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Wicked1

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Apr 13, 2009
3,283
14
New Jersey
Looking for something to act as a server, HTPC, basic computer for email, browsing, and doing some good photo editing, also some Video conversions.

What is the base model that is good for all of this, I do not need the latest and greatest as this one will last me 3 years.
 
Your profile sounds more like a Mac mini to me than a Mac Pro (especially in the noise and power consumption departments).
 
Maybe OP needs all the internal storage they can get and would prefer that over a mountain of externals and rat's nest of cables.

I think either the 2009 or 2010 base refurbs would work fine.
 
Maybe OP needs all the internal storage they can get and would prefer that over a mountain of externals and rat's nest of cables.

I think either the 2009 or 2010 base refurbs would work fine.

A MP as an HTPC would be an overkill :) mini server along with a nice NAS would save him a lot of money and would work just perfect!
 
I would tell you as an owner of a 2011 mac mini server with the oem option of 2 750gb 7200rpm hdds cost is 999 plus 100 for the drives total is 1099.

the machine is almost as fast as a 2010 quad 2.8 mac pro.



that mac pro as a refurb is 2119

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC560LL/A?mco=MTkyMTM2MDM


a great nas is around 1 k.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822108072


t-bolt is 1k



http://store.apple.com/us/product/H5184VC/A/Thunderbolt?mco=MjMwNjUyMjc




but the mac pro has a great quality the mini does not. the mac pro can boot snow leopard lion and windows.
 
I could never warm up to the refurbished "deals", which consists an older model (one or two generations back) at minimal savings.
 
I could never warm up to the refurbished "deals", which consists an older model (one or two generations back) at minimal savings.

You can always get the current models in the refurbished section; practically new.
 
I could never warm up to the refurbished "deals", which consists an older model (one or two generations back) at minimal savings.

They have both older and current models.

I bought a refurb current model Mac in October 2010 and it's still the current model today.
 
Yeah man you usually get new models at 10-20% savings. Same 1 year or 3 year extended warranty with Applecare.
 
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