Apple to Halt Mac Pro Sales in Europe Effective March 1 Over Regulatory Requirements

[Nunyabinez]

I've always wanted a Mac Pro because, you know, it's a Mac Pro. But, I'm not someone in a field where I actually need the horsepower of a Mac Pro. However, I am an avid Hackintosher, because I love the tinkering part. If I were in need of the kind of horsepower that a Mac Pro has, I am confident that I could build a compatible Hackintosh for a lot less money.

Now, before I get blasted, I know that a Mac Pro is a solid, beautiful piece of machinery and my Hackintosh would not necessarily be the design beauty that a Mac Pro is, but I could still get the same performance out of it for less money. My current Hackintosh is the virtual equivalent of the top end iMac (minus the screen of course) and it is super stable. Plus I have blu-ray and can easily change drives, etc. Hackintoshing is so mature now that anyone who needs a Mac Pro should be able to build their own. So, I'm interested in what happens, but probably won't ever take the dive unless, I come into some serious money. But, that's just me.

 

[jlasoon]

I think this is a bit overblown, it's not like these fans can chop your finger off.

Hello, I'm the government, and I'm here to protect you from your stupid self.

 

[Rocketman]

Only if Thunderbolt gets a TON more bandwidth overnight. TB only has as much bandwidth as a single (!) 4x PCIe slot. That’s not enough to serve a single card that requires 8x PCIe bandwidth (or a graphics card seeking 16x), much less multiple cards.

Ouch. Thanks for the rare and welcome tech post.

 

[gugy]

Not exactly true, he said there would be something for that market. Maybe that's a new MP and maybe something different. And a new and different model may or may not meet the needs of those running MP now - we'll see if it does when it finally ships.

My understanding was that he said an update MacPro would be coming in 2013 in response to an email from someone who was pissed at the last MacPro update. He did not say re-designed as AFAIK. So I assume it's going to happen.

 

[Slackula]

A bunch of Mac Minis stitched together into one Mac Pro box.

Miniclusterinnabox Pro!

That is why God created duct tape.

 

[deconstruct60]

Doesn't all Mac and iOS software development need to be done on a Mac?

Mac doesn't not equal Mac Pro. In the context of software development, there is little to no deep seated need for a Mac Pro. In some contexts it is a "nice to have" but not a requirement. For example, run concurrent VMs testing out multiple platform/OS software builds at the same time and how they interact. That is mainly the testing phase though. The core of the write-compile-debug phases don't.

For iOS even less so since a tethered iOS device is a far higher fidelity testing context.

Seems like it would be in Apple's best interest to keep the Mac Pro around for developers, not to mention the creative professionals who still use Macs. .

No. Apple might need to bring back and enhance their parallel build tools but it isn't necessary.

Likewise there are large and growing number of creative professionals who use Macs but not Mac Pro. Also an additional and growing number who have or are very close to plateauing on their computational workload that fits on current Mac Pro models. (or current chassis plus a PCI-e card addition).

It is in Apple's interest to keep the Mac Pro around if there is a significantly growing set of folks who don't fit into those previous two categories who workload and computational requirements are expanding past the current abilities of the Mac Pro.

The notion that Apple 'has to' keep a Mac Pro 'just because there is status symbol and relatively shrinking niche group' is deeply and hugely flawed. There is no "no growth get out of jail free" card.

 

[Peace]

I think this is a bit overblown, it's not like these fans can chop your finger off. They generally run pretty slowly in a Mac Pro anyway.

The airflow is better and it's quieter without a grill infront because there's less turbulence. I'd rather have it without it.

If it is the fan configuration I think you could open the case while the Mac Pro was running and start to pull on the fan housing on the left and simply start to pull it out while they were running. I'm not sure about this but I have owned several Mac Pros. This could make it an electrical problem too.

 

[Codyak]

the regulation preventing the sale of the mac pro because there is no guards for the fans is insane. Could they just tell apple to put a sticker on the mac pro cautioning people not to stick their fingers in the fans and or i/o ports?

