Buying a second hand mac pro or iMac?

After a fan failure (leaving the HD the only part that hasn't been replaced), I do worry about my 2009 Macbook Pro's longeivity and if it's worth picking up another machine for audio work or not. My concern is if I end up doing something like putting an SSD in my Macbook Pro and then the logic board fails or something, it's just wasted money.
Can't really go for a new machine, as I cant afford it, still use Logic 8, still use OSX 10.6.8 and have invested in a decent Firewire interface, so I'll need an older machine and was thinking a desktop would be more beneficial and then I can just use my MBP for other things and run it into the ground.
Options are either a 2009 Mac Pro or a 2011 iMac. This will be solely for home studio purposes, where I run average sized projects (20 tracks minimum) and do some multitrack recording etc. My laptop has 8GB RAM, 2.53gHZ processor and can generally hold on OK (occasional system overloads with CPU intensive plug-ins) so I won't need once that's fully decked out but something that will hopefully keep me going for a few more years.
Obviously my main concerns when buying an older computer is how long they last, so I'd be interested to hear from people about their experience with buying second hand computers of a similar age/spec. The iMacs tend to run slightly cheaper, but are running a similar spec to my current laptop (obviously the processor in the iMacs is a quad core) but the Mac Pros allow a lot more flexibility in upgrading.
I'm definitely a 'run things into the ground' kind of guy and am still very happy using an old version of Logic etc so upgrading that kind of stuff isn't something I'm particularly interested in doing unless it's a last resort. Understandably, I don't want to shell out for a 2009 Mac Pro which could have everything fail on me a year down the line, but I don't feel the need to have the most current spec computer.

2009 MacBook Pro:
putting an SSD in my Macbook Pro and then the logic board fails or something, it's just wasted money.
In the 2009 MacBook Pro model, SSD is installed as a 2.5" drive with a standard SATA interface in a little metal can. It is not a "throw away". That drive that can be adapted to a sled in a Mac Pro 42 lb silver tower, or placed in an external enclosure for use with any Mac. (Macs can boot from any specified drive, internal or external.)
SSD uses less power, and is completely silent, and fast. Did I mention that practically all of them are fast?
The Mac Pro (42 lb silver tower) can continue to be upgraded slightly and will keep working as long as you are willing to keep it in good repair. It is more compelling if you need Large memory, add-on cards, or multiple-processor speed. 2009 model Mac Pro 4,1 and later are superior. Do not pay money for a model older than the 2009 model.
In my opinion, the iMac, with its more limited upgrade possibilities has the same problem as buying an acoustic piano for your home. ¿In a few years, will I own a really awful mechanism inside a great piece of furniture [great display]?

Similar Messages

Which second hand Mac Pro to choose

Hello,
Now I am using a 21,5" iMac with a cinema display 20". It has a 3,06 core 2 duo processor - 8gb - 1TB. My iMac has been to the repair so often because of the LED displays. I want a mac without a LED display and just want to use my 20" and hopefully another 20" or an 23" cinema display.
I got 4 Mac Pro's with different prices and I don't know what to choose. One thing I know for sure and that is I want a faster Mac Pro than my iMac is now. I want the same or a better graphic card.
1. Mac pro 1,1 - 2 x 2,66 processor - 14gb - 2 x 2TB (It has 4 x 2tb and asks €2000) I don't have that money so I asked for 2 x 2 tb and he is willing to do that. This Mac Pro comes with a 23" cinema display. I said I want it for €1300 euro, but I did not have an reply yet.
2. Mac Pro 3,1 - 2 x 2,8(quad core) processor - 4gb - 1,8 TB --> €1300
Ati Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB
3. Mac Pro 4,1 - 1 x 2,66 (quad core) processor - 12gb - 640 gb --> €1350
NVIDIA GeForce
4. Mac Pro 1,1 - 2 x 2,66 processor - 6gb - 1 TB --> €750
GeForce 7300 GT 256 VIDEOCARD
Best regards,
Cathelijne

Mac Pro (Early 2008)
Intel Xeon E5462 2.8 GHz (8 cores) 9231
Mac Pro (Early 2009)
Intel Xeon W3520 2.67 GHz (4 cores) 8273
http://www.primatelabs.ca/geekbench/mac-benchmarks/
I don't see that as enough to go back to 2008 with older (hotter, more expensive, less) RAM.
And if you were up to and wanted, 2009 and 2010 made processor upgrades easy. For $325:
http://ark.intel.com/products/39721/Intel-Xeon-Processor-W3565-%288M-Cache-3_20- GHz-4_80-GTs-Intel-QPI%29
http://www.buy.com/prod/intel-xeon-up-w3565-3-20-ghz-processor-socket-b-lga-1366 -quad-core-4/214920778.html
Look at the score that W3565 gives, and if you look around and browse take you into 10-11k benchscores.
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/497952

Need help on purchasing a second hand Mac Pro

In the market for a new computer for Photoshop and a bit of video editing. Currently looking on Ebay etc. Before I buy, what year should I be looking for and how much should I be expecting to pay to get value for money? I'm located in Australia, Victoria.
Thank you.

