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Should I sell my MacPro?

kylepro88

kylepro88

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 30, 2006
247
103
Nashville
I could use some good opinions and appreciate you taking the time to read this.

I currently own a 2006 MacPro that's loaded, a 2007 MacBook Pro, a 2011 MacBook Pro, and a 2009 MacPro as of a week ago. I planned on selling the 2007 MBP and 2006 MP to get back some funds, which I figure between the two of them will get me about $2150.

I just spent $3450 on the 2009 MacPro and $389 on a new ATI 5870. The ATI 5770 that came with the 2009 has gone into the 2006 before selling it to fetch a better price.

2009 MacPro Specs:
2x 2.93Ghz 8-Core
26GB RAM
ATI 5870
1TB Internal

The dilemma I'm having is whether or not to sell this 2009 MacPro and just go back to using my laptop full-time like I was just a few weeks ago. The main reason for buying in the first place was I felt like my laptop would be run into the ground if I put it under heavy load too often. The laptop is VERY fast (2x faster then the 2006 MacPro most of the time) but I wondered if it getting too hot too often for too longer might kill it quickly. Perhaps I was worrying for nothing? Maybe the 2011 MBP is more then efficient for now? I do video editing, graphic design, etc. From 2011-2012 I used the laptop for all my work, so it's proven itself. The 2009 MacPro is very nice, but I wonder if the extra performance is REALLY worth the money I just spent. I realize nobody can truly answer that but me, but what do you think?

Should I sell all three and get the money back for that 2009 MP while I still can? It would mean some serious dough in the bank. I've found it hard to justify moving off a laptop even to an iMac 27", which is a very attractive computer for the price because I find it annoying to have documents split between computers, especially things like Mail.

The issue I really have is this 17" 2011 MBP just sits around with this new desktop here, but in the rare instances I travel I would need it. Just feels like a waste the rest of the time...$$$ sitting around.

Thoughts?
 
kylepro88 said:
I could use some good opinions and appreciate you taking the time to read this.

I currently own a 2006 MacPro that's loaded, a 2007 MacBook Pro, a 2011 MacBook Pro, and a 2009 MacPro as of a week ago. I planned on selling the 2007 MBP and 2006 MP to get back some funds, which I figure between the two of them will get me about $2150.

I just spent $3450 on the 2009 MacPro and $389 on a new ATI 5870. The ATI 5770 that came with the 2009 has gone into the 2006 before selling it to fetch a better price.

2009 MacPro Specs:
2x 2.93Ghz 8-Core
26GB RAM
ATI 5870
1TB Internal

The dilemma I'm having is whether or not to sell this 2009 MacPro and just go back to using my laptop full-time like I was just a few weeks ago. The main reason for buying in the first place was I felt like my laptop would be run into the ground if I put it under heavy load too often. The laptop is VERY fast (2x faster then the 2006 MacPro most of the time) but I wondered if it getting too hot too often for too longer might kill it quickly. Perhaps I was worrying for nothing? Maybe the 2011 MBP is more then efficient for now? I do video editing, graphic design, etc. From 2011-2012 I used the laptop for all my work, so it's proven itself. The 2009 MacPro is very nice, but I wonder if the extra performance is REALLY worth the money I just spent. I realize nobody can truly answer that but me, but what do you think?

Should I sell all three and get the money back for that 2009 MP while I still can? It would mean some serious dough in the bank. I've found it hard to justify moving off a laptop even to an iMac 27", which is a very attractive computer for the price because I find it annoying to have documents split between computers, especially things like Mail.

The issue I really have is this 17" 2011 MBP just sits around with this new desktop here, but in the rare instances I travel I would need it. Just feels like a waste the rest of the time...$$$ sitting around.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

My opinion, if you're not putting to use that 17" MBP because of the 09 MP, but still want some portability, maybe sell the 17 MBP, and just pick up an early 2011 13 MBP? I personally wouldn't want the Air, but depending on just how much work you do on the road, or what kind of "work" it really is when on the road, that might be ok too.

If its me, I wouldn't sacrifice the greater utility of the Mac Pro. The MBPs are sure nice, and very fast at things that can't use more than a few cores, the extra HD space and greater ability to multitask and other expandability is just invaluable to me in the Mac Pro. But this is the Mac Pro forum, so you'll probably find a lot people here that will have a personal bias towards the Mac Pro.
 
I work primarily in programs like Photoshop, Premiere, FCP7 and FCPX. FCPX and Adobe Media Encoder have been my primary tests because they both can really utilize most of the computers potential, and FCPX uses GPU for acceleration on export from the project.

All test indicate this 2009 MacPro which is double the cores is about 30-33% faster then the 2011 MacBook Pro (4-core 2.2Ghz). For short renders that's negligible but it's on the longer ones that 30% can turn into 20minutes saved time or even hours.

It's tough for me to determine whether that is worth it. I'm really curious to know how the iMac 27" (maxed out) would compare. I'm guessing the 2009 MacPro would best it by maybe 20%. Still, I can see why many argue for the new iMacs because they do carry some serious power without the need to spend 2x as much.

I'm honestly torn. Unless I get some really taxing consistent work with deadlines that need that extra 20-30%, not sure it's worth it. Hard to decide whether to dump the MacPro and go for an iMac, stick with the laptop full-time, etc.

My worry was running my laptop into the ground if it was put under heavy loads if I got a work boost. Does anybody think I should worry at all? Aren't those things built to be mobile powerhouses anyways? Am I worrying for nothing or what?

No matter what the 2006 MP and 2007 MBP are gonna go, it's just what to do with the 2009 MP and the 2011 MBP.
 
I would keep the 17" MBP and the 09 MP. If you do a lot of photo editing the 17" screen is a real luxury. Yes it's bigger and heavy but the screen real estate really makes up for it.

I have a 2010 hex MP fully loaded and an 08 matte 17" MBP, this combo works well for me.

The money you get from selling your 06 MP and 07 MBP I would put towards good displays for your MP
 
Unless you're just an Apple Collector, I don't see the need for 2 Laptops and 2 desktops.

I'd sell 1 of each.
 
Ditch the old MP and MBP, keep the others.

Having a notebook laying around is a waste, but then so is selling it for a loss of $$.
 
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