Apple Mac Pro 12-Core 2.93GHz Desktop with AppleCare for $6,469

[cadaveca]

Macs are made of some special materialz? Apple boxes just work...hmmm what about the whole Nvidia fiasco w/ gpus? An Apple has just as much chance to go belly up as any other computer

I do feel that off-the-shelf-components are of inferior grade to those that the big-box OEMs get. Can't say in my 20 or so years of using MAC boxes that I ahve had any serious issues...heck, I still have a G3 running perfectly.

I mean, you're right, anything can die, but in my experience, my MAC machines give far less troubles than my Windows-based boxes.

I ran on a hackintosh until I could afford the MacBook...was alot of work to get running. For the time involved, I sohuld have just boght the macbook back then.


I mean really...ask Fits how successful he was building a hackintosh. Sure, that's apple's fault, but I don't care, in the end.

 

[GSG-9]

meh, fixed

I do feel that off-the-shelf-components are of inferior grade to those that the big-box OEMs get.

When they are low binned (budget) parts.

Can't say in my 20 or so years of using MAC boxes that I ahve had any serious issues...heck, I still have a G3 running perfectly.

I have a 386 made by Packard Bell that runs fine still.

 

[cadaveca]

Sorry ER, but the OP asked for opinions as to whether the deal was worth it or not(which led to that). Clearly not a "hot deal" thread...maybe it needs to be moved.

I mean really, the only discussion should be whether this ia deal in comparison to normal Apple pricing...and nothing else.

 

[Easy Rhino]

Sorry ER, but the OP asked for opinions as to whether the deal was worth it or not(which led to that). Clearly not a "hot deal" thread...maybe it needs to be moved.

I mean really, the only discussion should be whether this ia deal in comparison to normal Apple pricing...and nothing else.

exactly. you dont post discussion material in hot deals. he should have started this thread in general hardware. i guess it will be moved instead once a mod for this section wakes up...

 

[TIGR]

"Worth it" compared to what, and for whom? Profit margins for large companies are relatively high in this price bracket, so bang-for-the-buck for the customer is relatively low. Machines like this from companies like Dell are similarly priced. This has the advantage of running OSX (legitimately) as well as Windows. It could be "worth it" compared to buying from non-Apple PC companies, depending on your priorities. Compared to building yourself, however, it wouldn't be worth it to me. Its equivalent can be built for a couple thousand dollars less (I know—I just built a similar rig for a nearby studio), but you couldn't [legitimately] use OSX. Some people would care about that, some wouldn't.

As for "server-grade" vs "regular" components: server-grade stuff is generally higher-binned (for example, many Xeon CPUs over their Pentium/Core i* equivalents). Sometimes it offers features that you don't generally get in regular components (as with ECC RAM and compatible motherboards). Theoretically, "server-grade" should mean it will last longer. In practice, have I ever noticed any difference? No. If it works, it works (and it's going to fail eventually, regardless of whether it's server-grade or not). If it doesn't, it doesn't. Is it worth the theoretically better reliability? Again, depends on your budget and needs.

The build and design quality of Mac Pros is exceptional. This, as well as aesthetics and brand are reflected in their prices. Personally, I'd rather subtract the extra price you pay for the aesthetics and brand name, and add a better data storage solution than a single 1TB HDD, as well as workstation graphics (come on, who that needs a system with 12GB of ECC RAM and 12 cores of CPU is looking for a 5770)?

....next person to post gets infracted....

Whoa, I didn't see I was going to get infracted for posting until after I posted ... really? Didn't even realize what section it was posted in until now, either.

 

[cadaveca]

you are not alone in any of that last bit, TIGR.

 

[Easy Rhino]

Whoa, I didn't see I was going to get infracted for posting until after I posted ... really? Didn't even realize what section it was posted in until now, either.

not to worry. it was an idle threat. i got w1z to move the thread to someplace more appropriate.

 

[CDdude55]

Simply, no it's not worth it.

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

Simply, no it's not worth it.

Please note I never said it was "worth it" either. My main point was that bashing Apple for the price on that machine-and in fact the whole outdated "Macs are ridiculously overpriced" opinion-is simply unfair and ignorant.

 

[CDdude55]

Please note I never said it was "worth it" either. My main point was that bashing Apple for the price on that machine-and in fact the whole outdated "Macs are ridiculously overpriced" opinion-is simply unfair and ignorant.

