Is it still worth buying a Mac Pro 5,1

[wood1e2]

Hi

I have for years looked at buying a Mac Pro 5,1 but never go around to it. I don't do any film editing, so not sure why I kept looking at them.

I think it is a desire build/expand a computer for myself. And the 5,1 has/is now very cost-effective.

Recently though I had read that buying a 2018 Mini Mac would be better as the Mac Pro 5,1 cannot have the latest Mac OS ?

Would this be a reason not to buy now? As I don't do film editing I do use coding software/database digging/web development.

So I am wondering if just that inability to update to latest OS would be a problem?

Are there other issues I am missing?

 

[Naheed Mir]

The 5,1 is using technology that's several years old now. While it's yet capable of doing what many people need it to do. It also sucks down lots of power and spits out lots of heat. So, check the specification of both before going for one.

 

[The Byre]

Well, I do film editing in 4K RAW and any Mac falls far short of our requirements (let alone something that is ten years old!) such as able to run all and every creative software package and the ability to be expanded and upgraded by having slots where we can just push in SSDs to add a few Terrabytes in seconds.

The only real grounds a film editor could have to have to use a Mac would be if he/she is wedded to Final Cut or Logic for some reason. As there are far better and more modern programmes out there, that is hardly a consideration!

If you feel the need for a bigger and better PC, talk to Scan. We got a 16-drive 19" thing from them not too long ago. Impeccable service!

 

[Nico Albrecht]

You can run the latest mac os on it but the performance sucks. Apple never bothered to upgrade the metal API for amd. Intel gpu works fine. There is no value for money on a mac Pro 5.1. Or the macmini 2018. Overpriced pieces of garbage with plenty of design flaws and very low performance for what they charge. mac Pro very heavy on electricity vesus performance. If you want value for money by a hp z440 workstation refurbished and put a proper os ( dealers choice) on it. If it has to be a crapple product a 2015 imac with fusion drive would be my choice. Get a computer shop to rip out that old seagate hard drive and get a Samsung ssd fitted and refusion with the 128gb nvme ssd. Pop in some laptop ram to 32gb and of you go.

 

[gpietersz]

Well, I do film editing in 4K RAW and any Mac falls far short of our requirements

The OP specifically says "I don't do film editing". Did you misread that?

I do use coding software/database digging/web development

What sort of coding? What databases? What platforms does your code run on? There is a lot to be said for using the same OS that your development targets. Even if the code is cross platform its good to be able to take advantage of platform specific features. you become more familiar with the platform, and you find platform specific bugs earlier.

Most development work does not require a lot of performance.

 

[Darren_Ssc]

Most development work does not require a lot of performance.

Procrastination and lack of focus are your two main obstacles. No machine I know about can help with this.

 

[gpietersz]

Procrastination and lack of focus are your two main obstacles. No machine I know about can help with this.

That made me laugh out (literally) loud. Very true.

and making comments on UKBF is a symptom on it.

 

[wood1e2]

So joking aside is it worth buying or not?

 

[Bob Morgan]

Can it also be used as a 'Pornograph?'

 

[Darren_Ssc]

Can it also be used as a 'Pornograph?'

You're not taking this seriously are you?

 

[Darren_Ssc]

So joking aside is it worth buying or not?

For the use you've described, no.

 

[DontAsk]

So joking aside is it worth buying or not?

No, same as any Apple kit.

 

[wood1e2]

For the use you've described, no.

Many thanks

So would a Mini Mac 2018 be a better choice?

 

[wood1e2]

No, same as any Apple kit.

Well I only use Apple for computing, which is better than WIN10.

 

[arnydnxluk]

Why do you want such an old system? What is the purpose?

The only reason you stated is the desire to build a computer yourself. If that's the case just start from scratch and build your own system.

If it's for work purposes, just pick up whatever lets you get on with your work the quickest and then get on with it!

Not being able to obtain the latest macOS updates will be a problem because these updates contain security patches as well as everything else.

 

[wood1e2]

Why do you want such an old system? What is the purpose?

The only reason you stated is the desire to build a computer yourself. If that's the case just start from scratch and build your own system.

If it's for work purposes, just pick up whatever lets you get on with your work the quickest and then get on with it!

Not being able to obtain the latest macOS updates will be a problem because these updates contain security patches as well as everything else.

Thanks for your insightful knowledge and common sense.

I must admit I forget sometimes why I don't bother coming on here anymore.

I'll get a mini mac and be done with it.