that no one else can seam to answer. I find it odd how alot of people don't know anything about Mac computers especially at my university.

Anyway... I've been playing with the numbers on the apple store website trying to build the right machine that will suit my needs as well as budget. I have come up with:

One 2.8GHZ Quad-Core Intel Xeon
2GB (2x1GB) RAM
1 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB
Apple Cinema Display (20" flat panel)

Along with all other bassic necessities, keyboard, mouse, drives etc.

the total price for this machine is $3,154.36 (I can probably get it cheaper at a local Mac store..ya think?)

As I am sure you have already picked out, my RAM choice and HD size choice is lacking. This is simply due to budget. around 3k for this machine is what I am looking to pay. If I were to go with 1TB of HD space and 4GB of Ram, it would have nearly put me in the 4 thousand range.

My question is: If I were to go with this configuration now, could I later add another 500GB or so of HD space as well as another 2GB of RAM? Would that be more expensive in the long run? or could I even do that at all...

Thank you for your time and consideration..
-Terry.

I don't own a Mac Pro, but as far as my research of them has brought me, I am pretty sure that they are VERY customizable post purchase.

However, I don't know whether or not it would be more expensive to upgrade hard drives and RAM later. I assume that it would be. Ultimately I suppose you could always work with what you've got until you are ready to upgrade stuff.

-Michael

and be sure you visit the student discount part of the apple store. I saved about 400 bucks on my macpro. In the end i bought 2 2.8ghz Quad Xeon processors, 2 gbs of ram and a 500gb, and a 512 nvida card. I bought another monitor separately, since well thats just too much money for a monitor. and it came out to be $3,400 with shipping and tax.

It is cheaper to add ram and hard drives post purchase. I bought my system from apple and 3 1tb hard drives and 12gb of extra ram from a third party. The whole computer came out to around 5k with the hard drives and the 14gb ram.

I bought another monitor separately, since well thats just too much money for a monitor. and it came out to be $3,400 with shipping and tax.

Do you need to buy an apple monitor for an apple computer..?

Thank you for bringing it to my attention about the university discount. That will definately save me some money.

If it is true that Macs are customizable after post purchase, would it not be wise to just buy the minimum requirments from a local Mac store and then go and buy all the other components such as a 500gb hard drive and extra ram from somewhere else?

I'm under the impression, for lack of knowledge, that only Mac parts work with Mac computers.... Am I wrong? Could I stick any serial ATA hard drive or any stick or RAM into this machine?

I came from building PC's so getting a Mac Pro was a new experience for me and I had the same questions as you. The only things you can't replace on the mac with off the shelf items is the processor and video card. Hard drives, ram, monitor, most mice, raid cards, etc. All of this can be bought after market for much much less than what Apple is hawking it for.

Make sure you get the correct ram in reagrds to MHz and what not. Aside from that any hard drive with SATA will be fine since SATA 2 is backwards compatible with SATA 1, get SATA 2 though. I'm sure you know that.

its not just ANY ram, but u can buy 3rd party RAM, and it's a lot cheeper than buying from apple true. I just have a lot of worry about buying third party ram, but everyone else says they love it. Yeah any DVI monitor will work...and you can get a good one for bout $300 same size, but it wont feel the same as an Apple Cinema display...

The only things you can't replace on the mac with off the shelf items is the processor and video card.

The video card actually can be replaced. There are four PCI-E ports on the back, you can use them for esata ports, or 4 video cards if you want.

its not just ANY ram, but u can buy 3rd party RAM, and it's a lot cheeper than buying from apple true.

What exactly is "3rd party RAM"? I couldn't get 2 Corsair 2GB sticks?

3rd party ram is any ram not made by apple.

Mac Pro Memory - Apple Mac Pro Xeon 8-Core and Quad Core Memory Upgrades DDR2 Fully Buffered 240 Pin DIMM 800MHz PC6400 / 667MHz PC5300 at OtherWorldComputing.com (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory)

Ah ha! So I can just get a couple sticks of 2GB Corsair (for example) to stuff in my machine as well as any serial ATA HD!

So the conclusion of this thread would be that it is infact cheaper to puchase the minimum amount of hard drive space, RAM and just simply get any monitor I chose...

I suppose i'll just go to the local apple store and pick up a MacPro with a 320 HD(maybe 500), 2GB ram Final Cut Studio 2 and not have to pay shipping as well as give myself time to accumulate enough money for the rest in the future. (sound like what you would do?)

Everyone, thank you for answering my questions! You've seriously saved me alot of money!

