Apple Offers Developers a Closer Look at the New Mac Pro

[iMikeT]

For all the so-called "professionals" out there whining about the lack of internal storage bays, sorry for you. Actually, real professionals know to use external storage from the get go so I really don't feel sorry for any of the whiners.

Since I've been in my chosen creative field for the past 7 years or so as a professional, I've used external storage every step of the way. External enclosures and swapping out drives when they get full is the way to go.

 

[FluJunkie]

Apple decided a while ago they'd rather stay at the forefront of electronic, ergonomic and mechanical design, not make boxes.

Except it's supposed to blossom a whole constellation of expansion options, the cases of which are taken care of by people with a worse design aesthetic than Apple.

I'd rather have everything bundled up in a larger Apple design than an Apple designed hub surrounded with 3rd party cases.

 

[Xiroteus]

People still like PHYSICAL THINGS - have you not realised that? Would you like a digital meal? A digital PET? A physical DISC still hasn't been replaced with something virtual that evokes the same response and emotional gratification. It means something to own PHYSICAL things and interact with them.

I notice a lot of people have trouble understanding this, I like digital when done right (cheap and good quality) yet understand that some people like CDs, records etc.. this may go away over generations, some will stick with it for some time.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

However, if you look at how much processing power, memory, and storage comes in that "can" you might not need to add much externally.

Almost no storage comes in that "can". That's the problem. All the storage is external. That's ridiculous. The new Mac Pro is amazing in many ways but that just boggles my mind.

 

[xcodeaddict]

I notice a lot of people have trouble understanding this, I like digital when done right (cheap and good quality) yet understand that some people like CDs, records etc.. this may go away over generations, some will stick with it for some time.

Yes.

You can't accidentally delete a rack of vinyl

 

[FluJunkie]

For all the so-called "professionals" out there whining about the lack of internal storage bays, sorry for you. Actually, real professionals know to use external storage from the get go so I really don't feel sorry for any of the whiners.

Since I've been in my chosen creative field for the past 7 years or so as a professional, I've used external storage every step of the way. External enclosures and swapping out drives when they get full is the way to go.

"Professional" is a wide term. I rather like my internal storage, and have no particular need for external storage - writing large files to disk largely means I've failed at some point.

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The think that irks me most is the bespoke-looking FirePro cards. I don't want a FirePro card. They're bad for my workflow. Now I *have* to pay for two of them?

Honestly, I prefer the current "Crappy card and upgrade toward your preferences" solution, with both ATI and nVidia options. I'd like more variety, not less.

 

[AidenShaw]

It's a "trophy computer" for managers

... God help Apple this is a disaster. They do know 'Pro' is short for 'professional' right?

I'm so depressed. I waited for 5 years to get nothing I can use or wanted.

Lawyers are professionals, so are accountants and managers.

They'll love this "new shiny thing" from Apple to put on their desks.

The professional software engineers that I work with want powerful, flexible, expandable boxes to put under their desks. Engineers want 16 DIMM slots like Dell/HP/Lenovo - not 4.

It will get a lot of press (like the Apple Cube), and then be killed due to poor sales (like the Apple Cube).

Michael Dell was thrilled™ with this announcement.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

I notice a lot of people have trouble understanding this, I like digital when done right (cheap and good quality) yet understand that some people like CDs, records etc.. this may go away over generations, some will stick with it for some time.

I'll add books to that list. Digital "books" don't even remotely have the same feel as a physical book. There's something very organic about picking up a physical book and flipping through it's paper pages. Not the same with an eBook.

 

[Flabasha]

I am wiping the tears of laughter away. That was a BRILLIANT spot, eagle-eyes!! Great post!

Seriously. That screengrab will be viral in 3...2...

Insane.

 

[tevion5]

No, I think it looks odd. I don't like it. Is it illegal to express personal opinion?

Ok cool. I'm not arresting you.

 

[Codyak]

Honestly, I prefer the current "Crappy card and upgrade toward your preferences" solution, with both ATI and nVidia options. I'd like more variety, not less.

Same here, I'm sorta holding out hope for the option of either at launch, but I think we all know how that's gonna turn out.

 

[tevion5]

Steve had great taste. I'm sure he rejected dozens of John's designs. But now there's no such smart filter anymore. This thing looks original, but... it's just not Apple. And removing internal expandability option... Tim lost the contact with reality.

You can change the Ram and internal PCIe storage. Just not CPU and Graphics, at least internally.

 

[imageWIS]

Is there a CD drive?

Why? You planning on time traveling with it back to 1992?

