Mac Pro Buying Advice for Budget of Around $2k

[inaka]

Thanks to both of you and I really appreciate your excellent information.

As for the three monitor setup, after upgrading to the Mac Pro, I'll probably just sell off the entire G5 system with all three LCDs as well, and then just use a dual-monitor setup on the Mac Pro. I don't need three displays, especially if I get bigger LCDs, so two-monitors is fine.

Again, thanks for the heads up about the ATI 5770/5870 note for 2010 models.

Yes, the Apple Store does charge tax. I'm in CA and it's nearly 10%, so it's definitely a buying factor as well. Thanks again.

 

[ActionableMango]

Apple doesn't charge tax... California charges tax and forces Apple to be an unpaid tax collector.

 

[VanneDC]

Is the 2008 Mac pro pin moddable?

 

[inaka]

Operation "Inaka Mac Pro" is is full effect.

just picked up two Dell U2311H 23" Widescreen Flat Panels for the Mac Pro I'll be getting. I'm assuming that the cheaper $29 Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter will work with the Mac Pro and the Dell U2311H 23" for adding a second monitor:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MTA4MzU1NTE

Is this correct? (Only because I see a ton of negative reviews for the device)

If so, it's then just a matter of which Mac Pro to take the plunge with...

 

[kellen]

Operation "Inaka Mac Pro" is is full effect.

just picked up two Dell U2311H 23" Widescreen Flat Panels for the Mac Pro I'll be getting. I'm assuming that the cheaper $29 Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter will work with the Mac Pro and the Dell U2311H 23" for adding a second monitor:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MTA4MzU1NTE

Is this correct? (Only because I see a ton of negative reviews for the device)

If so, it's then just a matter of which Mac Pro to take the plunge with...

Yes, that will work fine. Its what I use for my 23" apple displays.

 

[inaka]

Yes, that will work fine. Its what I use for my 23" apple displays.

perfect, thanks, Kellen.

 

[johnnymg]

perfect, thanks, Kellen.

So, what MP did you decide on?

 

[inaka]

So, what MP did you decide on?

Haven't pulled the trigger just yet.
I only bought the two Dell U2311H 23" Widescreen Flat Panels because they were on sale for $199 each from Dell's eBay store. Had to pull the trigger on those ASAP. Sold out now. Whew.

So now it's a coin flip between:

1. New Base model 2010 from a retailer like Amazon that doesn't charge tax (over budget) @ $2349.87
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Mac-Pro-MC560LL-A/dp/B003ZR4M6I

2. The new BHV early 2009 model for $1799 - MB871LL/A
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/608729-REG/Apple_MB871LL_A_Mac_Pro_Desktop_Computer.html

...or just shattering the ever-loving heck out of my budget, eating beans & rice for a while, and going with a 3.33GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon Westmere.

Decisions, decisions....

 

[kellen]

Refurbished 2.8 2010 quads are in the refurb store at 2119 now.

 

[inaka]

Refurbished 2.8 2010 quads are in the refurb store at 2119 now.

Thanks, Kellen.

As others have pointed out, with the crazy tax rate to CA, it's nearly a wash with a new one from Amazon, etc. This refurb prices out to $2,325.60 with tax. So I'd probably just go new just in case with Amazon prime too as a selling point.

I really appreciate the heads up though, and I want to thank everyone who has posted to this thread thus far. Really good info and I really do appreciate it. Thanks again.

 

[brentsg]

Always the chance for a free upgrade with the refurb.

 

[inaka]

Always the chance for a free upgrade with the refurb.

Like the woot "bag of crap" and the mega millions lotto, I never win those things.

 

[kellen]

Like the woot "bag of crap" and the mega millions lotto, I never win those things.

Same here.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[johnnymg]

Thanks, Kellen.

As others have pointed out, with the crazy tax rate to CA, it's nearly a wash with a new one from Amazon, etc. This refurb prices out to $2,325.60 with tax. So I'd probably just go new just in case with Amazon prime too as a selling point.

I really appreciate the heads up though, and I want to thank everyone who has posted to this thread thus far. Really good info and I really do appreciate it. Thanks again.

I would HIGHLY recommend going with the refurb over the Amazon deal. You'll get much better service/return-policy when buying direct from Apple. Also, the "refurbs" are always just like new if not better!

I would definitely suggest stretching your budget for the 2010 model. It comes with a lot of extras that the 09 model would have to be added. Additionally, a future upgrade to a Hex processor is much simpler/cheaper with the 2010 model.

cheers and congrats on the new MAC.......... hehehehe....... go aapl!
JohnG

 

[pfrma575returns]

Here's a deal you my enjoy. Another reputable dealer.

http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-Desktop-Computers/product~dpno~8196947~pdp.gccdijc

 

[inaka]

Here's a deal you my enjoy. Another reputable dealer.

http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-Desktop-Computers/product~dpno~8196947~pdp.gccdijc

Thanks for the heads up about this model.