Just a note on the Student Discount, in my case it actually worked out cheaper to get a refurb than to use my Discount. I've had no issues with it being a refurb, other than a tiny scratch on the case. I added 4gigs of RAM from OWC (macsales.com) and Seagate SATA drives I got from Tiger Direct and they all work fine.

If you would buy a Apple Cinema Display, I should urge you to wait a bit.
I know rumors always exist about Apple's products, and the Apple Cinema Displays are already rumored for a long time to be upgraded, but rumors are pretty strong that they will get a (LED?) upgrade in January at MacWorld.

For the rest: like others said: buy your base system at Apple, upgrade via 3rd party later.

Terry, I've purchased two macs using the university discount. I don't think you can walk into a retail store anymore and purchase. I think you have to order online. If you are indeed using a university discount the shipping may be free. Check to see if your school has its own Apple discount store link and use that rather than the generic Apple store for education.

I just ordered a MBP and there was a shipping fee in the generic store but none when I used my university's specific store.

Crucial and Other World Computing are very reputable vendors of RAM.

The Apple monitor is sweet. When I purchased mine this time last year the rumor mill was churning about a replacement. It's still churning!!! Buy what you like and need today. If you wait for what's coming tomorrow you'll wait forever.

Bob

Your Mac Pro spec is exactly what I started with. You can run two monitors off that card (I bought third party monitors, one a 27-in HD Vusonic)), and it is perfectly adequate for FCS 2. I've since added two more SATA drives (very easy to do), and will be adding more RAM this year. good luck.

I went to a local Mac shop to get my mac pro and although I was able to get the student discount there, they only have a few configurations in stock. For example I bought mine pre 2008 and I wanted the dual 3.0 processors but not the quads. If I wanted these chips I had to get the ATI video card as well as an extra 512 of ram since that's the only configuration they had those chips in. They will of course have the base model there as well.

You can save some money by getting the extra RAM, as mentioned earlier, from someplace other than the Mac store. Check MacWarehouse on line or others. The Apple store both in person and on line is overpriced on that.

Other than that, your purchase looks good. You can buy a 500 gig drive at any Microcenter store for about $170 (something else you shouldn't get at an Apple store--hard drives).

As far as the Apple Cinema Display monitor...you can get cheaper ones, but I love my 23" Apple Cinema Display. I think it was worth the money.

I've used both the Apple Cinema displays as well as non-Apple monitors. I love the Apple branded ones but not at that dollar figure. If you are on a budget like it seems, save the money and buy a Samsung or an LG (or two) and buy the Apple displays when the next iteration comes along (and HOPEFULLY you have more disposable cash).

Hey everyone! Thanks alot for your comments and insight on the subject.

Good news! My campus does infact have a discount store. I will be going there tomorrow to get some information.

The good thing about getting a different monitor would be that in the future, once I have more money, I can buy the apple monitor and then have dual monitors.

After everyone's comments, I think I will just get 2GB of ram, 320GB HD (because I can get a 500GB way cheaper than what they are offering and just use the 320 for operating system and program use).

This with the university discount should put me well under 3 grand.

yepp, sounds like it would be well under 3 grand. I used my CSUN discount (university) and the shipping was free, and it was 44 bucks for 2 day shipping so i said what the hell and got it. The educational store on the apple site is great, specially when there is one configured just to your college.

So I went to the store on campus today and saw the price of their bare minimum Mac Pro system with 200GB HD space, 2GB RAM and standard everything else. Their price was $1700. THAT is good news. I'm not sure if that included a monitor or anything. Regardless, That is an awesome price. I wonder if they'll stick FCS 2 on there for me for a discounted price as well...the $1300 price is looking kinda steep. I suppose I could just get express for now..its only $87 with the university discount.

Which reminds me...What all is included with Final cut studio 2? I honestly don't know..I'll have to get on the site and read up on it perhaps.

Final cut studio 2 with a student discount is 600 bucks
it includes
Motion
DVD Studio
Final Cut Pro
Soundtrack Studio
Compressor
Color
and uhmm i think that is it... just off the top of my head and im probably forgetting something

Thank you so much! You've helped me out tremendously!

Btw, do you happen to know of any training videos for FCS 2? I know they make them for Vegas but I've not seen any for FCS2..

I've bought training programs from here before:
http://www.zoom-in.com/products/apple
I thought they were pretty good.

Awesome, Thanks alot Bill. Those look to be exactly what I am looking for.

Consider buying the dual CPU (8 core) version. It's quite expensive to buy the second CPU + heat sink later.

