The Mac Computer thing again... - The Firearms Forum

glocknut · 02-02-2009, 12:51 AM

I am thinking about buying this:

Apple® - Mac Pro 2.8GHz
Model: MA970LL/A

I guess its a quad core computer...

Any thoughts on this, anyone? Is this a good choice or is there a Mac with less goodies that would be worth a look? This is the only one that Best Buy sells or at least online anyways.

One thing is for sure.... No more Microsoft products for me.

Opinions Please.

mike
gn

lb969 · 02-02-2009, 06:40 AM

Quote:

One thing is for sure.... No more Microsoft products for me.

No more Microsoft related products either. No games, few software choices, no options for support besides Apple.

Welcome to the new monopoly.

LDBennett · 02-02-2009, 07:39 AM

glocknut:

Your choice is the pretty much the same as mine for the basic system but I will need a display card that will support two LCD monitors. Which one that is I don't know at this point.

Try the below link for a good prices on MAC's and any options:

http://www.macmall.com/macmall/famil...ro~promo~4.asp

I am looking to replace my older MAC desktop box this year so I too have been studying what is available. All the MAC desktop units are dual quad processor except for one model. While it seems prudent, money wise, to buy no more than you need, I have found that the last two MAC's I bought suffered early retirement due to obsolescence. Part of the probem was I bought "last years" model both times and if I had bought the current model I might have gotten a few more years out of them.

My current MAC is now at the point where it will not take the latest version of OS X so I have to operate on retired versions of the operating system. More and more of the software application have become incompatible with it (the next version of TurboTax probably will not run on my computer). My version of Safari is the latest version that will run on my machine and it has problems with several sites I regularly visit (FireFox will and works fine for now).

In my previous MAC I attempted to update the box but ran into all kinds of compatibilty problems and only a Computer tech could arrange the correct modules of the operating system for problem free operations. This was not a good situation! Such "tuning" finally made the computer unusable.

There is also the problem that my current MAC uses Motorola processors which are now obsolete and the very next OS update (Eleven??) will not be for the Motorola boxes. With both this MAC, and my last one, I have run into incompatibility problems with new software and Internet access so this new MAC will be the latest and greatest, regardless of the cost differential (single verses dual quad processors). I will limit the other options to reasonableness (like speed, ram, display processors, and hard drive choices) as none of these in my current machine has limited my usages.

I am focusing in on the model in the link but with one of the Windows emulator programs pre-installed. I don't know which one (seperate window version or seperate boot version ???) or just go with the embeded one in the operating system that still needs you to buy a PC operating system and install it (???).

I will buy a new MAC after I do my taxes in the coming month or so. I don't need to paint myself into a corner with a new machine and trying to get my taxes out on time and that is the reason for the wait. The transfer of data from one machine to another is always a problem of some sort and I am not looking forward to it but it is necessary at this point in time. I may just install the disk out of my current computer into the new one but then there is the applications installs...What a pain, but it has to be done.

LDBennett

fmacsin1 · 02-02-2009, 08:36 AM

I believe your choice is a good one. Also, depending on where you buy your machine, often they will transfer what info. you want from your old MAC to your new one. If they don't, just take a pen-drive (with a lot of memory) and download what programs or items you want on your new MAC yourself. I have found that MACs are user friendly and can load programs that can read PC info. as easily. Those programs used to come pre-loaded on a MAC and now you have to buy the program to do it! Good luck!

graehaven · 02-02-2009, 09:52 AM

Yeah, the newer jump drives are dirt cheap. You can get an 8 gig one for under $30.

I wouldn't buy from Best Buy. I'd buy from MacMall, or an Apple store, or from Apple directly.

Get the Apple Care package too. It's worth it, if you ever have it go down.

cycloneman · 02-02-2009, 11:16 AM

Gn,

What a decission you have to make here. I have always been one of those guys who like to get as much bang for the buck as i can. When I sit down I like to have everthing there to make it as pleasurable as possibe. You have to get your priorities straight. For just a tad bit more money I think you could really get something that you will really enjoy. After all it's only money and our choices speak volums about who we really are.

That's why I think the mac alone is just not good enough. I would get the mac and cheese.

Your friend

John

Pistolenschutze · 02-02-2009, 11:26 AM

Mike, didn't Macintosh just come out with a new model, the Aroni? Most people just call it the Mac Aroni. I hear its well "pasta" PC in terms of performance. ::::::ducking::::::

LDBennett · 02-02-2009, 01:28 PM

cycloneman:

If I am not a gamer then I don't need a super fast video card. I may need one that will support two LCD drives, though. If I don't do huge math problems or 3D rendering, the fastest processors are not really that necessary. If I have been working within 120GB of hard drive I think 350 GB plus an additional 40GB from my current MAC should be enough except I may add another auxillarly 350 GB drive to shadow backup the main drive...later.... since the latest version of OS X allows that good feature. I do digital photography easily within the 1 GB of ram, so 2 GB of ram ought to do it, as well. I have both a CD drive and an auxillary DVD drive now so the SuperDrive ougth to do it if I connect up my FireWire DVD drive as well.

