What year used Mac Pro to buy?

I am considering buying a used Mac Pro (I already have a 2010 model).

Are there any years I should avoid or favor?

I am looking at eBay and there is a loaded 2008 I have my eye on.

Thank you for your help.

Welcome to our forums.

You already have a favored Mac Pro (2010 model) and unless you're just in the market for another to tinker around, a 2008 model is ok provided the price is right. Stay away from the trash can Mac Pro model. They're expensive and not near as configurable as your 2010.

If this is important to you be sure to check any models you are interested in to see what the maximum OS is that the Mac in question can run. You can find that information using the MacTracker app or from the EveryMac.com website.

My Pro is an early 2009 model and although it works great and does everything I ask, it is maxed out at El Capitan. It kind of galls me that a machine like this, twin quad core Xeons, 16gb ram, etc., is now dead in the water as far as any future OS upgrades go.
I've seen 20 year old Windows laptops running Windows 10 with no problem.

Happy4 said:

I've seen 20 year old Windows laptops running Windows 10 with no problem.

Click to expand...

Really? I would love to see a laptop from 1997 running Windows 10!

In this article (below)...they tested three "older" computers (2006, 2008, and 2009) to see how well they could run Windows 10 (which was released in 2015). It was not a "rosy" experience in each case.
Now let's talk about a laptop computer from 1997...hmmm! AND...you're saying a 20 year-old 1997 Windows laptop can run Windows 10 with NO PROBLEM! I seriously doubt that!!!

https://www.pcworld.com/article/295...-windows-10-the-answer-will-surprise-you.html

- Nick

Windows 10 Minimum specs

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
Free hard disk space: 16 GB
It can and has been done.
My Mac Pro is 8 years old and can't be upgraded to the latest OS. Virtually ANY 8 year old Windows computer can run Windows 10.

Happy4 said:

Windows 10 Minimum specs

Virtually ANY 8 year old Windows computer can run Windows 10.

Click to expand...

Yes I know what the minimum specs are for Windows 10.

But in your earlier post you said..."I've seen 20 year old Windows laptops running Windows 10 with no problem." Please notice two key details in that statement (20 year old Windows laptops & No Problem).

I don't disagree with you that "Any 8 year old Windows computer can run Windows 10." I proved that with the article I linked. But you said 20 year old Windows laptops can run Windows 10 "no problem". This a MUCH different statement!

- Nick

p.s. And yes...I would also agree with you that in many ways...Windows computers do have better "backwards compatability" than most Apple computers. But then this is simply a difference between Windows computers & Apple computers...and this is NOT a Windows vs. Apple discussion.