Is it worth buying a refurbished Mac Pro?

[AaronM5670]

I know the Mac Pro is getting long in the tooth now, but is it worth buying the refurbished Mac Pro from the Apple Online Store?

Here are the specs:

One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor
3GB (3 x 1GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 ECC memory
1TB Serial ATA 7200 rpm
18x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB GDDR5 memory

The price is £1,489

According to the Apple website this is a £552 reduction (27%)

As I am in the UK, the Mac Pro was discontinued on March 1st, except this one refurbished model they have.

If not I will look at the new iMac (27"), the non-retina MacBook Pro or wait until WWDC.

 

[deconstruct60]

I know the Mac Pro is getting long in the tooth now, but is it worth buying the refurbished Mac Pro from the Apple Online Store?
....
The price is £1,489

According to the Apple website this is a £552 reduction (27%)

Depends upon what want to use it for. If it is workload levels that would have been in the mainstream in 2010-2011 (or before) then it is fine. If you need something relatively soon that is faster than an older and/or much more capable than your current Mac then, it is a viable option.

It is not likely any new Mac Pro is going to be all that much cheaper to match this price.

If not I will look at the new iMac (27"), the non-retina MacBook Pro or wait until WWDC.

If willing to gamble that refurbs will continue to show up that fit your price range. ( probably will for a couple months ) than waiting is an option if not a pressing need. There is a chance that Apple may still release a new Mac Pro in next month or so. While probably more expensive, it would probably have a longer useful lifetime. By WWDC though "sooner" would be more doubtful. The risk is that Apple's supply of refurbs dries up by then since they aren't going to be getting many "returns" at that point and it is mainly dropped leases perhaps and/or abandoned repairs.

 

[PowerPCMacMan]

Yes, this is a great deal! Why? When you are ready.. goto Netkas's website and read up and down load the 4,1 to 5,1 firmware flash update. In a nutshell, the 2010 Mac Pro which the 2.8 is part of that 5,1 will allow you to upgrade to either the 6-core w3680 or w3690.

The difference between 6-core 3.33 and 6-core 3.46 is negligible at best.. only about 5-10 percent difference, but at least with your current machine you decide to get you DO have the advantage for more horsepower should u require it.

My Mac Pro was a 2009 2.66 but when I applied the firmware and made it into a 5,1 and got the 6-core 3.33, I saved a lot of money and best of all my machine is a 2010 now.

I know the Mac Pro is getting long in the tooth now, but is it worth buying the refurbished Mac Pro from the Apple Online Store?

Here are the specs:

One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor
3GB (3 x 1GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 ECC memory
1TB Serial ATA 7200 rpm
18x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB GDDR5 memory

The price is £1,489

According to the Apple website this is a £552 reduction (27%)

As I am in the UK, the Mac Pro was discontinued on March 1st, except this one refurbished model they have.

If not I will look at the new iMac (27"), the non-retina MacBook Pro or wait until WWDC.

 

[thekev]

Yes, this is a great deal! Why? When you are ready.. goto Netkas's website and read up and down load the 4,1 to 5,1 firmware flash update. In a nutshell, the 2010 Mac Pro which the 2.8 is part of that 5,1 will allow you to upgrade to either the 6-core w3680 or w3690.

If he is buying refurbished and wants a 6 core, he should keep an eye out for one. The cost of the cpu is likely to be similar to the difference in pricing between the two refurbished options. Last time I looked at the US refurbished site, a 6 core machine was around $2500. The 2.8 quad is $1819, so it's a matter of what a W3680 runs there, but I would suggest that over immediate warranty voiding surgery if the price will be close in the end.

 

[PowerPCMacMan]

Last I checked the w3680 is going for 400, possibly 450.00 - But given what you say is true that the difference between $2500-$1819 = $681.. it appears that he w3680 would be cheaper.. again, it also depends on the OP's cash flow.

