Apple's Mac Pro to Be Assembled by Flextronics in Fort Worth, Texas?

[flux73]

I'm not sure how much difference it makes that it's being *assembled* in the USA in terms of cost. From what I'm seeing, this looks considerably easier to assemble than any of the iOS devices which have extremely tight tolerances and very tiny parts. Hell, the Mac Mini looks trickier to put together.

After all, the parts for the Mac Pro are all still built outside the US and I would guess most of the tricky parts are already put together before it arrives in the US, or can be automated. "Assembled in the USA", probably consists of attaching the boards to the cooling core, and putting the top on. Voila, assembled. In the USA.

Just a guess.

 

[ed724]

if only typing on the internet could convince anyone of anything... Those words have been true since before a lot of us were born. People don't tend to pay attention till things get really bad, which thankfully they aren't yet. You can thank low information voters. Honestly, i'd gladly give up my right to vote (and yours, i'm not calling myself stupid thank you very much...) if it meant a higher level of intelligence among voters... The way we're doing it now is essentially russian roulette politics.

woot !!!!

 

[Canubis]

At least my Mac Pro (bought in late 2009) had a label noting it was assembled in Ireland, Europe. I guess moving production/assembly from there to the USA is much less difficult economically thinking than moving assembly from Asian countries with much lower wages. That should be considered in this debate. Also the Mac Pro was a Mac being relatively simple to construct or take-apart compared to other smaller, mobile Macs or iMacs resulting in simpler and less work. This may also be true by some means for the new model.

 

[scottwaugh]

I wander what the annual shipping numbers of this product will be. I imagine this will be far less popular than the existing mp

It'll be interesting to see. The current numbers for the Pro have to be awful as they haven't significantly updated the product for ~4 yrs other than a slight bump last year because Intel stopped making the Mac Pro's low end processor and Apple had to put something else in...few people who had anything but the original Mac Pro model would get much improvement with the existing model (still USB 2).

I think alot will depend on pricing as I view this device as more of an expansion of the Mac Mini / iMac market (home/power user) upward than a true replacement of the Mac Pro (and those particular user's needs/wants).

If they do $2k or less for a single Xeon and single fast graphics chip (basically as fast or faster than the high end iMac) - they'd probably sell quite a few more than the existing Pro (because the existing Pro's sales have to be awful), if its up near $3k for the high end iMac experience (single Xeon and fast single Graphics chip) they'll have another Cube on their hands. JMHO....

 

[Ashin]

"Assembled in the USA" is the biggest scam ever... and people will gobble it up.

Hope they don't remove "Made in China" from the product... because that's where it's still all made, only some dude in Texas puts the lid on/inserts a few components

 

[ftaok]

"Assembled in the USA" is the biggest scam ever... and people will gobble it up.

Hope they don't remove "Made in China" from the product... because that's where it's still all made, only some dude in Texas puts the lid on/inserts a few components

so in the same vein, the iPhone isn't made by Foxconn, it's just some dudes inserting a few components and turning some screws. But at least they're pentalobe screws.

 

[milo]

Current Mac Pro

Two 2.66GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon processor (12 cores)
32GB (8x4GB)
512GB solid-state drive
Two ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB

$6,599.00

And you were saying ? This is based on the specs they announced for the new MP. Keep in mind that the graphix they spec'd were way above what's offered today and the PCIe SSD is going to be more expensive as well.

That's the current high end. There's no reason to expect the new entry level to start there.

We can always assume they'll offer something with less specs, then a lower price.

We don't have to assume anything. From the announcement and their web page, it's obvious that they're going to offer configurations less than 12 core. And probably lower end GPU options as well.

Actually the Mac Mini has more internal upgrades available.

Which are what? Mini can internally upgrade memory and drive, this machine is the same except more ram slots and it's way easier to swap the flash drive. And that's only looking at internal upgrades while ignoring everything else like the ports, GPU, and processing power.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

I don't think they need any help.

Texas unemployment - 6.4%
California - 9%
New York - 7.9%

Not to mention individuals and corporations pay no state taxes. I can GUARANTEE that NY and CA individual and corporate state taxes are among the highest in the country.

