Apple Planning 'Something Really Different' for New Mac Pro

[flappinfish]

new mac pro

I fear that Apple will create not an easily expandable and upgradeable professional machine, but will rather follow its odd new vision of proprietary machines where you cant even upgrade the ram!

For me its been a painful realization that Apple dont give a F about their professional users anymore, those users being the basis of their revival back in the mid '90s with apple domination in desktop publishing.

The iphone generation is a blip on the radar screen. Those folks will jump ship when the next fad rolls around and although its an easier device to make and they sell alot of them, there are people like myself who have built careers around Apple hardware and OS. Faithful, longtime, professional users are being thrown under the bus!!!

Shame on you Apple for forgetting your roots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"

 

[GermanyChris]

True, but intel's motherboards for the upcoming ivy bridge E5 should include multiple SATA III ports, right?

Yes..

I don't disagree with what your saying it was just a quick reminder as you look at MoBo spec's and start deducing to use x79/c600 as your beginning not z87

 

[DesterWallaboo]

All good news, but I think we can realistically say that this will be the last upgrade before it's killed off.

Why would it be killed off?

 

[paul4339]

More like 800-1200. You can get very capable hardware from other manufacturers in that price range.

$800-1200 for a professional grade workstation? I'm not referring to a business desktop or DIY game machine. Pro in this context doesn't just mean better/worse performance either, there's also reliability, support, expandability, to consider etc. Without going into the i7 vs Xeon debate... I'm referring to the same components you put into servers.

.

 

[JesperA]

Please, every single time there is a Mac Pro rumor, all the kids come in and flood the thread with singel socket i7 CPU:s comments, seriously, if you dont know what a Mac Pro is and what it is used for, please dont spam every Mac Pro thread...

// Bitch mode off

 

[paul4339]

Please, every single time there is a Mac Pro rumor, all the kids come in and flood the thread with singel socket i7 CPU:s comments, seriously, if you dont know what a Mac Pro is and what it is used for, please dont spam every Mac Pro thread...

// Bitch mode off

thank-you!

 

[RBR2]

Sounds like a loser.

What comes to mind is a higher spec Mac mini. What a terrible idea.

Apple really is trying to drive off the professional community. Internal expansion is the sine qua non of a tower. There are both cost and performance penalties for moving everything outside the box.

If this thing is released as described in the lead article, I wonder how long "power users" will bother with Apple computers. Couple that with Apple's complete lack of concern about maintaining current technology in the Mac Pro for years at a time does not bode well for future updates.

I suspect there may be a lot of people who will be evaluating the performance of competing systems with their essential applications. If Adobe and some other software vendors ever port their applications to Linux (even if it is their cloud based stuff), it just could be the beginning of a major shift away from both Apple and Windows based systems. All that is keeping MS Windows afloat in the business community is the reluctance of major corporations to move away from MS Office. If the Linux Office Suites can be refined to the point that they gain acceptance by the major corporations....

Obviously, the article is as much speculation as actual information, but it is not an encouraging sign.

 

[thisisdallas]

I fear that Apple will create not an easily expandable and upgradeable professional machine, but will rather follow its odd new vision of proprietary machines where you cant even upgrade the ram!

For me its been a painful realization that Apple dont give a F about their professional users anymore, those users being the basis of their revival back in the mid '90s with apple domination in desktop publishing.

The iphone generation is a blip on the radar screen. Those folks will jump ship when the next fad rolls around and although its an easier device to make and they sell alot of them, there are people like myself who have built careers around Apple hardware and OS. Faithful, longtime, professional users are being thrown under the bus!!!

Shame on you Apple for forgetting your roots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"

So in other words, you're literally complaining about your preconceived ideas and assumptions on the new Mac Pro.

Instead of writing long paragraphs about how apple has ruined your life by making the Mac Pro less upgradable, why don't you wait 4 days and see if they actually make the Mac Pro less upgradable?

If they indeed do make it less upgradable than it currently is, you can cry and complain about how Apple is doomed for as long as you like.

 

[RBR2]

So in other words, you're literally complaining about your preconceived ideas and assumptions on the new Mac Pro.

Instead of writing long paragraphs about how apple has ruined your life by making the Mac Pro less upgradable, why don't you wait 4 days and see if they actually make the Mac Pro less upgradable?

If they indeed do make it less upgradable than it currently is, you can cry and complain about how Apple is doomed for as long as you like.

This is a rumors forum.