My point? My grandma doesn't need a Ferrari or a Corvette to go to the store to pick up groceries once a week and I don't need an over powered. huge capacity MAC either. But I do need the latest dual quad processor box so that the MAC will stay current longer. Changing out peripherals or adding them can be done at any time. Changing the processors is much harder and not always successful. So I say buy what you need and what you forecast you might need in the future, not the ultimate super fast box that runs at 10% capacity all the time.

LDBennett

bcj1755 · 02-02-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glocknut

One thing is for sure.... No more Microsoft products for me.

Opinions Please.

mike
gn

Go Linux!!!

The penguin owns me

Mosin_Nagant_Fan · 02-02-2009, 04:47 PM

The server I want to build for home use will have linux on it.

Macs are great systems and there are games and stuff for them. I know because tech is my #1 and #2 fields.

islenos · 02-02-2009, 05:13 PM

My office is 100% Mac
Since my job description includes "all other duties my boss doesn't want to bother with" ......
I therefor take care of an assortment of desktops, mini's, laptops, servers and raids, all of which is running 10.5, Microsoft Office 2008, Adobe Creative Suites and various other programs. If I have one problem in a one month period, I would think it to be a bad month. I have machines that I've put out to pasture that are ten years old that still fire up and run like new (on 10.4 that is) We got rid of them do to lack of space.

All our Mac for the past five years or so have come with dual ports for monitors ( I kind of figured it was standard) We run dual 20+ inch flat screens. Ram is a big concern so all boxes have at least 2gb. Hard drives are moot since we add the RAID (don't know how we lived without it) We have Power PC's and Intels from 1.4 to 2.8 Ghz

I love my Macs

cec · 02-02-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosin_Nagant_Fan

Macs are great systems and there are games and stuff for them. I know because tech is my #1 and #2 fields.

Breakout and Super Breakout. Mac gaming 09 aka PC gaming 1990

All kidding aside, it is all about what you use it for. Mac, PC, Linux based, all do pretty much the same thing. It is like buying a firearm, there is no one size fits all solution.

glocknut · 02-02-2009, 08:47 PM

I was thinking about having someone partition the drive so i could have Windows Xp on there for my games...which are few in number. The Sims, Sim City, Galactic Civilizations, and the other newer Gal Civ, i can't think of the name though.
For serious gaming i was thinking about a PS3 for that...

mike
gn

durk · 02-02-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glocknut

For serious gaming i was thinking about a PS3 for that...
mike
gn

I'm thinking about one of those for myself.

02-02-2009, 07:39 AM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,711	Re: The Mac Computer thing again... glocknut: Your choice is the pretty much the same as mine for the basic system but I will need a display card that will support two LCD monitors. Which one that is I don't know at this point. Try the below link for a good prices on MAC's and any options: http://www.macmall.com/macmall/famil...ro~promo~4.asp I am looking to replace my older MAC desktop box this year so I too have been studying what is available. All the MAC desktop units are dual quad processor except for one model. While it seems prudent, money wise, to buy no more than you need, I have found that the last two MAC's I bought suffered early retirement due to obsolescence. Part of the probem was I bought "last years" model both times and if I had bought the current model I might have gotten a few more years out of them. My current MAC is now at the point where it will not take the latest version of OS X so I have to operate on retired versions of the operating system. More and more of the software application have become incompatible with it (the next version of TurboTax probably will not run on my computer). My version of Safari is the latest version that will run on my machine and it has problems with several sites I regularly visit (FireFox will and works fine for now). In my previous MAC I attempted to update the box but ran into all kinds of compatibilty problems and only a Computer tech could arrange the correct modules of the operating system for problem free operations. This was not a good situation! Such "tuning" finally made the computer unusable. There is also the problem that my current MAC uses Motorola processors which are now obsolete and the very next OS update (Eleven??) will not be for the Motorola boxes. With both this MAC, and my last one, I have run into incompatibility problems with new software and Internet access so this new MAC will be the latest and greatest, regardless of the cost differential (single verses dual quad processors). I will limit the other options to reasonableness (like speed, ram, display processors, and hard drive choices) as none of these in my current machine has limited my usages. I am focusing in on the model in the link but with one of the Windows emulator programs pre-installed. I don't know which one (seperate window version or seperate boot version ???) or just go with the embeded one in the operating system that still needs you to buy a PC operating system and install it (???). I will buy a new MAC after I do my taxes in the coming month or so. I don't need to paint myself into a corner with a new machine and trying to get my taxes out on time and that is the reason for the wait. The transfer of data from one machine to another is always a problem of some sort and I am not looking forward to it but it is necessary at this point in time. I may just install the disk out of my current computer into the new one but then there is the applications installs...What a pain, but it has to be done. LDBennett

02-02-2009, 08:36 AM	#4
fmacsin1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Moosehead Lake, Maine Posts: 433	Re: The Mac Computer thing again... I believe your choice is a good one. Also, depending on where you buy your machine, often they will transfer what info. you want from your old MAC to your new one. If they don't, just take a pen-drive (with a lot of memory) and download what programs or items you want on your new MAC yourself. I have found that MACs are user friendly and can load programs that can read PC info. as easily. Those programs used to come pre-loaded on a MAC and now you have to buy the program to do it! Good luck!

