iMac PRO...anyone have it? Opinions?

[Thai]

I am thinking of finally getting a desktop. One of my PC laptop is going dead and i need something else. I already have a Macbook PRO that i like but it is from 2013. So, i need something newer, but at same time, i need something that will be powerful enough to last a while. I do NOT care about any aftermarket upgrades nor am i really geeky into gaming. But i do download and edit 4k videos from my iphone once in a while etc.. And because i have not had the best experience with Windows, i want to go with Mac OS this time for sure.

I had no plan on getting iMac PRO but at MicroCenter store, they have it on sale for $1000 off. So, the “base” iMac Pro is now $4000 (instead of $5k). My 2013 Macbook was around $3k when i bought it (with all the options).

I have been reading as much as i can and watching all the Youtube reviewers. The general conclusion is...expensive, but surprisingly it does not have the usual “Apple tax”...in other words, when compared with equivalent PC/Window device, it is about on-par for price...except that you cannot aftermarket expand/upgrade it.

So, anyone have opinions?

 

[Thai]

Just in case anyone interested...here is the iMac PRO: https://www.apple.com/imac-pro/

Specs: https://www.apple.com/imac-pro/specs/

I am ONLY interested in the BASE model, which has these basic specs:

- 3.2GHz 8-core Intel Xeon W processor
- Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz
- 32GB 2666MHz ECC memory
- 1TB SSD storage1
- Radeon Pro Vega 56 with 8GB HBM2 memory
- 10Gb Ethernet
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
- 27-inch Retina 5K 5120-by-2880 P3 display

 

[philsey]

Well, let's see:

- You want it,
- You can afford it,
- I doubt you need "her" permission,
- You've already spec'd it out,
- It's on sale 20% off....

What was the question again?

 

[Thai]

Well, let's see:

- You want it,
- You can afford it,
- I doubt you need "her" permission,
- You've already spec'd it out,
- It's on sale 20% off....

What was the question again?

Damn you and your clear cut reasoning!!

 

[Dip Dungles]

Well, let's see:



- You want it,

- You can afford it,

- I doubt you need "her" permission,

- You've already spec'd it out,

- It's on sale 20% off....



What was the question again?

This here is the answer. Just swipe the card, bring it home then pay it off in full.

 

[msp]

I am thinking of finally getting a desktop. One of my PC laptop is going dead and i need something else. I already have a Macbook PRO that i like but it is from 2013. So, i need something newer, but at same time, i need something that will be powerful enough to last a while. I do NOT care about any aftermarket upgrades nor am i really geeky into gaming. But i do download and edit 4k videos from my iphone once in a while etc.. And because i have not had the best experience with Windows, i want to go with Mac OS this time for sure.

I had no plan on getting iMac PRO but at MicroCenter store, they have it on sale for $1000 off. So, the “base” iMac Pro is now $4000 (instead of $5k). My 2013 Macbook was around $3k when i bought it (with all the options).

I have been reading as much as i can and watching all the Youtube reviewers. The general conclusion is...expensive, but surprisingly it does not have the usual “Apple tax”...in other words, when compared with equivalent PC/Window device, it is about on-par for price...except that you cannot aftermarket expand/upgrade it.

So, anyone have opinions?

If you live in the Apple universe and won't need to upgrade, I think that's a great deal. I don't need quite that much computer, so I picked up a refurb iMac a couple years ago on the Apple site that was maxed out and I've been happy with the purchase.

 

[Thai]

If you live in the Apple universe and won't need to upgrade, I think that's a great deal. I don't need quite that much computer, so I picked up a refurb iMac a couple years ago on the Apple site that was maxed out and I've been happy with the purchase.

That’s the thing. This is overkill. I am considering this more for future proofing I guess. Thus, I am very hesitant.

 

[msp]

That’s the thing. This is overkill. I am considering this more for future proofing I guess. Thus, I am very hesitant.

Dude, you used to own a G-wagon. THAT is overkill. This is a rounding error for you. Good resale if you decide you want a Mac Pro in 2019. It's a risk-free purchase.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Building that exact computer with top tier components is around $3k if you can find a video card for sale (Crypto currency miners have bought them all). Building your own PC you usually save a bunch and get exactly what you want.

So Apple charging $4k really doesn't sound too bad to be honest.

But it would be complete overkill for occasional editing IMO.

 

[msp]

Building that exact computer with top tier components is around $3k if you can find a video card for sale (Crypto currency miners have bought them all). Building your own PC you usually save a bunch and get exactly what you want.

So Apple charging $4k really doesn't sound too bad to be honest.

But it would be complete overkill for occasional editing IMO.

The iMac displays are excellent. It's all integrated in one package. Good stuff...

 

[BettysNephew]

For what small amount it is worth I purchased an iMac a couple years ago and couldn't be happier. The iMac Pro did not exist then and I was coming off many years of PC use which was required for my employment. Other than relearning how Apple "thinks" vs. PC it was a good move for me. Since you are already MacBook savvy you will not have the learning curve I had. You will love the connectivity between the Apple devices.