You misquote the poster. He questions the suitability of the rumored Mac Pro for himself and others who have been long term Apple customers. Nowhere is there a prophesy of doom for Apple.

If anyone should be crying, it should be you.

 

[JazzyGB1]

Grab a mirror

Please, every single time there is a Mac Pro rumor, all the kids come in and flood the thread with singel socket i7 CPU:s comments, seriously, if you dont know what a Mac Pro is and what it is used for, please dont spam every Mac Pro thread...

// Bitch mode off

Wow - how pompous!
The Mac Pro is just Apple's current name for their tower Mac and it is used by many different people for many different things.
It’s often referred to as a workstation as they've chosen to use workstation processors in it, but prior to that is was a G5 and in every other respect is just a tower like the generations of towers before it.
Someone wanting a more affordable i7 based Mac Pro isn't any less credible for it. They are not saying that there shouldn't be the top end heavy duty workstation Mac Pro's too.
You may use your Mac Pro in really intensive professional environments, but many Mac Pro owners don't. They just like the flexibility of owning a tower and their point of view on what the next Mac Pro should be like is no less credible than yours.
Lots of 'amateurs' use 'pro' equipment in all walks of life. You wouldn't dream of suggesting that someone shouldn't use a 'pro synth' because they don't have a record contract or shouldn't use a 'pro' set of golf clubs because they don't play like Tiger woods, so why the elitist attitude towards the Mac Pro?
You get cheaper sets of Pro golf clubs and cheaper synths too - why not a cheaper i7 based Mac Pro?
Just because someone's view differs from your own, it doesn't make it any less valid, so keep your derogatory 'kids' comments to yourself and grab a mirror to see the one acting like a child.

 

[winston1236]

There's very little in way of a tower that will be "really" different. Seriously. Sounds like an overhype.

Unless its not a tower. Im honestly terrified of what this could mean.

 

[Ralf The Dog]

I wonder when the last Mac Pro was purchased. Who would ever buy such an outdated product with an old price tag?

People who need an expandable computer with lots of IO and who base their workflow around the Mac. Don't forget, one project can pay for a new Mac Pro with quite a bit leftover.

Sounds like it could rely on modular Thunderbolt chassis for multiple GPU, hard drives, etc.

Not enough bandwidth for a professional user. What you describe would be great for a prosumer.

Going to show how under-studied I am on the topic of Thunderbolt, but is it able to support an externally housed GPU?

A slow one.

I am hoping "something really different" means users can upgrade the computer themselves!

The Mac Pro has always been very upgradable. PCIe graphics cards, Lots of hard drives on sleds. It just takes a few seconds to open up the case, yank out a drive, put a bigger, faster drive on the sled, slap the sled back in.

Bigger always better?

For the Professional market, size is meaningless. It could be the size of a refrigerator truck. If it has the speed and the space, it is fine. Professionals care about things like buss bandwidth. How many high end graphics cards can you slap in? Do the slots support those cards at full speed? How about drive bays? If they could make it a bit lighter, that would be nice.

I think, as long as it has room for lots of SATA 3 hard drives, lots of PCIe slots, lots of RAM and a modern chipset with a modern 12 core CPU, professional users will be thrilled. Thunderbolt might be nice, however, pro users can do without it.

If Apple does go with a Lego computer, I think, the only pro choice will be to hope, Adobe ports their software to Linux.

 

[samcraig]

Unless its not a tower. Im honestly terrified of what this could mean.

I think your (and others) terror is somewhat justified. The last time the pro market heard talk like this it was over FCPX. And one can probably debate how great or how awful it was at launch. But different wasn't really welcome overall...

 

[Ralf The Dog]

Wow - how pompous!
The Mac Pro is just Apple's current name for their tower Mac and it is used by many different people for many different things.
It’s often referred to as a workstation as they've chosen to use workstation processors in it, but prior to that is was a G5 and in every other respect is just a tower like the generations of towers before it.
Someone wanting a more affordable i7 based Mac Pro isn't any less credible for it. They are not saying that there shouldn't be the top end heavy duty workstation Mac Pro's too.
You may use your Mac Pro in really intensive professional environments, but many Mac Pro owners don't. They just like the flexibility of owning a tower and their point of view on what the next Mac Pro should be like is no less credible than yours.
Lots of 'amateurs' use 'pro' equipment in all walks of life. You wouldn't dream of suggesting that someone shouldn't use a 'pro synth' because they don't have a record contract or shouldn't use a 'pro' set of golf clubs because they don't play like Tiger woods, so why the elitist attitude towards the Mac Pro?
You get cheaper sets of Pro golf clubs and cheaper synths too - why not a cheaper i7 based Mac Pro?
Just because someone's view differs from your own, it doesn't make it any less valid, so keep your derogatory 'kids' comments to yourself and grab a mirror to see the one acting like a child.

