Should I buy a used Mac Pro(Mac Pro 5.1 vs 2013)

[Timid Tabby]

Should I buy a used Mac Pro like the 5.1 and the 2013? As I'm transitioning from Windows to macOS, I'm looking for a reliable system that will serve me for at least the next 3 years. Will these machines server properly for that period of time ? Or should I be looking at something newer like the M1 Mac Mini(16GB is still not enough for me, something like 20GB RAM would do) or the M1X/M2 Mac Mini(Does it exist, will it release this year?)?

 

[BeatCrazy]

What are you planning on doing? The 5,1 is no longer supporting official macOS releases, and the 6,1 (Late 2013) probably only has a couple of years left of software support.

The M1 Mac mini might even get 9+ years of support. What do you think it cannot do now, or in the future? Are you using it for professional work?

 

[pmiles]

1. Do you need multiple internal hard drives/SSDs?
2. Do you need multiple graphics cards?
3. Do you need mega memory?
4. Do you need to be able to run Windows (via Bootcamp)?

The systems you noted are purely for the above 4 questions. If you do not have a need (a real need) for the above 4 items, you don't need the systems you mentioned.

Apple is dumping the INTEL platform like a hot potato. This means both of those systems are dead in the water unless you like computers that have no future path and are happy to (from your perspective) stay with a Windows 7 machine for all perpetuity.

Be forewarned that NONE of the ARM Macs will ever be upgradeable. What it ships with is all it will ever have. In other words, they are designed to be replaced FREQUENTLY as opposed to held on to for a long period of time.

So, in summation, forget everything you have ever known about desktop computers in the past as that is not the design mantra of Apple. If you like tinkering under the hood, overclocking, playing video games... the Mac platform is not for you.

If you can see yourself staring at the new 24" iMac from here on in and have no qualms with machines that basically leave every decision you need to make totally up to Apple, the Mac platform is for you.

If you are citing those two systems because you saw them on eBay for $200 and you're looking for a cheap computer, please so state. They were the most expensive Macs Apple ever sold in their day... and they are getting long in the tooth.

 

[Timid Tabby]

1. No. I don't necessary need multiple internal hard but I still need some storage, preferably 4TB(2TB still does me good).
2. No. I don't need multiple graphic cards since my work isn't like CAD or Cinema 4D, something like RTX 2060 will be a bit more than capable for the next few years.
3. Yes, I still need lots of RAM. The lack of RAM has hurt me several time throughout years. When I got my first Windows for Office the computer struggle to work properly after 2 hours of web browsing and Office work (4GB Ram). 8GB RAM is better, but it starts to reject me after opening video editing software(Weak CPU plays a role here but still video editing software take up too much RAM). Since then, I have been stuck with my current computer, which is 16GB, because at least it can open video editing software and work properly for a while before I start searching for information on the internet or in a word file and there's some chance it would lag (I still keep my 4GB RAM laptop purely for researching).
4. No, I don't need Windows since I'm transitioning to macOS to get its stability and reliability.
I don't like the new 24" iMac because it's ridiculous for an M1 machine. Its display is gorgeous I admit but I'd rather save up some bucks for other things. If the configuration of a Mac is nice enough I think I wouldn't even bother to upgrade anyway. I don't play games. Also if I use an ARM-based Mac will it serve me long enough(at least 3 years) before I do the "frequent update" ?

 

[Timid Tabby]

What are you planning on doing? The 5,1 is no longer supporting official macOS releases, and the 6,1 (Late 2013) probably only has a couple of years left of software support.

The M1 Mac mini might even get 9+ years of support. What do you think it cannot do now, or in the future? Are you using it for professional work?

I do video editing (sometimes 4K but most of the time FHD), PTS(a bit of Lightroom) and some InDesign. I don't play games though.

 

[mcnallym]

Probably not a good time to be transitioning to Mac to be honest, if you don’t want the 24” iMac.

All new ARM based Macs use the M1 Soc like the new iMac so if you think think the machine spec is ridiculous then not going to find a higher spec ARM based system at the moment.

Intel based Mac probably not worth investing in right now unless have requirement to be able to add an eGPU, run Windows. Also forget Nvidia GPU is AMD all the way on Mac these days.

on some older OS youncan get Nvidia GPU to to work but if going to MacOS for reliabiliy do you want to be thinking with system to make and keep it workin.