From this low end Mac article, slightly edited:
http://lowendmac.com/deals/best-mac-pro-prices.html
"Primate Labs has posted Geekbench results for all the Mac Pro models since 2006. Here are some of the numbers:
2.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 3952
2.66 GHz 4-core 2006, 5089
2.8 GHz 4-core 2008, 5573
3.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 5655
2.66 GHz 4-core 2009, 8216
2.8 GHz 8-core 2008, 8826
3.0 GHz 8-core 2007, 8926
2.93 GHz 4-core 2009, 8952
3.0 GHz 8-core 2008, 9198
3.2 GHz 8-core 2008, 9730
3.2 GHz 4-core 2010, 9864 - preliminary (** this line adjusted closer to actual performance ** )
2.26 GHz 8-core 2009, 11735
3.33 Ghz 6-core 2010 14232 ** This line added **
2.66 GHz 8-core 2009, 14268
2.93 GHz 8-core 2009, 15043
2.93 GHz 8-core 2010, 16025 - first report (** this line adjusted closer to actual performance ** )
2.93 Ghz 12-core 2010, 21530 - first report (** this line adjusted closer to actual performance ** )
http://www.primatelabs.ca/geekbench/mac-benchmarks/
If you compare geekbench scores of 2.8Ghz 8-core to 2009 2.93GHz QUAD core, their results are nearly identical. In addition, the 2009 and 2010 memories run much cooler.
When I was faced with updating my Macs to Intel, I could not bring myself to buy ones older than 2009. That is amazing because I am way too cheap to buy new in most cases.

I have been given a second hand mac pro that does not have a wifi card in it. my router is down stairs so can not connect the mac pro direct into the router can i use my time capsule which uses wifi to my router to connect to the internet?

I ha

If you have a non-Apple "main" router, then "join" would have been the only way it could connect.
Unfortunately, the Time Capsule does not provide any routing functions in this type of setup, so the Ethernet ports are not enabled in this setting.
If you have an Apple "main" router, it may be possible to enable the Ethernet ports in another type of setting. Then you could connect the old Mac to one of the Ethernet ports on the Time Capsule for Internet access.

Install iLife on 2nd hand MAC Pro running 10.7.5

Hi, please forgive my ignorance, as I'm not at all tech savvy.
I've found a few threads which come close-ish to what I'm looking for, but I'm feeling a little timid and uncertain about proceeding, so I do hope some kind person can help me understand what I need to do.
The situation is - after almost 7 years, (and three hard drives!) my iMAC has yet again given up the ghost.
My husband has come home with a second hand Mac Pro, purchased refurbished, as is, from his place of work.
This is the machine I'm currently working on, having just got it all set up and net connected.
The issue is, I desperately need to have access to my iLife software, especially iPhoto, and iDVD, as I am up against a tight schedule to produce a slide show tribute for a funeral service a day an a half from now.
The Pro does not have any of these applications installed.
It was sold to us without any installation discs - I assume because it came from an office where a large number of machines would have been running on a network.
I thought, no probolem, I'll just get into the app store and pay for the downloads.
Unfortunately, the available versions require a later version of the OS.
The iMAC I owned prior - the one that just failed on me - originally came bundled with Tiger, and included the iLife apps.
I later purchased and upgraded to Snow Leopard.
I still have my tiger and Snow Leopard discs.
Is it possible to safely install my iLife applications from somewhere on my older licensed install discs, without interfering with the OS on the new (old, but new to me) MAC Pro?
If so, how do I go about this?
I'm sorry to ask such basic level questions. I think I can do this, but my experience levels are not much past total newbie, and I'm worried about messing something up and being left with no functioning machine again, right at a time when I desperately need everything working smoothly.
Thanks in anticipation of your help.

