[citation][nom]joytech22[/nom]There was no real point to a Mac Pro.Not when you could throw together a seriously powerful workstation for the same price and have money left over for software.I just don't get it. Where does it even belong? $4600 buys you something like 3-4 generation old technology.It's like buying a 1986 Porsche, it has a great name to it but can't really do much compared to a closely priced Ford XR6T 2008 (Australian full-sized 1.6t Sedan by the way, stock 360HP for $20,000)[/citation]
While I am not exactly the world's biggest fan of Mac, I do have to stick up for them here. The mac pros are actually some really really good machines. They have great cases, great cooling (except of that line of duel G5s with the water coolers that would rust out... that was bad), tons of throughput, all server grade hardware, and they have gotten some really impressive exclusive Intel CPUs in them on a few occasions. And on top of all of that, Apple treats it's Pro users VERY well.
I work with a nonprofit that uses all mac pros and I was really scratching my head as to why on earth they would waste that kind of money. But I have to admit, for a company that has absolutely 0 technical skills they work very well for them. No viruses, no maintenance to speak of, when things break the store has often replaced defective units with newer models, and even some of the 10 year old Mac Pros that they have are still used for what they were purchased for. Considering what they have saved on tech support and replacement costs, the high entry price has been more than justifyable for them.
That being said: Anyone smart enough to know how to use, protect, and upgrade a PC should absolutely get a PC. It is way cheaper if you have even a basic working knowledge to get a PC and do your own maintenance. You can easily purchase 2 high end PCs for the price of a single high end Mac, and if you can build your own then it often goes up to 3:1. But if you are just going to throw all of your money at maintenance costs anyways, then Mac Pros are a good investment.