MP 1,1-5,1 Upgrade/Update my 5,1 CMP or get a newer machine Mac Studio and or Mac Mini

[Sossity]

Hi all, I know I have asked something similar, but now seeing the new mac studio is on the way has me rethinking about this. I have some older software and hardware that is also intel based.

The mac studio has newer ports and technology, but the M1 chip would not allow me to use some of my older software such as Adobe CS6, of which I paid a lot for, and it is not subscription based, I hate subscription based software. I also have scanners and a printer that work, but I may end up having to replace because the software that runs them would not run on the m1 mac studio.

To work around this; I would;

• Either keep my 5,1 for older stuff,
• Or sell it, and get the most recent intel mac mini for my older stuff.

What I would like to know what might be better or to spend my money and time on; sell my 5,1, get an intel mini for old stuff, and a mac studio for newer stuff.

or I could upgrade my 5,1 to run newer oses, and still be able to use my older stuff.

I do like my 5,1 but it is big and sometimes gets a bit loud on my small desk, and it does have older ports, and I am not sure if it would be as energy efficient as a newer mac desktop would be.

So my options might be all together;

• Newer stuff, mac studio
• Older stuff; most recent mac mini

The benefits of this would be the machines would have newer ports and technology, take up less space on my desk, and maybe be more energy efficient. The thing that makes me concerned is that the mini does get hot, I remember my 2011 mini fans would spin up and it got hot, and it began to have problems possibly due to overheating.

or;

• Keep my 5,1 for older stuff, and have a secondary drive for newer stuff.
• Get a mac studio for newer stuff, and the 5,1 would be for older stuff.

The benefits would be I get one newer machine, with newer ports, and the 5,1 for older stuff.

Given how old the 5,1 is, it it worth spending the money to upgrade it, or would it be better spent or put towards a newer machine like the most recent mac mini for older stuff.

I hope this all makes sense, but what I am reading about the m1 chips are that they are basically making a lot of older software and hardware useless.

I would like to avoid having to practically have to replace much of my hardware and software because it is too old for newer macs, but it might be inevitable.

 

[bsbeamer]

If you're not going to update your Adobe CS6 software, do not even consider venturing into the Apple Silicon territory. Had to use an old CS6 for a specific unarchived ask a few months ago and it was an impossible to achieve headache on Monterey. Needed to bust out and boot into an old MP5,1 clone.

The challenge you're going to face is not only the CPU but also the OS limitations with CS6 compatibility. In your specific case (just for the software) I'd be hesitant to move outside of an MP5,1 machine.

If you consider a Mini, make sure the OS can be downgraded. Many cannot and for your software alone would make an MP5,1 upgraded the better choice.

 

[Stex]

I agree with @bsbeamer, if using Adobe CS6 is mandatory to your workflow, then stay with your current setup.

Another option would be to look into Affinity software as an alternative to Adobe. I transitioned to Affinity software and have been very happy so far. It is optimized for Apple silicon. I run it on both my cMP (my signature) and a M1 Mac Mini with 16GB ram, works flawlessly on both setups.

 

[Sossity]

I agree with @bsbeamer, if using Adobe CS6 is mandatory to your workflow, then stay with your current setup.

Another option would be to look into Affinity software as an alternative to Adobe. I transitioned to Affinity software and have been very happy so far. It is optimized for Apple silicon. I run it on both my cMP (my signature) and a M1 Mac Mini with 16GB ram, works flawlessly on both setups.

Yes, that is something I have read about, but, I bought the student version of Adobe CS6 design suite, and it was an expensive purchase for me, and I still use it, and I am not quite ready to just ditch it altogether, since it seems Adobe is still the industry standard, but I am not ready or want a subscription either. I have Affinity bookmarked, and may use it at some point.

I went ahead and bought an updated/upgraded graphics card for my 5,1, so I am committed now to upgrading it. I am also considering getting a sonnet 4 port USB-C card for it to add more ports. That is the one thing a most of the macs seem to lack is enough connecting ports.

My only thought is, what of the power supply goes on my 5,1? can get a new one of those?

I am also looking for some kind of travel or packing case, I have the cardboard box and all the styrofoam stuffed in my closet from when I first got it, but I would like to clean that up.

 

[AlexMaximus]

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[Sossity]

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Thank you, I had a hard time finding this, is the G5 the same size as the 2010 mid 5,1 mac pro?

That is quite expensive, I also see amazon has some computer bags too for a lot less, but am not sure if they would work also.

The thing I have is a behemoth, it is heavy too. I also have some old suite cases, I wonder if those would work, or using some kind of wheeled suitcase.

 

[AlexMaximus]

Thank you, I had a hard time finding this, is the G5 the same size as the 2010 mid 5,1 mac pro?

That is quite expensive, I also see amazon has some computer bags too for a lot less, but am not sure if they would work also.

The thing I have is a behemoth, it is heavy too. I also have some old suite cases, I wonder if those would work, or using some kind of wheeled suitcase.

