Apple completely overhauled the Mac Pro in 2013, eliminating things like drive bays and expansion slots in favor of a radical new design that includes two video cards along with the fastest SSDs available. For those who need drive bays or expansion slots, there are lots of older Mac Pros to pick from starting below $200!
The last true update to the original Mac Pro design (left) came in July 2010, moving the entry-level model to four 2.8 GHz cores and the top-end option to twelve 2.93 GHz cores. The 4-core Mac Pro officially supports up to 32 GB of RAM, the dual-processor models 64 GB, and all models shipped with ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics. In terms of expansion options, everything else was unchanged.
In 2012, there were some speed bumps (the fastest 12-core Mac Pro is now 3.06 GHz, a <sarcasm>whopping</sarcasm> 4.4% speed boost over 2.93 GHz), but other than the CPUs and some additional RAM, these were the same machines introduced in 2010.
2013 Mac Pro
Primate Labs has posted Geekbench 3 results for all the Mac Pro models since 2006. Here are the numbers in 64-bit multi-core mode, which is the way you’ll be using your Mac Pro with OS X 10.7 and later. 2013 Mac Pro results are in bold, and non-Mac Pro results are in italic for comparison:
- 2.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 3935
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2006, 5246
- 2.8 GHz 4-core 2008, 5671
- 3.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 5876
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2009, 8068
- 2.8 GHz 4-core 2010, 8444
- 2.93 GHz 4-core 2009, 8765
- 3.2 GHz 4-core 2010, 9494
- 2.8 GHz 8-core 2008, 11304
- 3.0 GHz 8-core 2007, 11333
- 3.0 GHz 8-core 2008, 11993
- 2.6 GHz 4-core i7 Mac mini, 12715
- 3.2 GHz 8-core 2008, 12857
- 2.26 GHz 8-core 2009, 13832
- 3.7 GHz 4-core 2013, 14339
- 3.33 GHz 6-core 2010, 15513
- 2.4 GHz 8-core 2010, 15585
- 2.66 GHz 8-core 2009, 16512
- 4.0 GHz 4-core i7 Retina iMac, 16583
- 2.93 GHz 8-core 2009, 17802
- 3.5 GHz 6-core 2013, 20720
- 2.4 GHz 12-core 2012, 22159
- 2.66 GHz 12-core 2010, 25179
- 3.0 GHz 8-core 2013, 25542
- 2.93 GHz 12-core 2010, 27040
- 3.07 GHz 12-core 2012, 27823
- 2.7 GHz 12-core 2013, 32060
Because of the way Nehalem and Westmere manage memory, you’ll achieve the best performance with 3 or 6 RAM modules, although there doesn’t appear to be a big performance hit when using 4 or 8 modules, which provides more system memory. (single CPU models only supports 4 memory modules.) ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics is standard.
For our thoughts on the 2010/2012 Mac Pro’s value, see The 2010 Mac Pro Value Equation.
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard are supported on all Intel-based Macs released prior to 2010. Note that the 2006 and 2007 Mac Pro are not compatible with OpenCL, and the 2008 is only compatible with a video card that supports OpenCL, such as the GeForce GT 120, which retails for $149 – it is designed to work with the 2009 Mac Pro and has been reported to work with the 2008 model as well.
All Mac Pro models prior to 2013 support OS X 10.7 Lion, but only the 2008 and newer models officially support OS X 10.9 Mavericks and 10.10 Yosemite, although there is a hack for the earlier Mac Pros.
We try distinguish various models by including the year if the vendor notes it. Used Macs typically include a 90 day warranty. Listings note RAM/hard drive size. Every Mac Pro shipped from Apple with a 16x dual-layer SuperDrive.
We try to factor in shipping costs (based on ground shipping to Low End Mac headquarters in Michigan) in choosing the best values. Your best value depends on whether you need, extra RAM, bigger hard drives, SSDs, etc.
