Apple Mac Pro 3.5GHz Xeon E5 Six Core, 16GB RAM - Refurbished

In this review of the Apple Mac Pro MD878LL/A refurbished workstation, the bottom line is straightforward: professionals who need strong multi-core CPU performance and robust GPU capability in a compact tower will find real value here. The review focuses on who benefits most and why the combination of a 3.5GHz Intel Xeon E5 six-core processor, 16GB of RAM and dual AMD FirePro D500 GPUs makes the Mac Pro a capable machine for creative work and compute-heavy tasks. It is refurbished and inspected, so buyers should expect like-new operation with the usual caveats for a pre-owned unit.

Key Features

• Six-core Xeon CPU: The 3.5GHz Intel Xeon E5 delivers strong multi-threaded performance for rendering, video encoding and parallel workloads.
• Dual FirePro D500 GPUs: Dual AMD FirePro D500 graphics provide accelerated performance for GPU-accelerated editing, 3D previewing and multiple high-resolution displays.
• 16GB RAM: A 16GB memory configuration offers comfortable multitasking for large projects and multiple pro applications running at once.
• 256GB SSD: The included 256GB solid-state drive improves system responsiveness, application load times and general workflow snappiness.
• Refurbished inspection: Professionally inspected and tested to work and look like new, with eligibility for replacement or refund under the renewed guarantee policy.
• Compact tower design: The black chassis saves desk space compared with larger racks while still offering internal expandability for storage and PCIe cards.

Who It's For

The Mac Pro reviewed here is best suited to creative professionals and power users who need reliable multi-core CPU power and workstation-grade GPUs for tasks like video editing, motion graphics, 3D modeling and scientific compute that benefit from both CPU and GPU acceleration. It's also a good choice for studios that want a compact tower with pro I/O and expandability without buying brand-new hardware.

Buyers who need the very latest ports, NVMe capacities, or the newest generation of GPUs should look elsewhere, since this refurbished model reflects an earlier professional architecture. Casual users or those primarily needing portability should consider laptops or newer small-form-factor systems instead.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong multi-threaded CPU performance from the 3.5GHz Intel Xeon E5 for demanding pro workloads.
• Dual AMD FirePro D500 GPUs provide solid acceleration for creative applications and multiple displays.
• Refurbished and professionally inspected, offering a lower-cost entry into Apple workstation hardware with a renewed guarantee.

Cons

• Storage is limited to a 256GB SSD out of the box, which may require additional internal or external drives for large media libraries.
• As a refurbished older model, it lacks some modern connectivity and the newest GPU architecture compared with current systems.

Specifications

Model	Mac Pro MD878LL/A (refurbished)
Processor	3.5GHz Intel Xeon E5 six-core
Memory	16GB RAM
Graphics	Dual AMD FirePro D500
Storage	256GB SSD
Color	Black
Condition	Refurbished and professionally inspected

Our Verdict

The refurbished Mac Pro MD878LL/A is a pragmatic choice for creative professionals who want a compact, capable workstation without paying full retail for a new system. With a six-core Xeon, dual FirePro GPUs and 16GB of RAM it handles demanding multi-threaded and GPU-accelerated tasks well, though buyers should plan for additional storage if they work with large media. For the target user it represents solid value and continued usefulness as a production machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Mac Pro suitable for video editing?
Yes. The six-core Xeon and dual FirePro D500 GPUs provide strong performance for editing and GPU-accelerated effects, though larger projects may need more storage than the included 256GB SSD.

What does refurbished inspected mean?
It means the unit was professionally tested and restored to working condition and appearance by qualified suppliers and is eligible for replacement or refund under the renewed guarantee policy.

Can I upgrade RAM or storage?
Yes. The Mac Pro chassis allows for internal upgrades, so you can add more RAM or larger/faster drives to suit heavier workflows.