Mac Pro 5,1 can be made to work but basically is done by enthsiasts who determined to keep ther 5,1 going. Doesn’t sound suitable to you for me If wanting the reliability.

On a Mac I wouldn’t get hung up on the spec.

Whilst some people talk about the lack of upgrade ability on the Mac then there are also people that will basically change there Mac every new model or even 2 years, as they hold the resale well, and they don’t find the cost prohibitive. 2 years so still has AppleCare running.

Other people are content to use a Mac a few years older and buy second hand, use for a few years and then get a later second hand unit.

this may be a better option then a new Intel Mac for you.

Apple does have a good return policy so can buy an ARM based Mac and try out and if find that no good for you return within the window. However from your stated usage I reckon a 24 iMac would suit what you need, or even the Mini, just make sure go for the 16gb ram versions.

ARM Soc currently offered with max 16gb so no more at the moment.

 

[Timid Tabby]

Probably not a good time to be transitioning to Mac to be honest, if you don’t want the 24” iMac.

All new ARM based Macs use the M1 Soc like the new iMac so if you think think the machine spec is ridiculous then not going to find a higher spec ARM based system at the moment.

Intel based Mac probably not worth investing in right now unless have requirement to be able to add an eGPU, run Windows. Also forget Nvidia GPU is AMD all the way on Mac these days.

on some older OS youncan get Nvidia GPU to to work but if going to MacOS for reliabiliy do you want to be thinking with system to make and keep it workin.

Mac Pro 5,1 can be made to work but basically is done by enthsiasts who determined to keep ther 5,1 going. Doesn’t sound suitable to you for me If wanting the reliability.

On a Mac I wouldn’t get hung up on the spec.

Whilst some people talk about the lack of upgrade ability on the Mac then there are also people that will basically change there Mac every new model or even 2 years, as they hold the resale well, and they don’t find the cost prohibitive. 2 years so still has AppleCare running.

Other people are content to use a Mac a few years older and buy second hand, use for a few years and then get a later second hand unit.

this may be a better option then a new Intel Mac for you.

Apple does have a good return policy so can buy an ARM based Mac and try out and if find that no good for you return within the window. However from your stated usage I reckon a 24 iMac would suit what you need, or even the Mini, just make sure go for the 16gb ram versions.

ARM Soc currently offered with max 16gb so no more at the moment.

Well, about the NVIDIA GPU thing I meant that I need a GPU as capable as the RTX 2060 because that's like the perfect GPU value and performance for me, anything weaker can be accepted but that will require me to do frequent update(the fact that M1 GPU is as strong as GTX 1050 is both mind blowing and a bit sad, since if it was a bit stronger I would have appreciated that). About the ARM-based Macs, should I be expecting for me bigger iMac coming later this year?

 

[Lihp8270]

Well, about the NVIDIA GPU thing I meant that I need a GPU as capable as the RTX 2060 because that's like the perfect GPU value and performance for me, anything weaker can be accepted but that will require me to do frequent update(the fact that M1 GPU is as strong as GTX 1050 is both mind blowing and a bit sad, since if it was a bit stronger I would have appreciated that). About the ARM-based Macs, should I be expecting for me bigger iMac coming later this year?

When people say “as strong as a 1050” they are often referring to its gaming performance.

If this is for a professional workflow Google/YouTube search for your application and M1 and see what the reviewers comments are to see if the current specs are suitable.

It would also help people here make recommendations if you let us know what software you intend on running.

 

[Timid Tabby]

I do video editing (sometimes 4K but most of the time FHD), PTS(a bit of Lightroom) and some InDesign. I don't play games though.

here are what i do thou

 

[Lihp8270]

here are what i do thou

There’s plenty more videos regarding Final Cut Pro performance on the M1 with 16gb ram too.

 

[Timid Tabby]

There’s plenty more videos regarding Final Cut Pro performance on the M1 with 16gb ram too.

will it do lightroom and pts as well as it perform when doing final cut ?

 

[Lihp8270]

will it do lightroom and pts as well as it perform when doing final cut ?

I’d expect lightroom to be less demanding but I’d suggest searching YouTube for M1 Mac lightroom.

Or replacing lightroom with whichever application you’re looking for. Check out videos from different people so you’re not getting biased opinions