Apple Envisioned New Mac Pro's 'Cheese Grater' Design Years Ago

[MacRumors]

Following the reveal of its much-anticipated Mac Pro redesign at WWDC 2019 on Monday, a handful of reporters met with Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller and other executives to learn a bit more about the powerhouse machine.

Apple's all-new Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR via The Verge​

Ina Fried of Axios has provided a few key takeaways from the conversation:Apple's vision for the new Mac Pro's design changed some and it took somewhat longer than it was anticipating.
The circular cutouts on the front and back of the new Mac Pro are made by machining out spheres from the solid aluminum chassis. This particular aspect of the design was floating around in Apple's design labs before the new Mac Pro was even on its roadmap.
For those who missed the news, Apple is planning a rack-mounted version of the Mac Pro with a different chassis appropriate for a data center. Apple says this version will be available in the fall.
The new Pro Display XDR was "front and center" to Apple and is designed to rival so-called reference monitors that can cost over $10,000.Other tidbits may surface from other reporters who attended this press briefing, in which case we'll update this post.

Article Link: Apple Envisioned New Mac Pro's 'Cheese Grater' Design Years Ago

 

[SSD-GUY]

So this design was lower on the JIRA backlog, and the trashcan was moved to prioritised backlog back around 2012. Interesting Product Owner decision.

 

[critter13]

still waiting on a keyboard with TouchID. Have to imagine there will be one when it launches right?

 

[acorntoy]

Really want to see that display.

 

[KazKam]

I actually like the open chassis, raised legs, and the machined circles/vent... it really does look like a cheese grater tho.

 

[Saipher]

I think it’s a beautiful machine.

 

[alexandr]

ever since the last tower that the did?..

 

[MacFather]

Deleted.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

Gorgeous. My wallet is ready.

 

[newyorksole]

still waiting on a keyboard with TouchID. Have to imagine there will be one when it launches right?

I think we will see updates to Magic Keyboard when the redesigned iMac is announced. Hoping that’ll be this Fall.
[doublepost=1559664245][/doublepost]

I think it’s a beautiful machine.

Same! I don’t get the criticism. Who cares if it looks slightly like a cheese grater. The display and Mac are so nice.

 

[Veraxus]

"The new Pro Display XDR was "front and center" to Apple and is designed to rival so-called reference monitors that can cost over $10,000"

So this is how Apple is justifying that unconscionable pricing.

Audience: gasps & murmurs of disapproval.
Apple: "No, this is actually cheap!"

 

[DrJohnnyN]

This design is over 15 years old and still looks better...

Nope, not with those ports on the front.

 

[Mike MA]

This design is over 15 years old and still looks better...

Let the past die.

 

[dominiongamma]

This design is over 15 years old and still looks better...

Classic design that still hold up pretty well
[doublepost=1559664396][/doublepost]

Let the past die.

This design is so much better then hot mess that was shown yesterday

 

[trusso]

Nope, not with those ports on the front.

Yes, exactly with those ports on the front.

 

[tzm41]

Hmm, so that had that design first, and had to apply it somewhere... (looking at you Mac Pro -- Jonny Ive)

 

[iReality85]

If I were Apple I would have tried to pilfer employees from Fractal and/or Phanteks. People that actually know good computer case design.

Now that's a well-designed case for air flow, water cooling, and accessibility.

 

[mi7chy]

It's actually not bad except they could've made the legs more elegant. Feels like they spent all their time on the rest of the case then rushed the legs.

 

[ksz]

Looks are subjective and not worth asserting as fact, but I'll chime in with my opinion: the original Mac Pro design to me looks rather bulky and outdated. I still have mine from January 2008 so I'm not a hater. But the new one, on the other hand, with its "network of interconnecting hemispheres" is much more visually interesting and pleasing. Looking forward to seeing one in person.

 

[BootsWalking]

Precisely 13 years ago:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_Pro#/media/File:Mac_Pro_Tower.jpg

 

[1BadManVan]

So this is how Apple is justifying that unconscionable pricing.

Audience: gasps & murmurs of disapproval.
Apple: "No, this is actually cheap!"

“Just finance it! The stand is no more expensive than a cup of coffee a day!” That’s how they justified a grand for a phone right?

 

[KJL3000]

Looks exactly like a rejected prototype from the past. Well done, Apple.

 

[citysnaps]

I actually like the open chassis, raised legs, and the machined circles/vent... it really does look like a cheese grater tho.

I think that's an intentional and playful nod to the past, knowing previous Mac Pro owners affectionally referred to their computers as cheese graters. No other company would engage in such whimsy.

I give Apple a ton of credit and respect for the grate design.

 

[Gudi]

1) Cheese Grater
2) Trash Can
3) Potato Grater
4) Ash Tray << You will see, I predicted it.

 

[iSuitUp]

Just for reference, this is the sort of monitors the new Apple Pro Display XDR is set to compete with:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...m_318g_31_1_true_4k_monitor_4096x2160_10.html

They will sell these to entertainment studios mainly and these won't care about having to pay for a stand for $999, they will probably get the VESA adapter or maybe even get custom adapters to fit exactly what they need so the all outrage about the stand price is ridiculous when you put things in context.

It's like Sunday drivers feeking outraged at the price price of Formula 1 tyres as if they could use the Formula 1 to its full potential in the first place.