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Earlier this year, Rob Griffiths took us on a three-part odyssey as he explored every aspect of his new Intel-based Mac mini. Now, Rob's got his hands on a Mac Pro, and he gives the desktop the same treatment. In this part, he talks about setting up the Mac Pro and testing it on assorted applications. more
Hands on with the Mac Pro: Getting started
#2
d00d 
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 08:51 AM
I feel hurt. You didn't talk to me. Some thoughts that came to mind.
1. The stock "Sony" drive can actually be flashed to a better drive. The idea of losing the Apple installed label scared me a bit too much.
2. I think Samsung's SH-S182M is faster, more functional, and cheaper. And, in my testing, it works great.
3. Having to remove the bezel has been a fact of life since the Power Mac MDD days. The first thing I did before slapping mine in was to remove the bezel.
4. I would add to the installation notes for optical drives that the power cable easily gets caught on the guiding pegs. Maybe it's just the way I try to put it back in, but the two times I've installed a drive, I've had to manually move the cable so it wouldn't get caught.
5. Was zapping the PRAM necessary at all? Couldn't you have used option to start from the internal or held the mouse button down to kick out the CD tray to insert the restore disk?
Great article overall though. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
1. The stock "Sony" drive can actually be flashed to a better drive. The idea of losing the Apple installed label scared me a bit too much.
2. I think Samsung's SH-S182M is faster, more functional, and cheaper. And, in my testing, it works great.
3. Having to remove the bezel has been a fact of life since the Power Mac MDD days. The first thing I did before slapping mine in was to remove the bezel.
4. I would add to the installation notes for optical drives that the power cable easily gets caught on the guiding pegs. Maybe it's just the way I try to put it back in, but the two times I've installed a drive, I've had to manually move the cable so it wouldn't get caught.
5. Was zapping the PRAM necessary at all? Couldn't you have used option to start from the internal or held the mouse button down to kick out the CD tray to insert the restore disk?
Great article overall though. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
#3
lipnorth
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 09:19 AM
Thanks Rob great article, I look forward to the rest of it.
My Dual 2.5 G5 sprung a leak (Liquid cooling System Failure) and fried my processors (and probably more). The computer was out of warranty (under two years) and I did not buy Apple Care (so I have a great big paperweight!).
I needed a new computer and bought the same computer you just reviewed (but with the stock video card). Being a Adobe CS2 user I was nervous. But your speed tests bore out what I am seeing. The machine is fast! And it was a snap to put my G5 drives in my new MacPro.
One note/recomendation: When I bought the machine it only had 1 gig of RAM and until I could get some more I was forced to use it. Let me tell you, that almost made the machine unusable (especially Rosetta). The whole computer would come screaming to a halt. When I upgraded to 3 gig of RAM it was like a new machine and fast as heck! I don't miss my G5! So word to the upgrader - get more RAM, you won't regret it.
Now I have to see what else I can salvage from my G5 (I have a video card with 256mb of RAM & an optical drive). Wonder if I can add them as well? Anybody know? Is the video card worth adding to the MAC PRO (I do drive two monitors)?
--Cheers
My Dual 2.5 G5 sprung a leak (Liquid cooling System Failure) and fried my processors (and probably more). The computer was out of warranty (under two years) and I did not buy Apple Care (so I have a great big paperweight!).
I needed a new computer and bought the same computer you just reviewed (but with the stock video card). Being a Adobe CS2 user I was nervous. But your speed tests bore out what I am seeing. The machine is fast! And it was a snap to put my G5 drives in my new MacPro.
One note/recomendation: When I bought the machine it only had 1 gig of RAM and until I could get some more I was forced to use it. Let me tell you, that almost made the machine unusable (especially Rosetta). The whole computer would come screaming to a halt. When I upgraded to 3 gig of RAM it was like a new machine and fast as heck! I don't miss my G5! So word to the upgrader - get more RAM, you won't regret it.
