Mac pro 1,1 purchase good idea?

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

ok guys, I know you are pc guys and so am I mostly, but I need an apple computer for some programming stuffs (don't ask, just accept..) and don't want to shell out 2000 dollars for a knew one. I have done some research and i can get a mac pro (1,1) from here: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/8848679326022841670/online?hl=en&rlz=1C1KMZB_enUS526US526&sclient=psy-ab&q=mac+pro+1,1&oq&gs_l&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44442042,d.aWc&ion=1&biw=1920&bih=1017&pf=p&tch=1&ech=12&psi=XcNYUYqvFofuyQGt94CIBA.1364771678191.1&sqi=2. I was wondering if it would be worth it to purchase this computer for programming. 500$ is a really good price for these specs. (except the ram, but there is an option to get 2 or 4 gb and i am going to get 2)
just wondering if this is a good buy or not.

also, for you people who don't actually want to ask my question and change the subject, yes I have tried hackintosh, and after 2 screwed hdd i have decided to actually buy a mac

Dupontrocks11 · Mar 31, 2013

thesupergeek :

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but why exactly do you NEED a Mac? All of their tech is outdated and overpriced, unless you are using a programming language found only on a Mac (which I don't think exists), a PC or Linux-box would do much better for a better price.

lethalmaster117 · Mar 31, 2013

Not bad but you need to see if you could upgrade the ram to 8gb and the Hdd to a terabyte or half. Upgrade the OS to leopard (Lion's bad don't even think about it). If you could spend a few more hundred dollars that would be good.

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

Dupontrocks11 :

thesupergeek :

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but why exactly do you NEED a Mac? All of their tech is outdated and overpriced, unless you are using a programming language found only on a Mac (which I don't think exists), a PC or Linux-box would do much better for a better price.

thanks for the quick reply! yep, your response was complete guff. completely useless. And yes, I do need a mac. I am doing a code for a mac only company with mac/bsd front end code.

Dupontrocks11 · Mar 31, 2013

thesupergeek :

Dupontrocks11 :

thanks for the quick reply! yep, your response was complete guff. completely useless. And yes, I do need a mac. I am doing a code for a mac only company with mac/bsd front end code.

Ok that's understandable. Another question though, do you need a Mac Pro? You could get the same performance with a Macbook laptop and at least that could be used on the go? For anyone looking to program, I usually recommend a laptop.

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

lethalmaster117 :

Thank you so much! I will look for some cheaper ram from an aftermarket company. I also will use osx lepord not lion.

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

Dupontrocks11 :

thesupergeek :

Ok that's understandable. Another question though, do you need a Mac Pro? You could get the same performance with a Macbook laptop and at least that could be used on the go? For anyone looking to program, I usually recommend a laptop.

The mac pro's specs fit my needs really well for specs. sorry I am being vague about what I am doing with it, just cant really talk about it. I have looked for other mac computers with sufficeant specs for this price range, but cant find any. if you have any you would reccomend point me in the right direction.

crenelle · Mar 31, 2013

You may want to consider a less old, used Mac mini, particularly if you need to run Mountain Lion. It is possible to do the install but apparently isn't easy. A two core system will geekbench at around 3000-3700. A late 2011 Mac mini (Macmini5,n with i5 processor) will probably run the benchmarks much faster.

SHORYUKEN · Mar 31, 2013

Is it possible you get a Hackintosh instead? Just purchase Mac OS X for like $20 and get great hardware.

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

crenelle :

I dont need anything past snow lepord, and I need a little more gpu power than the mac mini, I have a pair of video cards that will work with the pro.

crenelle · Mar 31, 2013

Do you need a particular video solution?

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

crenelle :

better than the intel integrated 3000 graphics on the mini. I already have the cards from a bitcoin rig I stripped a year ago.

SHORYUKEN · Mar 31, 2013

So you are neglecting the idea of a Hackintosh because of 2 failed HDDs? That doesn't even make sense. HDDs can fail in a pre-built Mac, so what is the difference to you?

I'm assuming it's because of a bad experience.

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

SHORYUKEN :

yes, I need a mac. cant work with hackintosh.
way to much work for something Ican get for about 500$

crenelle · Mar 31, 2013

Ok. We have a MacPro1,1 here, it has been working quite well for years altho the original display card needs dust bunny cleaning to keep it from overheating. I haven't used it for development but it'll do the job. I looked at building a Hackintosh a couple weeks ago, decided to just add an SSD to an old laptop and be done with it. An SSD might be a good addon to give the machine additional fire.

SHORYUKEN · Mar 31, 2013

Yeah I would go with the $500 one and upgrade the RAM. Unless you can spend $1000-$1400.

crenelle · Mar 31, 2013

I don't recommend a Hackintosh being your only source of validity testing for commercial software development, apple doesn't test the OS against hardware they don't sell.

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

crenelle :

cool. will the hdd chasis hold a ssd? looks like they are only configured for hdd. (over at a friend looking at his 2)

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

crenelle :

and that is why i decided on a mac. thank you.

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

crenelle :

My experience with hackintosh was kinda like seeing your child die at birth the coming back and eating your wife. pretty bad...

UniqueName · Mar 31, 2013

Get a Mac Mini for $599. 4GB of ECC RAM is going to cost you $100 anyway. Can't really think of anything you would want 4x2.66Ghz for and only 1GB RAM but since you won't share details...

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

crenelle :

do you know what the clovertown xeons are based off? I think they are pentunium 4, but they may be core 2..

thesupergeek · Mar 31, 2013

UniqueName :

I was going to upgrade the ram to 2gb at fist then 4 later (about a month).

ryanhmusic · Mar 31, 2013

UniqueName :

I'm with Unique on this one...It'll definitely perform better...well most likely given that we have no idea what you're doing with it. And if you really need the higher end GPUs you're discussing, a thunderbolt enclosure can be utilized to power/use those GPUs...

UniqueName · Mar 31, 2013

5150's are based on first generation Core 2.

Mac pro 1,1 purchase good idea?

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