I got my BFA in 1992 - back then the only WISIWIG computers for creating art were MACs. Then we went to Japan for a while and the only computers smooth enough to show kanji on screen were MACs. Then we came back to the US so I could study CG and get my MFA and the only 3D app on a MAC was Form-Z. That led to me purchasing a PC. Then I built one myself. Now that PC I built in 2001 and have upgraded for the last 6 years is painfully slow and cumbersome - not to mention riddled with viruses. (Just kidding - I wiped them out.)
It's time to get a new computer and with the integration of Intel processors I don't have to limit myself to MAC apps. It is finally time for me to get the computer I've always wanted. A MAC. I went to the Apple website to buy a refurbished box (15% off!) and LO~ there was an 8-core available. I use a dual-core at work and it's great. The coders use quad-cores and they scream. An 8-core... well, I hesitated no longer than to get my credit card - the box will be mine as soon as Fed-Ex delivers the goods.I'm almost afraid to make the change back to MAC after so many long years of being away. Will I be able to adjust?!? We shall see.
It seems they plan to deliver on the 15th - our 15th wedding anniversary! I couldn't have asked for anything better.
:)
18 comments:
congratulations on your new machine/toy/work companion! I can't wait to hear about all it can do! :)
Okay, I'm envious. I'm holding off until Leopard arrives in September, and even so, I'm still constantly talking myself out of the octo-core. It would be a lot of fun, and would make After Effects renders fly, but it would also require a HUGE amount of RAM to really get the full benefit, and that just increases the price even more...
Trouble is, when I compare the 3.0 GHz quad core to the 2.66 GHz quad core (now missing from the refurb section of the store -- yikes!), the price difference is astounding. A 50% price increase for only 11% more power? But then, will I always look at my render times and think, "this could have been done ten minutes ago if I wasn't such a cheapskate"?
Actually, some of that price difference might have been the video card, but I could have sworn the configurations were the same. I'll just have to see if they get some more refurbs in stock.
I did the same thing - had a PC because i needed it for the apps, and when mac started making machines with intel, immediately bought a mac again after using them all through school. i also bought refurbished and it works fine. I remembered quickly why i hate PCs. have fun, and happy anniversary!!
With this machine, you have effectively eliminated the following excuses for any late work:
1. computer was infected by a virus (there's no virus for Macs [yet], sorry);
2. computer didn't finish rendering (what, with that 8-core monster?);
3. computer crashed (okay, be serious now);
But you'll have new ones:
1. still trying to get used to the damn Mac OS;
2. the computer is too fast, so i have explored more possibilities than i intended, thus the delay;
3. i had to run that program in Windows on the Mac, and Windows kept crashing....
Cheers and enjoy... and welcome to the Mac Camp. Next time I will show you the secret handshakes....
I have a HUGE tear in my eye. The only adjustment you'll need is a seat belt. Cheers!!
Only 11% increase in power? Hmmmm - not the number I would have guessed.
Yeah - the specs on the computers change a bit - I don't think the 8-core has much ram or a great video card. We shall see.
The room for upgrades is vast tho - I hope to extend the life of this new computer until 2015 or so. LOL
That's just the theoretical difference in power between the two speeds of quad-core, mind you:
2.66 GHz / 3GHz x 100% = 89%
Your eight-core beast should fly, though, given enough memory to work with, and the price you got was excellent (which just has me second-guessing myself again).
Okay, I see the 2.66 GHz refurbs are back up (as well as the 8-core refurbs). The Quad 3.0 does have a more expensive video card (which is nice, but can be gotten on eBay for close to the Apple BTO upgrade price), plus more memory (which is kind of a waste of money at Apple's prices). So once you factor in buying a nicer video card for the 2.66, the difference in price is closer to like 33%.
TESTIFY!!!!!!!
It came! It came!
I waited until after our anniversary dinner to open the box. Then I opened it up to get a feel for the guts of the thing. It's so easy to pull stuff out!
It only has 1GB of RAM. (I was hoping for more. LOL)
BUT
It came with an ATI x1900 video card!
I still say only $100 more than a quad-core AND a free ATI x1900 is an awesome deal.
That is an awesome deal. Are those the specs that were listed on Apple's site, or did you luck out on the card?
@aaron: Macs found in the refurbished section are only shown as their minimum specs. You gain whatever's extra; it's not unusual to get extra stuff -- My MBP came with an upgraded HD; my cousin's MB came with extra RAM... I can go on and on.
@spacejase: Truly a spectacular deal. Mac's cases have been works of art since the 1st non-beige box (in terms of accessibility and aesthetics). When I was building my own PC, I wasn't able to find one like that (still can't today; they ALL suck). I swear there's money to be made in this.... And I hope you had a great anniversary... :)
@aaron: Macs found in the refurbished section are only shown as their minimum specs. You gain whatever's extra; it's not unusual to get extra stuff -- My MBP came with an upgraded HD; my cousin's MB came with extra RAM... I can go on and on.
Except the Quad 3.0 GHz Mac Pro only ever seems to be available with the Radeon x1900 XT, and sometimes has a second config with two DVD burners. What gives?
Okay, I just took the plunge. 8-Core Mac Pro and a 23" Cinema display, both refurbs.
@aaron: Good call. I have no idea! I just know ppl get extras all the time buying refurbs. And I am super envious of the 2 of you! Damn it, spacejase, look what you started!
Don't forget to snatch up an Apple Care plan before your 1 year warrant expires! You can get a good deal here:
http://www.lacomputercompany.com/
If you are out of CA, less taxes. I think even with shipping, the total would still be cheaper than student pricing.
Dear Mr. SpaceJase:
Thank you for motivating my husband to buy a new computer. I owe you one. Look for it when you least expect it.
Consider this payback for all the LEGO sets I have now purchased. Wait - that wasn't your fault, was it?
LOL - I already chided Aaron for "needing" to outdo me and get a better MAC than I did. I didn't even have one day of glory to lord it over him. :)
Please stop typing it MAC as it's not an acronym, just Mac will do fine.
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