Further to the above.
After a bit of poking about, I now believe iLife may in fact have been pre-installed on the iMAC and therefore not on the install discs.
I have no problems buying new versions, if only they were compatible with my curret OS.
Likewise, I'd be happy to buy the Lion OS, or any later version comapible with this Pro, just to have a valid copy.
ALso, so that I have reinstall capability if the system goes down.
Problem is, I need the applications now, and I don't know whether any stores in my area would be open tomorrow and able to sell me the discs. I haven't really got the time for the 2 - 3 hur round trip to get to the nearest vendor that just might be open. If I had a few days up my sleeve, it wouldn't be an issue, but I have to make this slide show and create a playable DVD of it within the next 24 hours.

I have files on iomega zip discs from 10 years ago, but no longer have a zip drive. I can buy one second hand at a reasonable price, but I don't know if it would be compatible with my MacBook pro.

I have files on iomega zip discs from 10 years ago, but no longer have a zip drive. I can buy one second hand at a reasonable price, but I don't know if it would be compatible with my MacBook pro.

Google is wonderful: https://www.google.com/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=iomega+zip+drive+ma c+os+x&oq=iomega+zip+drive+mac&aq=1v&aqi=g1g-v3&aql=&gs_l=hp.1.1.0j0i15l3.0l0l1l 1521l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0ll0l0.frgbld.&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=14 034e73db4ae90b&biw=1626&bih=891

If I buy the Mac pro and iMac combine it together would it be faster?

If I buy the Mac pro and iMac combine it together would it be faster or I just buy the mac pro and Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)?

If you buy a Mac Pro 2013, use the iMac for casual stuff and use the Mac Pro for media creation work.
Maxed out iMac with 4-core 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD PCIe is nice.
Mac Pro with 6-core 64GB dual graphics for $1000 more might run rings around it.
Why not look them both up on Geekbench.
Some people really need and like having two systems, maybe laptop (Air) and a more powerful system.

Mac Pro vs iMac

Yesterday, talking with a couple of Pi memebers, one remarked that they were
waiting on the the release of the new OS, and then planned to buy a new quad
whatever MacPro.
I remarked that that had been my plan, but that now I was thinking about a new
iMac instead.
My friend, like me who do a lot of video stuff, reacted -- 'Why would you even
consider that, the 'quad' machines are so much faster.'
I said, something to this effect: Yes, I'm sure that the MacPros are faster --
for pros, for whom time is money, e.g., who do a lot of heavy duty lifting (you
can see how technical I am), but for us, whose biggest demand is rendering or
compressing at most an hours worth of video, the time difference would be
measured in seconds, not minutes nor hours, yet the cost difference would be
measured in hundreds of dollars.
My question is this: if, in the most extreme case, we'd be
rendering/compressing a bit of video, is there a 'substantial' difference in
the proformance of a Mac Pro vs an iMac. Let's assume for the sake of this
question, that we'd beefed up the iMac, e.g., added ram, got the best video
card, etc.
Can anyone offer any insights, or point me to a site the offers comparisons (I
can understand)?
Thanks,
Hal
PS: My search led me to sites such as this, but I don't know enough to know how
to judge his comments:
http://blog.crankybit.com/mac-pro-vs-imac/

