if you had $1500 to get a Mac

Todzilla · Post by **Todzilla** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 11:35 am

To replace your trusty, but increasingly underpowered 1.8GHz DP PowerMac so you could load New machine with 60+ tracks, lots of plugins and high sampling rate, would you:

1) buy a used Mac pro tower? Looks like a patient eBayer could snag an octa-core w 8+ G RAM for $1500

2) get a new Mac Mini w 8 G RAM and continue to print effects that otherwise would push CPU to the brink?

3) New low end MacBook Pro w same approach as #2

4) New low end iMac w same approach as #2

5)) Sell it all and buy some ancient two inch tape machine and spent my remaining days buying spare parts and tape off eBay?

Currently leaning towards option #1. Your thoughts?
Currently waning tward option #

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:05 pm

DEFINITELY Option #1! And I wouldn't necessarily do eBay but Craig's List. I snagged my 8 core for $2k (with 3 HDs and 2 DVD burners). Only 4GB RAM but that was easy to fix. Depending on where you are located, you could probably pick up a nice machine for $1500. You might also consider a nice NEW iMac... In fact, if I didn't feel the need for PCI, that's what I'd probably do and it would come with the nice Apple warranty as well.

Yeah, I'd go with the iMac...

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/s ... mac/select" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

kgdrum · Post by **kgdrum** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:21 pm

+1 agree
a used MacPro is a great way to go,you can't beat the expandability.
I got my 2.8 quad 2008 vintage w/ 24 gigs of ram for $1100!
Yes I would have preferred a 8 core or a 2009 but it was too good of a deal to pass up.
This is a great Mac & for me it has been an amazing inexpensive upgrade and the best purchase I have made used or new in a few years, if not ever.
btw I bought mine from a user in a classified section on another forum,I agree w/ MLC, eBay would not be the 1st place I'd look.
Good luck,
KG

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:30 pm

kgdrum wrote:I agree w/ MLC, eBay would not be the 1st place I'd look.

Of course, keep in mind we're both highly skeptical New Yorkers. LOL! Seriously, eBay is not what it used to be and I don't trust it for any higher end stuff. Maybe a book or something, but not a delicate machine that has to be shipped.

wrathy · Post by **wrathy** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:32 pm

+1 for the MacPro.
Same deal here: Snagged my Slave to use for VSL/EastWest & VEPro VI hosting for a song, came with three huge drives and 10 G of RAM. It was used by a graphics guy. I think you have to be somewhat careful, but it can work out (in my case the guy's apartment meticulous. It was like a lab or a hospital.....so I knew before checking out the computer that it was going to be cool.)
best.

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:39 pm

Good point! Seeing the environment and the person you are buying from can be the difference between getting a machine that will last you a long time and a DOA.

Todzilla · Post by **Todzilla** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:42 pm

I figured as much, and yeah, I've been looking through Craiglist as the preferred option.

If I get anything close to the reliability I've enjoyed from Old Paint, I'll be good.

Thanks!

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 1:06 pm

Todzilla wrote:I figured as much, and yeah, I've been looking through Craiglist as the preferred option.

Consider buying from a certified Mac reseller like usedmac.com or directly through Apple's own refurbs. If something goes awry with a Craigslist purchase, there is no recourse and you *could* be out another $1500, in which case you might have had a new machine.

Craigslist is good for many things, and I know many who've had no problems with it. I also know many who have had problems and it ended up costing them more in the long run. Just be sure to protect yourself by getting a refurb that has been checked out or that has a return agreement, a repair policy, or similar.

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 1:11 pm

No who can argue with that!

We'll find someone, I'm sure...

Todzilla · Post by **Todzilla** » Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:49 am

Frodo wrote:
Todzilla wrote:I figured as much, and yeah, I've been looking through Craiglist as the preferred option.
Consider buying from a certified Mac reseller like usedmac.com or directly through Apple's own refurbs. If something goes awry with a Craigslist purchase, there is no recourse and you *could* be out another $1500, in which case you might have had a new machine.

Craigslist is good for many things, and I know many who've had no problems with it. I also know many who have had problems and it ended up costing them more in the long run. Just be sure to protect yourself by getting a refurb that has been checked out or that has a return agreement, a repair policy, or similar.

Good idea, buuuuuut.... (MLCrisis called it) a place like usedmac.com justifiably charges more, to cover costs of theirr warranty. Their 8-core machines start @ $1645, and that's with a paltry 2 G of RAM. Yes, it might be worth it in the long run, but with my budget, I'd have to settle for a lesser machine than what occasionally comes through on craigslist (Raleigh, NC).

zuul-studios · Post by **zuul-studios** » Thu Jan 12, 2012 5:54 pm

After much searching and comparing, I purchased my recent Mac Pro from a "trusted" retailer on eBay. It was only a bit more than $1,500 at the time, but it was a used "Early 2009" Mac Pro (see below). However, I did spend extra $$$ (about $800 bucks or so) and upgraded the RAM, video card and purchased 4 new HDDs.

