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Apple Says Stock 8-Core Mac Pro Available to Resellers by End of April, Suggests Custom Configuring Until Then

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Apple has informed its authorized resellers that the Mac Pro's new 8-core stock configuration will be available to order by the end of April. Until then, Apple said the model can be created by selecting the 6-core option and using the configure-to-order options to match the 8-core model's upgraded tech specs.

mac-pro-sales.jpg

Packaging changes are likely the only reason why the 8-core model is currently unavailable as a stock configuration to resellers and customers, given that the base model customized with an 8-core processor and dual AMD FirePro D700 GPUs for the same price currently ships in 1-3 business days on Apple.com.

Apple adjusted its Mac Pro configurations and pricing yesterday. The former 6-core model with dual AMD FirePro D500 GPUs and 16GB of RAM for $3,999 is now the $2,999 base model, while the previously configure-to-order 8-core model with dual D700 GPUs and 16GB of RAM is now the high-end stock configuration for $3,999.

Apple listed the new Mac Pro configurations on its online store on Tuesday, but the 8-core model is currently unavailable for customers to order. Apple's website briefly said the 8-core model would be available in "30 business days," somewhat in line with the end of April, but that estimate was quickly removed.

Apple has discontinued the previous base model, equipped with a quad-core Xeon E5 processor, dual AMD FirePro D300 GPUs, and 12GB of RAM.

The bigger news is that Apple said it is working on a "completely rethought" Mac Pro featuring a modular design. The all-new Mac Pro, which won't launch until at least next year, will be Apple's highest-end, highest-throughput system, and it will be accompanied by a new Apple-branded pro-focused external display.

Apple also said that it is working on new iMac models that will be unveiled later this year, but it remained tight-lipped about what to expect. It is rare for Apple to pre-announce future products in this manner, but it was a welcomed response to concerns that Apple was no longer focused on professional users.

Given that the current Mac Pro still has over three year old hardware, prospective buyers should weigh the price drop against the old tech before purchasing the computer. Some professionals might consider waiting for the completely redesigned and modular Mac Pro launching at some point after 2017.

(Thanks, Holden!)

Article Link: Apple Says Stock 8-Core Mac Pro Available to Resellers by End of April, Suggests Custom Configuring Until Then
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/04/05/8-core-mac-pro-available-by-end-of-april/
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mattopotamus said:
That is the real question.
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This smells of Apple trying hard to shift the massive amounts of unsold Mac Pro's they have after totally mis-reading the market and not giving Pro's fully customisable replacement for the Towers.

They either have a warehouse full of these that they invested Huge amounts of R&D to recover by selling cheaper now...or they are genuinely worried that most Pro users have gone to the iMac and are trying to keep faith with them now.

They will struggle to sell these...
 
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MacRumors said:
Packaging changes are likely the only reason why the 8-core model is currently unavailable as a stock configuration to resellers and customers
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Packaging changes? Isn't the difference in packaging with Apple these days the computer-generated spec sticker stuck to the bottom?

kemal said:
Is there no one left at Apple who can read data sheets and run autoroute?
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I believe most of Apple's motherboard design work is contracted out to ODMs in Taiwan for many years now. Besides, autoroute always sucks bad, never had any decent results out of any implementation.
 
kemal said:
The thermals are so bad they can't create a trash can with 2017 spec CPU / GPU? Can't make the heat sink out of copper in a $5K computer? Can't up the fan speed and admit it is louder? Is there no one left at Apple who can read data sheets and run autoroute?
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Forget updating the components in the failed trash can design. Just throw updated components into the 2012 Mac Pro and it would sell like hot cakes.
 
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kemal said:
The thermals are so bad they can't create a trash can with 2017 spec CPU / GPU? Can't make the heat sink out of copper in a $5K computer? Can't up the fan speed and admit it is louder? Is there no one left at Apple who can read data sheets and run autoroute?
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What gets me about the trash can Mac Pro is how they repeated the same mistake made 13 years earlier with the G4 Cube, only this time in such a way that it is much harder to correct. The Cube didn't have the expandability professionals wanted, and on top of that the newer/better G4 internals ran too hot inside the enclosure for it to be practical, resulting in the Cube being discontinued only a year after it was released.
 
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It's still good news if someone really needs a robust mac with more than 4 cores alllthough still overpriced.
If I hadn't switched to a HP Workstation (for now) I would consider it because the iMac isn't powerful enough...

I really hope this wasn't a one time "ok we are telling the pros what they want to hear" and they really commit. Meaning telling us regularly when and what we can expect. Prior to yesterday I was more or less convinced I would have no other option than to stay on a windows machine. So my planning changed somewhat but still.. I need more information when more information is available to plan my hardware purchases.
 
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kemal said:
The thermals are so bad they can't create a trash can with 2017 spec CPU / GPU? Can't make the heat sink out of copper in a $5K computer? Can't up the fan speed and admit it is louder? Is there no one left at Apple who can read data sheets and run autoroute?
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Says every PC user...
 
Coyote2006 said:
At least Apple could have updated the GPUs and dropped the overall price. 3 years old GPUs incredible ... but hey, we get a red iPhone!
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Why bother? They went with a dumb proprietary format instead of PCI-e, so the cost of manufacturing newer cards for a system practically nobody will buy because they already said a new version is coming would just inflate it's already ridiculous cost.
 
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indiekiduk said:
not great advice, but if Apple aren't going to update their Macs anymore then Macrumors would never get to update their guide.
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They can leave it on WAIT indefinitely. If anything, announcing a future update is all the more reason for a buyers guide to recommend NOT buying.

MR botched this previously with a buy recommendation after a similar non-update. They made a correction last time and hopefully they'll make one again. Still three years since the last actual hardware update.
 
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Why would anyone ever buy a MacPro again?

Bad engineering, no support, locked ecosystem, and way too expensive.

I love my MP6,1 but the graphics are getting a little long in the tooth. I have a GPU that just generates heat and one that is being pushed to the limit when I do 3D rendering. I've sent Tim Cook an e-mail asking him to update the graphics cards and allow the 2nd GPU to be used for graphics, but I guess that's too much to ask since the money required to do so would be prohibitive.
 
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maflynn said:
The thing that is curious is why will people buy these knowing that Apple has stated they're abandoning the Mac Pro design in lieu of new design.
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Only reason I can think of would be if your current system has either died or isn't able to cope with your current project.

Other than that...I'd wait it out. What's 4 - 4.5 years between friends!? ;)
 
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