I intend to wait at least until Leopard emerges from the shadows to purchase my first Mac. But until that moment in time arrives, there is not a single day that goes by where I do not mentally review many of the Mac products...periodically going back and forth between the lower-cost systems and the higher-cost ones.
Like you, I recently (over the last few days) began leaning towards the iMac instead of the Mac Pro Quad-Core product that initially captivated my consumer interest. I am primarily music-oriented (Logic Studio will be my first add-on software product) but I also have an interest in getting into video-production later on down the road perhaps initially as an amateur hobbyist but without ruling out future career possibilities in that field. But cost-wise, when I saved my shopping cart at apple.com that had a maxed-out (beefed-up) iMac and compared it to my previously-saved cart with the 3.0GHz Quad-Core Mac Pro, there was not that big of a price difference between the two (as long as I did not get carried away with filling each Mac Pro hard drive bay with 750 GB HD'S). I am referring to a difference here of around $1000 to $1500 depending mainly on my selection of hard drives (how many and what sizes). 4 GB of RAM was a minimum for both carts but have you noticed how much more they charge to upgrade RAM for an iMAC ($700 to go from 2 GB to 4 GB on an iMAC compared to $699 to go from 1 GB to 4 GB of RAM on a Mac Pro)? And I could be wrong but I think that lots of RAM would be helpful when it comes to digitally editing video whether one is a pro or not.
But then I began researching (mainly at wikipedia.org + googling) the different types of processors used in each of these systems and the more I read online about the ones found in Mac Pro's...
"Processors: Two dual-core Xeon 5100 Series ("Woodcrest" Core microarchitecture with EM64T instruction set) processors at 2.0, 2.66 or 3.0 GHz, or two quad-core Xeon 5300 Series ("Clovertown") processors at 3.0 GHz"
...the more I realized that for a little bit more money (relatively speaking) than an iMAC, I can get the superior processing power offered by the amazingly robust and exceedingly powerful Xeon 5300 Series "Clovertown" processors plus an expandably-friendly hardware interface that is inherently included in the Mac Pro's superbly ingenious design structure as opposed to paying a little bit less to get something that I am very likely to "outgrow" within a short period of time.
Rumor has it that Benjamin Franklin would make a written list of all the pro's and con's affiliated with different decisions he needed to make. I have not done this yet but this might be a good way to see in black and white before my very eyes all of the positives and negatives affiliated with each of the Mac products I am presently considering to purchase. By negative, I mean things like "more expensive"..."not expandable"...etc. Oh yeah. I almost forgot to mention (if I am remembering correctly) that he would count up the number of pro's and con's (pluses and minuses) and then use that data to assist him in reaching a final decision.
When all is said and done for me, I shall most likely choose to invest in the latest technology that I won't need to upgrade at least for three years (when my Mac Pro extended warranty expires). But like I said at the beginning, I do find myself being tossed about daily upon the dreaded sea of indecision.
So, here are my suggestions to you:
1) Try saving different shopping carts with different products to make it easier for you to see how much you will save between your choices and then compare what those price differences mean as far as what you are getting for your money.
2) Continue to ask around as you are doing here to get input from others to assist you in your personal evaluation process. Also, do your own independent research online since many helpful articles are only one google-click away.
3) Remember not to be solely influenced by the numbers (tech specs) that are displayed by each product. Unlike the Xeon 5100 "Woodcrest" or quad-core 5300 "Clovertown" processors used in the Mac Pro, iMACs use a:
"2.0GHz or 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, or 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme processor".
This is not to say they (the Core 2 Duo processors) are not good, but it would be both reasonable and fair to say that they are different from what the Mac Pro uses and IMHO based on all that I have learned so far, the quad-core Xeon 5300 Series "Clovertown" processors are the best I could ever hope to have at my personal disposal when typing various commands for them to faithfully follow and expeditiously execute.
But I do stress this final point about the different processors being used (if not the main point of my response to your posting) only because early on in my preliminary research, I did not even realize that there are different types of processors being used in the different categories of Mac products currently on the market.
If I knew more about cars, I would use an engine analogy here but I am not mechanically inclined so I won't even try. Instead I would simply say that I do not want my spontaneous creativity to be hindered by technology that lags behind me.
Be of good cheer for Leopard should soon appear sometime this year although the exact day remains rather unclear!

Buying a 1st Gen Mac Pro nVidia GeForce 8800 GT 512MB from Applemacanix...

_*Hi to All:_*
_First of all thanks for taking the time to read my post._
I am going to buy a 1st Gen Mac Pro nVidia GeForce 8800 GT 512MB Video Card from ebay to applemacanix, it looks like they give good service and I wont recive a bad product but I wannt to know from mac user what they think about this ebay user? I put the link [here|http://cgi.ebay.com/1st-Gen-Mac-Pro-nVidia-GeForce-8800-GT-512MB-Video-Ca rdW0QQitemZ270514929671QQcategoryZ3762QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparm sZalgo=DLSL%2BSIC&its=I%2BC&itu=UCI%2BIA%2BUA%2BFICS%2BUFI%2BDDSIC&otn=20&po=&ps =63&clkid=8899382923051298334#ht_5840wt1167]
Second I wannted to know what you think about the card? Has it worked ok for you? Any strange issue I should be aware?
Thanks in advance
Message was edited by: Chocorito

Applemecanix are the Microsoft of card flashers.
There are at least 5 other flashers on Ebay who will sell you the EXACT same card, with the EXACT same ROM flashed on it for around $100 less.
For that matter, a little time on MacRumours and you could figure out how to make one yourself for $200 less.
However, if you have money to burn, by all means give it to them.

