I'm about to purchase a New Mac Pro in a month or so and wanted to see what configuration (Memory, drive size, video card, etc) you all would recommend?

This is what I was thinking but please correct me if you see a RED Flag!

**Dual 3.0Ghz, (1) 250 GB Drive, ATI radeon X1900 512Mb Video card, 2GB Ram (Purchaseing an external 1TB raid drive as well), Dual super Drives, Bluetooth & Airport.**

I'll be processing RAW files, and using photoshop of course and doing some medium video work.

I'm also trying to decided between Macs 23" Monitor or Dell's new Ultra Sharp 24" Monitor. Any preferences out there?

I've heard some unconfirmed rumors that Mac may be updating there monitors here soon. Is this true?

Your opinions matter to me to fire away!
Thanks!

Damion,

Your config sounds pretty good. If you feel comfortable in opening up the box and installing things yourself, then I would get you memory from a 3rd party. It's pretty easy and you can save a bunch of money. I got my memory at http://www.macsales.com. I went with a 160GB drive only cause I can buy an extra 250GB for the same amount that they are discounting by downgrading the drive. I currently have 4GB of RAM and I felt a difference coming from 2GB when having many, many power apps open. Much smoother.

NOTE: My work files are on 2 additional 500GB hard drives that fit in 2 of the 4 possible drive slots. Also, very, very easy to install on your own.

I went with an Apple monitor because I am just a sucker for great design. But I'm sure the Dell is a good monitor so you can't lose either way.

Rumor has it that new 8-core Mac Pros are coming out very soon! Even if you don't want the new processor, this could affect the price of the current offerings. Just a thought.

Jan

I would up the RAM a bit, 2GB is only 1 GB per processor and that really isn't a lot. Also, the Dell monitor can't be truely color corrected, it is too bright to get true blacks.

Apple could just as well called their 23 and 30 'Ultra Sharp'

They are great. You do know about Apple's refurb section right?

Here is a 30" for $1600.

The 23 is only $750 - holy crap that's a steal!

www.transintl.com for RAM and Hard Drives. Don't buy them from apple, they Waaayyyy overcharge.

Jan,
Thanks for the input. I'm very comfortable installing my own stuff, expecially on this machine...its practically fool proof!

Wow..8-core?? Your kidding. These quad cores just came out in Oct 06'. Any idea on when "Soon" will be?

How much did those additional 500GB internal drives run you? Where did you buy them as well?

Thanks again. Big help
Damion

Colin,
Good point on the RAM. I didn't think about the mulitiple processors. This is my first one so I have to get used to this!

Another very important point with the Dell Monitor. If I can't TRUELY color correct it...then I don't want it.

You rock man!
Thanks again.

as i said, check out www.transintl.com and click on "MAC UPGRADES" to look at the pricing for RAM and Hard Drives. I got my 500GB drives for $229 a couple of months ago, I think 500GB drives are now down to around $219.

Nate,
Whoa!!... your right! No I didn't see the refurb section. $750...thats a steal for sure. Guess where I'll be peaking around for the next half hour!!
Sa-weet!! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Damion



Trevor,
Sorry about that man. I had not seen your post yet when I posted my question about the hard drives. Thanks for jumping in there with the pricing. $219.00 bucks is a sweet deal for those drives. I was going to pay about $500 for a 1TB Lacie triple interface external drive.

Do you still recommend these internal drives as opposed to the external. If so...what are the pros and cons?

Thanks again for website link. I'll check them out!
Damion

I like newegg.com for all my computer purchases, they usually have the best deals and since I am in SoCal I usually get my order the very next day! Check out this 500GB hdd for only $139 ($129 after rebate)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16822136073

Dave,
Thats a pretty stinken awesome deal. So does that drive just drop into the houseing that slides out of the hard drive bays on the Mac Pro?

Next day delivery is always great. Waiting for FedEX or UPS is like Christmas all year round!!

Yep, just pop it right in, very easy install. Newegg has the best deals, and the best customer service that i have found.

Dave is right. I'm a newegg.com man, too. Those are the exact drives I have. 4 x 500gb. They have been great so far. Pretty good speed and are very quiet.

Regarding the 8-core mac pros, it seems like they are just around the corner. In the next 3-6 months. Check out this story:

http://www.macrumors.com/2007/03/12/8-core...ts-at-apple-uk/

But that wouldn't really stop my from getting one. They are pretty darn fast already. I just got mine in December and I don't regret it at all.

