Mac Pro 2009 or Mac Mini 2014

[dasaint]

Should I get a used Mac Pro 2009 (2.93) or look at getting mac mini 2014? I will be doing design and would like to also use as file backup to my photos and such. Thoughts?

 

[pigoo3]

Do you need an optical drive…or lots of internal storage? The Mac Pro is much more flexible in these respects.

If you don't mind the larger size of the Mac Pro…and if the cost of the Mac Pro is equal to or less than the Mac-Mini…I might lean towards the Mac Pro. Mac Pro's 2009 & up are really great computers (a 2009 Mac Pro isn't very different than a same design 2012 Mac Pro).

Plus if we're talking a 4 core or 8 core Mac Pro (which I'm sure we are…since 4 cores is as "little" aa Mac Pro's get)…this will certainly out perform a 2014 Mac-Mini in some tasks.

- Nick

 

[chas_m]

Generally speaking, a newer machine is going to outperform a five-year-old machine with almost no regard to what the older machine is, though of course an eight-core Mac Pro might be an exception.

Newer machines (if bought refurbished) also have the advantage of having a full Apple Warranty, can run the latest OS version and software now and going forward, won't go obsolete so quickly, etc.

If you could elaborate on what apps you might be using for your "design," we'd have a better idea on recommendations.

 

[harryb2448]

Remember with the Mini they came in 4,8 and 16GB memory specifications and the memory cannot be increased. The Mac Pro can handle up to 32GB, has four hard drive bays, and the gfx cards can be upgraded heavily. Also GeekBench test scores, which of course are not the be alla nd end all just a good indication, show the Mac Pro returning over 14,000 and the i7 Mini just over 8,000 so I suggest you get the Mac Pro.

 

[chas_m]

There is also the consideration of huge and loud versus tiny and silent. If you're not doing anything more elaborate than Photos, why go for rapidly-aging overkill rather than something far more efficient for that scale of need?

Mind you, if I was making my living on the full Adobe CC design suite every day and these were my choices, the tower would be first pick of course.

 

[dasaint]

Thanks for the info,guys! I pulled the trigger and picked up the mac mini 2014 i5 with 16gb ram.

Question.. I still am looking for a backup/ storage / secondary desktop and computer. Thoughts between mac pro 2009 or 2006 A1126? I know A1126 is n longer supported for future OSX releases. I have an old G5 dual processor (2008). Should i just keep G5 or replace it with either mac pro 2009 or A1126 for secondary computer.

 

[lclev]

You lost me .... What is a 2006 A1126?

Lisa

 

[pigoo3]

Thoughts between mac pro 2009 or 2006 A1126? I know A1126 is n longer supported for future OSX releases.

If we're talking about a 2006 Mac Pro or a 2009 Mac Pro. Get the 2009 Mac Pro. Much better!

- Nick

 

[Algus]

What are you planning to do with the second computer? Just storage, odds are you will be fine with just getting an external drive to plug directly into your new Mac mini.