Any idea why the Mac Pro (Mid 2012) cannot be upgraded beyond high sierra and is attached zero value for trade-ins by Apple? This computer cost more than an iMac or laptop (MacBook Pro) at the time, but now has less value than either and cannot be upgraded. What gives?
The (classic) Mac Pro was discontinued in 2012 making your model around seven years old. This is way beyond the trade-in threshold of any company.
Many aspects of your Mac Pro actually can be upgraded - some make more sense than others.
Note: Apart from the age making it logical for Apple to stop providing OS upgrades the real reason is believed to be down to the fact that Intel have decided not to provided a microcode fix for a security bug in the Xeon CPU chips used in the classic Mac Pro models. This itself would not (and does not) prevent Catalina working but Apple are believed have taken the decision not to support Catalina on chips that have this problem.
You may still find buyers on eBay. However now that there is a successor to the classic Mac Pro people may be holding out for the new Mac Pro 2019 model due out I believe in October.
I wonder if Hollywood film studios might be interested in your Mac Pro. :) Ironically there seems to be a problem with Avid running on the Mac Pro 2013 model and maybe a classic Mac Pro might get round that.
The (classic) Mac Pro was discontinued in 2012 making your model around seven years old. This is way beyond the trade-in threshold of any company.
Many aspects of your Mac Pro actually can be upgraded - some make more sense than others.
Note: Apart from the age making it logical for Apple to stop providing OS upgrades the real reason is believed to be down to the fact that Intel have decided not to provided a microcode fix for a security bug in the Xeon CPU chips used in the classic Mac Pro models. This itself would not (and does not) prevent Catalina working but Apple are believed have taken the decision not to support Catalina on chips that have this problem.
You may still find buyers on eBay. However now that there is a successor to the classic Mac Pro people may be holding out for the new Mac Pro 2019 model due out I believe in October.
I wonder if Hollywood film studios might be interested in your Mac Pro. :) Ironically there seems to be a problem with Avid running on the Mac Pro 2013 model and maybe a classic Mac Pro might get round that.
Here's what I did with mine:
-SSD for the system and user directories, connected to the second optical port connector
-Everything else on HDDs in the four bays
-48GB RAM in triple channel config
-X5675 processors to make that memory run at 1333mhz
-Wifi/BT card upgrades (and if you're lucky you can even get handoff support with the CAT tool
-Radeon Pulse RX580 8gb
-Since that card has Metal support, I was able to upgrade to Mojave (but be sure to follow these instructions to upgrade your firmware using an EFI supported card first)
-Pray to God
-Troubleshoot, troubleshoot, troubleshoot
After that you'll get something around 6000 on Geekbench 5. Not bad for a 10 year old machine.
At this writing in the US, trade-ins of Macs are handled by a concession company. A low value indicates that company does not want your computer. They likely want computers they can turn around without doing anything to them.
You will always get better value by describing your Mac in positive terms and pitching it to a private party, especially if it seems ready to take out of the box and do work the same day. Be sure you divulge any problems you know about -- profiting by misrepresenting its condition is fraud.
It was discontinued earlier in Europe due to it not meeting EU legislation.
I bought a secondhand AMD Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition. This was the last genuine card with Mac compatible firmware meaning it showed up during booting. This card supports Metal and being that it supports Metal and has Mac firmware Apple specifically listed it as a recommendation for Mojave.
As I sit here, typing away on a mechanical keyboard connnected up to my 2012 Mac pro which is working fine and upgraded to Mojave, I Dunno really. Currently, it's known/suspected that the Mid 2012 Mac Pro (big silver tower) can't be upgraded to Catalina
due to some chip quirks in it. No real biggie. I'm sure that in time, if needed, someone may find a solution to that, however, Mojave works fine for me. I suspect the reason it's attached zero value for trade-ins by Apple is that it has been ruled as Obsolete, officially anyways. Can it be upgraded ? You bet your usb cable it can. The newer cylinder type Mac Pro's cannot really be upgraded too much, and I can't speak for the newest ones, as I can't afford to buy one, at least not in this lifetime. So, there's still lots of life in the old Mac Pro yet.
anyways just my opinion
john b
Officially it can't but all those letters on your keyboard and your limitless imagination can form a search query
where you may find how others are able to do it.
It was NOT discontinued in 2012 - I bought it in 2012. Laptops that I also bought in 2012 have $300+ trade-in value.
The information about Intel not wanting to support the chip is very helpful and explains quite a bit.
I tried upgrading the video card - this did not work (at least 3 iterations). Have you attempted this successfully? If so - please send a link to a card that has proven success.
Thanks,
AZ
wow - brilliant suggestion.
Mac Pro 2012 upgradeability and trade in value
