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Mac Pro?

Discussion in 'The Computer Shop' started by oolibokee, Feb 22, 2012.

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  1. oolibokee Well-Known Member

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    It occurred to me that ducksoup is exactly the place for this question. My favorite thing about this community is our collective ability to discuss topics rationally without a hint of the usual ragespeak that internet forums seem to spawn. So I come to you with a question:

    Is a new Mac Pro worth the price?

    The current model will be updated hopefully some time this year, depending on who you believe, and will have the newest intel chipset and AMD or nVidia graphics hardware. I expect the top end model, having at least 12 cores, to sell for around $4,000.00. (The current top end model is priced at $5,000 and has been since July 2010, so I expect a price drop. Assume for purposes of this question that it will be 4k.)

    Suppose you were to build an equal PC machine--how cheaply could you do it?
    oolibokee, Feb 22, 2012
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    programzeta Shitty Wizard

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    questions required for any mac purchase:
    1. how long do you intend to have the computer
    2. do you intend to resell the computer
    3. do you want to deal with maintenance on a laptop yourself
    4. have you used OSX before
    5. what are your intentions in getting a laptop
    6. are you going to be hooking up this laptop to a docking station / display
    programzeta, Feb 22, 2012
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  3. oolibokee Well-Known Member

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    Mac Pro--not MacBook Pro

    1. A long time
    2. No
    3. Not a laptop, but one reason I have to consider the Mac Pro is that I do not have the time or the expertise to build a machine on my own.
    4. Yes. I currently run an iMac, but I play games on a windows partition through boot camp. I use OS X for everything else.
    5, 6. moot.

    Thanks
    oolibokee, Feb 22, 2012
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    Irish Retried?

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    Off the top of my head, going off of years of fairly well-established pc build vs mac system costs.. you could likely do the PC build for 3K or less and get better components overall.

    No matter how Apple spins its products you will ALWAYS be able to build a better PC system for cheaper. This has been a fact for years now and until Apple drops it prices or introduces sales, it will always be a fact.

    At 3k I'm just going off my own experience as a tech. But it's usually been anywhere from 1/2 to 3/4's the cost when building a similar or better PC machine.

    My personal and professional opinion: There's no reason to pay more for Apple computers. None whatsoever. If you are already a fan and prefer their OS, then go for it, but Apple is still limited with regards to gaming and available applications. The virus argument is outdated and moot. The Apple OS "can be" easier to use for luddites, but many people report that it is just as difficult as Windows. It's more of a personal thing really, based on how you learn and process info. And given that Apple computers are now just PC builds with an Apple OS, there's NO REASON for them to be so expensive. It's greed.

    The extra cost is somewhat justified with their laptops, as you actually are paying for a higher level of quality in the build. That being said, you can get a more powerful ASUS laptop for cheaper and a better warranty and the build quality is identical.

    If you throw 4k into a PC build, you can get the same components, 2-3 videocards, more storage or a better ssd setup, 2-3 screens, etc., etc. With the 5k they want right now I could build a system with 4 videocards and some specs that would make me shit myself. It would blow the Apple system out of the water.

    ------------------------
    My obligatory disclaimer on all Apple topics. :p

    I'm not someone to take a side due to fanboyism. There's a place for both systems. I simply feel that Apple offers nothing to justify their fucking ridiculously high prices when better PC systems can be built for less. It's blatant greed, fueled by an entire fan-base who have been misled into accepting it like it's a "status thing." Maybe that held muster when Apple hardware was its own, but now that EVERY Apple computer is just a normal PC with an Apple OS... it doesn't anymore.

    I have nothing against people wanting Apple for the sake of wanting Apple. We all have a little fanboy in us, it's normal.
    Irish, Feb 22, 2012
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  5. my_fist N Channel Device

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    Honestly, building a PC from parts is actually not terribly difficult.
    my_fist, Feb 22, 2012
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    FlyBoy Resist!

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    So what exactly do you plan on doing on this computer? Is this for video games, 3d modeling, photo/video editing or something else? The reason I ask is because most likely the mac pro will come with workstation graphics which are only really useful for 3d cad work, for everything else non-workstation GPUs will give you a ton more bang for buck.