 

[prowlmedia]

Image

http://www.overstock.com/Office-Supplies/Black-3-quart-Step-Open-Trash-Can/3147575/product.html

To be fair the Current mac Pro looks like my new Trash can.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

The hate!

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Hey you over there - come back here with those prototypes!

Image

2 colors.

 

[notabadname]

If this isn't unlike anything else on the market, than I don't know what is. I'm really excited about this, although apprehensive about the GPUs and their upgradeability over the life of the machine.

 

[Xiroteus]

Yes.

You can't accidentally delete a rack of vinyl

True, I hear many people that have such issues that do not back up enough. Something I am obsessive about. Movies when done in a space saving way is another one that would take up a lot of hard drive space and cost far more then physical copies.

I'll add books to that list. Digital "books" don't even remotely have the same feel as a physical book. There's something very organic about picking up a physical book and flipping through it's paper pages. Not the same with an eBook.

Comics are another one, still on the fence about because of space issues, tangible items can be quite nice vs digital aside from the space issue.

 

[milo]

single flash storage slot seem proprietary.

Probably doesn't matter if it's "proprietary", it looks like it's probably an easy swap, and third parties will probably make replacement flash modules.

...but do I need
dual GPU & 12 cores?

"Up to 12 cores." And I have to wonder if they'll offer lesser GPU options, for things like audio those cards would be total overkill.

 

[_iCeb0x_]

Looks nice but what components are user serviceable? RAM (down from 8 slots in predecessor to 4) seems to be serviceable but dual graphics cards and single flash storage slot seem proprietary. I was really hoping for Apple-branded DAS and 4K Thunderbolt 2 Display to complement new Mac Pro.

Not sure about the graphics cards. The SSD uses a Mini-PCIe connector, it seems.

 

[winston1236]

Looks like a futuristic photon engine from NASA, never liked a desktop computer design so much.

This thing is beautiful. I never say this but take my money apple. You finally earned it.

 

[Mactendo]

You can change the Ram and internal PCIe storage. Just not CPU and Graphics, at least internally.

If it's possible to install the same amount of storage for the same price as in the previous Mac Pro, that's great. ) But if it's way more expensive and you end up with external storage then it's a step back.

 

[grapefruitx]

What would look really powerful is a piano black plastic tower with blue LED detailing and a transparent side cover with a red heat sink visible.

 

[kdgone]

A little ostentatious, don't you think? Tell you what. Throw a little hotrod red in there.

 

[thefizzle657]

Amazing how anybody who criticizes the new Apple iCan is labeled a "hater". I am not a professional, so I certainly can't speak for them, but I just can't imagine how those who work with lots of audio, video, graphics design, etc and everything in those related areas would want to buy a computer that appears to have little to no internal upgradeability.

How exactly is this progress, making it so that you have to buy a whole new computer every few years and/or spend ridiculous amounts of money on expensive peripherals in order to upgrade? I just honestly don't understand it. Wasn't the lack of expandability/upgradeability one of the big issues that people had with Macs back in the late 80s? Wasn't that one of the huge arguments in favor of PCs that led so many professionals to use PCs instead?

I don't think that forcing everybody into using external peripherals that are crazy expensive can be compared in any way to things like the move away from PS/2 to USB etc. In this case I don't believe that Apple has the consumer/professional at heart, but only their bottom line. It is a shame really I'm not a troll, or a "hater", or whatever, I just don't understand anymore what Apple is trying to achieve and where they are coming from.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

By that definition, ANY computer with more power than a Mini is "a Mini on steroids".

Obviously, there is no comparison to a Mini. As for upgrades - I don't know anyone who has "upgraded" a computer in the last decade. Upgradeable computers are a myth. Assuming you configure a new computer with what you want when you buy it, by the time it needs "upgrading", ALL the components are obsolete. New graphics cards don't work with your motherboard, a new motherboard requires a new CPU, new RAM is faster and takes advantage of the new bus, etc etc. Don't EVER plan on upgrading a computer, especially an Apple. Just buy a new one. The old one will have Apple's traditionally high resale value, and you will get all the latest features, ports, etc on the new one.

You sound like the perfect customer for Apple. Instead of upgrading, you'd have to buy a new Apple product. Maybe you should submit that theory to mystbusters and see what they have to say. My Mac pro can still be upgraded and I'll continue to add new GPUs and memory and SSDs when they come out. My "old" obsolete tech made by Apple is still as fast or faster than anything Apple currently puts out and will still last for years with more upgrading. Try upgrading a Macbook Air/Pro/Mini. Just more storage that's a real upgrade.