Reading mode: Light Dark

Mac Pro, regrets ?

Go to last post
Ralph Lemarechal

Ralph Lemarechal

Senior Member
Messages
1,721
Reaction score
88
Location
Amsterdam, NL
Has anyone deep inside had regrets purchasing the Mac Pro ?

The 8 cores of the Pro are huge power of course, but today's laptops seem quite capable as well...

In other words, what is that you do with your Mac Pro that you could not do with a MBP ? (real life examples please)

--
http://www.digitalfrog.nl
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/digitalfrog
 
No regrets - best system I've ever owned .

e.g. creating a stitched panorama of gigapixel dimensions 600+ frames in PTgui takes about 8 hours to run my Mac Pro with 3 fast disks in RAID0 ( several TBs of scratch IO is written/read ).

The disk speed is more important than CPU core or RAM for this application ( though there are short periods with all 8 cores are at full capacity ).



http://www.donaldingram.com/GigaPixel/Edinburgh530am_web.html

http://www.donaldingram.com/GigaPixel/DundeeLawH.html
 
Don't forget, you can "downgrade" to "only" one quad core chip and save about $400.

You can then use that money to get more RAM (third party).
 
Nothing you can do that you "can't" do with a MPB, but lots of things that will be faster.

Do any video encoding? I just got done editing a FCE project and wish I had a few more cores (I have a 2007 MP with 2 x 2 cores)

Want more RAM? I run lots of programs and parallels almost constantly. I have 12GB of RAM and most of it is frequently used.

Lots of hard disks? I've got 3TB of internal storage, and even SATA speed is too slow, definitely would not want to be relying on firewire (or heaven forbid crappy USB!) external drives for primary storage.

Want a decent screen? The MPB screens do not calibrate well and are horrid glossy trash. I don't think you can run dual 24 or 30" external screens from them, but I could be wrong on that.

In short I don't personally have any regrets on getting a mac pro. I bought mine refurbished from apple and got a great deal, would recommend the same. I would love an 8 core model, but figure I'll get another year or two before upgrading.

--
This message was created with 100% post-consumer electrons
 
Really stupid question...completely pointless. The reasons for buying a Mac Pro and/or a laptop are totally different. It's like comparing a minivan to 2 seater sportscar...both will take you places.

Spare us....
Ralph Lemarechal said:
Has anyone deep inside had regrets purchasing the Mac Pro ?

The 8 cores of the Pro are huge power of course, but today's laptops
seem quite capable as well...

In other words, what is that you do with your Mac Pro that you could
not do with a MBP ? (real life examples please)

--
http://www.digitalfrog.nl
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/digitalfrog
Click to expand...
--
Mikael
 
No, not really pointless nor stupid. The MBP has way more power than most of my previous computer systems that I've run Photoshop on (since version 4).

You can do quite a bit of excellent, convenient editing, both photo and video on a suitably equipped MBP. No, they aren't Mac Pros and yes, the Mac Pro is in a different league. It isn't a Miata vs. a F350 comparison, it's a .... oh well, enough pointless car analogies, I'll save that for Slashdot.

A MBP with a separate screen (the built in screen is fair, at best) works pretty well for single pictures from any normal (6-21 megapixel) still camera assuming that you don't put 15 layers in your typical Photoshop file.

If you're doing panos, then you need to be patient or just get a Pro. I often do 2-3 gigabyte panos. The MBP takes about an hour, the pro about 10 minutes. I have a dual processor (four core), 12 MB Mac Pro (new version), great computer. Running three screens without a hiccup (take THAT XP!). Smoother, faster, better calibrated than my 17" MBP with 4 GB. But if I only had one system, it would the the laptop - with an external drive for storage and a separate screen.

The only fatal issue with any laptop is the built in screen. For serious color calibrated workflows, they don't cut it. The MBP screens come pretty close - good enough for everything but print work.

The new 24 inch Apple screen has a built in mag safe connector - a cool idea but I don't know how good the screen actually is. The good news is that the Mac laptops work well and play nice with external screens.
--
RG
http://www.lostrange.com
 
OK, here is a reason...I have a hard time finding a backpack for my Mac Pro. Anyone seen bags that fits my 30" monitor?
rgolub said:
No, not really pointless nor stupid. The MBP has way more power than
most of my previous computer systems that I've run Photoshop on
(since version 4).

You can do quite a bit of excellent, convenient editing, both photo
and video on a suitably equipped MBP. No, they aren't Mac Pros and
yes, the Mac Pro is in a different league. It isn't a Miata vs. a
F350 comparison, it's a .... oh well, enough pointless car analogies,
I'll save that for Slashdot.