Warning: Fans spin

 

[Badagri]

Are ceiling fans also banned, now? Unless properly caged, of course.

I was also thinking of the lead free solder. You know how everyone licks their motherboards.

Some dimwit hurt their finger while touching a moving fan blade & went crying to the government.

LoL!

 

[whooleytoo]

Some dimwit hurt their finger while touching a moving fan blade & went crying to the government.

More likely - it's a proactive, preventative move. I'd much prefer to see manufacturers ship safer computers (though, I wonder how dangerous those fans are) than let an accident happen and have people pointing the ....errrr.... ex-finger of blame afterwards.

I don't have an MP, but I think they can be opened by flipping one clip? If so, they can easily be opened by a child while it's still running; and that, to me, is a VERY good reason to ensure the fans are shielded (or at least, slow down when the case is opened).

 

[derbladerunner]

You realize this is something Apple has no control over right? This is a government regulation.

Yes, but again please show me links of other major vendors (Acer, Dell...) having to retire product in the EU?

How can it be the most profitable computer company on earth isn't capable of updating its Pro line every 12-18 months when other barely profitable companies update their desktop lines every year or so?

Is that asking too much considering Apple has 137bn in the bank. I doubt it would Apple cost more than 100-250 million to keep the MacPro line up to date. Money well spent imho.

It just shows Apple doesn't care any longer about its creative/business customers.

 

[jrswizzle]

With Steve Jobs gone, more than a few people wonder if Apple still has a well thought-out strategy. The most recent Mac Pro 'refresh' controversy only served to reinforce that concern with those who are the MP target market.

More than a few people are extremely fickle...

 

[MRU]

As these are assembled here in Cork, we have had no job loss announcements from Apple or on local news, which could lead one to speculate that they are busily assembling the replacement to the MacPro that's long over due.

 

[gugy]

Not exactly true, he said there would be something for that market. Maybe that's a new MP and maybe something different. And a new and different model may or may not meet the needs of those running MP now - we'll see if it does when it finally ships.

You are right, this is the email.

Franz,

Thanks for your email. Our Pro customers like you are really important to us. Although we didn’t have a chance to talk about a new Mac Pro at today’s event, don’t worry as we’re working on something really great for later next year. We also updated the current model today.

We’ve been continuing to update Final Cut Pro X with revolutionary pro features like industry leading multi-cam support and we just updated Aperture with incredible new image adjustment features.

We also announced a MacBook Pro with a Retina Display that is a great solution for many pros.

Tim

Still, I think we are going to see something equal or better. I don't think Apple will take features away. They heard too much bad press after the FCP X fiasco.

 

[monokakata]

Right, a Mac Pro fans spin as fast as a piece of professional equipment? They are standard computer fans that are large and very visible when they are on. consumer PCs like this should not be part of the regulation.

Not to pick a fight, but I was responding to your assertion about how no one ever needs to open a Mac Pro, not to anything specific about how an idiot might indeed stick a finger in a fan.

I have a Mac Pro 1,1 and a 5,1 and I've had to have the 1,1 open in order to examine LED displays many times. If you haven't ever had to do this, good for you. But I have, and I'm hardly the only one. I'd guess not a week goes by on MacRumors without someone needing to be told to have a look at a Mac Pro's diagnostic LEDs. And this cannot be done without opening the case while the Mac Pro's plugged in and powered up and running or trying to run.

 

[sseaton1971]

Not exactly true, he said there would be something for that market. Maybe that's a new MP and maybe something different. And a new and different model may or may not meet the needs of those running MP now - we'll see if it does when it finally ships.

Apple did confirm that Cook was refering to a Mac Pro:

https://www.macrumors.com/2012/06/1...c-pro-and-imac-designs-likely-coming-in-2013/

Of course this doesn't mean Apple hasn't changed its mind, but I kind of doubt it. I am fully expecting a new Mac Pro of some kind. Hopefully it is what people want.

 

[Badagri]

More likely - it's a proactive, preventative move. I'd much prefer to see manufacturers ship safer computers (though, I wonder how dangerous those fans are) than let an accident happen and have people pointing the ....errrr.... ex-finger of blame afterwards.

