Apple Offers Minor Processor Bump to Mac Pro Line, No Thunderbolt

[MagnusVonMagnum]

No Thunderbolt and no GPU upgrade...

Then again AMD sites only indicates the radeon 5770 as available for Mac.
As for Nvidia they only list the Quadro 4000 & FX4000...

So for Apple to offer a new Workstation with upgraded GPU they would either have to design a GPU themselves or commandeer a GPU design from Nvidia (direct concurrent on the mobile device front) or AMD (Intel direct concurrent, that they just shun out of mac laptops, Apple's most sold computers).

Still it doesn't bode well for the Pro line

Why should NVidia or ATI bother with Mac compatible graphics cards when there's only one Mac that can use them and Apple can't be bothered to update it themselves for YEARS at a time. This tells NVidia and ATI not to bother.

This "maybe next year" crap doesn't cut it. Apple is the highest valued corporation in the world. They can't manage to update their ONLY true desktop in 3 years? Bullcrap. They don't want to. They don't want to move people off the lucrative Macbook and iOS sectors to bother with an update to the Mac Pro. They could afford to hire new people, of course. They've got more money than god, after all. But that would mean hiring people that make more than $8 a day and Apple is taking a stand against livable wages. It's sweat shops or nothing at all baby!

But they have plenty of money to pay lots of lawyers to sue the pants off little companies like Psystar that were trying to offer what Apple can't be bothered to offer or license to someone else that does give a damn. Yeah, Apple was a class act under Steve (R)obs and I see it's going to continue under Steve C(r)ook.

It feel like Apple is just tossing a bone to the Mac Pro market to appease them.

Yeah, but it's not going to "appease" ANYONE. It's just royally pissing them off.

Still the idiotic "Apple not caring about pro users" arguments. You'd think people would be actually less ignorant by now.

Not all pro users use Mac Pro. That's how Apple can dump this line.

Stupid is as stupid does, sir and that was a whopper.

What a joke of an update. How do they manage to get video cards that old? So Apple doesn't want my money, fine. I'm not interested in a fancy overheating AdapterBook Pro. But they'll sell millions to hipsters wanting to upload all of their personal information to facebook and icloud.

AdapterBook Pro. LOL. It's funny because it's SO TRUE. What a POS. Here you go. Our new notebook has a whopping two USB ports and a ThunderFart port! It's all you need baby! BTW, that $99 3TB hard drive will cost you $600 on the MBP because the drive is $80, but the ThunderFart interface runs $520. Want Ethernet? $150 for an adapter. Firewire? We have a nice $300 adapter for you! Want more than 2 lousy USB ports? We have a $4000 monitor with USB 2.0 ports on it we can sell you or you can wait another two years for the USB 3.0 model. Hey, we're a tiny little company! We can't AFFORD to keep up with the big boys like HP, Dell, etc., so what do you expect from us? (Sob Sob).

 

[jnpy!$4g3cwk]

They can't manage to update their ONLY true desktop in 3 years? Bullcrap. They don't want to. They don't want to move people off the lucrative Macbook and iOS sectors to bother with an update to the Mac Pro.

Point taken. It really wasn't clear previously. It is now.

 

[milo]

I know that. But even if Apple wanted to upgrade these machines for real, they couldn't have done it until last month. So their upgrade cycle is not responsible for low sales.

If you really knew that, why did you disagree when I said they could have released THIS update a year ago? I'll say it again, they could have released this update a year ago (which is really more of a price drop than an update), and it would have helped sales somewhat.

And heck, I'll say it yet again. The single CPU model is a farce and has been for years. They could easily ship a machine with that performance in the range of $1599 at their usual profit margins, that's the real thing holding back MP sales - it's bad enough that the tech has been so out of date for so long but it was way way overpriced and still is.

Not everyone who "likes" it...

FB polls mean exactly nothing. Let it go already.

I guess they'll have to somehow adapt to using a fully-specced iMac, or jump platforms. No other options right now.

Or Hackintosh. It's pretty appealing right now, the strengths of OSX and its apps but with the option of current hardware at reasonable prices.

 

[saxofunk]

iMac > Mac Pro?

