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Apple Shares Mac Pro Support Docs and Tutorial Videos on Adding RAM and MPX Modules

v3rlon said:
EXACTLY --wrong. This statement is so incorrect it borders on flat-earther mentality.

A "pro" user is someone who uses their computer for professional applications. That does NOT make them tinkerers (though they might be). For that "pro" user, it simply isn't cost-effective for them to work on their own system. If you command money from James Cameron/Steven Spielberg for doing editing on their next "big things" to the tune of $200 an hour, spending a couple of hours doing your own tech support at $25 is a really bad deal.

You're better off doing your work an some other machine while you pay someone else to handle the light work of installing an SSD (or just ordering it that way in the first place). I don't install SSDs in my computer I work. I take it over to IT and say "can you guys upgrade this thing?" Do I know how to install an SSD? Sure. But, that isn't what my boss pays me to do. We've got people for that.

Now, somewhere out there is an over achieving pro user who will, for whatever reason, want to install their own SSD. This person will do the same thing everyone else did/does who wants to take this path. Because they weren't born knowing how to change SSDs, they will educate themselves on the process and just do it. See? Problem solved.
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Exactly.;)

I've had HD's, CPU's ... go south and needed to repair as fast as possible in the middle of projects.

Have you ever dealt with Apple repair knuckle heads, shipping times, $$$$
 
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R3k said:
Hmm. Anyone know if its possible to install Mojave on the new MP? 32bit software be the reason.
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I'm surprised more people aren't asking about this. "Real pros" often have some legacy application they can't do without. I'm guessing the answer is "not directly". But you might be able to solve your problem with an emulator such as VMWare Fusion. If it's an old 32-bit application you just can't do without, it's probably not the most performance-critical software anyway.
 
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neuropsychguy said:
There are all sorts of professionals. Just because someone uses a computer for a job doesn't mean that person knows what's going on inside the computer. Just because people know a lot doesn't mean they know everything.
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There are tons of really good artists that actually know next to nothing about computers, except how to make good art in applications.
 
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You can upgrade the internal SSD.... not sure why some random people on here comment without reading first. Also, the CPU is insanely great. By the time you would need to upgrade it there would be all new architecture anyway and one would just upgrade.
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BigBoy2018 said:
Are you ***** kidding me?!? The $6000 ultimate, expandable mac has no way to add an internal SATA ssd ... even with an add-in internal expansion card?!?

I think I just threw up a bit in my mouth.
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Why in God’s name would you put a SATA drive in here!???????? What a waste
 
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BigBoy2018 said:
Is there not a way to just add a SATA card and then install a garden variety SATA ssd on your own? (without needing and Apple certified technician).

If not, that's a huge fail.
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This is it's biggest failing IMHO. My current Mac Pro has 4 bays plus two more if I count the optical drives. I can literally load my entire digital life on one machine. One carry in case of transport. I have to buy an accessory and then can only add two more drives. On a pro level machine. Sure, I have a NAS but local storage is way faster and I prefer a cleaner desk, less dongles, less wires.
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jlocker said:
Oh my god!!!! you have to call Apple for assistance!! how horrific. I talk to AppleCare people all the time and they are great and have helped me many times. They have a great helpdesk. I won't even talk about how may bad Helpdesk I have had to talk to over the years!!!!!
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It is horrific on a machine that is supposedly "pro" level and costs this much. If an SSD fails in the middle of a project, I can't swap in another drive without physically taking it an Apple store to have it fixed.
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v3rlon said:
EXACTLY --wrong. This statement is so incorrect it borders on flat-earther mentality.

A "pro" user is someone who uses their computer for professional applications. That does NOT make them tinkerers (though they might be). For that "pro" user, it simply isn't cost-effective for them to work on their own system. If you command money from James Cameron/Steven Spielberg for doing editing on their next "big things" to the tune of $200 an hour, spending a couple of hours doing your own tech support at $25 is a really bad deal.

You're better off doing your work an some other machine while you pay someone else to handle the light work of installing an SSD (or just ordering it that way in the first place). I don't install SSDs in my computer I work. I take it over to IT and say "can you guys upgrade this thing?" Do I know how to install an SSD? Sure. But, that isn't what my boss pays me to do. We've got people for that.

Now, somewhere out there is an over achieving pro user who will, for whatever reason, want to install their own SSD. This person will do the same thing everyone else did/does who wants to take this path. Because they weren't born knowing how to change SSDs, they will educate themselves on the process and just do it. See? Problem solved.
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Love the gatekeeping here.
 
