Hackintosh or 2013 Mac Pro

[tawfiqmp]

Just wanted to get a take from people here on what's a better option. Hackintosh is probably going to be a cheaper option with a similar build to the new Mac Pro, but there are still compatibility issues with the LGA 2011 socket CPUs for Hackintosh. So my question is, is it worth paying the extra money for the convenience of knowing that you'll have a stable system on Mac or is it better to just go ahead and build a computer and then figure out a workaround to some of these compatibility issues?

The other thing is, I wanted to buy a Mac that would last me at least a good 2-3 years, and I do video editing which is what I really want it for. Down the line I'm going to get a 4K monitor, and I realize the new Mac Pro is going to have TB2 ports which is something a Hackintosh wouldn't have. So are TB2 ports worth it also or is it something that doesn't have much support yet? T

Thanks for any suggestions or recommendations!

 

[macines]

go with the original one - you'll only regret it if you don't

just have a read on how many problems people have with hackintosh systems

at least if you consider buying the machine for work

 

[MDP]

If it's for work, I would go with an official Apple machine - you don't want to have weird errors and/or glitches that *might* come up with running a Hackintosh.

 

[mcnallym]

The nMP will be a beast for Video Editing, it is what Apple is demoing the product doing.

If doing for work purposes then the extra cost of the nMP should be covered by earnings from work on the unit.

The LGA2011 issues 'should' go away once OSX LGA2011 machines become available and the OSX release contains proper support for LGA2011 and supporting chipsets. Please note I say should not that will.

Regarding TB2 then with a Hackintosh you can simply use a larger case and boards with PCI-E slots, so you wouldn't have the same need for TB2, that would on an nMP.

Wether the cost of the nMP vs Hackintosh is worth it, is however subjective. I used to build fast gaming rigs, and a Hackintosh, and Linux DVR system and used to enjoy it.
Now my home contains all Apple, as I don't do the gaming anymore, and don't want to spend time dealing with the quirks and compatibility.
As such the cost of the Mac Pro was offset by not having to do the tweaking anymore. Was further offset by going secondhand with my 2010 unit this summer, once saw what the nMP was going to be. The current MP when upgraded is still a very capable machine, however of course it isn't the latest and greatest but it does what I need to and expect it do so for a number of years.

 

[Celedral]

Yup get official. There's an old saying "cheap pays twice" even though I encourage hackintosh for price/performance.

 

[Gav Mack]

When the nMP is out support for the LGA2011 for the hackintosh will improve enormously which by next year when my 3,1 is EOL for 10.10 will make the prospect of the aggravation messing around patching OSX a much more tempting proposition. Fingers crossed perhaps even mobo makers such as Asus and SuperMicro can provide even closer compatibility than before with TB2 support for example.

However if Apple decides to see sense and make a proper expansion chassis for the nMP that will turn my temptation on its head. One which utilises all those TB2 ports and PCIe lanes to provide a unit not only to host the can but to stick all that cable spaghetti into a single box solution - to host SATA drives, expansion slots, add on cards etc and reclaim the higher end of the market they seem to be deserting launching what I feel is a neat, compact but ultimately semi professional black can.

 

[mtmac]

You would be way better off with the Apple product, unless you actually like spending all your time devoted to making your system perform. If you have to run PCIe cards, then you will be better served with an old cheap MacPro, further reduced in price after this is released. It would be awesome if Apple would release an expansion chassis, but I don't see that happening. It's more likely we'll see a very expensive third party offering sometime in the future. Not that I'll need it, but it's obviously a deal breaker for some users, but eventually, even a lot of those people will migrate to this platform. I really think they will sell a lot more prosumer models to the Apple faithful rather than the high end aimed at Professionals. With aggressive pricing, made in America, and such a unique enclosure, I think it will be a financial success for Apple even if harsh criticism continues from a subset of the Pros. I just hope TB2 products come out a lot quicker and more reasonably priced than when TB1 first trickled in.

 

[mtmac]

If you're suggesting building it for an employer, only consider it if your own job security is not on the line. Plan on a lot of extra time to troubleshoot, and it is very unwise for immediate time sensitive deadlines.

While they may sell out quick and many may have to wait, we will see these machines in December, likely earlier in the month. I think it will be released with TBD2, Mini & non-retina MBP, so they will want them out early for additional Christmas sales. Considering the prosumer end MP's, even MP's will benefit from Christmas sales.

 

[slughead]

However if Apple decides to see sense and make a proper expansion chassis for the nMP that will turn my temptation on its head. One which utilises all those TB2 ports and PCIe lanes to provide a unit not only to host the can but to stick all that cable spaghetti into a single box solution - to host SATA drives, expansion slots, add on cards etc and reclaim the higher end of the market they seem to be deserting launching what I feel is a neat, compact but ultimately semi professional black can.

LOL that'd be hilarious if Apple made a multi-purpose Thunderbolt breakout box.. I know exactly what it should look like!

5 minutes in Photoshop, thank you very much

"Imagine all the space the nMP will save you! *Kool-Aid Burp*"

 

[slughead]

The other thing is, I wanted to buy a Mac that would last me at least a good 2-3 years, and I do video editing which is what I really want it for. Down the line I'm going to get a 4K monitor, and I realize the new Mac Pro is going to have TB2 ports which is something a Hackintosh wouldn't have. So are TB2 ports worth it also or is it something that doesn't have much support yet?

Do you use FCPX or another video editing app that you mainly use? Apple is stacking the deck towards its own hardware configurations (we're seeing iMacs outperforming Mac Pros [link])

As far as TB2, presently and for at least the next few months, if you have enough PCIe slots for the devices you want, there are no advantages and several disadvantages with thunderbolt. The price is higher, performance is lower, and many products have not been vetted by the market yet so their stability is questionable.

Arguably, you may have a better experience running a hackintosh with carefully-selected internal storage than struggling with Dropping Drobos or pre-packaged Pegasus arrays (which use plain-old cheapo consumer drives).

Unless you require more controllers and cards than you have PCIe slots, you will save a ton of money with PCIe over TB2. The nMP can plug in 36 devices (with a nightmarish spiderweb of daisy-chaining). What can't it do? Anything over 2GBps, or any of the inexpensive, reliable PCIe solutions to common hardware problems.

 

[Gav Mack]

LOL that'd be hilarious if Apple made a multi-purpose Thunderbolt breakout box.. I know exactly what it should look like!

5 minutes in Photoshop, thank you very much
Image

I wouldn't rule out OWC making a kit for modding old boxes, especially all those 1&2.1's relegated to the scrap heap.

I would be tempted