specific criteria for why you'd want to get into a pre-2013 Mac Pro now. Do you need more RAM than a 2018 Mini (with an eGPU to match the Mac Pro's display options) can host, for example?
Mainly just curious. I don't think Ram is a huge issue, gotta be at least 16 though.
If you go for a dual processor machine, look for (spend a bit more on) a factory 5,1, not a 4,1 upgrded to a 5,1. 96GB of ram is pocket change machine that age and will buy a LOT of performance for the right tasks.
Usable for what purpose is the important question. Many make use. Search YouTube and you will find lots of showcase and tinker videos.
I did have a 4,1 upgraded to a 5,1, but it died eventually, and I had an opportunity at the time for a 7,1.
I was speccing out a factory 5,1 at the time the 7,1 became an option.
Many of us still own and use a 4,1 or 5,1 Mac Pro. It's highly upgradeable, unlike the 2013, and already paid for, unlike a 7,1. Software and OS compatibility are slowly becoming issues for apps that are compiled with AVX instructions. Any software rated to run on Monterey or earlier will work fine.
I own older software (especially games) that require earlier OSes to run on. 32-bit apps require Mojave or earlier, which the 7,1 will not boot into. PPC apps require Snow Leopard or earlier. A 4,1 or 5,1 with original CPUs will boot back to Leopard. Using OCLP will boot through Sequoia, and I expect, Tahoe.
If you don't have older software and are happy with Catalina or later, then it's harder to give a reason for buying into a 4,1 or 5,1 today. Later machines (especially a 7,1) are faster, and non-MP Macs are cheaper. The Apple Silicon Macs are faster still, though I don't like the unupgradeable graphics (or CPUs). Integrated graphics tend to age poorly, no matter how fast they seem today.
I own older software (especially games) that require earlier OSes to run on. 32-bit apps require Mojave or earlier, which the 7,1 will not boot into. PPC apps require Snow Leopard or earlier. A 4,1 or 5,1 with original CPUs will boot back to Leopard. Using OCLP will boot through Sequoia, and I expect, Tahoe.
If you don't have older software and are happy with Catalina or later, then it's harder to give a reason for buying into a 4,1 or 5,1 today. Later machines (especially a 7,1) are faster, and non-MP Macs are cheaper. The Apple Silicon Macs are faster still, though I don't like the unupgradeable graphics (or CPUs). Integrated graphics tend to age poorly, no matter how fast they seem today.
What made you curious about 2009-2012 era Mac Pros?
They are still usable if you have one, but if you are if you looking to acquire a new Intel Mac setup with an upgradable GPU and do not have any legacy 32-bit apps that need support then I personally think a 2018 Mini with an eGPU is a better budget alternative to a 7,1.
They are still usable if you have one, but if you are if you looking to acquire a new Intel Mac setup with an upgradable GPU and do not have any legacy 32-bit apps that need support then I personally think a 2018 Mini with an eGPU is a better budget alternative to a 7,1.
We had a slew of Mac Pro pre 2012 running specialized apps (Pro Tools, Avid MC, etc...).
Once we had the 2013s we decommissioned them all around 2019.
Now I am still using a D700 2013 at home but will need to say goodbye to that soon.
My other work horses are 2019 Mac Pro (older Pro Tools/Avid MC) and now the M2 Mac Pro which is a decent unit for what I do daily.
But I also use an M3 MBP and M2 Studio (new Pro Tools) and those are great for the price we paid.
I suggest to move on if you are tied to newer apps.
Every time Adobe and Avid updates, I lose ground with the older 2013s.
Once we had the 2013s we decommissioned them all around 2019.
Now I am still using a D700 2013 at home but will need to say goodbye to that soon.
My other work horses are 2019 Mac Pro (older Pro Tools/Avid MC) and now the M2 Mac Pro which is a decent unit for what I do daily.
But I also use an M3 MBP and M2 Studio (new Pro Tools) and those are great for the price we paid.
I suggest to move on if you are tied to newer apps.
Every time Adobe and Avid updates, I lose ground with the older 2013s.