I don't have an MP, but I think they can be opened by flipping one clip? If so, they can easily be opened by a child while it's still running; and that, to me, is a VERY good reason to ensure the fans are shielded (or at least, slow down when the case is opened).

Rubbish parenting then. There's a reason it has a optional twist lock.

 

[blackhand1001]

Macrumors users sure are short sighted. Carbon fibre body Mac Pro, anyone? I seem to recall the Mac Pro was the first to switch to an aluminium design.

Nope the powerbook g4 switched to aluminum 6 months before the g5 was released.

 

[NOV]

For the first time, I'm genuinely starting to worry.

I work in pro audio and *really* need a new Mac Pro, because my aging 1st generation quad-core no longer has the horsepower required to run modern audio plugins the way I need to.

I'm somewhat in the same position as you (also pro audio + aging MacPro), but I think the 'all-in-one mighty MacPro' days are over. I think we will be presented with a powerful MacMini and we'll have to look for storage 'outside the box'. Maybe, if we're lucky when can build systems where we can combine the processor speed of more MacMini's.

 

[gugy]

Apple did confirm that Cook was refering to a Mac Pro:

https://www.macrumors.com/2012/06/1...c-pro-and-imac-designs-likely-coming-in-2013/

Of course this doesn't mean Apple hasn't changed its mind, but I kind of doubt it. I am fully expecting a new Mac Pro of some kind. Hopefully it is what people want.

So I guess I was correct after all.

 

[Chastepe]

Mac Pro Keynote!

I dream for the day where Apple will release the banner of an upcoming keynote-presentation that will simply say "Let' s talk Pro"! Probably it will never happen but keep calm and keep dreaming!

 

[Mike MA]

At least they now also have an financial incentive to refresh the line.

 

[thekev]

Likewise there are large and growing number of creative professionals who use Macs but not Mac Pro. Also an additional and growing number who have or are very close to plateauing on their computational workload that fits on current Mac Pro models. (or current chassis plus a PCI-e card addition).

It is in Apple's interest to keep the Mac Pro around if there is a significantly growing set of folks who don't fit into those previous two categories who workload and computational requirements are expanding past the current abilities of the Mac Pro.

The notion that Apple 'has to' keep a Mac Pro 'just because there is status symbol and relatively shrinking niche group' is deeply and hugely flawed. There is no "no growth get out of jail free" card.

It's likely that there is limited growth. Students graduating in something like graphic design today aren't so likely to buy mac pros. If you go back a few years, that would have been absolutely painful on lighter PowerPC era solutions. There are still real use cases where the lighter machines aren't very good, but they do leverage a large percentage due to costs and the desire to own fewer pieces of hardware.

 

[Lennholm]

What's with all this "Apple is killing off the Mac Pro" talk? Didn't the CEO of Apple say they've got something big for the line later in 2013? How does that translate to "killing it off"??

It could mean they're replacing it with something they THINK professionals will like, they've made that mistake before.

 

[deconstruct60]

I doubt other HW vendors have to retire products in the EU because they didn't keep them outdated for so long. (If not, show me the links of Acer, Dell, HP etc. having to retire products in the EU...).

Dell and HP still have their pre 2009 design models for sale so some of them will likely fall into the discontinue ban. All of those other vendors named suffer from an glut of model offerings. A reduction would problem help them, more than hurt.

This is far more an issue for Apple primarily because they run a very lean Mac product line up. Similar hiccup that caught them flat footed when the iMac release stalled. The vast majority of the time it is an asset but from time to time there are bumps in the road.

I understand them killing the XServe line etc., but the MacPro is strategically important for Apple - beyond the pure HW revenue.

Macs are strategically import to Apple. Not the primary strategic element, but it is in the multidimensional mix. The Mac Pro ( a very minor subset... like around 1% of Macs sold ) is not.

There is no Mac Pro uniquely restricted by-product that the rest of the strategic elements of the Apple mix depends upon.