[lgambis]

Hi,
I'm upgrading from my old 2004 G5 to a Mac Pro. I saw this ad on Craigslist for an 8-core Mac Pro for $2500, and wanted your advice on whether it was a good deal. The machine has Applecare until 9/2011 but I am concerned that it is a 2008 Mac Pro model. Here are the specs from the Craigslist ad. Thanks!:
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$2500
Beautiful Machine with very little scratches and wear and tear on the machine. Has apple care till September 14th, 2011.

2*2.8Ghz 8 Core Intel Xeon Quad cores
10GB ram with 2 more free slots to expand more
8800GT 512MB dual Dvi graphics card
1TB Hard drive + 500GB Hard drive
Apple Care
Brand new in Plastic Apple Slim Keyboard and Mouse
Brand new install of snow leopard with full final cut studio and final cut pro 7. ADobe CS5 with after effects, photoshop, bridge and many more. Office 2011
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[BLAZE_MkIV]

Mac2Sell - Guide to used Mac, iPad, iPhone & iPod - Evaluation - Argus Mac, iPod, iPad, iPhone Occasion

[cgc]

Seems like a good price though I didn't look at the Apple Refurbs... If you don't need 8-cores you can get a new 4-core MacPro from Apple for the same price but it won't have as much memory though it will have a better video card.

Personally, unless I needed 8-cores (I don't) I'd go with a new MacPro or even an i5 iMac...as it is I have a 4-core MacPro (2006 model 1,1) and it's plenty fast. Can't go wrong really but just need to stay within budget and make sure you don't overbuy (e.g. look at the apps you'll be using most and see if they benefit from 10GB memory and 8-cores).

[Mac Write]

Sounds like they are trying to charge for pirated software. Make sure all the software included comes with the original install DVD's along with the original license keys, instructions etc. Also make sure it's the full version of the software and not the "upgrade" as your screwed if it's the upgrade versions (as in you can't install/use it). You need the "Full" retail copy+upgrade serial numbers.

Hope this helps.

[Waragainstsleep]

Wave $2000 in their face and see what they say.

[chipchen]

It's a 2008 model. AppleCare is three years, and since it expires 09/2011, then it was purchased 09/2008. (that and the specs gave it away... other 8 core models were 2.26GHz and 2.4GHz unless it was CTO)

Also, $2500 is a bit pricey, unless those software licenses are all legit.

[MacNNUK]

Personally I would only buy refurb from Apple.

Similarly, a second hand car from a dealer.

It's worth paying the extra for safety and warranty, on both.