I don't see this model on the release list of Mac pro models from here:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_pro/index-macpro.html

Is this a 2009 MacPro4,1 identifier?
I don't see any of them with 2.93Ghz. Hmmm...now I'm really confused. Sorry for the newbie question, I just don't see the release date for this model, etc.

ANy drawbacks to this model?
Price point seems just about perfect and the specs are nice too.

 

[brentsg]

No easy upgrade path to a hex CPU would be about it. I simply wouldn't want to limit my future upgrade path over a small amount of money.

 

[johnnymg]

Thanks for the heads up about this model.

I don't see this model on the release list of Mac pro models from here:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_pro/index-macpro.html

Is this a 2009 MacPro4,1 identifier?
I don't see any of them with 2.93Ghz. Hmmm...now I'm really confused. Sorry for the newbie question, I just don't see the release date for this model, etc.

ANy drawbacks to this model?
Price point seems just about perfect and the specs are nice too.

It's an 09 model. JMO, but not compelling compared to a 2010 base model from Apple's refurb store.

cheers
JohnG

 

[netnothing]

I would HIGHLY recommend going with the refurb over the Amazon deal. You'll get much better service/return-policy when buying direct from Apple. Also, the "refurbs" are always just like new if not better!

I would definitely suggest stretching your budget for the 2010 model. It comes with a lot of extras that the 09 model would have to be added. Additionally, a future upgrade to a Hex processor is much simpler/cheaper with the 2010 model.

cheers and congrats on the new MAC.......... hehehehe....... go aapl!
JohnG

Another *potential* benefit of the refurb tore is you might get an surprise add-on. I just picked up the 2.8 from refurb store and it came with the 5870 instead of the 5770!

I know, chances are low, but still.

-Kevin

 

[wacomme]

I'm in the same situation as the OP. While the Mac Pro is overkill for me (also currently own a PowerPC G5), I love my 30" NEC LCD3090 monitor and don't want a glossy monitor that comes with the 27" iMac. I'm considering a used Mac Pro, but the talk of the 2010 Mac Pro and the ease of hex CPU upgrades makes me rethink used.

What is a hex CPU, and what is it that the 2010 models have that the 2008 and 2009 models don't have?

No easy upgrade path to a hex CPU would be about it. I simply wouldn't want to limit my future upgrade path over a small amount of money.

 

[brentsg]

What is a hex CPU, and what is it that the 2010 models have that the 2008 and 2009 models don't have?

I was referring specifically to the 6 core 3.33GHz Xeon CPU that is available on the 2010, but not prior. The models before the current aren't capable of working with that CPU as a drop-in replacement.

Most people won't upgrade a MP in this manner, however as these machines start to age and the price of that CPU starts to fall, it might make a compelling upgrade. The process requires some thermal material, a $5 tool, and about 5-10 minutes of time. It's quite trivial.

 

[wacomme]

So, like the OP, if I'm wanting to keep my computer for 5-6 years (like we've done with our G5's), then having the ability to easily upgrade the CPU might make buying a 2010 refurb a good idea.

I was referring specifically to the 6 core 3.33GHz Xeon CPU that is available on the 2010, but not prior. The models before the current aren't capable of working with that CPU as a drop-in replacement.

Most people won't upgrade a MP in this manner, however as these machines start to age and the price of that CPU starts to fall, it might make a compelling upgrade. The process requires some thermal material, a $5 tool, and about 5-10 minutes of time. It's quite trivial.

 

[ActionableMango]

Thanks for the heads up about this model.

It's a 2009 model with several options included above the base 2009 model.

ANy drawbacks to this model?

Not really. Most of the deficiencies of the 2009 model are fixed with the upgrades (faster GPU, faster CPU, Wifi included).

The only differences I can think of from this 2009 vs the base 2010:
- Can't upgrade to Westmere CPUs
- Comes with a mighty mouse instead of magic mouse
+ Twice as much memory included
+ Faster CPU
+ Extra optical drive

Personally, I think it's a better deal than the 2010 unless you are 100% certain you want to upgrade to a Westmere CPU in the future.

 

[ActionableMango]

So, like the OP, if I'm wanting to keep my computer for 5-6 years (like we've done with our G5's), then having the ability to easily upgrade the CPU might make buying a 2010 refurb a good idea.

You can upgrade the CPU on a 2009 also, just not to the hexacore. You could upgrade to a 3.33Ghz quadcore Nehalem.

 

[inaka]

Just wondering, if I want to shatter my budget and get the One 3.33GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon Westmere as a custom order, does the Apple Refurb store ever have this one for sale?