 

[Thai]

Thanks all for the info and opinions. Biggest thing holding me back is...what am i going to use it for? I am not really a "professional" at anything remotely link to such a powerful machine.

So, not sure yet, i need to do some more thinking....

 

[tS_kStin]

I personally am a PC guy and always going for building and upgrading my own computers. That being said you should probably go for it. Like others have said, there isn't much of a reason not to. The biggest gripe I have with the iMac Pro is the GPU they put in it. All other components are "workstation" pro grade stuff whereas the graphics card is a consumer level card. It's not that it is a bad card, it is just a very underwhelming feature when all the other specs are much more impressive. Depending on what applications you use this will either have a big effect or really none at all. When a program is optimized for using the right brand and grade of graphics cards, they will run insanely faster than just using the CPU, but the number of applications that really thrive of certain GPUs is limited. You would really have to Google what applications you are using and if they have any real benefits from specific GPUs.

For example, I am a draftsman and do a lot of 3d modeling. I have a Nvidia GeForce card aka Nvidia's consumer grade (kinda like what the iMac uses but from Nvidia, not AMD) whereas I should get a Nvidia Quadro (Nvidia's workstation grade card) because it has specific drivers and support with a lot of the 3d modeling programs I use. And can render scenes over 4x as fast with an equivalently priced card... And that makes a huge difference when I have 14hr render times currently for some stuff.

All in all the iMac Pro is a beast and you will love it, I would just take into consideration IF you use applications that could benefit from a stronger GPU.

If you want a video from a guy a watch quite a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SONKIJd8xRM

 

[Hepar]

Thanks all for the info and opinions. Biggest thing holding me back is...what am i going to use it for? I am not really a "professional" at anything remotely link to such a powerful machine.

So, not sure yet, i need to do some more thinking....

I work in video production and the majority of that is in editing. Normally I'd tell someone that you can find something that sounds like it would fit the bill for you for much cheaper. But I feel like for you, why not? Is it overkill for what you are going to use it for, definitely sounds like it. But I get the feeling you're like me in that there are certain things you just want to work with minimal effort. And are willing to pay a little extra for that. While I do feel their quality has gone down as they have grown, it's still really good as well as their UI.

We shoot on Canon C300 mkii's. The file sizes are HUGE. At home, I edit on a newish Pro, but I still use my 2012 MacBook Pro when I'm traveling. Is it slower than the Pro? Oh hell yes. But it is still surprisingly effective given its age. One thing that has helped it keep up is that I do a clean system install on it once a year. Really helps it.

 

[daxone]

We have three 10core 64gb ram 16gpu at work for editors and they deal with 4k-6k Red and ARRI files and it pretty much handles them fine with real time playback. After effects previews are really fast even with heavy trapcode plug ins. You will be very happy. But if you aren’t making money from this thing then it would be a hard sell for me as well. And don’t forget to get Applecare


’14 White Trail,Ecotechne rack,XenonDepot HIDS,Nfabs

 

[Thai]

I work in video production and the majority of that is in editing. Normally I'd tell someone that you can find something that sounds like it would fit the bill for you for much cheaper. But I feel like for you, why not? Is it overkill for what you are going to use it for, definitely sounds like it. But I get the feeling you're like me in that there are certain things you just want to work with minimal effort. And are willing to pay a little extra for that. While I do feel their quality has gone down as they have grown, it's still really good as well as their UI.

We shoot on Canon C300 mkii's. The file sizes are HUGE. At home, I edit on a newish Pro, but I still use my 2012 MacBook Pro when I'm traveling. Is it slower than the Pro? Oh hell yes. But it is still surprisingly effective given its age. One thing that has helped it keep up is that I do a clean system install on it once a year. Really helps it.

Yeah, for me, if i am going to buy something, then i want to go all-out to avoid regret later on. But for something like this with less-than-clear use case, my mind is about to explode.

 

[Thai]

We have three 10core 64gb ram 16gpu at work for editors and they deal with 4k-6k Red and ARRI files and it pretty much handles them fine with real time playback. After effects previews are really fast even with heavy trapcode plug ins. You will be very happy. But if you aren’t making money from this thing then it would be a hard sell for me as well. And don’t forget to get Applecare


’14 White Trail,Ecotechne rack,XenonDepot HIDS,Nfabs

Why AppleCare??? Are the iMac Pros unreliable?

 

[Hepar]

Why AppleCare??? Are the iMac Pros unreliable?

I've never had it on any of my desktops and never been without it on any of my laptops.

 

[Thai]

I've never had it on any of my desktops and never been without it on any of my laptops.

Me too...thus, i was surprised by it.

 

[-JD-]

Surprised to see something so new from Apple go on sale with that much of a discount already.

Not sure how much future proofing you're actually getting for the extra cost, and it does seem like overkill for your needs, but that is a good sale price.