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koruki said:
A house you say, where can I get a house for $65k. Thanks in advance
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There's a lot of cheap old housing stock, some in good shape, most not, in between the coasts. Search for them on Zillow, it's fun. However, you would be unlikely to find any Macs, let alone Mac Pros, in those towns.
 
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Glad I bought a maxed out 2019 iMac 5K instead of waiting for this thing like I wanted to. Maxed out this thing costs more than my parents first house in 1990, and the base model is more than my second car and that’s without the display. With the display it’s nearly as much as my third car, and that’s only a Radeon Pro 580X, 32GB RAM, and 256GB SSD.

My iMac has a comparable or maybe even faster 8-core i9, Radeon Pro Vega 48, 40GB RAM, and 2TB SSD for $3849 + ~$100 for a two pack of 16GB RAM. The closest Mac Pro spec I can get to what I have now (which exceeds the GPU by a good amount with a Pro Vega II, 48GB RAM and 2TB SSD costs $9499 which is just ludicrous. The Vega II isn’t even considered a very powerful card by current standards and that’s just the single version in a nearly $10K workstation.

Also Intel’s 28-core 14nm Xeon is trash compared to AMD’s 32-core 7nm Ryzen and is therefore already outdated at launch. Wish Apple would use AMD and Nvidia parts and be happy with a 50% profit margin instead of 200%. I’m used to Apple stuff costing a lot more but this is on another level.
 
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Gasu E. said:
I'm surprised more people aren't asking about this. "Real pros" often have some legacy application they can't do without. I'm guessing the answer is "not directly". But you might be able to solve your problem with an emulator such as VMWare Fusion. If it's an old 32-bit application you just can't do without, it's probably not the most performance-critical software anyway.
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“Real” “pros” who need workstation computers never worked on Macs so there is no one to ask real pro workstation questions xD
 
now i see it said:
I missed the support document that explains how are we going to pay for this
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this isn't for consumers. You'll be fine.
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Nabru50 said:
Holy ****, Windows users. Have fun removing MPX modules and drivers every time you need to boot into Windows and back into macOS. Or am I reading that wrong?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210560
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yes, you're reading it wrong.

"If you install an off-the-shelf graphics card from AMD in your Mac Pro"

MPX modules should work in Windows.
 
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tevion5 said:
8 PCIE slots, SATA ports, 12 RAM slots, replaceable GPU and CPU, easily replaced power supply... how is that "locked down"?
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I suppose wait and see. Some more details about how users fare replacing CPU, GPU and drives. Being able to use standard (or at least public Apple standard) parts will determine the value of this machine down the line.
 
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henrikhelmers said:
I suppose wait and see. Some more details about how users fare replacing CPU, GPU and drives. Being able to use standard (or at least public Apple standard) parts will determine the value of this machine down the line.
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While the CPU swap-ability is as of yet unconformed, I'd be surprised if it wasn't from what we've seen.

RAM and GPU are industry standard and easily swapped out.

The only major aspect limited to Apple's lock in seems to be the internal storage options. This can still be circumnavigated with SATA/PCIE storage solutions, even if they won't be bootable courtesy of the T2.
 
citysnaps said:
Is Apple, or another vendor, offering compatible CPU upgrade options? Did Apple provide CPU upgrade information on previous Mac Pros?
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Any CPU can be upgraded as long it has the same socket and is not soldered what is the case for all desktops and servers - soldered CPUs are extremely hard to find. Regarding your question - don't you remember the CPU trays of the MacPro (yes you could upgrade the CPU trays).
 
v3rlon said:
I don't install SSDs in my computer I work. I take it over to IT and say "can you guys upgrade this thing?"
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There's a difference between (a) going to a mechanic to get a part replaced in your car vs. (b) having to go to a special mechanic licensed by the manufacturer because only they have the magic woo-woo that tells the car's computer to accept the new part.

(a) is sensible unless you're a petrol-head with a pile of tools, ramps etc.
(b) is a recipe for getting gouged for poor (because there is no competition) service.

Also, OS-level disk encryption is a two-edged sword - on the one hand, yay! security! - on the other hand a risk of getting locked out of your own data. Oh, and the security could be pointless unless its part of all-round good security practices at your workplace, because there's no point putting a steel door on a tent... and, unlike a tablet, phone or laptop, its relatively unlikely that you're going to leave your Mac Pro on a train.

Its a risk/benefit tradeoff that should be left to the customer. Being able to freely replace parts is one major reason for buying a modular system over a SFF/Laptop/All-in-one - a privilege for which Apple is charging a small fortune.
 
