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ssj92

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 30, 2022
121
45
East Bay, CA
So I may potentially have found someone in NY selling a 7,1 Mac Pro I am interested in. I am in CA and doing a rough estimation UPS ground is $425 for a 81 lb mac pro package (based this on dimensions and weight people said online).

The box alone is around $175 shipped for an empty box (seller doesn't have a box).

However, my sister in law lives in NY and I can do a roundtrip ticket for less than the shipping cost. My question is, has anyone brought a mac pro through the US as checked in luggage and what did they use to package it?
 

MarkC426

macrumors 68040
May 14, 2008
3,697
2,097
UK
Is it a 'fantastic' deal..?
Have you looked on Apple refurb store, with free delivery.

I would want a proper flight case, for something so valuable.
Baggage handlers are not known for being careful......🙄

See this old thread also

 
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MisterAndrew

macrumors 68030
Sep 15, 2015
2,895
2,390
Portland, Ore.
You would have to package it even more robust than for FedEx and UPS. Normal luggage gets destroyed by the handlers and machinery.

Make sure it’s wrapped with heavy foam (like the kind they sell as camping beds), not just bubble wrap. There might be a large rigid suitcase it’ll fit in. I’d wrap it with the foam and stuff it in the suitcase, making sure it’s totally secure with no empty pockets around it.
 

MisterAndrew

macrumors 68030
Sep 15, 2015
2,895
2,390
Portland, Ore.
Also check shipping with discount services like Pirate Ship and Parcel Monkey before you commit to traveling.

There might be someone on the forum here who has an AppleCare shipping box for the 7,1 they can send you.
 

Kimmo

macrumors 6502
Jul 30, 2011
266
318
If the Apple Silicon Mac Pro doesn't knock my socks off I'm might find myself in your situation.

While I've never shipped a Pro as luggage, I've had enough experience with checked bags to say that I wouldn't be too keen to ship one that way.

The box designed for the 7,1, plus an exterior box (the original Apple packaging has some extra foam between the two boxes) is probably the way to go. Personally, I'd have it shipped by FedEx as I've too many bad experiences with UPS over the past few years.

Good luck!
 

ssj92

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 30, 2022
121
45
East Bay, CA
Maybe it's better to get it shipped. Seller agreed on $3,000 cash for a 12-core, 96GB RAM, 2TB Apple SSD, RX 580 Mac Pro. Also includes the Pegasus J2i internal HD enclosure and two USB3 PCIe cards. I think it's a good deal but not sure if it truly is with mac studio and new mac pro being announced hopefully soon. It seems the specs are all original and has applecare until Dec 17 2022.

Has anyone shipped one of these? I can buy a empty mac pro box from eBay but it doesn't include the "brown box" so not sure how safe it would, especially with a box just saying mac pro on the outside.

Or does anyone on the forum have a box for this they don't need?

Also check shipping with discount services like Pirate Ship and Parcel Monkey before you commit to traveling.

There might be someone on the forum here who has an AppleCare shipping box for the 7,1 they can send you.
Thank you, didn't think about something like this. Will check to see if it helps a lot.

EDIT: Okay Pirate Ship is $242 with $3,000 insurance and signature for a 32x24x34 box & 82 lbs (actual weight and dimensions are smaller but if I were to add a brown box on top it adds up). This is much better. Probably would be looking at $3,500 shipped total which is a lot more but still better price than what I've seen.
 
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m1maverick

macrumors 65816
Nov 22, 2020
1,368
1,267
What's the possibility of buying a 9ne way ticket and renting a car to bring it back?
 

cr2

macrumors 6502
Feb 19, 2011
344
113
I would be nervous with the way they throw things around on a flight.
 

rondocap

macrumors 6502a
Jun 18, 2011
542
341
I sold a Mac Pro 7.1 from NY to CA and used Fedex, I think it was close to the $200-$300 range somewhere if I recall and I had insurance coverage on it too.

Got there fine, I just used the original Mac Pro Box that it came with - it's very sturdy!
 
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Macschrauber

macrumors 68030
Dec 27, 2015
2,980
1,487
Germany
I have seen him ;-)

joepillow.jpg
 
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saudor

macrumors 68000
Jul 18, 2011
1,512
2,115
3.5K for a machine that might not be that much faster than your 10 core imac pro and could lose support in a couple years seem meh to me to be honest.

Also, are you sure the seller is trustworthy? What happens if they send you a base model or something or a rock. You'll be out at least the shipping costs.
 
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ssj92

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 30, 2022
121
45
East Bay, CA
I sold a Mac Pro 7.1 from NY to CA and used Fedex, I think it was close to the $200-$300 range somewhere if I recall and I had insurance coverage on it too.

Got there fine, I just used the original Mac Pro Box that it came with - it's very sturdy!
Just the white mac pro box or also a second brown box on the outside?

You're letting your lust overpower your reason. Wait until the new Mac Pro comes out. Prices for the 2019 may well fall off a cliff then and you can pick one up cheap(er).
Good point, the October event isn't too far away. Or if the new Mac Pro isn't upgradable at all the 2019 prices will stay where they are lol.

I am just gonna wait at this point. nVidia announcing 4090 on Sep 20, AMD announcing new RX 7000 in Oct.
 

rondocap

macrumors 6502a
Jun 18, 2011
542
341
Just the white mac pro box or also a second brown box on the outside?


Good point, the October event isn't too far away. Or if the new Mac Pro isn't upgradable at all the 2019 prices will stay where they are lol.

I am just gonna wait at this point. nVidia announcing 4090 on Sep 20, AMD announcing new RX 7000 in Oct.
Just the white one, I put tape around it but it is very sturdy, Mac Pro seems very safe in there even with rougher handling. It is a well designed box for sure - just make sure pcie cards are well secured inside too
 
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