Mac Pro Owners Still Waiting for NVIDIA 8800GT Option... Due Next Month?

MacRumors · Apr 7, 2008, 11:52 AM

Upon the release on the Penryn-based Mac Pros in January, Apple introduced the NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT as a new video card option. Existing Mac Pro owners initially saw this is an opportunity to upgrade from current cards as well as ailing 1900XT cards. Apple, however, quickly clarified that the new NVIDIA 8800GT was only compatible with the new Penryn Mac Pros due to firmware issues. This left older Mac Pro owners without an upgrade option.

A January statement by NVIDIA suggested a fix was imminent...

Quote:

the company is "in the middle of bringing out an upgrade kit based on the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT solution for all Intel-based Mac Pros." What's more, this upgrade kit "should be out in a few weeks."

... but three months later, there's been no news of the upgrade option.

A recent email response from Steve Jobs suggests that the upgrade is still coming, possibly in the next month:

Quote:

nVidia didn't come through, so we're having to do it. Should be ready in about a month.

Steve

Steve Jobs has been known to occasionally respond to emails, the most prominent example being an email in which he revealed calendar editing functionality that later came to the iPod touch.

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MacOSXuser · Apr 7, 2008, 11:54 AM

Great, still waiting for the video card coming!

MacBooksRock · Apr 7, 2008, 11:55 AM

That sucks...

I always use ATI - not Nvidia

samh004 · Apr 7, 2008, 11:55 AM

That response from Steve looks a little dodge, but time will tell.

zeebe · Apr 7, 2008, 11:57 AM

Anyone know what email address you use to send an email to Steve, not expecting a response, but would like to send one anyways.
Thanks

Trip.Tucker · Apr 7, 2008, 11:57 AM

ATI still produces better quality images.

relimw · Apr 7, 2008, 11:59 AM

About freakin' time. I haven't wanted to take my system down for the "average of 2-4 days" that my Apple peeps said would take them to turn it around. At least with the fans cranked, I can still get work done.

New card by WWDC?

Lord Blackadder · Apr 7, 2008, 12:00 PM

I'm skeptical, but Apple is aware of the problem so it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

arkitect · Apr 7, 2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samh004

That response from Steve looks a little dodge, but time will tell.

Indeed it does…

Quote:

nVidia didn't come through, so we're having to do it.

? Oh, please. Shifting the blame is a tad unprofessional. IMHO, of course.

pederg · Apr 7, 2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeebe

Anyone know what email address you use to send an email to Steve, not expecting a response, but would like to send one anyways.
Thanks

steve@apple.com i think it was..

Lets hope apple get a move on with this

KindredMAC · Apr 7, 2008, 12:01 PM

Why does the Mac Pro feel like the red headed step child that got left behind at the store and the parents still haven't realized that he isn't sitting in the back seat next to iMac and MacBook Air on their way home?

flopticalcube · Apr 7, 2008, 12:06 PM

Just in time for the 9800X2 to be released for the PC.

zeebe · Apr 7, 2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pederg

steve@apple.com i think it was..

Lets hope apple get a move on with this

Thanks pederg!! I thought it was sjobs@mac.com, but wasn't sure. Anyone know for sure??

Infrared · Apr 7, 2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KindredMAC

Why does the Mac Pro feel like the red headed step child that got left behind at the store and the parents still haven't realized that he isn't sitting in the back seat next to iMac and MacBook Air on their way home?

I imagine many of Apple's own staff use Mac Pros for development.
I wouldn't be too concerned about abandonment.

supercooled · Apr 7, 2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeebe

Anyone know what email address you use to send an email to Steve, not expecting a response, but would like to send one anyways.
Thanks

Go play the lotto; same result.

milo · Apr 7, 2008, 12:21 PM

SLOW. Apple and nvidia need to get on the ball with this.

ltcol266845 · Apr 7, 2008, 12:22 PM

Why is it still so complicated for Mac Pro owners to upgrade their video cards? Really, its pathetic that you all are still scrambling for an 8800GT, when the 9600GT is out which wipes the floor with the 8800GT at a much lower price point, not to mention the many many newer better faster cheaper cards that have come out.

Seriously, if this is what Apple does for their Mac Pro owners, I might have to look towards a hackintosh instead when I look to a Mac desktop.

zeebe · Apr 7, 2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercooled

Go play the lotto; same result.

Boy, you sure are helpful!!!

Aztech · Apr 7, 2008, 12:24 PM

I couldn't be bothered to wait any more... im selling my current Mac Pro in favour of getting the new one...

Trading upto 8 cores and getting the 8800GT anyway, seems like a better idea !

andrewgasson · Apr 7, 2008, 12:27 PM

His responses have always been in a pretty casual format.

I'd have to say it's likely genuine.

eastcoastsurfer · Apr 7, 2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KindredMAC

Why does the Mac Pro feel like the red headed step child that got left behind at the store and the parents still haven't realized that he isn't sitting in the back seat next to iMac and MacBook Air on their way home?

Because the overall market has moved towards laptops and/or internet devices. Apple doesn't want to be a computer company, but a 'device' company. Things like the iPhone/iTouch/MBA show you pretty clearly where they are headed in terms of product development.

job · Apr 7, 2008, 12:28 PM

I would love to be the guy that responds to the emails that are sent to Steve Jobs.

As pointed out, this isn't the first time that people have gotten replies, however fabricated, after emailing Steve Jobs directly. Is it really him? Who knows. Who cares. But the answers are usually legit. FWIW.

arkitect · Apr 7, 2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infrared

I imagine many of Apple's own staff use Mac Pros for development.
I wouldn't be too concerned about abandonment.