02-02-2009, 09:52 AM	#5
graehaven Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,853	Re: The Mac Computer thing again... Yeah, the newer jump drives are dirt cheap. You can get an 8 gig one for under $30. I wouldn't buy from Best Buy. I'd buy from MacMall, or an Apple store, or from Apple directly. Get the Apple Care package too. It's worth it, if you ever have it go down. __________________ The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson RESISTANCE IS FEUDAL... PREPARE TO SERVE.

02-02-2009, 11:16 AM	#6
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,401	Re: The Mac Computer thing again... Gn, What a decission you have to make here. I have always been one of those guys who like to get as much bang for the buck as i can. When I sit down I like to have everthing there to make it as pleasurable as possibe. You have to get your priorities straight. For just a tad bit more money I think you could really get something that you will really enjoy. After all it's only money and our choices speak volums about who we really are. That's why I think the mac alone is just not good enough. I would get the mac and cheese. Your friend John

02-02-2009, 11:26 AM	#7
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: The Mac Computer thing again... Mike, didn't Macintosh just come out with a new model, the Aroni? Most people just call it the Mac Aroni. I hear its well "pasta" PC in terms of performance. ::::::ducking:::::: __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

02-02-2009, 12:51 AM	#1
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	The Mac Computer thing again... I am thinking about buying this: Apple® - Mac Pro 2.8GHz Model: MA970LL/A I guess its a quad core computer... Any thoughts on this, anyone? Is this a good choice or is there a Mac with less goodies that would be worth a look? This is the only one that Best Buy sells or at least online anyways. One thing is for sure.... No more Microsoft products for me. Opinions Please. mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone.... -->

02-02-2009, 01:28 PM	#8
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,711	Re: The Mac Computer thing again... cycloneman: If I am not a gamer then I don't need a super fast video card. I may need one that will support two LCD drives, though. If I don't do huge math problems or 3D rendering, the fastest processors are not really that necessary. If I have been working within 120GB of hard drive I think 350 GB plus an additional 40GB from my current MAC should be enough except I may add another auxillarly 350 GB drive to shadow backup the main drive...later.... since the latest version of OS X allows that good feature. I do digital photography easily within the 1 GB of ram, so 2 GB of ram ought to do it, as well. I have both a CD drive and an auxillary DVD drive now so the SuperDrive ougth to do it if I connect up my FireWire DVD drive as well. My point? My grandma doesn't need a Ferrari or a Corvette to go to the store to pick up groceries once a week and I don't need an over powered. huge capacity MAC either. But I do need the latest dual quad processor box so that the MAC will stay current longer. Changing out peripherals or adding them can be done at any time. Changing the processors is much harder and not always successful. So I say buy what you need and what you forecast you might need in the future, not the ultimate super fast box that runs at 10% capacity all the time. LDBennett

02-02-2009, 04:47 PM	#10
Mosin_Nagant_Fan Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 1,832	Re: The Mac Computer thing again... The server I want to build for home use will have linux on it. Macs are great systems and there are games and stuff for them. I know because tech is my #1 and #2 fields. __________________ Long Gun Collection: M38 Mosin-Nagant Carbine Russian 1950 SKS Winchester 1300 20Ga Western Field Single-Shot 16Ga Sears Ranger .22S-L-LR Bolt-Action Rifle Marlin 795 Semi-Auto (Brother's) Handgun Collection: Springfield Armory XD9 Service

02-02-2009, 05:13 PM	#11
islenos Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,244	Re: The Mac Computer thing again... My office is 100% Mac Since my job description includes "all other duties my boss doesn't want to bother with" ...... I therefor take care of an assortment of desktops, mini's, laptops, servers and raids, all of which is running 10.5, Microsoft Office 2008, Adobe Creative Suites and various other programs. If I have one problem in a one month period, I would think it to be a bad month. I have machines that I've put out to pasture that are ten years old that still fire up and run like new (on 10.4 that is) We got rid of them do to lack of space. All our Mac for the past five years or so have come with dual ports for monitors ( I kind of figured it was standard) We run dual 20+ inch flat screens. Ram is a big concern so all boxes have at least 2gb. Hard drives are moot since we add the RAID (don't know how we lived without it) We have Power PC's and Intels from 1.4 to 2.8 Ghz I love my Macs __________________

02-02-2009, 08:47 PM	#13
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Re: The Mac Computer thing again... I was thinking about having someone partition the drive so i could have Windows Xp on there for my games...which are few in number. The Sims, Sim City, Galactic Civilizations, and the other newer Gal Civ, i can't think of the name though. For serious gaming i was thinking about a PS3 for that... mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone....