Boot Camp Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I'll use it for Photoshop and Logic Studio. Here are the specs I chose for each Mac. iMac: 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Extreme 4GB Memory (3rd Party) 320GB HD Its a little less than $2,300 total. Mac Pro: One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 2GB 800MHz Memory (Apple) 320GB HD Wireless Option A little more than $2,500 total. (+ a new 20" apple display for $650 after tax ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Defoe Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Well I am not a Mac expert but from the sounds of it for what you want to do the second one would be the best choice, but the iMac would work well for it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scj312 Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I myself would go for the Mac Pro for future expandability and performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.I.Ghost Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 BootCamp A ) you can always install third-party ram upgrade on your macpro, as you can add second processor B ) it is incredibly expandable in comparison to iMac and if you need tons of gigabytes, it is also a better choice C ) Mac Pro is, and always will be more powerful than iMac So it is only a question of how powerful machine to you need. Btw, C2D extreme do not cost the additional money they want for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2k. Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 mac pro for sure. but why you need apple cinema? you can get any other 22" for that money... ~R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boot Camp Posted January 9, 2008 Author Share Posted January 9, 2008 Thanks guys for all your feedback. You've convinced me to get a mac pro. And one more question where can I get a second Xeon processor when I want to upgrade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister_doodi Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I heard from Apple that you cannot add on a processor if you go with the single processor option. The socket might be disabled or just covered up with just a plastic cap. Plus you would need to find the the custom heat sink. Xenons are not hard to find so you won't have problems getting one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Thanks guys for all your feedback. You've convinced me to get a mac pro. And one more question where can I get a second Xeon processor when I want to upgrade? The thing already has 8 cores. How many more do you need? You don't need an Apple Cinema display. Those things are way over rated and über expensive. Just get a Dell or HP display that is the same size, has (probably) more funtionality, and cost half of what Apple wants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.I.Ghost Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Colonel About 8-cores already is a joke? Single XEON processor (Clovertown - from the previous MacPro) in fact is a patchwork of two dual-core processors. Beginning with this new "Harpertown" it is a true 4-core. And with apple cinema displays you are 100% right. Problem with any apple hardware is its overprice. mister_doodi I dont believe they would disable the socket (if it was "mortal" board, it would be just an updated bios). Plastic cover - maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former PC Fanboy Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 There has to be a plastic cover over it so that the pins do not get bent. Every new mobo comes with one. You just remove it and pop your processor in. No biggie. If you really need professional speed then the Mac Pro is the best way to go, but if you are just a casual user and you won't be doing anything crazy I'd opt for the iMac with the 2.4Ghz to save some money and get some nice peripherals with the savings. Of course if money is not an issue, Mac Pro all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boot Camp Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 Wait so if I get the single processor option, I CAN put in another one later, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrenbird Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 yeah, you can definately get another xeon, I believe Newegg has the same models. EDIT: They're cheaper from apple bundled with the Mac Pro. A single Xeon is $734 while it'll only cost you $500 for the second at apple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boot Camp Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 I won't be getting another processor anytime soon, so I bet the prices will drop by the time I order one (or at least I hope ). I'm also going to need a heat sink for the Xeon processor, anyone know where I could find an Apple one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mifki Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 iirc it comes with two heatsinks installed to keep it looking pretty and stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boot Camp Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 iirc it comes with two heatsinks installed to keep it looking pretty and stuff Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1975 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 depends on what you will be using it for - if you are doing things that needs great calculation power (like development, 3d, etc.) quad core. if you just surf and email and check your blog, get the cheaper one. being the geek that i am, power overwhelming: get the quad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilis Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 yeah, you can definately get another xeon, I believe Newegg has the same models.EDIT: They're cheaper from apple bundled with the Mac Pro. A single Xeon is $734 while it'll only cost you $500 for the second at apple. See, the processor is the MAIN thing wrong with the Mac Pro IMHO. All the other stuff - a little overpriced, but not bad at all. They even got the video card pumped up to a decent level. But then the cheapest processor they offer - retail price is $734. Retail on a C2E Q6600 is $275. I want the expandability, non-integrated components, better graphics, etc of the Mac Pro, but man I wish they didn't FORCE you to buy that much CPU when so many users don't need it (or want to pay for it). The iMac is CLOSE, but no PCI-E slot for graphics upgrades, and they come with an integrated monitor (when I already a. have a very good 23" flat panel and b. would prefer a seperate one anyways if I didn't already have one because I use a KVM and share my monitor between several computers). I'll keep privately hoping for a Core 2 Duo/Extreme tower with regular RAM and a PCI-E slot . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abgarluka Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I'll use it for Photoshop and Logic Studio. Here are the specs I chose for each Mac. Go for Mac Pro - and instead of buying a cinema display (which looks really nice imho, but is way overpriced) get a dell, hp, or even iiyama AND if you're serious about Photoshop (and will use it for work purposes, not just for kicks) get additional 2 GB of RAM (it doesn't have to be Apple, look up Kingston for example, they produce mac dedicated ram modules with ecc-r) and get a bigger hard drive (750GB - 1TB). PSD files tend to get big and exist in multiple copies/versions . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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