Well my statement wasn't addressed at you at all. Sorry if you got that impression.

And to an extent i see what your saying, but i don't think at all that it's ignorant or unfair for someone to state a fact that Mac's are generally more expensive, it's a statement that's out dated yes, but that's because it has yet to change.

 

[beyond_amusia]

the shipping should be free... :shadedshu

PC to Mac >

Apple is aimed at a select few who want to be 'hip' and 'cool' or look rich... Apple thought the iPod/iTunes would make people go Mac, and it failed horribly. I'd never have an Apple in my home unless it was free, and it'd be running Windows 7.

EDIT: as a musician, I must say PC pwn Mac - and I'm even free to take my loops into Linux or OS X if I like; Logic is much more limited on that kinda thing. I use FL Studio; sure it's clunky, but it's an entire studio.

 

[cadaveca]

The big bonus of Logic is it being able to output sheet music. I don't even normally use VSTs...and loops hardly ever...I compose music and then need to hand out sheets to the other players.

I do not think FL Studio offers this...it is a production tool. I'd never use Logic for that.

For certain things, the closed software platform that Apple provides is a bonus, rather than a setback. My MacBook is used for audio, and audio only...it's never been on the internet. If I buy a program to use, I don't have any worries about whether the hardware I have meets the specs...

But I use a pc for all other computing.

 

[beyond_amusia]

The big bonus of Logic is it being able to output sheet music. I don't even normally use VSTs...and loops hardly ever...I compose music and then need to hand out sheets to the other players.

I do not think FL Studio offers this...it is a production tool. I'd never use Logic for that.

For certain things, the closed software platform that Apple provides is a bonus, rather than a setback. My MacBook is used for audio, and audio only...it's never been on the internet. If I buy a program to use, I don't have any worries about whether the hardware I have meets the specs...

But I use a pc for all other computing.

The sheet music would be nice, but I'm sure it would be easy to do that in FL (piano roll) - I use FL to make parts of a song and then assemble it in Acid - my roommate uses FL for it all, and I just find FL too complicated for mastering... Once upon a time Logic was PC + Mac, them Apple bought it... =/ I'm sure Macs are great for music, but don't you find being limited to the integrated audio (Intel I think?) to be lacking? On my ghetto tower I got an Audigy 2 Platinum with the front inputs and MIDI (sadly, I gotta run XP to use them, but XP runs fast on the old bastard so no big loss)

 

[timta2]

Don't matter who its aimed at, OP asked if it was worth it and nothing more and i offered my point of view on it.

I disagree, but we are all entitled to our opinions, and I also offered my point of view on it. He was asking if it was worth it. Not if it was worth it as a gaming machine. I was just pointing out that it is not intended as a gaming machine when it was kind of criticized for not being one. I wouldn't talk trash about a Prius not being able to carry a 2 ton payload when somebody asked if $22K+USD was worth it for one.

 

[freaksavior]

I'm going to give my $0.02 anyway

1st you are all apple haters here. I hate apple threads because y'all always say they suck (they don't always suck, I promise you this)

2nd I love apple (yeah flame me whatever) but $6500 is to much for that. BUT if you are doing video and audio editing all day then yes, i would spend $6500 on that machine. If you where asking is it a good deal compared to the rest to buy and have for day to day use, hell no.

 

[cadaveca]

I'm sure Macs are great for music, but don't you find being limited to the integrated audio (Intel I think?) to be lacking?

There is no such limitation. MOTU doesn't ring a bell with ya, does it? Anyway, most pro-grade audio devices are Firewire. In fact, that's bascially all Firewire has been used for...I'm sure the number of firewire devices that exist are most likely 90% audio/video related.

And FruityLoops piano roll is just that...basically a rolling piano. I guess sheet music is old school nowadays.

FL is relatively new to the market...10 years or so.

 

[CDdude55]

I disagree, but we are all entitled to our opinions, and I also offered my point of view on it. He was asking if it was worth it. Not if it was worth it as a gaming machine. I was just pointing out that it is not intended as a gaming machine when it was kind of criticized for not being one. I wouldn't talk trash about a Prius not being able to carry a 2 ton payload when somebody asked if $22K+USD was worth it for one.

That's a good point to.