Best Used Prices
4 Cores
- 2.0 GHz 2006, $165, UsedMac
- 2.66 GHz 2006, $189, UsedMac
- 3.0 GHz 2007, $325, UsedMac
- 2.8 GHz 2008, $379, UsedMac
- 2.66 GHz 2009, $465, UsedMac
- 2.93 GHz 2009, $695, UsedMac
- 2.8 GHz 2010, $765, UsedMac
- 3.2 GHz 2010, $699, DV Warehouse
- 3.7 GHz 2013, $2,595, UsedMac
6 Cores
- 3.33 GHz 2010, $995, UsedMac
8 Cores
- 2.8 GHz 2008, $379, DV Warehouse
- 3.0 GHz 2007, $429, UsedMac
- 3.0 GHz 2008, $399, DV Warehouse
- 3.2 GHz 2008, $599, UsedMac
- 2.26 GHz 2009, $749, Mac of All Trades
- 2.66 GHz 2009, $899, DV Warehouse
- 2.93 GHz 2009, $995, DV Warehouse
- 2.4 GHz 2010, $1,195, DV Warehouse
12 Cores
- 2.4 GHz 2012, $2,099, LA Computer
- 2.66 GHz 2010, $1,749, DV Warehouse
- 2.93 GHz 2010, $1,995, DV Warehouse
- 3.4 GHz 2010, $2,695, DV Warehouse
Best New Prices
- 3.7 GHz 4-core Xeon E5, 12/256 SSD, $2,799 shipped, B&H, MacMall (Low End Mac earns more when you buy from MacMall)
- 3.5 GHz 6-core Xeon E5, 16/256 SSD. $3699 shipped, B&H, MacMall(Low End Mac earns more when you buy from MacMall)
Recent Memory Prices (kits)
- PC5300 (2006/07): 8 GB, $99.97; 16 GB, $197.99; 24 GB, $294.99; 32 GB $379.99
- PC6400 (2008): 6 GB, $174; 8 GB, $179; 12 GB, $274; 16 GB, $349; 24 GB, $519; 32 GB, $679; 48 GB, $1,029.99; 64 GB, $1,349.99
- 1066 DDR3 (2009): 6 GB, $45.99; 8 GB, $49.97; 12 GB, $73.99; 16 GB, $97.99; 24 GB, $137.99; 32 GB, $177.99; 48 GB, $274.99; 64 GB, $347.99
- 1066 DDR3, 4/8-core: 8 GB, $49.97; 16 GB, $97.99; 32 GB, $177.99; 64 GB, $347.99; 128 GB, $1,024.99
- 1333 DDR3, 6/12-core: 8 GB, $50.99; 16 GB, $99.97; 32 GB, $179.99; 64 GB, $349.99; 128 GB, $1,027.99
- 1866 ECC DDR3 PC3-1490: 32 GB, $289; 64 GB, $549; 96 GB, $1,94.99; 128 GB, $1,547.99
Mac OS X and OS X Server Prices
- Best Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger Deals
- Best Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Deals
- Best Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Deals
- Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, $29.99 via Mac App Store
- OS X 10.9 Mavericks and 10.10 Yosemite are free downloads from the Mac App Store
Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.
Models are listed by the number of cores and then CPU speed, with Nehalem models listed last in each section. Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please use comments to report any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices.
Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.
Profiles
- 2006 – Woodcrest, two dual-core CPUs
- 2007 – Clovertown, two 4-core CPUs
- 2008 – Harpertown
- 2009 – Nehalem
- 2010/12 –
- 2013 –
New Mac Pro
All prices include shipping unless otherwise noted.
2013 Models
| Amazon.com | B&H | MacMall | PowerMax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 GHz 4-core Xeon E5, 12/256 (ME253) | $2,819 | $2,799 | $2,799 | $2,899 |
| 3.5 GHz 6-core Xeon E5, 16/256 (MD878) | $3,844 | $3,699 | $3,699 | $3,899 |
- Amazon.com collects sales tax on orders shipped to AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, and WI.
- MacMall collects sales tax on orders shipped to CA, IL, MN, TN, and WI.
Used and Store Refurbished
Used and store refurbished computers have a store warranty and are not eligible for AppleCare. Models are sorted first by number of cores, then by CPU speed.
DV Warehouse
Shipping may add $65 or more.
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2006, 2/250, $199
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2009, 4/500, $499
- 2.8 GHz 8-core 2008, 2/250, $379
- 3.0 GHz 8-core 2008, 4/320, $399
- 3.2 GHz 4-core 2010, 4/500, $699
- 2.26 GHz 8-core 2009, 4/500, $799
- 2.93 GHz 8-core 2009, 4/640, $995
- 2.4 GHz 8-core 2010, 8/1 TB, $1,195
- 3.33 GHz 6-core 2010, 6/1 TB, $1,249
- 2.66 GHz 12-core 2010, 16/1 TB, $1,749
- 2.93 GHz 12-core 2010, 16/1 TB, $1,995
- 2.4 GHz 12-core 2012, 16/1 TB, $2,199
- 3.4 GHz 12-core, 16/1 TB, $2,695
LA Computer Company
Ground shipping may add $60 or more. LA Computer collects sales tax on orders shipped within California. Mac Pros are on 2nd page.
