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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Getting a new MAC Pro

G

Gregory Sheffer

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How crucial is a video card for using FCP, Motion and After Effects? Going to buy a new Mac Pro and Apple has all these different cards - should I even worry about upgrading the card in my new machine?
 
Wait. Updated Mac Pro's are imminent.

If you absolutely, positively, must have one today, then It's a toss-up between the ATI 4870, which can be bought in the system. And the nVidia GTX285, which is an aftermarket card. The latter is the better choice if you need two DVI|DL ports to drive dual 30" displays or if you will be wanting to get the most out of Premiere CS5. Otherwise, the ATI is a good choice.
 
Hi Gregory:

Although new Mac Pros may be coming out very soon, there is often a delay before they actually start shipping and in my experience (I've owned over a hundred macs in 20 years), you never want to buy the very first models offered because shortly after initial release they often make minor improvements, increase clock speed or reduce price of same options. Also, there are often software and hardware bugs that have to be worked out with updates that first few months. I'll probably wait 3 months after the new ones come out. Even if they do announce new Mac Pros in the next 60 days, IMHO the most OPTIMAL time to buy a new Mac Pro would be about 3-4 months after that. Meanwhile buy a good used Mac Pro to get you by and then sell it for 80% of what you bought it for 6 months from now.

-michael zaletel
 
Yes, Wait.... just a few more days. But the GTX 285 is the one to get if your working with R3D's....
 
Shameless plug: if you work with a lot of RED footage, get the REDRocket card! That said, I have the ATI 4870, along with the Kona LHi for video i/o.

Best,

- Jordan
 
buy Apple Factory refurbs. full warranty, work great (computers are a series of components afterall) and you save a TON of $- people who buy new are nuts in my opinion when Apple refurbs are held to high standards AND you can buy apple care for them and still put $ in your pocket. Our MAC PRO 2.93 8 Core refurbs have had ZERO issues.
 
the day the new iphone lands is also the day i have heard the new mac pros will drop... if they don't, im gonna shoot myself because I have been waiting waaaayyyy too long...
 
Jarred Land said:
if they don't, im gonna shoot myself because I have been waiting waaaayyyy too long...
Click to expand...
:iagree:

Me too. Still using a first gen! Upgrade long overdue.

Having said that, my first gen Mac Pro is still killing it after 4 years and it has processed countless hours of Red footage!

Served me well but ready for a rest... :seeya:
 
Jarred Land said:
the day the new iphone lands is also the day i have heard the new mac pros will drop... if they don't, im gonna shoot myself because I have been waiting waaaayyyy too long...
Click to expand...

That would be great, so not only I get a new iPhone, just got the new iPad (also to be used with the Epic and the H.264 Module), and getting the new Tower to process Epic footage would be nothing short of great, if it happens, he he, I'm down to only my MBP and is a bit painful ;~)
 
Mac Pro Buyer's Guide

Product Mac Pro
Recommendation: Don't Buy - Updates soon
Last Release March 03, 2009
Days Since Update 455 (Avg = 236)

Recent Rumors
 
Tim Whitcomb said:
buy Apple Factory refurbs. full warranty, work great (computers are a series of components afterall) and you save a TON of $- people who buy new are nuts in my opinion when Apple refurbs are held to high standards AND you can buy apple care for them and still put $ in your pocket. Our MAC PRO 2.93 8 Core refurbs have had ZERO issues.
Click to expand...

I can't argue with anything you said here except I have never seen refurbs at all that much of a discount. Maybe 10%?
 
Jarred Land said:
the day the new iphone lands is also the day i have heard the new mac pros will drop... if they don't, im gonna shoot myself because I have been waiting waaaayyyy too long...
Click to expand...

Boy, do I hear that. I have been sure the new Mac Pros were gonna drop since last Fall. Long wait! Better come soon.
 
Terry VerHaar said:
I can't argue with anything you said here except I have never seen refurbs at all that much of a discount. Maybe 10%?
Click to expand...

Have to agree with that. The refurbs are usually not that great of a deal any time I've checked. But I do always check because sometimes a real gem shows up. I bought a 27" iMac for about 25% off new and I still got full 3-year applecare with it. My local Apple Store gives regular business customers a 5% to 10% discount on most system purchases and any software/hardware purchased along with a system. I don't think I've ever paid full "sticker price" for a Mac Pro.

That and I typically buy the lowest configuration and then load it up with RAM and drives myself. Although, on brand new models, sometimes it's still alright to buy the RAM from Apple as other vendors may not be selling it yet. On the Macbook Pro systems, it seems it's better to buy the RAM from Apple right after release or at the time the adjust pricing. They tend to price RAM upgrades where they're a bit too expensive, but just cheap enough where you won't save any money by buying a lower config and picking up RAM elsewhere.
 
jimhare said:
:iagree:

Me too. Still using a first gen! Upgrade long overdue.

Having said that, my first gen Mac Pro is still killing it after 4 years and it has processed countless hours of Red footage!
Click to expand...
Same here. Btw, you can upgrade first gen Mac Pro to 2xQuad core processors pretty cheap and end up with a modern machine with a little money invested :)
 
Wait at least a week.

Terry VerHaar said:
I can't argue with anything you said here except I have never seen refurbs at all that much of a discount. Maybe 10%?
Click to expand...

It depends on the popularity of the system and the number of them they have, and how long its been sitting around. 10-25% is normal.

Right now you can get:

Refurbished Mac Pro 2.26GHz 8-Core Intel Xeon for 2800$ which is 15% off.

Also students get a great deal on Apple computers and the Apple Care Protection plan.
 
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