    With a budget of up to $4k I'm sure DSG can find you the perfect system for what you need. Even if that does, for some reason, end up being a mac.

    (On the subject of Apple as a company I find their business practices of ludicrous lawsuits over ideas they stole from others and closed systems despicable and a step in the wrong direction for the industry, and because of their success other companies are trying to follow. I will acknowledge that their user interfaces are clean and easy to use and make it easy for the general user to access basic functionality.)
    FlyBoy, Feb 22, 2012
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    Blaaguuu Citizen Snips!

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    I still don't see any reason to have a Mac desktop... They make solid, if absurdly expensive laptops, if you are okay with OS X... But unless you REALLY like OS X, when it comes to desktops, self built Windows or Linux systems are the way to go.

    It really does depend on what you are going to be using it for, though... If it is just a gaming rig, making a Windows desktop would probably only cost around $1,000-1,500. Maybe $2,000 if you want to go all out, but you wont really get much out of that last $500.
    Blaaguuu, Feb 22, 2012
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    programzeta Shitty Wizard

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    at this point the only mac i'd get is the air because i am not sure there is any equiv pc laptop
    programzeta, Feb 22, 2012
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    Irish Retried?

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    There's similar laptops to the Air, but none that match it truly for weight and thinness. That being said, I know a few people who have them and they aren't all that impressed. the newer thin laptops coming out have more features and power with only a fractional increase in size and weight. And they are waaaay cheaper.
    Irish, Feb 22, 2012
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    Mycologist Mushroom King

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    Untitled-1.png
    Mycologist, Feb 22, 2012
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    Alistairasaurus Member

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    Asus Zenbook. I'm in love...

    But yah, I agree, I was tempted to get an air last summer, but couldn't justify it. I now can, but the Zenbook is better in every way, and cheaper, so I'm getting it instead.
    Alistairasaurus, Feb 22, 2012
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    FlyBoy Resist!

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    If I remember correctly Apple very recently forced the factory that was making the Zenbook to stop producing them, basically using extortion through the threat of no longer working with that factory to halt production, I'll see if I can find the article.

    Yeah, HERE it is. Get it while you can.
    FlyBoy, Feb 22, 2012
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    Mycologist Mushroom King

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    Mycologist, Feb 22, 2012
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    AIDS Choosy moms choose AIDS

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    The "macs are ridiculous expensive" thing is tired. I *hate* my mac, but if you actually compare apples to apples (no pun intended) they don't fare that badly...

    If you're going to say "Well I already have a case" or "This 12 core AMD is the same as 2 6 core Xeons", well... heh.

    I'd stay away just because Steam sucks so bad on Mac, and Bootcamp Windows is meh.
    AIDS, Feb 22, 2012
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  15. my_fist N Channel Device

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    The case alone is really good. Myco recommended it when I built my PC back in June and it has definitely done well.
    my_fist, Feb 22, 2012
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    SecretAznMan Asshole

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    No
    SecretAznMan, Feb 22, 2012
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  17. oolibokee Well-Known Member

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    Although the specs of the new mac pro are not available yet, that is a better machine than what I expect the new mac pro to be. For 4k.

    I'll wait until the new specs are out and then decide from there.

    Thanks for the info, and, as expected, no infantile rage about OS X and Windows. Pancake Milkshakes for everyone!
    oolibokee, Feb 23, 2012
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    walterwalterwalter Arguably undead

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    Completely agree with this and if you have a single tinkering impulse in your body I highly recommend you give it a try. The first PC I built probably took me an entire Saturday because it was all new. I put my HTPC together in about an hour. I have found it easier every time and would not consider buying a prebuilt desktop ever again.

    I'd say if you're looking to build a beefy desktop that a custom build will be cheaper and fit your needs. Of course,
    I run Windows and Ubuntu Linux and I have only a passing experience with OS X.
    walterwalterwalter, Feb 23, 2012
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  19. oolibokee Well-Known Member

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    This is the part where I admit that I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and therefore have no excuse not to try. Thanks for the tips everyone.
    oolibokee, Feb 27, 2012
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  20. my_fist N Channel Device

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    Even grease monkeys can use electronics :happy-plz:

    /ieee4life
    my_fist, Feb 27, 2012
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