The problem is, many are afraid, Apple will REPLACE the Mac Pro with the Mac Prosumer. I don't think, anyone would have a problem with Apple releasing a low end tower. Just don't try to force professional users to go with it. They will go to Windows, before they downgrade.

 

[Mactendo]

Seems that they are killing it, intentional or not i don't know. And im afraid the rumors are true. I have not seen anything good from this company since Jobs died. Sort of make me thing apple was really a one-man-show. But it looks like as was lousy to hire right people.

Let's hope for the best. In four days we'll see where Apple is heading.

 

[JM-Prod]

Please, every single time there is a Mac Pro rumor, all the kids come in and flood the thread with singel socket i7 CPU:s comments, seriously, if you dont know what a Mac Pro is and what it is used for, please dont spam every Mac Pro thread...

// Bitch mode off

Thank you! Of course i7's are great machines, we've built a couple at our office both as hackintosh'es and windows boxes. But they are not comparable to MacPro's or HP Z820's. Different needs, different products. An i7 six core based Mac mini-tower/cube would be great, but not as a MacPro replacement.

 

[chrono1081]

Then keep your CC ready.

Don't tease me like that! (Unless you know something then spill the beans!)

 

[JazzyGB1]

The problem is, many are afraid, Apple will REPLACE the Mac Pro with the Mac Prosumer. I don't think, anyone would have a problem with Apple releasing a low end tower. Just don't try to force professional users to go with it. They will go to Windows, before they downgrade.

I think that VERY unlikely.
If anything I think more widespread adoption of people using the Mac Pro would only be a good thing and serve to strengthen its place and long term life.
Prior to iMacs, no one minded who used Macs.
Now all of a sudden we have the 'pros' getting all elitist about who uses a mac tower and how it not made for 'them' it's made for 'pros' - utter nonsense.
The irony of course is that it was the iMac and the (prosumer) that saved Apple from bankruptcy and gave them the funds to help develop all the great towers they've since done.
Appealing to the masses DOES NOT mean not being suitable for the pro too.
In fact a product that does this is certain to be a huge success.
Some people need to realise the tower is not an exclusive product for them. It never has been and in my opinion it was Apple losing sight of this that nearly brought the product to an end.
For the Mac Pro to be a success, it has to appeal to more than the pro, it has to appeal to the tower user and aspiring pro too.
After all, you don't have to be a 'pro' to have a PC tower do you?

 

[clank72]

Well, there won't be a disc drive so that's a no-brainer.

Apple has my money if...

- MacPro is smaller and lighter.
- More energy efficient. My current MacPro puts off too much CO2.
- No disc drives.
- More USB ports.
- Designed for SSDs
- Did I say lighter?

 

[powers74]

serious question...

for those who use/need a MP, what is your profession?

Graphics & 3D rendering + a little video. Honestly I got it less for the raw power, and more for the expandability/upgradability/futurproofing. I usually hang on to my tower for 8-10yrs, so I'm about halfway through my current MacPro. I guess I'm one of those scoffable "prosumers", as I have a semi-legit day job and use the Mac at home for freelance. Dreaming of the day I get to stay at home and use the Mac full time, then I might upgrade more often. Super excited about what will announce Monday!

Probably more than you cared to know, but there you have it.

 

[GermanyChris]

I think that VERY unlikely.
If anything I think more widespread adoption of people using the Mac Pro would only be a good thing and serve to strengthen its place and long term life.
Prior to iMacs, no one minded who used Macs.
Now all of a sudden we have the 'pros' getting all elitist about who uses a mac tower and how it not made for 'them' it's made for 'pros' - utter nonsense.
The irony of course is that it was the iMac and the (prosumer) that saved Apple from bankruptcy and gave them the funds to help develop all the great towers they've since done.
Appealing to the masses DOES NOT mean not being suitable for the pro too.
In fact a product that does this is certain to be a huge success.
Some people need to realise the tower is not an exclusive product for them. It never has been and in my opinion it was Apple losing sight of this that nearly brought the product to an end.
For the Mac Pro to be a success, it has to appeal to more than the pro, it has to appeal to the tower user and aspiring pro too.
After all, you don't have to be a 'pro' to have a PC tower do you?