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JimmyHook said:
Why in God’s name would you put a SATA drive in here!???????? What a waste
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Why not? This seems to be marketed to video professionals. From what I hear (correct me if I'm wrong), video takes up a LOT of storage space. SSDs are nice and all, but they still don't have the capacity of spinning disks. Unfortunately, I don't know how well networked storage works in this area.
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theluggage said:
There's a difference between (a) going to a mechanic to get a part replaced in your car vs. (b) having to go to a special mechanic licensed by the manufacturer because only they have the magic woo-woo that tells the car's computer to accept the new part.

(a) is sensible unless you're a petrol-head with a pile of tools, ramps etc.
(b) is a recipe for getting gouged for poor (because there is no competition) service.

Also, OS-level disk encryption is a two-edged sword - on the one hand, yay! security! - on the other hand a risk of getting locked out of your own data. Oh, and the security could be pointless unless its part of all-round good security practices at your workplace, because there's no point putting a steel door on a tent... and, unlike a tablet, phone or laptop, its relatively unlikely that you're going to leave your Mac Pro on a train.

Its a risk/benefit tradeoff that should be left to the customer. Being able to freely replace parts is one major reason for buying a modular system over a SFF/Laptop/All-in-one - a privilege for which Apple is charging a small fortune.
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Good points. However, when working on a company-owned device, doing stuff yourself falls into a legal gray area, especially if it gets into the area of putting in/replacing new components. You can't just say "I want a bigger internal drive! I'll buy myself a new one!" What happens to the old drive, that's technically the company's? Also, what happens when the company upgrades & replaces the computer entirely? Also, what happens if you goof up, and wreck the computer?
 
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citysnaps said:
Is Apple, or another vendor, offering compatible CPU upgrade options? Did Apple provide CPU upgrade information on previous Mac Pros?
Click to expand...
AndiG said:
Any CPU can be upgraded as long it has the same socket and is not soldered what is the case for all desktops and servers - soldered CPUs are extremely hard to find.
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Of course it will be physically possible to replace a socketed CPU - the question is whether the T2 chip will accept a different CPU without extra woo-woo from Apple, which they might not provide for an unauthorised mod (in terms of security, something with the T2's aspirations should respond with "help! I'm being tampered with!" and shut itself in the panic room).

Has anybody successfully upgraded the CPU in the 2018 Mac Mini or the iMac Pro (which AFAIK are the only Macs with T2 + socketed processor)?

However, I don't see Apple ever declaring the CPU "user upgradeable" - yes, it has happened on past machines, but as far as I know they've all had the CPU on a proprietary "daughter board". I've assembled my own PCs in the past and although fitting the CPU and heatsink isn't rocket science it is "brown trousers time" - bend one microscopic pin and you've wrecked the CPU, the motherboard or both, not to mention all that thermal grease.


* there was also a spell in the past, pre-Intel Mac, when AMD and Intel moved to daughterboard-mounted CPUs instead of bare 'chips' - although that wasn't primarily done for upgradeability it did make changing the CPU more like fitting a RAM stick.
 
thevault said:
Unless you have proof of quantity of military use this point is simply propaganda......Also, I don't need this type of lock down of a computer I am paying $8000+ to be upgradable. IT'S MY COMPUTER!! The reason for this is Apple is looking for service money:mad:

Apple marketed the MP as everything was going to be upgradable.....where's the document for changing/upgrading CPU, where's the document for changing/upgrading SSD's....:mad:
The new society is not capable of changing/upgradin/fixing/repairing anything and becoming more ignorant every year.... All they comprehend is pushing buttons for emoji's on their iPhone.
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Keep in mind we're dealing with a new Apple users who gets excited with introduced emoji's has know comprehension tools, repairing, upgrading anything.

One is paying $8000+ for computer that was marketed as be upgradable for the pro user and now we can't change/upgrade/add an SSD, can't change/upgrade CPU... now debating whether to buy after waiting so long... :mad:
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Apple giveth and taketh away all in the same breath. I don't understand why they just don't use industry standard m.2 NVME. It makes no sense to me; the OS supports it on Hackintosh so why not also include it on the Mac Pro? Other than to of course be able to charge an arm and a leg for storage...
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neuropsychguy said:
There are all sorts of professionals. Just because someone uses a computer for a job doesn't mean that person knows what's going on inside the computer. Just because people know a lot doesn't mean they know everything.
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That's besides the point. Don't tell us the computer has modularity if you're going to lock down storage. Drives fail all the time. Storage gets cheaper over the years. 5 years from now, we may very well be able to buy 8 TB or more NVME SSDs for 300 or less. So what is the reason to deny a 'pro' user the ability to upgrade storage on his/her own?
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IG88 said:
For $6000 this should start with 16C / 48GB RAM / 1 TB SSD.
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and include a monitor...
 
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