I tell you, though. . . It seems that with this new Thunderbolt Technology thing, getting any of the newer Apple computers with this feature is also worthy of consideration. The only draw back to this, at present, is that there aren't many companies manufacturing peripherals for the Thunderbolt Technology. Yet. It's heartening to know that MOTU seems to be joining the list of manufacturers that supports (or will be supporting) Thunderbolt.

I hold no regrets going the eBay route for my happy Mac Pro. I can see that my next purchase (probably several years from now) will likely involve a slim-looking computer with Thunderbolt ports.

If you decide to go the eBay route, I'll be happy to share the name of the "trusted" eBay-based retailer that I used.

mikehalloran · Post by **mikehalloran** » Thu Jan 12, 2012 7:46 pm

If $1,500 is the price point, for $1,569 you can get what I have:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0JP0LL/A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I like mine and had the ESATA modification done.

iMac over MacMini, definitely.

Used Mac Pro - hard not to make that the number one choice.

DP4life · Post by **DP4life** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:55 am

Todzilla wrote:To replace your trusty, but increasingly underpowered 1.8GHz DP PowerMac so you could load New machine with 60+ tracks, lots of plugins and high sampling rate, would you:

1) buy a used Mac pro tower? Looks like a patient eBayer could snag an octa-core w 8+ G RAM for $1500

2) get a new Mac Mini w 8 G RAM and continue to print effects that otherwise would push CPU to the brink?

3) New low end MacBook Pro w same approach as #2

4) New low end iMac w same approach as #2

5)) Sell it all and buy some ancient two inch tape machine and spent my remaining days buying spare parts and tape off eBay?

Currently leaning towards option #1. Your thoughts?
Currently waning tward option #

Hmmmm... I think a new quad core MM is FASTER than an older Mac Pro 8 core (any MP your going to buy for $1500.00 anyway.)

MacPro2,1
1 hour ago
Apple Inc. Mac-F4208DC8 PVT
Intel Xeon X5355 @ 2.66 GHz (2 processors, 8 cores)
Geekbench 2.1.11 for Mac OS X x86 (32-bit)
Score: 8777

Mac mini (Mid 2011)
14 hours ago
Apple Inc. Mac-7BA5B2794B2CDB12 Macmini5,3sjrobin
Intel Core i7-2635QM @ 2.00 GHz (1 processor, 4 cores, 8 threads)
Geekbench 2.2.3 for Mac OS X x86 (32-bit)
Score: 8905

Unless you need PCIe and lot's of hard drives online @ once, the $$ spent for a $1500 Mac Pro (that most likely is out of warrantee and Apple Care) isn't really worth it when you can have newer technology. Plus, you CAN use PCIE cards with Thunderbolt. Don't let the MM fool you... or the iMac 27' i7's! What's going to be killer is when Apple has a 6 core i7 option for iMacs and MM's then okay... even with a 12 core Mac Pro you can bring it down if you're reckless. What's wrong with printing a VI anyway... you record your organic tracks and they sound BETTER than synthetic sequenced elements so I don't see the big issue about rendering VI's.

Todzilla · Post by **Todzilla** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:03 pm

I appreciate the alternative suggestions and am intrigued by favorable comparison of i5/7 processing power vs. Octo-core Xeon chips.

But what about multiple drives? I use a system drive distinct from data drive and have gotten great performance from my modest Old Paint. Do the I Mac and MM options even support dual internal HDs?

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:30 pm

Here's where boiler plate specs are challenged. If you're running e-mail, word processors, and more "ordinary" apps, or even a few games, the benchmarks make more sense.

I would recommend studying the specs of the MacMini to see if it affords you the hard drive independence and other features you seek. There may be a little more to this than CPU efficiency.

1. Is the standard 5400 rpm drive enough for your system, or would you configure it with a 7200 rpm?

2. There's one FW port which would likely be used for a FW interface. That would necessitate other options for external hard drives. Weighing the cost/value of the add-ons could bring the price closer to that of a MacPro where 3 internal SATA bays are yawning open and already raring to go.

3. While memory is shared between the system and graphics on the entry model Mac, it appears that the higher end model uses Radeon graphics memory independent from system memory. Memory usage is a major consideration with DAW work, especially on larger projects.

4. Are you prepared to delve into the world of Thunderbolt, or is that not an issue?

These are just thoughts and considerations, not recommendations. Check the specs and evaluate your needs without regard to price at first (and holding gratuitous "wants" at bay). Getting a solid take on what you need is the first step. From that point, weigh your needs against what you can afford, then consider what you *can't* afford *not* to do.

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