Used Mac Pro 4,1

[bayswater]

A local studio is unloading a dozen Mac Pro 4,1s at a local store. They're 2.93GHz models with 4 cores (2x2 I think). These are stripped down to the basic factory specs. They are still being tested, but they plan to sell them for about $1,100. I've looked around for prices and seen ranges from $900 to $1,600. Does anyone have a sense of what these are worth? Is $1,100 reasonable? Seems too much to me. I expected 700-800.

[HCMarkus]

A local studio is unloading a dozen Mac Pro 4,1s at a local store. They're 2.93GHz models with 4 cores (2x2 I think). These are stripped down to the basic factory specs. They are still being tested, but they plan to sell them for about $1,100. I've looked around for prices and seen ranges from $900 to $1,600. Does anyone have a sense of what these are worth? Is $1,100 reasonable? Seems too much to me. I expected 700-800.

If they are really 4,1's the four core machines are single-CPU models. 2.66 four core 4,1s are going used at Macofalltrades and MacSales (OWC) around $800-900. That said, $1,100 is probably at the higher end of a fair price for the 2.93.

Bays, if you're thinking about a 4,1 single CPU, I'd go for the low end and update to 5,1 then drop in the hex CPU, as I'm sure you've seen me spout off about here before. You should be able to get a 2.66 under $800 if patient, maybe considerably less in a few weeks when the new Mac Pros hit.

I've been ridiculously happy with my faux 5,1 hex. And now, with ML or Mavericks, the GPU choices are vast... no more need to buy an overpriced made for Mac or flashed card, unless you simply must have the startup screen. NVidia is supporting Mac OS with drivers.

[bayswater]

if you're thinking about a 4,1 single CPU, I'd go for the low end and update to 5,1 then drop in the hex CPU, as I'm sure you've seen me spout off about here before. You should be able to get a 2.66 under $800 if patient, maybe considerably less in a few weeks when the new Mac Pros hit.

I checked the About info, and they really are 4,1s. That's why I was interested in them after seeing your posts on this. But there's no hurry, and the price is not right, so I'll wait and see what happens.

[twistedtom]

Where did you get your hex chip?

[HCMarkus]

Provantage, but that was over a year ago, so I'd shop it now. I paid under $600 for W3680.

[James Steele]

Yep... I need to make that move when I can do it.

[HCMarkus]

$699 "Deal of the Day" 2009 4,1 2.66 Quad at Macofalltrades:

http://www.macofalltrades.com/Mac-Pro-1 ... c-e09a.htm

Harbinger of New Mac Pros coming very soon? This is the lowest price I've seen for a 4,1 from a reseller.

[James Steele]

As you know, I snapped one up on your advice. And for good measure used a $10 off coupon at checkout as a new customer. It must be a good price because when I took it to DC Computers in San Diego (which is also a used Mac reseller) to have an AirPort Extreme card installed ($45 including labor... Cry Wolf quoted me $129 for the card and $60 labor to install it... LOL) the guy asked where I got it and how much I paid, and I could tell he was amazed. Heck... I see people asking totally fantasy prices in the local Craigslist. One guy was wanting $500 for a G5. LOL

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I don't regret paying $2k for my 2003 8 core as it was several years ago and still kicks butt. But it's good to know a replacement upgrade would be doable if need be. I'm holding out to see how the Darth Vader MP does. I'm just concerned about the external drives but by that time maybe it'll be all SSD anyway. Exciting times for Mac/Apple users.

[HCMarkus]

As you know, I snapped one up on your advice. And for good measure used a $10 off coupon at checkout as a new customer. It must be a good price because when I took it to DC Computers in San Diego (which is also a used Mac reseller) to have an AirPort Extreme card installed ($45 including labor... Cry Wolf quoted me $129 for the card and $60 labor to install it... LOL) the guy asked where I got it and how much I paid, and I could tell he was amazed. Heck... I see people asking totally fantasy prices in the local Craigslist. One guy was wanting $500 for a G5. LOL

I like DC Computers, but they haven't lowered their "Nehalem" prices at all in over a year. I bought one from them in mid-2012 with a slightly crushed rear leg, and got a significant break in the price as a result.

If you find you want/need to upgrade the GPU in your new Mac, you might want to see if they will give you a trade-in allowance on your stock GPU. They gave me a very fair allowance when I bought my Mac, which resulted in my getting a brand spankin' new ATI5770 for a good price and not having to deal with selling the old card.

Let me know if ever you want to try the EFI/CPU upgrade. The new machine may be all the computer you need, but don't we all have a little Captain Kirk ("More power Scotty!") in us?

I DO hope you install at least one SSD in your new Mac.

[James Steele]

I actually have an ATI 5770 card in it and I boot to from an OWC Accelssior 120GB SSD that a friend gave me.