G5 is the same size as MP4,1/5,1

You can go for standard pelican cases or the like and cut the styro yourselves..

when on Budget best to get a used one on eBay..

 

[MarkC426]

Yes, that is something I have read about, but, I bought the student version of Adobe CS6 design suite, and it was an expensive purchase for me, and I still use it, and I am not quite ready to just ditch it altogether, since it seems Adobe is still the industry standard, but I am not ready or want a subscription either. I have Affinity bookmarked, and may use it at some point.

My only thought is, what of the power supply goes on my 5,1? can get a new one of those?

Unfortunately this is the way with older software.....
I had/still have the big box Final Cut Studio and Shake, both of which over time had become unsupported in newer versions of MacOS.

You will not get a 'new' power supply, but a used one on eBay.

 

[Stex]

Thank you, I had a hard time finding this, is the G5 the same size as the 2010 mid 5,1 mac pro?

That is quite expensive, I also see amazon has some computer bags too for a lot less, but am not sure if they would work also.

The thing I have is a behemoth, it is heavy too. I also have some old suite cases, I wonder if those would work, or using some kind of wheeled suitcase.

Every use case might be different and might need different solutions, but here some of my personal experience traveling with and/or shipping the cMP around the world: I do art installations that use computation and my cMP was heavily used for that purpose in museums/galleries between 2009-2015. I usually took it with me on long-haul intercontinental flights, sometimes I shipped it. At the time, I did a lot of research on rugged travel cases, and although a Pelican case would have been an ideal option, I always ended up using the original Apple Mac Pro box. The latter is very study, it's what Apple originally used to ship these beasts around the world. I just modified my cMP box a bit, I covered the outside in sheets of vinyl and at the bottom attached an MDF base with casters! If you have the budget, then sure, going for a Pelican might be best way to go. But if you still have the original box with foam, I think you can count on it keeping it safe while traveling/shipping. I don't travel with nor ship this beast around the world anymore, it's now my main workstation in my studio, where it cozily settled since about 2015. But it has not retired at all either! It's still a workhorse! Long live the cMP!

 

[Sossity]

G5 is the same size as MP4,1/5,1

You can go for standard pelican cases or the like and cut the styro yourselves..

when on Budget best to get a used one on eBay..

ok, thanks, is there a model of pelican case to look for that would the mac pro? so I will cruse eBay and see what I can find.

 

[Sossity]

Every use case might be different and might need different solutions, but here some of my personal experience traveling with and/or shipping the cMP around the world: I do art installations that use computation and my cMP was heavily used for that purpose in museums/galleries between 2009-2015. I usually took it with me on long-haul intercontinental flights, sometimes I shipped it. At the time, I did a lot of research on rugged travel cases, and although a Pelican case would have been an ideal option, I always ended up using the original Apple Mac Pro box. The latter is very study, it's what Apple originally used to ship these beasts around the world. I just modified my cMP box a bit, I covered the outside in sheets of vinyl and at the bottom attached an MDF base with casters! If you have the budget, then sure, going for a Pelican might be best way to go. But if you still have the original box with foam, I think you can count on it keeping it safe while traveling/shipping. I don't travel with nor ship this beast around the world anymore, it's now my main workstation in my studio, where it cozily settled since about 2015. But it has not retired at all either! It's still a workhorse! Long live the cMP!

ok, thanks, unfortunately, I do not have the original box, and if you still travel, what do you take now?

 

[Stex]

ok, thanks, unfortunately, I do not have the original box, and if you still travel, what do you take now?

I must have misunderstood, thought you meant you still had the original box and foam in a closet.

Since about 2015, for my specific use case, Mac minis got performance-wise powerful enough to replace my need to use a cMP, again only for the kind of so-called new media art work I had to install/exhibit. As a result, since then I simply ask venues to provide a specific Mac mini (usually Intel) for my needs. No need to travel with the beast anymore. Which is not bad at all, I take care of my cMP in my studio, diligently upgrading it (to the max already!) and keep it happy for... well, we'll see, hopefully for many more years to come!

 

[ADGrant]

So my options might be all together;

• Newer stuff, mac studio
• Older stuff; most recent Mac mini

You could also consider a later Mac Pro. With the release of the Mac Studio I would expect prices of the Trashcan Pros to drop. Though not as upgradable as a 5,1 or 7,1 they are much more upgradable than the latest Intel Minis or a Studio.

 

[Sossity]

You could also consider a later Mac Pro. With the release of the Mac Studio I would expect prices of the Trashcan Pros to drop. Though not as upgradable as a 5,1 or 7,1 they are much more upgradable than the latest Intel Minis or a Studio.

Ok, yes, I have heard of the trashcan macs, but I got mixed advice for that, was told it was problematic, and I would like something that is upgradeable.

 

[MarkC426]

Buying a 'trashcan' now is a very bad idea.
Very hard to fix/upgrade, and outdated.