difficulties pulling the trigger on a Mac Pro

[count_schemula]

My options are:

refurb 2008 8-core 2.8GHz ($2250 LA Computer) ($2400 Apple)
new 2009 4-core 2.66GHz ($2500 Apple)
refurb 2009 8-core 2.26GHz ($2700 Apple)

at $3200, I just can't get into the 2.26 machine, and I'm not certain it's either possible or affordable to just drop in 2.93 CPUs later on down the road?

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Here is where it gets dicey:

I built out an i7 at Microcenter from parts:

$1500

12GB ram
4890 video card 1GB
60GB SSD drive for boot and apps
1TB drive for storage
good case and PS, i7 920, gigabyte mobo, etc

Some intangibles:

I have an unused copy of Vista 64 retail already, and would upgrade to Windows 7 ASAP, as I think Windows 7 will be solid.

I already have CS4 on the Mac.

I would have to upgrade to get CS4 on Windows and that will cost me $1100, but then I'd also have CS4 on both Windows and Mac. I do run some design stuff.

In favor of the Mac Pro is Snow Leopard should be a speed boost to any Mac Pro and of course, I do like OS X, but...

Also, I can't find anything that makes the Nehalem Xeons special, other than they are Xeons and are 2-3 times as expensive as the people's i7. Even if I got the 2.26 8-core, would I ever want to throw down on a CPU upgrade at Xeon prices?

This is a serious dilemma, I've used Macs since they ran at 25MHz and have at several times in my life said "balls" and just bought some crazy expensive Mac but these are tough times and besides, I've ALWAYS been frustrated by Apple's hardware control, especially with desktops.

For ~$1000 less I get the ram, the SSD and the 4890. Yeah, I have to run Vista 64 or Win 7, but, seriously, I use both anyhow, so whatever at some point. I do like OS X a lot though. Throw in the upgrade to CS4 on Windows and it's a push, but I'd have good hardware and CS4 legal on both Mac and Windows platforms. I have a 2.4GHz Macbook Pro now. But I need more than what a laptop can do lately.

C'mon Apple refurb! Throw me a bone!

 

[Locoweed]

FYI

I just went through the cross platform upgrade with Adobe and they require that you uninstall the old software and destroy the disk.

 

[CrimsonRequiem]

Well it's kind of hard to give you our opinions because you never really stated what kind of work you are doing. Design is kind of vague.

I would go with what you can afford, and do you really even need 8 cores? There aren't that many applications that even take advantage of 2 or even quad.

 

[count_schemula]

sorry, yeah, I do everything... edit video, 3d, after effects, flash/flex coding, run webservers, php, coldfusion, mySQL, etc... I do earn some income, though I do have a job now, not all work for myself

I've been on Macbook Pros since the Core2Duo, but def need more than a laptop can do for work related stuff... that's not entirely true, the laptops do work ok, but, I would like a more authoritative OS X experience... I can kinda tap the laptop out a lot these days after I get going making a real nice mess...

That's what I'm wondering, could I get buy with a single 4-core 2.66?

Even that would have to be a dramatic speed boost over my MBP.

I guess what makes the Xeon special is that it can do multi CPU, but dang... $$$

 

[count_schemula]

FYI

I just went through the cross platform upgrade with Adobe and they require that you uninstall the old software and destroy the disk.

I would upgrade from Windows software, and keep my valid Mac CS4 license.

It's a hassle and expensive staying relatively current on two platforms.

 

[count_schemula]

maybe keep my MBP, and home build an i7?

there has to be some sort of lie I can tell myself to justify this... :shifty

 

[CrimsonRequiem]

I think you need to ask yourself do you need it right away? I would try to endure a little longer until you can afford the specifications that you think you need.

Honestly I think you will be fine with a quad core, but if you really want to future proof your purchase somewhat get the higher up models.

 

[count_schemula]

I think you need to ask yourself do you need it right away? I would try to endure a little longer until you can afford the specifications that you think you need.

Honestly I think you will be fine with a quad core, but if you really want to future proof your purchase somewhat get the higher up models.

You may be right.

I'm warming to the 2.26 8-core... I guess it's just coming to realization that the Xeons are a lot more expensive than the consumer i7.

Seems like Apple could build a ~$1600 single cpu i7 non Xeon and do very very well with it.

I think these things will really come alive under Snow Leopard.

I think I want the 2.66 at the 2.26 price. My fear is that the 2.26 will feel slow pretty soon after purchase, although, that could seriously be countered by better written software and Snow Leopard. The 2.26 benches pretty strong. For the most part the 2.26 equals the previous 2008 2.8 model and sometimes kills it. The 2009 video card options are so poo though. I guess the 4870 is ok, just there are faster less power hungry cards out there now that won't be on the Mac for like 3 years, if ever. Actually, I don' even game on the Mac, but I could see running Windows 7 and games under boot camp. lolz

It's like Apple doesn't try hard enough. Intel provides a great cpu that practically shuts itself down at idle, and Apple lets the bean counters throw a 4870 at $200 in there (or $350 upgrade kit lolz) and the 4870 is a hogbeast even at idle. Why can't they work with AMD to release the 4890 for Mac at the same freaking time Apple is releasing the Nehalem Macs? How hard is it for these clowns to get out of meetings and actually get something done? This is why the kittens suffer.

I saw $2700 2.26 8-core refurbs at Apple... hopefully they come back... I'd be cool with that, even if it was a refurb.

 

[Blizare]

my dual 2.66 4 core aug-07' mac pro is awesome. I bought it last year and never have looked back. I too am excited to see what happens to it with snow leopard but there isn't much use of 8 cores ATM. Give it a year or 2 and I will def. be upgrading to an 8 core when there is a reason too.