One caveat on buying the student edition of FCS2: You are out of the upgrade path if you do so. Apple has a VERY generous upgrade path historically (I upgraded my FCP1.25 disc to FCS2 for $800CDN instead of $1600 to buy the whole thing new), especially when compared to Adobe. If you suspect you will someday want to upgrade when you start earning money, the cash spent ton the student version is a less attractive buy in the LONG run.

....not a Pro user, but I've loaded three iMac with 'non-Apple' ram. I usually go here first: Computer RAM | Laptop Memory | Memory Card | Secure Digital | Compact Flash | Memory Stick | (http://dealnews.com/memory/)

Jim

....not a Pro user, but I've loaded three iMac with 'non-Apple' ram. I usually go here first: Computer RAM | Laptop Memory | Memory Card | Secure Digital | Compact Flash | Memory Stick | (http://dealnews.com/memory/)

Jim

Hey Jim, thanks for the link. I normally go to NewEgg or Tigerdirect to look up prices on computer parts. Is there a certain Timing or cas latency I should be looking for to be compatable with the motherboard and Apple RAM I will be mixing this with?

I found what seams to be a good deal for RAM on Newegg

Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267)

One caveat on buying the student edition of FCS2: You are out of the upgrade path if you do so. Apple has a VERY generous upgrade path historically (I upgraded my FCP1.25 disc to FCS2 for $800CDN instead of $1600 to buy the whole thing new), especially when compared to Adobe. If you suspect you will someday want to upgrade when you start earning money, the cash spent ton the student version is a less attractive buy in the LONG run.

Hey Shaun...wow that is something to consider isn't it...

I think my decision for now is to go with the student discount FCS2 for now. Because lets say I don't make money doing this and I absolutely fail. I wouldn't have paid an extra 600 bucks that I'll never get back if I had been successful.. that make sense? If I start making money doing this, then the program will pay for itself in the long run.

Consider buying the dual CPU (8 core) version. It's quite expensive to buy the second CPU + heat sink later.

Are you saying go with the Two 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon?

Hey Jim, thanks for the link. I normally go to NewEgg or Tigerdirect to look up prices on computer parts. Is there a certain Timing or cas latency I should be looking for to be compatable with the motherboard and Apple RAM I will be mixing this with?

I found what seams to be a good deal for RAM on Newegg


Just a warning here: I've had bad experience with newegg when I bought RAM there for my G5. The RAM failed a couple months later and newegg only offers direct replacement within 30 days. Afterwards, you're left with the manufacturer's warranty. In my case (ADATA) never honored the warranty and I was left with 2 bad sticks. Newegg wasn't willing to cover this. Ever since, I stick to OWC (Find the latest Performance Upgrades, Firewire and USB Hard Drives, SATA, Memory, Laptop Battery, and more at OWC (http://eshop.macsales.com/)). It might cost a few bucks more, but you get lifetime warranty and only a few questions asked if a RAM fails - which has happened to me with RAM for my MBP I had bought there. No big deal, after answering all their questions I got a replacement module. I'm not trying to flame newegg here, just telling my story...
Hope this helps.

Best,
Dino

Alright man, Thanks alot for the heads up.

i just got my two quad core 2.8ghz two days ago, and ohbaby it puuurrrsss=D

i just got my two quad core 2.8ghz two days ago, and ohbaby it puuurrrsss=D

Haha. I am opting for one quad core 2.8 ...any particular reason you went with two as apose to one? It'd be good to know now because I won't be able to buy one of those later..

i just like all that power =D and i know when i bought my old power mac 5 years ago or so, i got the bottom of the line-ish 1.8ghz, and i regretted it. And it just one of those things that you can't upgrade down the line, so i took the bullet and bought the 2 quads.

$2,944-For:
AirPort Extreme card (Wi-Fi)
Two 16x SuperDrives
Two 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8-core)
Apple Mighty Mouse
Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) + User's Guide
2GB (2 x 1GB)
500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
Accessory kit
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB (Two dual-link)
and you could probably get away with the ATI card, which takes bout 150, off the price, i hear it performs better with the pro-aps. the only reason i went with nvidia was because avid doesn't support ati cards, so its hit and miss. You could also take off another hundred if you only want one dvd burner (for now,that can be upgraded later i believe)
than pick up this monitor:
http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4163685&sku=S203-2269&cm_re=Homepage-_-Spot%2002-_-LCD_S203-2269

than down the line (within the year) buy the warranty(199 with student discount) for the computer once you start to make money with this baby.
it comes out to just about the same price your original post said.

EDIT: i just made the lowest computer i could on the apple store education section (with 2 2.8ghz quad core) and it comes out to $2,599.