Im planing to buy a second hand ipad 2 any tots and tips? thanks in advancee

Im planing to buy a second hand ipad 2wifi any tots and tips? thank inadvanse
Johan

Become familiar with how it works. Then try out some of the features. Examine it for damage or dents. Is it still under warranty?
Complete guide to using iOS 6
http://howto.cnet.com/ios-6-complete-guide/
Guide to Built-In Apps on iOS
https://sites.google.com/site/appleclubfhs/support/advice-and-articles/guide-to- built-in-apps-ios
You can download a complete iOS 5 iPad User Guide and iOS 6 iPad User Guide here: http://support.apple.com/manuals/ipad/
Also, Good Instructions http://www.tcgeeks.com/how-to-use-ipad-2/
Apple - iPad - Guided Tours
http://www.apple.com/ipad/videos/
Apple iPad Guided Tours - Watch the videos see all the amazing iPad apps in action. Learn how to use FaceTime, Mail, Safari, Videos, Maps, iBooks, App Store, and more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT2bD0-OqBM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROY4tLyNlsg&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSPXXhmwYf4&feature=relmfu
How to - Articles & User Guides & Tutorials
http://www.iphone-mac.com/index.php/Index/howto/id/4/type/select
iPad How-Tos http://ipod.about.com/lr/ipad_how-tos/903396/1/
You can download this guide to your iPad.
iPad User Guide for iOS 5
http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ipad-user-guide-for-ios-5/id470308101?mt=11
 Cheers, Tom

I bought a second hand Macbook Pro and colorful stud Only after a few months I decided to reformat it Bad movie started here I did not get it with a disc and I come to install the operating system And he asks the name of Apple's user ID financed had been

I bought a second hand Macbook Pro and colorful stud
Only after a few months I decided to reformat it
Bad movie started here I did not get it with a disc and I come to install the operating system
And he asks the name of Apple's user ID financed had been bought Lion OS Now
And who sold me does not answer then I found the phone number of his mother
She said he lived in USA and paid him more than the lion version of the MacBook and now I can not install Lion
And I'm not from USA

Unless you go back to the original owner, yes you need to pay for it again.
You're entitled to the OS that shipped with the device from Apple, but if you don't have that media there's nothing you can really do. If the system originally shipped with 10.7 or 10.8 then when you boot it to Internet Recovery, it will automatically offer you that OS version (as the serial # is registered with Apple). If it shipped with an older OS, then you need to enter the Apple ID that purchased 10.7 or 10.8. You didn't purchase it so that's not you.
The options you have are to buy Lion for $29 US (I don't know the price in Palestine), or Mountain Lion for $19 US (don't know the price in Palestine either), and install from scratch.
And it's a good idea to know you have restore media before you reformat your machine.

How can I register a second hand mac book to my apple account?

I just bought a second hand mac book, and I would like to register it to ;y account to be able to access things (like my ibooks) registered from my iPad directly on my mac book.
the previous owner asked the apple supprt and they said I need to contact them to make them update the information about this mac book to my account, but I can't contact them because the mac book does not have any guarantee anymore ... I don't need a technical supprt, just need to update the mac book information to my accound.
what ca I do?

thnaks for the answer. The previous owner asked apple care to disassociate the mac but they said that the new owner needs to contact them so that they can update the ownership (apparently they can't leave it with nobody).
In fact the previous owner erased the HDD, and as it is my first mac book, I did not have any licence to re-install it so we re-installed it with his accout.
the previous owner used the chat support, but I can't find it

What should i do i buy a second hand iphone 4s but its lock to the previous owner in find my iphone pls help me i cant use my iphone for a year already

pls. help me about find my iphone lock. because i buy a second hand iphone 4s but still lock to the previous owner when i restore factory settings still searching for the previous owner of this phone still now i cant use this phone

Hello jimmy ii
The only option is to contact that person to have them remove Activation Lock from the iPhone. They can do it online and do not have to come to you. Check out the article below for more information.
Find My iPhone Activation Lock: Removing a device from a previous owner’s account
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4515
Regards,
-Norm G.

Transfered files from Mac Pro to iMac OS10.7. Copied bookmarks using "backup and restore" from "Organize bookmarks". File copied correctly as bookmarks 10-10-11.jsom, but would not restore on new iMac.

Transfered files from Mac Pro to iMac OS10.7. Copied bookmarks using "backup and restore" from "Organize bookmarks". File copied correctly as bookmarks 10-10-11.jsom, but would not restore on Firefox on new iMac.

Firefox 2 versions use the file bookmarks.html to store the bookmarks.
See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Backing_up_and_restoring_bookmarks_-_Firefox
See also http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox
With Mac OS X 10.4 you can use Firefox 3.5 or 3.6
* http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/all.html
* http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/all-older.html
*http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/system-requirements.html
*http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/system-requirements-v3.html

HT5621 i buy a second hand IPAD and after restoring is shows the previous user apple ID and even i dont know the person that have the ID and now i want to use with my apple ID

i buy a second hand IPAD and after restoring is shows the previous user apple ID and even i dont know the person that have the ID and now i want to use with my apple ID

Without the previous owner's Apple ID and Password, you will not be able to activate the iPad.

Buying a second hand mac pro or iMac?

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