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Why a Mac Pro? Why not a PC?

ddwit

ddwit

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 4, 2010
54
0
The Netherlands
Dear People,

I would like to know your thoughts? I like OSX, I like Apple hardware, I like Mac software, we own a Mac Book Pro and an Imac a PC, and we will buy a Mac Pro this week or so.

Why not buy a PC instead: the same setup will cost 1000,- less, it has more extra's (like more RAM, USB3, eSata), Windows 7 is stabil?
 
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It is clear what you get once you own a Mac Pro over a PC: OS X, support provided by Apple and limited upgrade options in certain areas. If you want or are happy with those things then buy the Mac Pro. If not get a PC.
 
It's all what you are comfortable with.

In my opinion, the extra 1000 is buying you the peace of mind that comes from a well-written OS without a lot of holes and vulnerabilities that can be exploited with viruses.

Also, (maybe because I use it more) I prefer OS X to Windows, but others may not.

OS X just works and with Windows, you have to keep up with it to keep it working.

Is that worth 1000? I can't answer for you...for me it absolutely is. You will be able to do generally the same things with each computer...just with the Mac the entire process of getting to the result will be easier in my opinion.
 
mstrze said:
just with the Mac the entire process of getting to the result will be easier in my opinion.
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I completely agree. I don't mind spending the xtra 1000,- I didn't start this thread to be convinced. I already am convinced. I'm just curious why other people are convinced..
 
ddwit said:
Dear People,

I would like to know your thoughts? I like OSX, I like Apple hardware, I like Mac software, we own a Mac Book Pro and an Imac, and we will buy a Mac Pro this week or so.

Why not buy a PC instead: the same setup will cost 1000,- less, it has more extra's (like more RAM, USB3, eSata), Windows 7 is stabil?
Click to expand...

Have you ever owned a PC?! :p :D

I loved PC's when keeping my PC running smoothly was my hobby. Now that I just want to use my computer, I've switched to Mac. ;)

In all seriousness, the Mac ecosystem has a few great things that make it great, particularly if you own a couple of Apple products. Things like MobileMe cloud sync for mail, calendar, files, keychain, bookmarks, etc. is amazingly slick and transparent. Time Machine is a godsend compared to any backup solution on a PC. Add the ability to automatically migrate settings and data from a TM backup to a new machine or an existing machine where you've done a clean install simply doesn't exist on the PC. It's a ridiculously brutal undertaking on a PC and made trivial on a Mac. Other than these things, there are usability and cosmetic things that just stand out... the dock, the less gawdy interface, the settings panel, etc. Life really is simpler on a Mac. Plus there's software that's unique to the Mac that I really like... Aperture, FCP, and to a lesser extent iWork.
 
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VirtualRain said:
Have you ever owned a PC?!
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I forgot to add the PC to the topic start. The last 20 years of my life there was always a PC in my house ;)

mstrze said:
OS X just works and with Windows, you have to keep up with it to keep it working.
Click to expand...
VirtualRain said:
I loved PC's when keeping my PC running smoothly was my hobby. Now that I just want to use my computer, I've switched to Mac. ;)
Click to expand...

Yeaahh, your right! Well said! It's comfortable! :) :)
 
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I'm the type of person that plaform used = best solution for the task (system + software + budget limitations are taken into account).

As per the MP, if you can use a PC (including software), then it has more options, lower costs, and fewer problems that can't be gotten around (i.e. faster response to firmware issues, unlike Apple), and software also gets updated faster (usually other application options in the event the one you've been using hasn't or won't be fixed).

There's also low level issues that crop up from time to time, that are a PITA, or even impossible on a MP. Running a full scan on HDD's is one example, running disk firmware updates can be another.

Up to you, and anyone else using the system can deal with having to keep an anti-virus application (and a few other tools) on the system and keep up with them, there are definitely advantages to using a PC as I see it. Cost is only one of those, though an important one.
 
Have you ever replaced the ram or hard drive in a MacPro vs a PC. It is two different worlds.

I personally went with a MacPro over a PC with the same specs because of Aperture and Final Cut Studio.
 
nanofrog said:
plaform used = best solution for the task
Click to expand...

OK. Fair.
But you have to take in account that if you work every day on a platform you have to get a smile from it. Otherwise the profit you gain on the lower buying price will result in less longterm profit because off a lack off a smile during the working hours!
 
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Cave Man said:
Dell's Xeon-based servers are just as much - if not more - than a Mac Pro. Different hardware when compared to 8xx/9xx i7 chips and chipsets. You can't have dual processors with those.
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It may have to do with where you live, but the SP systems are cheaper in North America at least (by ~$1k USD actually, so it's significant in this subsection). The DP systems, Yes, the pricing is much closer, and usually a bit over.

But there's a little tidbit that you may not be aware of; don't go by the web pricing, pick up the phone and call. You will almost always get better pricing this way. Seriously.