What really goads my gourd is that the iMac has a 6970 2GB option, yet they can't just flash this firmware to a desktop card and slap it in their crappy excuse for an update? WTF.

 

[righteye]

My solution. Buy the new Retina MBP now. Keep using my loaded 2009 Mac Pro for another year or so for serious work. Then buy a PC Workstation for content creation.

Going forward; Apple = personal. PC = work.

Which is probably just how they would like it, and if it isn't it will be anyway if they carry on like this.
My Pimped hex core is fine for me at the moment but i feel deeply sad that this could nearly be the end of the Pro, i always aspired to own a Pro and to see it treated so badly changes the way i feel about Apple
There are alternatives, its been said countless times, is it where i want to go, No, do i want to go back to Windows no ,but in the end this is where the followers will have to go.
The "others" must be very happy and as they up their game Apples special appeal will diminish unless you need a pad,phone or sub 17" laptop.

 

[g2mediagroup]

This is what I think will become of the Mac Pro...

1) Apple will make it modular...you buy what you need. Even Processor modules to make it a real BEAST as no one else can offer. GPU Modules...RAIDs...etc, etc...It will be an editor's, as well as 3D/SFX users', dream come true! (reminding me of the old SGI configuration days) THIS will put Apple in the position of "King of the Hill" for Pro hardware for a LONG, LONG, Looooong time, indeed!

2) It's taking some reworking of extreme proportions and it hasn't had all the dedication as in the past...let's face it, it doesn't bring in the dollars that the consumer stuff is...AND, maybe Apple isn't impressed yet with what Intel is offering at this level? Apple wants to be number 1 in everything they do, not just be "as good as...xxxx".

3) The modular approach will give it a lower entry point cost-wise, hopefully swaying professionals back to Mac (Modular being the KEY, now they won't have to give away what they're future roadmap is for a long time, BUT most buyers would be at ease with the relatively safe route of Modular-ness )

4) Annnnnnd...by this time next year FCPX will be at the needed point to sway Pros back too when packaged with the "new" Mac Pro architecture making everyone's mouth water at the thoughts of BEASTY machines to the max! PLUS, if they can get Adobe onboard to provide the softwares to take advantage of the "new" Mac Pro...DONE DEAL!!

Just my .02 and dreams spoken aloud...hehehehe

BUT, I too would have wished they said SOMETHING just to calm our anxieties...Tim 'think differently' in that respect...

 

[DisTriBution]

Aren't the prices quite good now. I mean didn't the 12 core start at 4999 before, with only 6GB ram but with 2.66GHz. Its 3799. Fairly good really. Old tech but at least the made it substantially cheaper. Should be even cheaper though.
Im still really annoyed the didn't update it more.

Note that $3799 price is for a 2.4ghz processor, the 2.66 unit is unchanged at $4999.

 

[DisTriBution]

For the people WHO REALLY KNOW the answer to this please tell me:

If I buy a 2.4 12 core mac pro today (while simultaneously giving tim cook the finger), will it be possible for me (not apple) to retrofit it later if/when the "new" mac pro's come out?

I'm assuming then (if they come out at all) they'll have what we're all discussing (TB, USB 3.0, major bump in the processor).

So again, Will it be possible for me to convert my june 12, 2012 mac pro into an updated one to get it onto the level of the new one apple may release in 2013/2014?

Obviously... we don't know the specs yet. So I'm interested in knowing if it "may be possible" to do this (i.e. swap out the motherboard for a new one with TB), if I will be able to get the USB 3 in there, and so on. If it's difficult to be specific, a gut feeling yea or nay would be good to know, and the reason why.

IF so, what would be a general ballpark figure for the cost of the hardware? Is it a good idea, if not, why?

Obviously I ask this question because, like many others, I've been waiting to upgrade my workstation for some time (used for professional audio production) and don't want to be throwing $5000+ down the drain for a product that will be substantially surpassed in 6- 18 months by the "new" MP that Tim Cook aludes to in the email going around the forums that he says is "coming out late next year".

 

[milo]

So again, Will it be possible for me to convert my june 12, 2012 mac pro into an updated one to get it onto the level of the new one apple may release in 2013/2014?

