Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Stene

macrumors newbie
May 2, 2002
15
3
Luleå, Sweden
Owner of a upgraded 2013 MP (128 GB RAM, 12 core, 2 TB SSD) which functions both as a server for my developed systems and as a workstation for my wife. Before the desktop M1 Max and Ultra MP would still be a good option depending on use-case depending on needs for IO and upgradability of disk and memory. The Xeons are built for continuous, high load use which I appreciate. The ability to run Windows, Linux etc. with good performance and maintained compatibility is a great plus...
One additional note... Since MPro has two graphics cards I can remote administer the computer as a server while another user is using the computer in their work. Running as a remote user using Windows emulators parallel with server functions and another user active at the same time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Argoduck

Larsvonhier

macrumors 68000
Aug 21, 2016
1,611
2,983
Germany, Black Forest
The GPUs in the trash can loved to die (though I think it was confined to one of the three types - maybe the D500 variants).

I definitely get the appeal of owning one, but if you're actually planning to seriously use the machine, I'd look more at the Mini, and possibly hold out for the M2 Mini, which should be soon. Even if the upgrades don't appeal to you you'll be able to get an M1 unit cheaper after the fact.
Got one of the 2013´s with dead GPU(s). The good thing is, you can still still start it and boot into "headless" mode.
The better thing is: External Thunderbolt GPUs work with it and some are even faster than the internal Dx00.
So at least when you accept an additional "coffin" near the "trashcan" on your desk, it´s not game over for those machines...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Argoduck

MBP2021

macrumors newbie
Feb 14, 2021
22
7
Honestly, the MP isn't just outdated at this point, it's on the brink of not being supported anymore.

If you really like the design, wait for Apple to drop support for Intel CPUs, and you'll probably be able to get one for fairly cheap.... after which you can seat it next to your G4 cube.
 

PinkyMacGodess

Suspended
Original poster
Mar 7, 2007
10,271
6,228
Midwest America.
The GPUs in the trash can loved to die (though I think it was confined to one of the three types - maybe the D500 variants).

I definitely get the appeal of owning one, but if you're actually planning to seriously use the machine, I'd look more at the Mini, and possibly hold out for the M2 Mini, which should be soon. Even if the upgrades don't appeal to you you'll be able to get an M1 unit cheaper after the fact.

I thought of looking for a trash can 'for parts only', and gutting it, and just putting the carcass on the desk for display. I mean, as bad as it was, seeing one for the first time was pretty interesting. It wasn't as stupid of a design as I thought. It could have been worse, for sure. There was a PeeCee chassis that was supposed to 'look like' the trash can, but it was so much not even close. *shrug* I'll hold out as long as I can for an M2/M1 Max/Ultra later this year (hopefully)...

Thanks all. I had to take a long look at the Mac Pro I have already, and realize that it's just no 'all that' anymore, even though it's muscular, it's aged and just can't keep up with the young pups. (Kinda like me. I can't sprint, but I have endurance (so far))
 
  • Like
Reactions: Argoduck

GMShadow

macrumors 68020
Jun 8, 2021
2,123
8,672
I used to have a hopped up Mac Pro as well, but after a while they just become old towers that get left behind. You can shove more cores in, add more RAM, fill it with disks and cards to delay the inevitable.

But eventually, it comes time to either hand it down, or stick it in a closet somewhere for the memories.
 

PinkyMacGodess

Suspended
Original poster
Mar 7, 2007
10,271
6,228
Midwest America.
UPDATE: So, I'm not buying anything right now. I'll have to wrestle the part of my brain that sees the trash can system and whines that we HAVE TO HAVE IT!!! *pout*

Getting the M1 Mini seems premature. The max of 16M seems ridiculous, and with rumors of The Next Big Little Thing coming RSN, it seems rushed to sign up for forced obsolescence so soon. But who knows how long it will be until it is updated; six days, or six months. *shrug*
 
Last edited:

yabeweb

macrumors 6502a
Jun 25, 2021
814
1,710
At this point the 2013 MacPro is an "obsolete machine", lower end newer computer are faster and will support more OS updates, unless there is a very specific need for a Mac Pro 2013 (collection or fome app that uses both video cards) there's no much sense to buy one now.