- 2.66 GHz 4-core, 5/250, $249
- 3.0 GHz 4-core, 4/2 x 500, $449
- 2.26 GHz 8-core, 8/640, $1,099
- 2.4 GHz 12-core, 8/1 TB, $2,099
- other configurations listed
Mac of All Trades
Shipping may add $55 or more. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.
- 2.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 2/250, $249
- 3.0 GHz 8-core 2008, 4/500, $449
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2009, 4/640, $549
- 2.26 GHz 8-core 2009, 4/640, $749
- 2.66 GHz 8-core 2009, 4/1 TB, $899
- 2.8 GHz 4-core 2010, 8/1 TB, $1,199
- 3.2 GHz 4-core 2012, 16/1 TB, $999
- 2.93 GHz 12-core 2010, 8/1 TB, $1,999
- a few other configurations listed
MegaMacs
30 day warranty. Add $39.99 for USB mouse and keyboard. OS X installed. Ground shipping may add $39 or more.
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2006, 6/1 TB, $399.99
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2009, 6/640, $879.99
- 3.0 GHz 8-core 2007, 4/250, $1,099.99
- 2.93 GHz 4-core, 8/2 x 1 TB, $1,499.99
Other World Computing
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard installed (no discs), fully refurbished and tested.
- 2.4 GHz 4-core 2010, 16/1 TB, $1,779
- several other configurations listed
PowerMax
Ground shipping may add $67 or more.
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2006, 2/250, $429
- 3.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 4/3 x 160, $519
- 3.0 GHZ 8-core 2007, 2/250, $799
- 2.8 GHz 8-core 2008, 4/320, $939
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2009, 6/640, $1,169
- 3.0 GHz 8-core 2008, 6/3 x 500, $1,179
- 2.26 GHz 8-core 2009, 8/640, $1,559
- 2.66 GHz 8-core 2009, 4/640, $1,609
- 2.8 GHz 4-core 2010, 3/1 TB, $1,699
- 3.2 GHz 4-core 2010, 24/3 TB, $2,529
- many other configurations listed
Small Dog Electronics
$4.99 flat rate shipping.
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2006, 2/250, $249.99 as is
UsedMac
UsedMac is located in Sherman Oaks, CA and collect sales tax on California orders. Prices include keyboard and mouse. Shipping can add $45 or more. Fresh OS X install (version not specified). 90 day store warranty.
- 2.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 2/160, $165
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2006, 2/160, $189
- 3.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 2/250, $325
- 2.8 GHz 4-core 2008, 4/320, $379
- 2.8 GHz 8-core 2008, 4/320, $395
- 3.0 GHz 8-core 2007, 4/320, $429
- 3.0 GHz 8-core 2008, 4/500, $449
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2009, 6/640, $465
- 3.2 GHz 8-core 2008, 6/500, $599
- 2.93 GHz 4-core 2009, 34/640, $695
- 2.8 GHz 4-core 2010, 10/1 TB, $765
- 2.26 GHz 8-core 2009, 6/1 TB, $795
- 3.2 GHz 4-core 2010, 8/1 TB, $899
- 2.66 GHz 8-core 2009, 6/640, $985
- 3.33 GHz 6-core 2010, 8/1 TB, $995
- 3.2 GHz 4-core 2012, 8/1 TB, $1,125
- 2.4 GHz 8-core 2010, 6/1 TB, $1,185
- 2.93 GHz 8-core 2009, 6/640, $1,295
- 3.7 GHz 4-core 2013, 128/256 SSD, $2,595
- other configurations listed
UsedMacs.US
Local pickup available in West Hollywood, CA. Ground shipping may cost $50 or more. 30 day warranty. AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth available at extra cost.
- 2.66 GHz 4-core 2006, 4/2 x 160, $224.95
- 2.66 GHz 8-core 2009, 4/640, $939.95
- 3.33 GHz 6-core 2010, 4/1 TB, $1,039.95
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