Assuming there is another update someday and it's not just 133mhz faster CPU on these same boxes...no, can't convert like that. MP has never had a swappable mobo, and CPU may be a new socket - best case would be they keep the same socket but it would require a firmware update at the very least which would be unlikely.

Sure you can update some things now via pci cards like USB 3 etc, but you're not going to be able to get all the benefits of a new machine.

 

[theelysium]

I bet they are trying to rework the system and the display for a mac pro retina display model!

 

[zemoleman]

After a night and a day to digest this debacle I believe I know what Apple is up to: The "New" Mac Pro is simply designed to reduce Apple's overall carbon footprint. Since Apple will never sell any of these, they won't have to build them in the first place, nor ever have to ship them. No diesel forklifts will be toting pallets of MPs to waiting cargo ships and planes which won't have to fly or sail, there will be no air cargo flights around the USA delivering MPs to various sales regions, no UPS and Fed Ex trucks lugging them to folks who never ordered them in the first place, no folks making 300 mile round trips to their "nearest" Apple Store to pick one up, nay, nary a carbon atom will be burned on behalf of the Mac "Pro". Pity to all those involved in the packaging who'll be out of work, but if Apple can reduce the surplus population a bit then their carbon footprint gets even smaller in a relative sense.

 

[DisTriBution]

Sure you can update some things now via pci cards like USB 3 etc, but you're not going to be able to get all the benefits of a new machine.

Thanks for your answer Milo! Taking what you said a step further and trying to break down the benefits to waiting for a potential next Mac Pro:


USB 3.0
If USB 3.0 is just a pci card away, then spending that $ to buy one if it's really needed removes that question mark.


TB
As far as Thunderbolt, how useful will TB be for a MP user anyway in the coming 18-24 months? TB is basically PCI speed and it may be safe to assume that pci manufacturers won't stop offering PCI cards of their products in the next 18-24 months. I don't see many peripherals out there using it (although more will surely come on the market after the license price drops). And MP has enough slots for hard drives at TB/Pci speeds.

So, maybe I'm missing something but I don't see an immediate (practical) need for TB in the MP. Of course since everything may be going in that direction, it would be nice to have had it with this update, but is it in practicality a huge negative? If so, why?


PERFORMANCE
Is it wrong to assume that as far as processing power, the 12 cores will generally still provide enough performance for Pro programs like Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and pro graphics programs during, say, the next 18-24 months?

Do you see the basic consumer versions of the MBP's or iMac's surpassing the current MP processors in the next 18-24 months. If so, then on the performance front buying the MP now could be unwise. If it will hold it's own for the next 18-24 months though, and won't be brought to it's knees by the system or program upgrades (or not be able to run a new OS apple releases), then it's not a negative to invest in the MP now when it comes to performance.

I was so upset with Apple yesterday - I had my money in hand when I woke up to buy the new MP. Then the shock hit of what the update was. Now that I've had some time to reflect, I'm questioning if I'll be missing much in practicality. I've heard you should try to get 4+ years out of a MP, some have said 5-6. I'd be happy at this stage with 2 years.

SO to sum up: Taking into consideration your answer that it won't be easy/possible to upgrade the MP in the future as discussed, is there anything glaringly unwise about purchasing the "new" MP if all I want to get out of it is 24 months of excellent use?

Thanks Milo and to anyone else who answers.

 

[The-Pro]

Note that $3799 price is for a 2.4ghz processor, the 2.66 unit is unchanged at $4999.

Ohhh yes true. Well amazing they charge 1200 more for a sum of 532MHz more. haha. What do the 2.66GHz CPU's go for alone?
Its good that a 12-core is available now much cheaper, most people wont notice the difference between the 2.4 and 2.66 so its much better for most.

 

[zimv20]

PERFORMANCE
Is it wrong to assume that as far as processing power, the 12 cores will generally still provide enough performance for Pro programs like Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and pro graphics programs during, say, the next 18-24 months?

speaking purely about pro tools, i rather expect that PT11 and PT12 will make better use of cores, and that a 12-core machine -- even at the slower clock speed -- is reasonably future-proofed for a number of years.

i'll likely pick up the cheaper 12-core, and i'm thinking it'll be my machine for the next 10 years running a PT Native card.