True.
And they are also probably not reliant on 3D work… so their video cards are of secondary importance to them.

Object-X · Apr 7, 2008, 12:33 PM

And this little story should finally dispel the myth that a mid-range tower would allow for graphics upgrades. Every time I hear someone say they want a mid-range tower so they can upgrade the graphics, I think, upgrade to what? Not even Mac Pros have anything to "upgrade" too.

Flamer Disclaimer: For the record, I would pre-order a mid-range tower the day Apple announced it, but not because I could upgrade the graphics. The graphics would be better than a mini regardless of what came in it, it would have limited expandability, it would let me use my non-glossy display, and it wouldn't cost $3000!

Rot'nApple · Apr 7, 2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samh004

That response from Steve looks a little dodge, but time will tell.

nVidia the NEW IBM with their "3Ghz" promise of GeForce 8800GT solution kit out in a "few weeks" that how now turned into a few months, hopefully not a few years.

Apr 7, 2008, 11:55 AM	#4
samh004 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Australia	That response from Steve looks a little dodge, but time will tell. __________________ Website \| Blog

Apr 7, 2008, 11:57 AM	#5
zeebe macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2006	Anyone know what email address you use to send an email to Steve, not expecting a response, but would like to send one anyways. Thanks __________________ Zeebe Support a charity as you search the Internet http://www.goodsearch.com I support Sacred Heart School, Robbinsdale, MN

Apr 7, 2008, 11:59 AM	#7
relimw macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2004 Location: SC	About freakin' time. I haven't wanted to take my system down for the "average of 2-4 days" that my Apple peeps said would take them to turn it around. At least with the fans cranked, I can still get work done. New card by WWDC? __________________ Power Mac G4 Dual 500; 1.25GB RAM Powerbook 1Ghz 17" Mac Mini 1.42GHz; 1GB RAM; AE+BT Mac Mini 1.42GHz; 1GB RAM Mac Pro 3GHz; 4GB; x1900; AE+BT

Apr 7, 2008, 12:00 PM	#8
Lord Blackadder macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sod off	I'm skeptical, but Apple is aware of the problem so it isn't outside the realm of possibility. __________________ Digital Audio G4 w/OWC 1.4GHz/1GB/2x250GB SATA/Pioneer DVR-107D/GeForce6800GT/Panther/2005FPW 20.1" Oh, God, God, God! What on earth was I drinking last night? My head feels like there's a Frenchman living in it. - Edmund Blackadder

Apr 7, 2008, 12:01 PM	#11
KindredMAC macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2003	Why does the Mac Pro feel like the red headed step child that got left behind at the store and the parents still haven't realized that he isn't sitting in the back seat next to iMac and MacBook Air on their way home? __________________ "We want to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose." - Steve Jobs

Apr 7, 2008, 11:54 AM	#2
MacOSXuser macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto	Great, still waiting for the video card coming!

Apr 7, 2008, 11:55 AM	#3
MacBooksRock Banned Join Date: Nov 2007	That sucks... I always use ATI - not Nvidia

Apr 7, 2008, 11:57 AM	#6
Trip.Tucker Guest Join Date: Mar 2008	ATI still produces better quality images.

Apr 7, 2008, 12:06 PM	#12
flopticalcube macrumors 601 Join Date: Sep 2006	Just in time for the 9800X2 to be released for the PC.

Apr 7, 2008, 12:21 PM	#16
milo macrumors 68030 Join Date: Sep 2003	SLOW. Apple and nvidia need to get on the ball with this.

Apr 7, 2008, 12:22 PM	#17
ltcol266845 macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Elgin, IL	Why is it still so complicated for Mac Pro owners to upgrade their video cards? Really, its pathetic that you all are still scrambling for an 8800GT, when the 9600GT is out which wipes the floor with the 8800GT at a much lower price point, not to mention the many many newer better faster cheaper cards that have come out. Seriously, if this is what Apple does for their Mac Pro owners, I might have to look towards a hackintosh instead when I look to a Mac desktop.

Apr 7, 2008, 12:24 PM	#19
Aztech macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2007	I couldn't be bothered to wait any more... im selling my current Mac Pro in favour of getting the new one... Trading upto 8 cores and getting the 8800GT anyway, seems like a better idea !

Apr 7, 2008, 12:27 PM	#20
andrewgasson macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2007	Thumbs up His responses have always been in a pretty casual format. I'd have to say it's likely genuine.

Apr 7, 2008, 12:28 PM	#22
job macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: in transit	I would love to be the guy that responds to the emails that are sent to Steve Jobs. As pointed out, this isn't the first time that people have gotten replies, however fabricated, after emailing Steve Jobs directly. Is it really him? Who knows. Who cares. But the answers are usually legit. FWIW.

Apr 7, 2008, 12:33 PM	#24
Object-X macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2004	Persistent Myths And this little story should finally dispel the myth that a mid-range tower would allow for graphics upgrades. Every time I hear someone say they want a mid-range tower so they can upgrade the graphics, I think, upgrade to what? Not even Mac Pros have anything to "upgrade" too. Flamer Disclaimer: For the record, I would pre-order a mid-range tower the day Apple announced it, but not because I could upgrade the graphics. The graphics would be better than a mini regardless of what came in it, it would have limited expandability, it would let me use my non-glossy display, and it wouldn't cost $3000!

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