But in the PC world you have the differentiation between workstation and tower. In the Mac world those get blended because there is no tower only the workstation so people compare it to a tower.

I think an xMac would be wonderful but I don't think it's going to happen. The tower market is really soft and Apple could really do nothing to change that.

The MP is one of the computers that really just needs the yearly bump as long as there are two processors 4 to 12 DIMM slots and some slots folks will be happy i.e. it needs to be Gates not Jobs

 

[TouchMint.com]

Small and user unconfigurable is my guess. Get ready to give apple all your money!

 

[Ralf The Dog]

I think that VERY unlikely.
If anything I think more widespread adoption of people using the Mac Pro would only be a good thing and serve to strengthen its place and long term life.
Prior to iMacs, no one minded who used Macs.
Now all of a sudden we have the 'pros' getting all elitist about who uses a mac tower and how it not made for 'them' it's made for 'pros' - utter nonsense.
The irony of course is that it was the iMac and the (prosumer) that saved Apple from bankruptcy and gave them the funds to help develop all the great towers they've since done.
Appealing to the masses DOES NOT mean not being suitable for the pro too.
In fact a product that does this is certain to be a huge success.
Some people need to realise the tower is not an exclusive product for them. It never has been and in my opinion it was Apple losing sight of this that nearly brought the product to an end.
For the Mac Pro to be a success, it has to appeal to more than the pro, it has to appeal to the tower user and aspiring pro too.
After all, you don't have to be a 'pro' to have a PC tower do you?

Apple is showing a tendency to kill off pro usable products. They kill of the 17 inch MBP; They focus on making all the other MPBs thinner and lighter instead of boosting battery life, heat dissipation and such. They are moving away from large hard drives, and moving to small SSD chips. They don't care if people do real work, they just want it to look cool.

The rumor is, the new Mac Pro is designed to have a smaller footprint, at the cost of internal bandwidth. Pro users don't care about the size of the device. All they want is max speed, max storage, max expandability.

 

[RBR2]

The problem is, many are afraid, Apple will REPLACE the Mac Pro with the Mac Prosumer. I don't think, anyone would have a problem with Apple releasing a low end tower. Just don't try to force professional users to go with it. They will go to Windows, before they downgrade.

Apple have demonstrated a willingness to ignore the tower market entirely for a very long time in "computer years". Whether Apple will ever bother with a "lower end tower" is a complete unknown. It would seem simple for even a marketing person to understand, but usually isn't, that one size does not fit all. There are a lot of customers who used towers before the "Mac Pro" was created who do not need a full blown work station class machine, but want the expandability of a tower...who frankly do not find the iMac either appealing or fitting for their needs. There are quite a few users who need all the power they can get and are willing to pay for it accordingly. To quote Dion Sanders, "both".

At some point Apple needs to get away from the SATA interface for some of the drives in whatever the Mac Pro will be. It is a performance bottleneck. With current solid state drives, the SATA interface will be the limiting factor in SSD performance, even in striped arrays. A PCIe interface is called for in the computer and on the SSDs themselves. Presently there are some PCIe cards which accomplish this, but there should be a PCIe native interface for the SSD user. There will continue to be a need for SATA drives for mass storage in this market for the foreseeable future though.

Yes, if Apple do not soon provide the hardware people want or need they will go elsewhere. Apple is leaving the impression with many of these people that they are holding the door open and telling them don't let the door hit you on the way out. For long term users of Apple's OSes, it is not a pleasant change to contemplate. And then there is the matter of applications that have been purchased. Some vendors will allow you to cross license applications which they offer in a Windows flavor, but many applications are Mac specific. It's just not a lot of fun to think about a platform change. Here's hoping Apple treats that market segment better than they have been.

Cheers

 

[MacCurry]

I fear that Apple will create not an easily expandable and upgradeable professional machine, but will rather follow its odd new vision of proprietary machines where you cant even upgrade the ram!

For me its been a painful realization that Apple dont give a F about their professional users anymore, those users being the basis of their revival back in the mid '90s with apple domination in desktop publishing.

The iphone generation is a blip on the radar screen. Those folks will jump ship when the next fad rolls around and although its an easier device to make and they sell alot of them, there are people like myself who have built careers around Apple hardware and OS. Faithful, longtime, professional users are being thrown under the bus!!!

Shame on you Apple for forgetting your roots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"

Well said. You can see it on this forum where all sorts of people joined after May 2007. I myself joined when the original Mac Pro was released in August 2006. As it is Apple is losing the professional photo and video people.