----------

Well amazing they charge 1200 more for a sum of 532MHz more. haha. What do the 2.66GHz CPU's go for alone?

the 2.4 GHz is the Xeon E5645, which newegg has for $557 each

the 2.66 GHz is the Xeon X5650, which newegg has for $1003 each

the 3.06 GHz is the Xeon X5675, which newegg has for $1443 each

 

[xbjllb]

Please do a reality check. How many billion dollars profit did Apple make in the last year?

Please do your own reality check. How much did Thomas, Wurlitzer, and Lowrey Organ Co. pull in 1969. Ditto US TV makers.

And they are where, now, why.

A company simply cannot keep ahead of cheaper better competition concentrating on the lowest common denominator in a race to the bottom.

And make no mistake; a race to the bottom is exactly what is occurring.

No matter how "whiz-bang!" and "indispensable " millions of dollars of promo make "new" versions of transistor radios and walkie-talkies SEEM. Today's "must-haves" are always tomorrow's throwaway toys.

One day, people are going to figure out they don't WANT to work, everywhere, or be reachable 24/7, all at a ridiculous monthly cost unknown to previous smarter generations. And yes, Goodwill will be FULL of Apple iCrap at giveaway prices, unsellable at any price.

MOST people hate their jobs, and in this economy, it's not going to get any better for the foreseeable future.

And now, if you'll excuse me, my break at Burger King is over, and I've got to save my work editing a feature film on my iPad, and Spielberg will just NOT quit calling me... I should have never given him my iPhone number.)

 

[gnasher729]

Please do your own reality check. How much did Thomas, Wurlitzer, and Lowrey Organ Co. pull in 1969. Ditto US TV makers.

According to Wikipedia, Lowrey built its one millionth organ in 1989. Since they were "the largest organ manufacturer in the 1960's and 1970's", I make that about 33,000 organs per year on average. Apple sells about 1000 times as many iPads per year, with tendency growing. That's a reality check.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

For the people WHO REALLY KNOW the answer to this please tell me:

If I buy a 2.4 12 core mac pro today (while simultaneously giving tim cook the finger), will it be possible for me (not apple) to retrofit it later if/when the "new" mac pro's come out?

The answer is an unequivocal NO. You'd have to replace the motherboard and its contents (CPU cards) and possibly some case modifications and Apple really isn't about selling you build-level parts to roll your own.

Obviously I ask this question because, like many others, I've been waiting to upgrade my workstation for some time (used for professional audio production) and don't want to be throwing $5000+ down the drain for a product that will be substantially surpassed in 6- 18 months by the "new" MP that Tim Cook aludes to in the email going around the forums that he says is "coming out late next year".

I'd seriously consider grabbing a refurbished 17" 2011 MBP before they're gone if I were you. I'm using a 15" MBP (late 2008 with upgrades) for home studio production right now and when it's not docked, I definitely would have preferred a 17" screen plus it's the last model with full expansion ports (express card, FW, several USB, etc. plus anti-glare, DVD drive, etc.). In short, it's the latest and greatest truly PROFESSIONAL computer Apple has made and with the current Mac Pro being total CRAP, it's about as good as you're going to get unless they get around to a complete Mac Pro overhaul.

Personally, I love Logic Pro, so a PC probably isn't much of an option for me. I'm considering buying a 17" right now myself before they're gone. $1899 isn't a bad price assuming the quality is good. I don't really need USB 3.0 on a MBP (I want a Mac Mini Server with USB3.0 for that and it's not available yet) and it does have Thunderbolt which means you at least will have pricey options in the future for other expansion.

 

[ogh]

It will be noisy.. and so what? The casual computer user LOVES Apple.. BIG HEARTS all the way!! Pro Users are about as useful as 5 inch floppy drives to Apple. Apple hates you and me.. face the music! Stop supporting a company that refuses to support you and your business! Go to BOXX

I have not found a Boxx-PC that can compete with HP. So it will be HP Z820 if I decide to go for a stationary PC. The Macbook Retina has been ordered.