If all he can afford is a 2000.00 machine, then the 1819.00 would be within his price range.. and if he does not have a cash flow problem, then spend the extra 681.00 for the 6-core.

Cash flow problems and want + desire play a role here in his decision.

If he is buying refurbished and wants a 6 core, he should keep an eye out for one. The cost of the cpu is likely to be similar to the difference in pricing between the two refurbished options. Last time I looked at the US refurbished site, a 6 core machine was around $2500. The 2.8 quad is $1819, so it's a matter of what a W3680 runs there, but I would suggest that over immediate warranty voiding surgery if the price will be close in the end.

 

[thekev]

Last I checked the w3680 is going for 400, possibly 450.00 - But given what you say is true that the difference between $2500-$1819 = $681.. it appears that he w3680 would be cheaper.. again, it also depends on the OP's cash flow.

If all he can afford is a 2000.00 machine, then the 1819.00 would be within his price range.. and if he does not have a cash flow problem, then spend the extra 681.00 for the 6-core.

Cash flow problems and want + desire play a role here in his decision.

I haven't checked used pricing if that's what you mean. The W3680 is $615 on newegg. Are they cheap on ebay or something?

 

[PowerPCMacMan]

I have seen them at that price, yes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-...-US-/400435961679?pt=CPUs&hash=item5d3bd7df4f

Also, saw a 6-core for 999.99.. here is the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Core-3-33...4-1-/140920354569?pt=CPUs&hash=item20cf81f709

I haven't checked used pricing if that's what you mean. The W3680 is $615 on newegg. Are they cheap on ebay or something?

 

[phoenixsan]

Is it worth if.....(IMHO)....

a)Improves your current use/work
b)You can afford it
c) Need it right now

And being in the EU, options will become scarce. But not so sure if more expensive because the demand.

 

[thekev]

I have seen them at that price, yes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-...-US-/400435961679?pt=CPUs&hash=item5d3bd7df4f

Also, saw a 6-core for 999.99.. here is the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Core-3-33...4-1-/140920354569?pt=CPUs&hash=item20cf81f709

Okay so that is a used one for $500. It still wouldn't be an incredible savings here. A 2.8 refurbished at $1819 + $500= $2319 vs $2500 and you would be locked out of warranty options. The second link is not a 6 core mac pro. It's an upgrade kit of sorts for $1000. It's for people that are too nervous to do the actual cpu installation themselves.

From the link...

The first shipment will contain:
-One Mac Pro Firmware Updating Utility on a USB Stick
-One Packing Container for your Processor Tray with Prepaid Return Shipping and Padding Materials

The second shipment, after we receive your Processor Tray, will contain
-One New Intel Xeon 6 Core 3.33GHz Processor (W3680) installed in your original Processor Tray
-Your original CPU (we can also make you an offer on your original CPU if you are interested)

Everything will be carefully packed and cushioned from any possible shipping damage. The new CPU is covered by a 1 Year Warranty.

 

[softwareguy256]

looking at the price and specs you are getting ripped off so bad. go ahead buy one anyway.

I know the Mac Pro is getting long in the tooth now, but is it worth buying the refurbished Mac Pro from the Apple Online Store?

Here are the specs:

One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor
3GB (3 x 1GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 ECC memory
1TB Serial ATA 7200 rpm
18x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB GDDR5 memory

The price is £1,489

According to the Apple website this is a £552 reduction (27%)

As I am in the UK, the Mac Pro was discontinued on March 1st, except this one refurbished model they have.

If not I will look at the new iMac (27"), the non-retina MacBook Pro or wait until WWDC.

 

[Umbongo]

I know the Mac Pro is getting long in the tooth now, but is it worth buying the refurbished Mac Pro from the Apple Online Store?

It's only worth it if you are going to upgrade it, which is why others focused so much on that after your post. This is 4 year old hardware essentially, barely being an upgrade from what was released by Apple 4 years ago, so if you are just going to buy it and use it as is I really wouldn't bother.