Buy now or after the next release?

I cant decide whether to buy a Mac Pro now or in
January after some of the kinks have been worked out
and memory comes down.

Any thoughts?

If you're asking this question, then it seems to imply it's something you WANT, rather than NEED. Huge factor there. If you currently have a computer that's doing the job, then it depends on what you plan on using this new computer for. If it's for graphic design, i would personally hold off until Adobe releases their universal software, because you never know what improvements will also come from Apple by then. If it's for multimedia, the same applies.. make sure the software you plan on using is already universal binary. If it's just for web surfing and occasional word processing, i would consider an iMac instead.

I went to reply, then, as often is the case, "404" was all I got.

Apple RAM and OWC are both expensive and not that far -$$- apart.

It is okay to want a quiet fast computer.

The price of an iMac 20" would have set me back the cost of Mac Pro by the time it was configured, but the Pro I can configure and easily upgrade.

I would resist using plastic as cash. It ain't.

Beige Rev A and Blue G3 Rev 2 - I paid my dues. This was/is one Mac I lusted for since my SE/30. I don't have to turn up the TV, leave the room due to the noise (and headaches) or worry that if I do "xyz" it will take too long or hog cpu while loading pages.

What I got - a lot better video, RAM and cpu as well as hard drives. No need for 4-channel SeriTek or Radeon 9800 or $600 Sonnet 1.8DP upgrade to "keep up."

Who knows, maybe you can sell the MDD later too.

I do pretty much the same.

I usually rotate down the chain so what was my previous daily system becomes my server and the server gets pretty much given away if not actually given away. I'm not so fussed about giving away a 5-6 year old computer as by then it's given me some really good use.

Just be aware if you do purchase a Mac Pro with BlueTooth installed, you may run into some range problems and 'buzzing' sound coming through your sound outputs...

Supposedly Apple is aware of the problem and is working on a fix..

I have yet to call Apple myself, but if no announcement is made soon from Apple about these issues, I will be...

Other than the issues mentioned, the machine is an absolute speed demon. It will be very hard to send the thing back if that's what,s needed to fix the BlueTooth issue. I've already grown attached to my Mac and I've only had it for 4 days...lol.

Good Luck!

Sean

Well… that'll teach you to promise it! I guess you won't be making the same mistake with your Mac Pro. 😉

Hi all,

I just bought my Mac Pro from Apple over the phone, I was quoted a month to build & deliver but got it in a week :0)

The problems I have are as so... my bluetooth mouse behaves erratically, the keyboard occasionaly loses its connectionn and the fans are too noisy! Apple have agreed to replace it and I may cancel that and re-order without the wireless keyboard and mouse because of this (?)

Anyway, it is a wicked machine and well fast; even Photoshop CS2 loads as quick [maybe quicker] than the G5 Quad with 4GB Ram I just got rid of! I had problems with Alienskin plug-ins though as they stpped Photoshop from launching.

Anyway, buy one, they are FAB machines :0)

Ciao 4 now


B

if you get rid of your mdd g4 can i have it? i need a mac for the fam

You should try the SMC update for the fans. To get it you first update the EFI, then you will see it in Software Update.

For Cindy, there is indeed going to be a Quad version chip starting in November which will be available. This is a top tier so its comparable price wise to what is in the 3.0 MP. Will apple have a new top tier in December or January? Who knows, but Anandtech has shown that the pre-release chips already work perfect at making the Quad MP an Octo MP.

Now, considering you have been using a G4 without problems...you may never see the difference in speed between Octo and Quad, I know I wouldn't the way mine runs now.

The only two issues I've had with my MP since getting it about a month ago are:
Working with Windows through bootcamp or parallels (both fixed to my satisfaction as of today)
An M-Audio firewire device which no longer works (though the M-Audio USB works, along with every other of numerous USB and Firewire devices I have)

I say buy it or look down to the iMac. The only other major thing in the horizon is Leopard which you can buy.