 

[xbjllb]

According to Wikipedia, Lowrey built its one millionth organ in 1989. Since they were "the largest organ manufacturer in the 1960's and 1970's", I make that about 33,000 organs per year on average. Apple sells about 1000 times as many iPads per year, with tendency growing. That's a reality check.

Mere units were not any part whatsoever in making my point, nor do they disprove it. Units don't matter when the direction is dead wrong.

 

[Joe Saponic]

Hunting down an alternative may be unnecessary according to this:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-3118_7...ac-desktop-sorting-fact-from-rumor-post-wwdc/

I only know I don’t want to go back to endless security updates and paying anti-virus companies for software that doesn’t work [and is probably owned by OS manufacturers anyway].

Macs have an aesthetic. Others, especially Linux, are ugly by comparison. On a more practical level the MP’s flexibility is very important to me. I love it almost as much as I cannot abide those disc-swallowing mac minis or their similarly limited but superior all-in-one iMacs.

Unfortunately corporations create the markets they lead us by the nose around that shape as well as feed demand. People seek to parade a social conscience by identifying with brands rather than cultures or nations. It’s incredible, it's dumb as *******, it's circular and it’s the future [‘We are…Cannon’].

It also means that after Apple there’ll be something else. We just might not know what until someone exploits any gaps in the market left by the company's merger with Microsoft.

 

[SeattleMoose]

Its All About The iGadgets....

Won't be long until laptops are abandoned too. The rich executives at Apple don't need them, so obviously, neither do we.

 

[neversink]

& so the countdown continues...

Maybe MacRumors admins ought to fully admit that they make a mistake. With the don't buy red light on, despite the fact that Mac Rumors still claims this is a new MP, although Apple itself does not state that this machine is an upgrade.

So you thought the issue was dead??? No way.. 685 cays occurred before the minor upgrade to the old Mac Pro... Add the 58 days since this upgrade to an ancient machine and you have 743 since a real new MP has been put on the market.

Shame on you MacRumors for still playing this game. Come on and get real. Your statistics are reminding me of the the way the US government reports unemployment and inflation numbers. Your numbers concerning the Mac Pro are confusing, especially for newbies on the site. Maybe you need an sterisk by the MP numbers saying this is not a real up date but a minor update, but we felt compelled to change the numbers as it would be confusing for all new viewers and make older readers scratch their heads.

MacRumors: admit you made a mistake? Thanks. Perhaps you folks at Mar Rumors love Apple so much that you are inclined to forgive Apple its discretions. Well we are still waiting for a new machine and your countdown numbers are a joke. This is not an attack, just the way I view things in a non-transparent world where everyone seems to be hiding the truth by obfuscating the numbers in everything we do....

 

[cgk.emu]

Maybe MacRumors admins ought to fully admit that they make a mistake. With the don't buy red light on, despite the fact that Mac Rumors still claims this is a new MP, although Apple itself does not state that this machine is an upgrade.

So you thought the issue was dead??? No way.. 685 cays occurred before the minor upgrade to the old Mac Pro... Add the 58 days since this upgrade to an ancient machine and you have 743 since a real new MP has been put on the market.

Shame on you MacRumors for still playing this game. Come on and get real. Your statistics are reminding me of the the way the US government reports unemployment and inflation numbers. Your numbers concerning the Mac Pro are confusing, especially for newbies on the site. Maybe you need an sterisk by the MP numbers saying this is not a real up date but a minor update, but we felt compelled to change the numbers as it would be confusing for all new viewers and make older readers scratch their heads.

MacRumors: admit you made a mistake? Thanks. Perhaps you folks at Mar Rumors love Apple so much that you are inclined to forgive Apple its discretions. Well we are still waiting for a new machine and your countdown numbers are a joke. This is not an attack, just the way I view things in a non-transparent world where everyone seems to be hiding the truth by obfuscating the numbers in everything we do....

The way I view it, it's not that big of a deal. I think that users who really want to know what's going on will do a bit of research, take a look at Apples page, etc. I get where you are coming from, though.

 

[Mikey7c8]

Pretty harsh considering it's a free site. *boo*

And besides as we all know - there's lies, damn lies and statistics