D300 were good, D500 and D700 had higher failure rates, but hey, I would buy one to collect if it was priced well enought.
 
Last edited:

Mikael H

macrumors 6502a
Sep 3, 2014
864
539
UPDATE: So, I'm not buying anything right now. I'll have to wrestle the part of my brain that sees the trash can system and whines that we HAVE TO HAVE IT!!! *pout*

Getting the M1 Mini seems premature. The max of 16M seems ridiculous, and with rumors of The Next Big Little Thing coming RSN, it seems rushed to sign up for forced obsolescence so soon. But who knows how long it will be until it is updated; six days, or six months. *shrug*
So the 2013 Mac Pro won’t see the next macOS, which definitely should rule it out now, and the new M2 sets the bar for max RAM at a more generous 24 GB.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Argoduck

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
4,599
So the 2013 Mac Pro won’t see the next macOS, which definitely should rule it out now, and the new M2 sets the bar for max RAM at a more generous 24 GB.

I expect that the 2013 Mac Pro will be supported for the upcoming MacOS version. Apple was still selling it in 2019. I don’t expect it to get any MacOS updates except security after this year though.
Yeah, I was very wrong here. I'm surprised that the 2013 MP isn't going to get Ventura. It was still for sale into December 2019. I think that is a pretty good hint for people to realize that Apple is going to drop Intel support faster than previously expected.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: uller6 and Argoduck

Argoduck

macrumors member
Oct 30, 2021
65
71
^ indeed, my 2013 MP just got even longer in the tooth and I agree - looks like intel’s days are numbered in apple land, for now

M2 looks pretty good but I think it’s a good decision to wait for whatever the rest of the M2 series brings. Or opt for a studio…
 
  • Like
Reactions: PinkyMacGodess

PinkyMacGodess

Suspended
Original poster
Mar 7, 2007
10,271
6,228
Midwest America.
^ indeed, my 2013 MP just got even longer in the tooth and I agree - looks like intel’s days are numbered in apple land, for now

M2 looks pretty good but I think it’s a good decision to wait for whatever the rest of the M2 series brings. Or opt for a studio…

For what I use the Mini for, a Studio would be incredible overkill, but I'm reserved to wait and see what comes out...
 

Argoduck

macrumors member
Oct 30, 2021
65
71
For what I use the Mini for, a Studio would be incredible overkill, but I'm reserved to wait and see what comes out...
You are wise to wait.

This has been an interesting thread. Your decision process has applied to many of us at one level or another. It took me 5 weeks to make my decision 😉
 
  • Like
Reactions: PinkyMacGodess

PinkyMacGodess

Suspended
Original poster
Mar 7, 2007
10,271
6,228
Midwest America.
You are wise to wait.

This has been an interesting thread. Your decision process has applied to many of us at one level or another. It took me 5 weeks to make my decision 😉

I tend to overthink things too. Occasionally, I'm left with a 'bad decision' that I came up with a raft load of reasons to make but have to own them. I've also waited so long overthinking a decision, that the choice has been made for me. It happens.

I *need* a new computer, but would I die without it? I can live with what I have? Yes. The app I run on my current Mini makes the current Mini get 'hot enough to nearly fry an egg', and I can hear the fans spinning furiously with any break in the music. Not sure how much better a future Mini would be running this app, but the graphics would be much better, and maybe that would help the system run cooler. With the writing on the wall (in NEON) that a new one is coming RSN, I'll wait it out, like I've said. No matter how long it takes. :D:cool:😇

And, thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Argoduck

EugW

macrumors G5
Jun 18, 2017
14,900
12,873
Honestly, the MP isn't just outdated at this point, it's on the brink of not being supported anymore.

