Is it worth buying the old Mac pro now, for iOS dev and designing?

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Is it worth buying the old Mac pro now, for iOS dev and designing?

I want to replace my old Macbook Pro unibody 2008 late model, and buy something instead of that. Currently it has 8gb ram, an SSD drive, but it's getting slower and slower. I want to replace it with something, and if I don't have to I won't spend ~3000€ for a new machine.

Would it make sense for me to buy an old Mac Pro (2008 - 2010 model, with at least 16gb ram, and SSD, and 2x27" monitor) and use that to create my iOS apps and design with Photoshop and Illustrator. I don't need a machine to do crazy stuff like 3D modelling (don't have time for it 🙂 ) nor gaming.

Thanks. 🙂

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 25, 2014 7:48 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 25, 2014 8:02 AM in response to Sax155

The 2009 model and later are worth buying. They also feature Multi-Threading, which gives a performance boost.

The 2008 model uses older FBDIMM memories, and its memory has been severely limited in size and expensive (unless you drop down one notch and use 667MHz, which has become quite affordable).

The 2009 model and later change to processor-on-a-shelf, with either a one-chip or a two-chip shelf installed. Each offers four memory slots per processor. 4 DIMMs @8GB would give you 32GB four under US$400.

Four-core models would do what you are talking about, and you can upgrade to a 6-core processor if you are handy and can deal with thermal paste.

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Answer 2

Sax155 Author

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Jan 25, 2014 8:06 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Great, thanks for your detailed answer. 🙂 I'll look for a 2009 or later model than.

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Answer 3

The hatter

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Jan 25, 2014 8:24 AM in response to Sax155

keep in mind Apple Store Specials are excellent, you could wait for refreshed mac-mini, last year imac for what you want. the mac pro 2012 used is the best old stye mac pro and $1800-2000 If you need multiple SSD or develop and use multiple VMs cannot go wrong with mac pro and 32GB RAM for instance, very flexible

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