Jan

Jan, your work is phenomenal! How did I just see your webpage right now?? Great stuff, love your processing techniques.

Dave, thanks for the kind words. It means a lot coming from another talented photographer. I'm fairly new at this wedding stuff, but am having a blast so far.

Jan

Thats great Dave. I appreciate the recommendation. It only proves the power of "word of mouth". I usually will not try a place unless i know someone that has been there.

I noticed the product was OEM. Do I need to buy a SATA cable or does the Mac Pro have the connection inside?

Thanks again.
Damion



Jan,
Awesome, another referral is always a good thing for me. I definately like the price thats for sure.

So Jan...what computer did you replace with your new Mac Pro. What kind of speed difference are you seeing? Just curious if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks again for your help and yes...I aggree with Dave...great stuff on your site. Very talented guy you are!!

Thanks,
Damion

No need. The trays just plug right in. You might want to stop by your local Apple store, if you have one of course, and open up the Mac Pro. I'm sure an Apple Genius wouldn't mind showing you.

Another good place to buy HDDs is Other World Computing (www.macsales.com). They seem to be closer to NewEgg in price compared to TransIntl and their HDDs will definitely work with a Mac. I seem to remember a certain flavor of Seagate didn't play well with Macs for some reason related to SSC.

Good luck, though if I were you I'd wait a few months for the 8-core or the inevitable price drop on the previous generation of Mac Pros.

Damion, sure thing. I went from a 1GHz G4 Powerbook, to a MacBook 2GHz core duo, to my current Mac Pro. Since I was coming from laptops, the difference was pretty big for me. I know it costs a little more, but I would definitely suggest more than 2GB of RAM. With 2GB, The hard disk was starting to access Virtual Memory when I had Photoshop and Aperture open at the same time. When I got to 4GB, it was fast again. I don't use Aperture anymore, but sure is nice to tell Photoshop to go and use 3GB of RAM. You will be happier in the long run.

Jan

Hey Damon,
Thats good advice. I do have an apple store right near me so I could take advantage of the geniuses there! As for waiting for the 8 core and price drop....its tempting....but I'm resorting to my 1.5Ghz powerbook right now as my PC is giving up on us. Need something sort of fast. But if I wanted to sacrifice...I could do it!

Thanks again Damon. You've got my brain going now!



Yeah....I think I'm sold on the 4GB of RAM especially since I can buy the RAM, HDD's & a second Superdrive cheaper if I buy separate. There is quiet a bit of savings there. Thank you again for all your input. If anything else pops into your brain that I should consider...I am all ears!

Thank you so much!
Damion

Pop!

I have to reiterate the idea of waiting. MacRumors says the following (don't do it!):

Ahh man...just when I was getting excited too!! J/K

Actually I'm glad you sent that. I definately don't want to buy on "emotion". Would rather wait and make the best of my investment.

I noticed they said the Mac Displays are comming to a cycle end. Was gonna buy one of those too, but since I'm waiting on the 8-Core...might as well hold off on the rest! Would be nice if they threw an iSight camera in those along with some extra res!!

Thanks for the update Damon. If there is anything I can do to serve you and ALL the rest that have helped me so much with this...please let me know.

Blessings,
Damion.

Not to BUMP this to the top, but Damon....did you see that the 8-cores where released today!! Alot earlier than I thought they would.

Do you know if CS3 can utilize all 8 processing cores?

Damion.

I doubt CS3 will utilize all the cores. I have a 3.0 ghz Quad Core Mac Pro and it's pretty screamin fast particularly on the beta of CS3 so I'm sure the final version will be even better.

Personally, I wouldn't go for the 8 core, I just don't think enough apps are ready for it yet to make it worth the money, and the nice thing is with the Mac Pros you can upgrade processors later in a few years when the apps are supporting that many cores.

Chris,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your input and will take your advice for sure. I didn't think about the fact that I could change processors in the future. What trouble I'd be in without OSP!!

P.S.
Just wanted to tell you that I've been meaning to write you for about a month. Your new website is wonderful and I just love the family section of that site. Mainly because of your expression of how wonderfully your wife has change your life. What an incredible testimony! Congrats on being married 1yr & 3 months!!! I'm glad to see you have a great wife and that she has such a loving man!
Blessings,
Damion.