Now I have to see what else I can salvage from my G5 (I have a video card with 256mb of RAM & an optical drive). Wonder if I can add them as well? Anybody know? Is the video card worth adding to the MAC PRO (I do drive two monitors)?
--Cheers
#5
griffman
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 09:25 AM
Sorry I didn't talk to you; I was busy working with the new machine /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
1) Good to know; I'll have to try that at some point.
2) I took what I could find locally -- i.e. at the same store where I found the drives.
3) I haven't had a machine that could take a second optical in who knows how long /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
4) I didn't have that issue, but the cables definitely just kind of dangle behind the enclosure.
5) I tried both Option and a held mouse button, but neither did anything. I tried every eject trick I know of, basically, before I reset the PRAM.
-rob.
1) Good to know; I'll have to try that at some point.
2) I took what I could find locally -- i.e. at the same store where I found the drives.
3) I haven't had a machine that could take a second optical in who knows how long /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
4) I didn't have that issue, but the cables definitely just kind of dangle behind the enclosure.
5) I tried both Option and a held mouse button, but neither did anything. I tried every eject trick I know of, basically, before I reset the PRAM.
-rob.
#6
d00d
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 09:28 AM
1. I look forward to your experiences. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
2. Makes sense. I never even try to look locally. I feel like they always soak me (if I can find a retailer).
3. You've been missing out. Disc to disc copying is so nice.
5. Weird, but good to know.
Enjoy the new machine. Rumor has it that the latest firmware removes delays while drives spin up (I can't totally confirm, but I haven't noticed those types of lockups since I applied the latest firmware).
2. Makes sense. I never even try to look locally. I feel like they always soak me (if I can find a retailer).
3. You've been missing out. Disc to disc copying is so nice.
5. Weird, but good to know.
Enjoy the new machine. Rumor has it that the latest firmware removes delays while drives spin up (I can't totally confirm, but I haven't noticed those types of lockups since I applied the latest firmware).
#7
griffman
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 09:44 AM
I'm always willing to pay a little markup for local purchase (and, more importantly, return). There are a number of these "u build em" PC shops around here, most run out of those industrial warehouse type places that look like upgraded self-storage units.
As an example, I paid $112 for the 320GB drives at the local outlet (enuinc.com). From newegg, they would have been just over $100. I'm OK with $12 per unit as my local tax. CompUSA, by comparison, wanted something like $160 for the 300GB version!).
If you have such places locally, you can usually get prices close to net pricing with the advantage of easier returns. Plus I like supporting local merchants (and we have no sales tax in Oregon, so no mail order advantage there).
-rob.
As an example, I paid $112 for the 320GB drives at the local outlet (enuinc.com). From newegg, they would have been just over $100. I'm OK with $12 per unit as my local tax. CompUSA, by comparison, wanted something like $160 for the 300GB version!).
If you have such places locally, you can usually get prices close to net pricing with the advantage of easier returns. Plus I like supporting local merchants (and we have no sales tax in Oregon, so no mail order advantage there).
-rob.
#9
fribhey
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 10:01 AM
Quote:
As an example, I paid $112 for the 320GB drives at the local outlet (enuinc.com). From newegg, they would have been just over $100. I'm OK with $12 per unit as my local tax. CompUSA, by comparison, wanted something like $160 for the 300GB version!).
As an example, I paid $112 for the 320GB drives at the local outlet (enuinc.com). From newegg, they would have been just over $100. I'm OK with $12 per unit as my local tax. CompUSA, by comparison, wanted something like $160 for the 300GB version!).
i picked up a 250gb seagate HD for $49 or $59 (can't remember) after rebate from CompUSA. CompUSA can get a little pricey but if you keep an eye out you can find good deals.