If you really like the design, wait for Apple to drop support for Intel CPUs, and you'll probably be able to get one for fairly cheap.... after which you can seat it next to your G4 cube.
You called it. macOS 13 eliminates support for the 2013 Mac Pro.

Plus the lack of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports is a deal-killer IMO.

BTW, I want a 2013 Mac Pro, but not to do actual work on it. I just like the look and want one for the aesthetics, as a rarely used machine.


I tend to overthink things too. Occasionally, I'm left with a 'bad decision' that I came up with a raft load of reasons to make but have to own them. I've also waited so long overthinking a decision, that the choice has been made for me. It happens.

I *need* a new computer, but would I die without it? I can live with what I have? Yes. The app I run on my current Mini makes the current Mini get 'hot enough to nearly fry an egg', and I can hear the fans spinning furiously with any break in the music. Not sure how much better a future Mini would be running this app, but the graphics would be much better, and maybe that would help the system run cooler. With the writing on the wall (in NEON) that a new one is coming RSN, I'll wait it out, like I've said. No matter how long it takes. :D:cool:😇
If you can wait... potentially a long time... an M2 Mac mini with 24 GB RAM seems like a decent option.

That's what I'm waiting for, M2 with 16 or 24 GB RAM. Hopefully it won't be port starved like the M1 Mac mini.

My only concern is that it won't be out until spring 2023, but that's OK for me.

EDIT:

I too have no interest in the Mac Studio. It's overkill for my needs and too expensive, and it's actually too tall to fit below my 30" Apple Cinema HD Display.
 
Last edited:

PinkyMacGodess

Suspended
Original poster
Mar 7, 2007
10,271
6,228
Midwest America.
You called it. macOS 13 eliminates support for the 2013 Mac Pro.

Plus the lack of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports is a deal-killer IMO.

BTW, I want a 2013 Mac Pro, but not to do actual work on it. I just like the look and want one for the aesthetics, as a rarely used machine.



If you can wait... potentially a long time... an M2 Mac mini with 24 GB RAM seems like a decent option.

That's what I'm waiting for, M2 with 16 or 24 GB RAM. Hopefully it won't be port starved like the M1 Mac mini.

My only concern is that it won't be out until spring 2023, but that's OK for me.

EDIT:

I too have no interest in the Mac Studio. It's overkill for my needs and too expensive, and it's actually too tall to fit below my 30" Apple Cinema HD Display.

You just need a taller chair. And a taller desk. And a taller keyboard stand. and...

I remember a guy talking about dating a girl that was way taller than he was. He'd have to replace almost everything in his house, and decided against it. I don't know what made me think of that, but I thought at the time it was pretty funny, and probably saved her a lot of stress dealing with an insecure short man. *shrug* I'm 6' and it's hard to find girls taller than me, but I did run into a girl that was easily 6' 8", or more. Wow. But she was gorgeous, and gay. :-(
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Argoduck

EugW

macrumors G5
Jun 18, 2017
14,900
12,873
You just need a taller chair. And a taller desk. And a taller keyboard stand. and...

I remember a guy talking about dating a girl that was way taller than he was. He'd have to replace almost everything in his house, and decided against it. I don't know what made me think of that, but I thought at the time it was pretty funny, and probably saved her a lot of stress dealing with an insecure short man. *shrug* I'm 6' and it's hard to find girls taller than me, but I did run into a girl that was easily 6' 8", or more. Wow. But she was gorgeous, and gay. :-(
Heh. That was an interesting tangent...

No, I mean the Mac Studio is too tall to fit under the bezel of my monitor. For this 30-inch Apple Cinema Display, the bottom bezel is less than 3.5" from the desk surface, and there is only about 3⅛" between the stand base and the bezel. The Mac Studio is about 3.7" tall.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PinkyMacGodess
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.