A MBP with a separate screen (the built in screen is fair, at best)
works pretty well for single pictures from any normal (6-21
megapixel) still camera assuming that you don't put 15 layers in your
typical Photoshop file.

If you're doing panos, then you need to be patient or just get a Pro.
I often do 2-3 gigabyte panos. The MBP takes about an hour, the pro
about 10 minutes. I have a dual processor (four core), 12 MB Mac Pro
(new version), great computer. Running three screens without a
hiccup (take THAT XP!). Smoother, faster, better calibrated than my
17" MBP with 4 GB. But if I only had one system, it would the the
laptop - with an external drive for storage and a separate screen.

The only fatal issue with any laptop is the built in screen. For
serious color calibrated workflows, they don't cut it. The MBP
screens come pretty close - good enough for everything but print work.

The new 24 inch Apple screen has a built in mag safe connector - a
cool idea but I don't know how good the screen actually is. The good
news is that the Mac laptops work well and play nice with external
screens.
--
RG
http://www.lostrange.com
Click to expand...
--
Mikael
 
No regrets at all. I currrent have 8-core 2.8Ghz Mac Pro with 6gigs of RAM with dual 21inch samsung screens. Will get more RAM maybe end of the year or next year, but yeah I know I'm running out of RAM. Then again I also have a Macbook Pro 17inch 2.4ghz with 4gigs of RAM. In terms of comparison. it's nice doing all my photo work on the Mac Pro much faster especially when using aperture 2.1.2. and photoshop the same time. I find the 4gig RAM limit very limiting on the Macbook Pro. Anyway, why not have both?
 
Place the order yesterday, should have it tomorrow.
Free printer as well :-)
Ralph Lemarechal said:
Has anyone deep inside had regrets purchasing the Mac Pro ?

The 8 cores of the Pro are huge power of course, but today's laptops
seem quite capable as well...

In other words, what is that you do with your Mac Pro that you could
not do with a MBP ? (real life examples please)

--
http://www.digitalfrog.nl
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/digitalfrog
Click to expand...
--
http://www.digitalfrog.nl
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/digitalfrog
 
webfrasse said:
OK, here is a reason...I have a hard time finding a backpack for my
Mac Pro. Anyone seen bags that fits my 30" monitor?
Click to expand...
Guess what - I have a bag that fit's my 30" cinema display and I genuinely use it to carry round to visit clients and do slide-show presentations. I bought it from B&H - the monitor fits perfectly.

Okay, it is darn heavy but you did ask...........

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/393056-REG/Tenba_634_713_RS_D30_Roadshow_Air_Case.html

--
Bizy
 
Straight from Apple's web site.

There is currently a 90 euros rebate on a good selection of printers (well, in the Netherlands as well).

I just have a new one man business and a small wireless fax/scanner/printer for 10 euros is welcome.

The best is that the initial delivery time was 2 weeks, but it should arrive tomorrow, just 2 days after i ordered it !
digicaman2 said:
Apple or a reseller?

And, what was the printer deal?
Click to expand...
--
http://www.digitalfrog.nl
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/digitalfrog
 
Well posted!
webfrasse said:
rgolub said:
No, not really pointless nor stupid. The MBP has way more power than
most of my previous computer systems that I've run Photoshop on
(since version 4).

You can do quite a bit of excellent, convenient editing, both photo
and video on a suitably equipped MBP. No, they aren't Mac Pros and
yes, the Mac Pro is in a different league. It isn't a Miata vs. a
F350 comparison, it's a .... oh well, enough pointless car analogies,
I'll save that for Slashdot.

A MBP with a separate screen (the built in screen is fair, at best)
works pretty well for single pictures from any normal (6-21
megapixel) still camera assuming that you don't put 15 layers in your
typical Photoshop file.

If you're doing panos, then you need to be patient or just get a Pro.
I often do 2-3 gigabyte panos. The MBP takes about an hour, the pro
about 10 minutes. I have a dual processor (four core), 12 MB Mac Pro
(new version), great computer. Running three screens without a
hiccup (take THAT XP!). Smoother, faster, better calibrated than my
17" MBP with 4 GB. But if I only had one system, it would the the
laptop - with an external drive for storage and a separate screen.

The only fatal issue with any laptop is the built in screen. For
serious color calibrated workflows, they don't cut it. The MBP
screens come pretty close - good enough for everything but print work.

The new 24 inch Apple screen has a built in mag safe connector - a
cool idea but I don't know how good the screen actually is. The good
news is that the Mac laptops work well and play nice with external
screens.
--
RG
http://www.lostrange.com
Click to expand...
--
Mikael
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top