on Black Friday CompUSA is going to have a western digital 250gb SATA drive on sale for $69
#10
d00d
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 10:19 AM
Quote:
and we have no sales tax in Oregon, so no mail order advantage there
Oh sure, rub in the lack of tax. In MA, they stick it to you for 5%, and then if you mail order to avoid it, they try to stick you with "Use tax" which is basically 5% tax on something you bought out of state. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
and we have no sales tax in Oregon, so no mail order advantage there
#11
Good_Egg
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 12:17 PM
Derik,
5% is actually not too bad. If you live in California, like I do, sales tax is variable dependant upon the county, and possibly even city, you purchase your goods from. In the City and County of San Francisco, the sales tax is 8.5% and across the bay in Alameda County (where Oakland is), the sales tax is 8.75%. Some counties are as low 7.25%. It was a real shock for me to move here from Delaware where, like Oregon, there is no sales tax.
Since you live in Massachusetts, you could avoid sales taxes by going on a short drive to New Hampshire and getting your goods there. You should feel lucky to have the kind of proximity to other states that most easterners enjoy. For most Californians, a short leisurely drive to any place in Oregon with a decent variety of shops is just out of the question.
The Good Egg
5% is actually not too bad. If you live in California, like I do, sales tax is variable dependant upon the county, and possibly even city, you purchase your goods from. In the City and County of San Francisco, the sales tax is 8.5% and across the bay in Alameda County (where Oakland is), the sales tax is 8.75%. Some counties are as low 7.25%. It was a real shock for me to move here from Delaware where, like Oregon, there is no sales tax.
Since you live in Massachusetts, you could avoid sales taxes by going on a short drive to New Hampshire and getting your goods there. You should feel lucky to have the kind of proximity to other states that most easterners enjoy. For most Californians, a short leisurely drive to any place in Oregon with a decent variety of shops is just out of the question.
The Good Egg
#12
flybynight
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 01:29 PM
Great article! Identical machine to what I have. I love it. I upgraded from a Dual 800Mhz G4, so Photoshop was definitely faster than what I was using, even with Rosetta. I had some unexpected quit issues with InDesign, but I think I traced them down to some flakey fonts. Once they were taken care of, it was fine.
Aperture is a joy to use as well.
For now, 2Gb of RAM is fine, but someday when price come down, I would love to stick some more in it.
Still waiting to see new Speedmark numbers with the X1900 video card to see how they compare to the stock one.
Aperture is a joy to use as well.
For now, 2Gb of RAM is fine, but someday when price come down, I would love to stick some more in it.
Still waiting to see new Speedmark numbers with the X1900 video card to see how they compare to the stock one.
#13
flybynight
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 02:27 PM
Here in MN, it is 6.5%, with an extra .5% if you live in the cities Minneapolis or St. Paul. There is an extra tax coming to Hennepin county (Minneapolis + the Western 'burbs) for the new Twins stadium.
We also have the "use tax" that is basically sales tax for out-of-state purchases. Most people don't pay it for personal purchases, but businesses need to worry about it as they are much more likely to go through a state sales tax audit at some point.
We also have the "use tax" that is basically sales tax for out-of-state purchases. Most people don't pay it for personal purchases, but businesses need to worry about it as they are much more likely to go through a state sales tax audit at some point.
#14
Steve_S
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Posted 15 November 2006 - 02:59 PM
Quote:
my mac pro (2.66, 2gb ram, 250gb HD, 1900xt, etc) came with the Pioneer DVR-111D and not the sony burner.
my mac pro (2.66, 2gb ram, 250gb HD, 1900xt, etc) came with the Pioneer DVR-111D and not the sony burner.
Same here. I have the same configuration, except I have the 500gb HD. My burner is the Pioneer model you mention above. I'm curious if there are any differences in specs.
My hard drive appears to be a Seagate based on the model number. (ST3500641AS P)
In any case, I'd agree with the article in stating that the Mac Pro is a VERY VERY fast machine. Even when playing games, like Call of Duty 2, I'm accustommed to waiting a little while between levels while the system loads the next part. Not with this machine. It's fast. I'm still using Photoshop CS, but that seems fast under Rosetta as well.
Steve
