Should i buy a Macpro?

[^squirrel^]

Dear all,

I know there's going to be a lot of these threads flying around.

I'm in the market for a new machine and i am considering a high end mac. I use my machine for the following tasks.

Gaming - (Some of the titles.. Counter Strike Source, MS Flight Sim and Battlefield 2)

Home pictures and movies - iLife perfect for this task!

General Email and Internet.

Now because i play games i'll need a high end card. So if i went Macpro then i'll go with the X1900 and just add bluetooth and Wireless.

All in i can get it for £1700 ex VAT.

I could build and Core 2 Duo PC but it wouldn't be anywhere near as powerful as the Macpro and miss out on OS X!

Do you think i should jump ship and switch over ASAP?

Thanks all for your attention.

Darren

 

[Scarlet Fever]

It depends on your needs.
You obviously need power over portability, so there goes the line of MacBooks.
You need something with more than an integrated GPU, so Mac Mini is out.

So we are left with the iMac and the MacPro. The iMac comes with either a 128 or 256MB GPU, and the Mac Pro comes stock with one 256MB nVidia 7300, and you can add more for more displays, or change the GPU to something better.

If you are a hardcore gamer, and you think you will suffer with the iMac's GPU, get a MacPro. But if you don't game too often, and you can cope with the settings on medium, the iMac is your machine. Its cheaper, comes with a built-in display, is much smaller, but not nearly as upgradable or customisable as the MacPro.

If you don't mind spending a bit of cash to buy an uber-powerful system such as the MacPro, i definately recommend it. if you are a little tight with cash, and you can cope with 2GB RAM, the iMac is a brilliant machine which won't let you down.

 

[macenforcer]

Are you kidding? I got one and I am thinking about getting another they are so freaking awesome. Think this, absolutely silent super workstation that runs mac or windows and is also the fastest computer available. God I love this machine.

 

[^squirrel^]

It depends on your needs.
You obviously need power over portability, so there goes the line of MacBooks.
You need something with more than an integrated GPU, so Mac Mini is out.

So we are left with the iMac and the MacPro. The iMac comes with either a 128 or 256MB GPU, and the Mac Pro comes stock with one 256MB nVidia 7300, and you can add more for more displays, or change the GPU to something better.

If you are a hardcore gamer, and you think you will suffer with the iMac's GPU, get a MacPro. But if you don't game too often, and you can cope with the settings on medium, the iMac is your machine. Its cheaper, comes with a built-in display, is much smaller, but not nearly as upgradable or customisable as the MacPro.

If you don't mind spending a bit of cash to buy an uber-powerful system such as the MacPro, i definately recommend it. if you are a little tight with cash, and you can cope with 2GB RAM, the iMac is a brilliant machine which won't let you down.

Well im going to sell my PC base so that will raise a fair chunk of money. TBH i think Macpro would be better for me as i'll be able to upgrade the GPU and hard drives at a later date. Dont think i'll need to have the cpu's for a long time!!!!

 

[^squirrel^]

Are you kidding? I got one and I am thinking about getting another they are so freaking awesome. Think this, absolutely silent super workstation that runs mac or windows and is also the fastest computer available. God I love this machine.

don't..... i'll start to dribble!

 

[macenforcer]

don't..... i'll start to dribble!

LOL! They really are umbelievable. Apple really has made the greatest computer ever. I got the 2.66ghz and its a steal at the employee price of $2299. Now I wait for my crucial 2gb ram upgrade to get here, then it will be even sweeter.

 

[Josias]

Get an iMac, when it is updated at WWDC or the Paris Expo (September 12th). It will have at least an X1600, and you can get it with 256 MB. That will be plenty for your games. I think a MacPro is wayyy overkill. You may even be able to do with a Mini, but Iød recommend an iMac...

 

[wonga1127]

I'd recommend the Mac Pro. An iMac would run those games, but nowhere near the fps or detail from an x1900 or w/e.

 

[KingYaba]

Buy the Mac Pro

 

[mac000]

you know what a smart person would do?

ok , A) if you REALLY DO USE A DESTOP COMPUTER FOR GAMING, obviously the MACPRO is your best choise.

B) what i would do is get a 20" intel iMac 2GB RAM, and then get a freaking 360 + a TV or just wait for the freaking Nintendo WIIII!!!!

C) DUH!

 

[^squirrel^]

I think i'll be going to the Macpro. The chance to upgrade at a later date does it for me. The iMac just doesnt have the power for gaming and the level i require. If they had the X1900 in it i might consider it, but still it's almost impossible to upgrade the iMac's GPU.

Macpro it is! There is a 4-5 week lead time on these machines so i will let everyone know how i get on when i receive it!

 

[Josias]

you know what a smart person would do?

ok , A) if you REALLY DO USE A DESTOP COMPUTER FOR GAMING, obviously the MACPRO is your best choise.

B) what i would do is get a 20" intel iMac 2GB RAM, and then get a freaking 360 + a TV or just wait for the freaking Nintendo WIIII!!!!

C) DUH!

Dude, did you read what games he play. CS Source, Flight Simulator and Battlefield 2. Have you got any idea how good graphics he would get from a 256 MB X1600? A rev. B 20" Intel iMac would be perfect for him. The MacPro is way overkill. A 2 GB RAM, 256 MB VRAM packed Intel iMac will by far exceed a 2 GHz MP w. 1 GB RAM and a 256 MB 7300GT. The X1600 is better than 7300 GT. So unless he wants to spend $4000 on upgrading to 4 GB RAM and an X1900, for a performance gain he wouldnøt notice in the games that he plays, I'd recommend an iMac.