Buying a second hand mac pro or iMac?

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Level 1

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Buying a second hand mac pro or iMac?

After a fan failure (leaving the HD the only part that hasn't been replaced), I do worry about my 2009 Macbook Pro's longeivity and if it's worth picking up another machine for audio work or not. My concern is if I end up doing something like putting an SSD in my Macbook Pro and then the logic board fails or something, it's just wasted money.

Can't really go for a new machine, as I cant afford it, still use Logic 8, still use OSX 10.6.8 and have invested in a decent Firewire interface, so I'll need an older machine and was thinking a desktop would be more beneficial and then I can just use my MBP for other things and run it into the ground.

Options are either a 2009 Mac Pro or a 2011 iMac. This will be solely for home studio purposes, where I run average sized projects (20 tracks minimum) and do some multitrack recording etc. My laptop has 8GB RAM, 2.53gHZ processor and can generally hold on OK (occasional system overloads with CPU intensive plug-ins) so I won't need once that's fully decked out but something that will hopefully keep me going for a few more years.

Obviously my main concerns when buying an older computer is how long they last, so I'd be interested to hear from people about their experience with buying second hand computers of a similar age/spec. The iMacs tend to run slightly cheaper, but are running a similar spec to my current laptop (obviously the processor in the iMacs is a quad core) but the Mac Pros allow a lot more flexibility in upgrading.

I'm definitely a 'run things into the ground' kind of guy and am still very happy using an old version of Logic etc so upgrading that kind of stuff isn't something I'm particularly interested in doing unless it's a last resort. Understandably, I don't want to shell out for a 2009 Mac Pro which could have everything fail on me a year down the line, but I don't feel the need to have the most current spec computer.

Posted on Feb 20, 2015 5:59 PM

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Answer 1

kahjot

Level 4

2,463 points

Feb 20, 2015 6:13 PM in response to beepstreet

I would have more confidence in the Mac Pro. The 2009 is a good choice in terms of how much RAM costs for that model, operating systems it can run, etc.

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Answer 2

Feb 20, 2015 7:13 PM in response to beepstreet

2009 MacBook Pro:

putting an SSD in my Macbook Pro and then the logic board fails or something, it's just wasted money.

In the 2009 MacBook Pro model, SSD is installed as a 2.5" drive with a standard SATA interface in a little metal can. It is not a "throw away". That drive that can be adapted to a sled in a Mac Pro 42 lb silver tower, or placed in an external enclosure for use with any Mac. (Macs can boot from any specified drive, internal or external.)

SSD uses less power, and is completely silent, and fast. Did I mention that practically all of them are fast?

The Mac Pro (42 lb silver tower) can continue to be upgraded slightly and will keep working as long as you are willing to keep it in good repair. It is more compelling if you need Large memory, add-on cards, or multiple-processor speed. 2009 model Mac Pro 4,1 and later are superior. Do not pay money for a model older than the 2009 model.

In my opinion, the iMac, with its more limited upgrade possibilities has the same problem as buying an acoustic piano for your home. ¿In a few years, will I own a really awful mechanism inside a great piece of furniture [great display]?

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Answer 3

Feb 20, 2015 7:21 PM in response to beepstreet

I bought a Macbook Pro Refurbished and couldn't be happier. I bought my system in 2013 and it was the 2012 Retina model and I'm having zero issues with it. At Least check out the refurbished models. You might find a deal there.

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Answer 4

Feb 20, 2015 7:29 PM in response to ndfan2013

Refurbished direct from Apple does not mean "used". They are pristine, and come with the same warranty as new. They pass the same tests as the ones leaving the factory.

But -- and this will be a deal-Breaker for some, I know -- they come in a PLAIN box. No cute picture of a new Mac on the outside. Sad, but true.

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Feb 21, 2015 2:11 AM in response to beepstreet

I have purchased from Apple both an Apple TV and a 2012 Mac Min and they have operated without any problems. They were is plain brown boxes but looked brand new

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Answer 6

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Feb 21, 2015 4:06 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

But -- and this will be a deal-Breaker for some, I know -- they come in a PLAIN box. No cute picture of a new Mac on the outside. Sad, but true.

Yes that is true. I still wake up at nights thinking about those three plain boxes, one brown and two white. But my compensation is the three refurbished MBPs were pristine on arrival and have served me well.

Ciao.

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Answer 7

beepstreet Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 21, 2015 5:13 AM in response to beepstreet

Turns out my budget is actually significantly larger than expected, so I have about £2,000 to spend. Obviously I'm looking for something that will last me a good few years, but has the availability to upgrade parts myself should I need to do it (one of the definite downsides of an iMac). I'm not adverse to a newer computer, but Firewire would be a big help and the ability to run Snow Leopard and Logic 8 is a big factor in this. It would be good to have a machine that would be able to run the latest OSX and newest version of Logic should I need to upgrade, but I have about 6-7 years worth of work that are all Logic 8 files, so being able to boot from both operating systems is definitely something I'd like to do without having to worry about the computer struggling.

I don't know if the Mac Pro is particularly overkill or not really, I just figure there's always more stuff that seems to go wrong with laptops and I'm not sure if I'd necessarily want to get another Macbook Pro if the one I currently have can just amble on until it buys the farm. Plus the ability to expand is useful, if I'm investing in a decent computer it may be better to have something that seems overkill now, rather than something that I can't upgrade down the line if needs be.

Any ideas of models that would fit around my budget/needs? I've no real buyers experience with Mac Pros (used them in studios before though) and am just uncertain as to what would be a good bet.

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Answer 8

Feb 21, 2015 7:44 AM in response to beepstreet

if I'm investing in a decent computer it may be better to have something that seems overkill now,

For computers, that thinking is completely wrong-headed.

Computers will always be better faster, and cheaper if you wait. Buying a computer is NOT an investment, it is the purchase of a commodity for current use, and if you are not using it to its fullest today, any additional premium you paid for capabilities you are not using is wasted, not invested.

Do not use todays dollars to buy future promised capabilities. Use the computer(s) you have until they no longer serve your needs, then replace them with computers that better serve your needs. Put that extra money away [wouldn't it be nice if we could actually earn meaningful interest on it] and save for the day when you need a new computer.

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