jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I just read the thread about PC or Mac. It concerns me that there were a lot of questions about Macs obsolescence in 5 years. It concerns me because I'm thinking of getting a used Mac Pro with dual quad core processors - probably one that was sold new from 2008 to 2010. A friend has one and I can't believe how fast it loads CS6, how fast it can open 10 huge images at a time with now problem, and how fast it deals with psd images with a lot of layers. My PC with an Intel i7 processor and 16GB of RAM slows to a crawl when I do any of those things.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I think most of the older Mac Pros come with Two (2) Intel Xeon E5462 Quad-Core 2.8 GHz processors for Quad-core processing.

I can purchase a good used one for under a $1000. One that I am looking at has Mac OS X Lion 10.8.4.

My question is:

1.If I purchase a good used Mac Pro like this, what is the maximum or highest Mac OS system it will support?

2. If Mac OS X Lion 10.8.4 is the last or highest OS it will update to, how much longer do you think it will run the latest Adobe editing software such as CS6, CC, or LR5 and up?

I only use my PC for editing, surfing the net, banking, youtube, minor word processing and minor spreadsheet (Word and Excel)

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

During yesterday's Apple Event, they stated that OSX Mavericks can be installed on Macs that date back to 2007. If the Mac is utilizing an Intel processor with 64-bit architecture, the newer OSX will work on it. The Macs that you are looking at should be fine since those Intel processors are 64-bit.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Is OSX Mavericks the newest? What are the numbers for Mavericks?

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

I have a mac pro from 2008. I have the last mac pro from 2008 that will accept upgrades so I dont have any problem that way. If I were you, if you get this computer, leave it with lion. There can be problems upgrading the operating system. You will have no problem with installing CS6. If you go on the apple site there is a chart that tells which computers are not compatible to up grading, I dont think that there will be any problems with a 2010 model but make sure of the release date of the computer. If its from 2008, there could be a compatibility problem with some operating systems. You can check the serial numbers with Apple for this information. If the computer is from the later models from 2008 there may not be a problem but you really have to be careful with this. In mid 2008 they changed the systems in the Mac Pros and the early 2008 computers cannot be upgraded. Ill see if I can find the chart for you.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I appreciate it. Some of this Lion, Mountain Lion, and cat names is confusing to me. I have no clue what is what. I don't want to pay out good money for a Mac that is obsolete in one year.

If you can help me with the chart and help me understand it I will be grateful.

Gibar

Maverick is the latest and greatest operating system from apple,and it is free.
Check out
apple.com/apple-event/october-2013/
It over a hour long, but worth the watch.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

OS X 10.9 Mavericks
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
OS X 10.7 Lion
OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
OS X 10.5 Leopard
OS X 10.4 Tiger

The numbers after the second decimal point shows a minor update such as OSX 10.4.1

Hope this helps.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

All you have to remember is that certain Mac Pros made in early 2008 are not up gradable past a certain point. It only refers to the operating system of the computer. Applications such as CS6, which is only available as a download from Adobe will have no problem working with Lion. I looked for the chart but it is not available because they are issuing a new operating system and when they do that they delete older information or its really hard to find. The names only refer to the operating systems issued by Apple. If you buy an older Mac Pro there could be problems. You should really consider buying a new Mac Pro rather then buying an old model. You dont know what problems there are with buying an old computer, there could be problems with the operating system and older computers could have up grading problems.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Thanks. This is very helpful.

Thanks to all who've responded. You've all been very informative.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

This link doesn't work.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

http://www.apple.com/apple-events/october-2013/

I believe he left out the 's' in events.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

jeep-daddy, since I'm a Windows user, I'm not really qualified to answer your specific question, but I do encourage you to compare apples to apples (no pun intended). Hardware is hardware is hardware... Only after the hardware is identical can you begin to compare the Mac Pro with the i7 system you are referring to. Perhaps you can give us a few more specs? There is quite a big performance difference between two (2) Xeon Quad-Core processors and a single i7 Quad-Core processor. I wouldn't be too blown away with your friend's system until you compare a like hardware system running Win7. Just my opinion.

Gibar

Thanks Haroldross for fixing the link.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Beware JeepDaddy.

I have a MAC 1,1 produced in 2006.
The graphics card is a 500MB Graphic card.

Notes.

YOu can not run a operating system greater than 10.7 on this machine. If you try to purchase it online from apple, they won't allow it. You get a message that the operating system is incompatible with your machine.
Notice on the attachment that I have two processor quad core system.

Secondly. 3D effects in Adobe Photoshop won't work on a machine that doesn't have a gig of video RAM. I cannot use 3D effects like "Render lighting Effects" on my MAC PRO. I can do it on my MACBOOK PRO.. Its a current MACBOOK PRO.

I have elected not to get the new MAC PRO but get an IMAC with a Fusion DRIVE instead. According to MAC Rumors there upgrading them to the Processors soon.
If I were you I would wait. That's what I'm doing.

Just be cautious. The little quirks above are not advertised. If you don't ask the right question you may end up with some unpleasant surprises.

Russ Elkins

Gibar

Computer years are measured like dog years 7:1, so that makes your Mac 49 years old. It will qualify for mandatory retirement, in the next couple of years.
One way of looking at it.