There's a couple of other things you also need to keep in mind. The Dell will come with better warranty support (means you have to add Extended Apple Care to the MP for a fairer comparison), and that can even be upgraded (good idea actually, so you don't have to wait on the phone). You cannot get absolute parity, but for some the additional RAM slots on the PC can make a big difference in overall cost once you add in all the upgrades.

So it's not as simple as comparing a web price. ;)

ddwit said:
OK. Fair.
But you have to take in account that if you work every day on a platform you have to get a smile from it otherwise the profit you gain on the lower buying price will result in less profit because of irritation which leads to a bad result!
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It takes the aggravation into account.

The MP is not perfect, unlike the impression the marketing implies. The hassles are different, but they're there, and have gotten worse since Apple's shifted their focus to the consumer market. As a result, the professional market has suffered (higher bug counts, and the time to solution, if it's solved at all, is way too long). :(
 
Cave Man said:
Dell's Xeon-based servers are just as much - if not more - than a Mac Pro. Different hardware when compared to 8xx/9xx i7 chips and chipsets. You can't have dual processors with those.
Click to expand...

Dell Precision T3500 with similar specs as base Mac Pro (W3530, 4GB of RAM, ATI FirePro V4800, 1TB) costs 1629$ while Mac Pro costs 2499$. Exclude RAM and HD upgrades and the price is 1099$. The Dell even has workstation graphics.

DP Mac Pro is reasonably priced (actually cheaper than Dell's equivalent IIRC) but SP Mac Pro has about 1000$ of air in the price.
 
nanofrog said:
The MP is not perfect, unlike the impression the marketing implies. The hassles are different, but they're there, and have gotten worse since Apple's shifted their focus to the consumer market. As a result, the professional market has suffered (higher bug counts, and the time to solution, if it's solved at all, is way too long). :(
Click to expand...

Yes sure, but I still smile more when using a Mac instead of using the PC. but maybe that's because I'm not that high end pro.
 
ddwit said:
Yes sure, but I still smile more when using a Mac instead of using the PC. but maybe that's because I'm not that high end pro.
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Like I said, it's up to you. ;)

The only thing I can think of to recommend you as a means of getting an objective idea of the better solution, is to examine the software that will be used (PC vs. OS X versions or equivalent if it's not available in both platforms). Then see which has the better feature set and usability.

But I don't know if you can get around your emotional attachment to Macs. :eek: But then again, if OS X is the better solution in terms of workflow, you may not have to. :D :p

This is what you and anyone else using the system have to figure out yourselves. :cool:
 
used to be both PC and Mac and have been back and forth its what tool does the best job the one thing though where Macs are nicer to use is color management

also security less hassles to keep up to date etc..

I like both but they have pros and cons

I miss tinkering on a PC but then I dont miss it when I am slammed and dont have the time ?

I miss the options to upgrade ? then again my system is running smooth so I dont need to ?

I dont get to hung up I love Macs though cause it fits me and my thoughts but both can do the job and one is not better than the other just sitting their !

but one is always the better choice for the end user ! but that end user has to spend time with both and find what they like and why they like it
 
mstrze said:
It's all what you are comfortable with.
Click to expand...

This says it all for me--I am comfortable with my Mac and with OS-X and would not be comfortable switching back to a PC. Comfort with a particular piece of equipment, brand--or operating system--is an important factor to a lot of us. :)
 
I have been using PC's for over 20yrs and macs for the last 3.

For the Mac Pro, IMO:

Pluses: OS X, excellent build quality

Minuses: limited expandibility, i.e. only 4 PCIe slots and 4 HD bays, limited options for graphics cards.
 
Never looked back

I made the switch in 2007 with an iMac then in 2008 changing to a Mac Pro, after years of pc building and the various Windows operating systems I've never looked back, I think the easiest way to sum it up is i find computing a much easier experience in OS X it's just a breeze to use it boot's up quick and shut's down faster than I can blink, best of all I can still use Windows via bootcamp when required.

So what seemed like a system that was priced over the odds in the long term has been a great choice two years down the line and two more generations later it's still running strong and will do for many more years I hope :)
 
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cutterman said:
I have been using PC's for over 20yrs and macs for the last 3.



Minuses: limited expandibility, i.e. only 4 PCIe slots and 4 HD bays, limited options for graphics cards.
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Is this a joke?:confused:

Only 4 HD bays. Limited options for graphics? 8 Cores isn't enough for you?
 
iamthedudeman said:
Is this a joke?:confused:

Only 4 HD bays. Limited options for graphics? 8 Cores isn't enough for you?
Click to expand...

The low number of PCI slots is really annoying, I agree on that. E.g. if I have a ProTools HD2 system and also want to use an UAD DSP card my Mac is full - so no slot free for a video card like Blackmagic... that is lame. It should have at least one more PCI slot than it has now. But I am still using Mac Pro because of other advantages.
 
The resale value of Macs are much higher than PC's. Have a look on ebay.

Also, I was looking at building a custom PC with OSX but for me it was only about 15-20% more to get the Mac Pro with simailar spec.
 
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