I think the majority of people are looking at it as machine for stuff they like to do, and in that aspect, of course most are gonna bash it and say hell no. From the looks of the computer it sounds like it's supposed to be more of a raw processing machine as a opposed to something that's meant to be sitting on someones desk playing crysis. But from what i read, he didn't clarify what the machine was going to be used for, so naturally people are gonna looking at the price and specs and think ''oh hells no!!''.

Then again, Apple is known for their expensive prices and of course most(even me), would recommend going with something you can build on the PC side on things, where in which it's possible to actually get something not only more cheaper, but possibly more powerful then the Mac the OP is talking about. And of course on a site like TPU, where it's hardcore PC hardware all the way.. it's expected to see such Mac criticism on such a forum. $100 bucks says that if you go to a forum like macboard.com or something you'll see PC bashing all most all the time.

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

1st you are all apple haters here. I hate apple threads because y'all always say they suck (they don't always suck, I promise you this)

Yup and, again, I expect more from this place. I'm sorry there is no good technological reason to "hate" Macs anymore and less and less of a price reason too. To continue to spew such crap just makes you look like a small-minded fool who knows nothing about present-day computers.

 

[CDdude55]

Haters will hate, what can you do?


You couldn't count the times i have seen in this forum of people constantly riding AMD/ATI's weenier. But they have their reasons, and no matter how stupid it maybe, it's still a reason.

I think what you have to take into count is a lot of things, i mean this is a forum that's catered towards ''extreme PC users'', so i don't see at all why anyone would be surprised at the Mac bashing.

At the end of the day i really don't care what everyone else buys, it's there money.

But for me, Macs are shit.

 

[Anarchy0110]

Ridiculous Should have been 2x HD5970 not HD5770

 

[TIGR]

1st you are all apple haters here. I hate apple threads because y'all always say they suck (they don't always suck, I promise you this)

2nd I love apple (yeah flame me whatever) but $6500 is to much for that. BUT if you are doing video and audio editing all day then yes, i would spend $6500 on that machine. If you where asking is it a good deal compared to the rest to buy and have for day to day use, hell no.

Yup and, again, I expect more from this place. I'm sorry there is no good technological reason to "hate" Macs anymore and less and less of a price reason too. To continue to spew such crap just makes you look like a small-minded fool who knows nothing about modern computers.

There's some anti-Mac sentiment here, but there are both closed-minded, as well as thoughtful comments from both camps in this thread.

I posted a bit about both strengths and weaknesses of Apple here. I also stated that Macs are appropriate for some people, but not for others. I would say they are inappropriate for the vast majority of users who are serious about getting some computing done. Exceptions are users who:

a) don't care how much money is spent
b) are determined to use Mac-only software and can't/wont do Hackintosh

There was a time when I considered OSX superior to Windows, but that time has gone—some will agree, some will disagree. Performance-wise, Apple will lose most bang-for-the-buck comparisons. Aesthetically, Apple will often win. Excellent build and design quality are there, and there are some good Mac-only software titles.

I check Apple's site almost daily for product updates and am a regular at the Apple Store. I believe in giving credit where credit is due, and in considering everything objectively. Calling those who disagree with you "small-minded fool who knows nothing about modern computers" is not, I think, appropriate or accurate here.

 

[KainXS]

if it had a workstation card it wouldn't be that bad but a workstation pc/mac/who cares like that costing 6500 dollars with a 5770 is not worth it.

 

[Solaris17]

just made this on newegg. this system would spank that mac and 2k cheaper.

Once You Know, You Newegg

 

[cadaveca]

if it had a workstation card it wouldn't be that bad but a workstation pc/mac/who cares like that costing 6500 dollars with a 5770 is not worth it.

When STREAM and OpenCL are supported on consumer-level cards, there's no need for workstation products any more. Why would you buy a "specialized" gpu? In fact, in today's market, I don't even think they have a place where they belong...the only true difference is product support, in workstation cards, and I do not know that you'd get that support when buying an Apple...AMD is too Windows-focused, IMHO.

I mean, for that cost, I agree 100%...it should be that grade of product, but see the above.

 

[BakerzDuzin]

just made this on newegg. this system would spank that mac and 2k cheaper.

Once You Know, You Newegg

You are forgetting that the mac pro desktop has two processors to your one...