Perhaps lower tax attracts business? Perhaps then businesses provide jobs? No, that doesn't make any sense at all. I know, lets tax the heck out of businesses and then wonder why they don't set up shop in our state. Or country for that matter. Then, when people aren't working because busineses choose to go elsewhere and we don't have enough money to provide for all the nanny state plans we have, lets just tax those that do work even more. Then when they leave to move to texas, lets ask the federal govt for aid.

That's 6.4% is full of low wage jobs and those low tax jobs is costing you and I billions in Federal subsidies.

 

[ed724]

That's the current high end. There's no reason to expect the new entry level to start there.



We don't have to assume anything. From the announcement and their web page, it's obvious that they're going to offer configurations less than 12 core. And probably lower end GPU options as well.



Which are what? Mini can internally upgrade memory and drive, this machine is the same except more ram slots and it's way easier to swap the flash drive. And that's only looking at internal upgrades while ignoring everything else like the ports, GPU, and processing power.

You're dreaming.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

That's the current high end. There's no reason to expect the new entry level to start there.



We don't have to assume anything. From the announcement and their web page, it's obvious that they're going to offer configurations less than 12 core. And probably lower end GPU options as well.



Which are what? Mini can internally upgrade memory and drive, this machine is the same except more ram slots and it's way easier to swap the flash drive. And that's only looking at internal upgrades while ignoring everything else like the ports, GPU, and processing power.

Unless the entry level is using duall custom FirePros with those specs never before sold under $3k this product isn't going to be in any reasonable ballpark.

 

[heisetax]

Agreed. Apple usually prices updates or even new computers at or around the old pricing, so I expect the New Mac Pro to start under $3k and go up from there. I wouldn't be surprised if they offer it for even less than what the current one is selling for, they might be willing to take a bit of a profit hit to get these in the hands of their customers and user base. Will be interesting!

But there's nothing in this new trash can. No SATA buss. PCIe 3 buss has 3 or 4 slots on it. The 2 special mirror image video cards take 2, the 1 SSD takes a third & if they choose they could have a fourth with a 2nd SSD.

The new Mac Pro Mini is great in so many ways but also lack in so many, many ways. Was as with Apple in so many ways now we can have small & pretty in many different form factors, but only the way the 1 or 2 models are made.

----------

Unless the entry level is using duall custom FirePros with those specs never before sold under $3k this product isn't going to be in any reasonable ballpark.

I found some standard FirePros for under $500 each. I also saw those in the $3-4,000 range. Until they are ready to sell them we will not know what are choices are. In the past that has maxed out with 2 choices.

 

[nikto70]

This will happen one day, but only after CA and NY implode under the weight of their respective socialist programs.

Yes, and Freedom Town will be the capitol with Glenn Beck as mayor.

By the way, I like the new design of the Mac Pro. It's an improvement on the current rectangular box shape that dates back to the chassis designs from the early 80s.

I'm kind of neutral on the whole design. I'm sure it's some sort of amazing engineering feat. Or something.

 

[milo]

You're dreaming.

I'm dreaming what? Honestly I can't figure out what I said that's so wacky to you - Apple specifically says UP TO 12 cores and UP TO 6 gigs of video ram, which means that there will be models with lower specs and lower price.

Unless the entry level is using duall custom FirePros with those specs never before sold...

Those specs are the high end. The new high end will be priced comparable to the current high end, and the lower models will be less.

But there's nothing in this new trash can.

The new Mac Pro Mini is great in so many ways...

You need to make up your mind.

 

[ka-spot]

What exactly are you implying about Texas? It's a great state to live in, and we boast the healthiest economy in the USA.

There is nothing wrong with Texas. I was just hoping that Apple will come someday to Bulgaria

Best wishes Texas!

 

[paul4339]

Looks like a jet turbine here. A lot better than a trash can, RDD2, champagne bucket... (did I miss any?)

If they painted it green and put a top on it, they can make it look like the Android robot.

.

 

[patsfan83]

The website says Dual GPU's standard, so I'm going to guess:

a couple processor speed BTO options, as well as

VRAM in 4GB, 8GB, 12GB options

SSD/flash harddrive minimum 512GB

An entry level model with Apple's bulk pricing should start at $2499. Remember- Apple is only buying the GPUs, not the cards, and at considerable discount. AMD would probably sell them at break-even pricing to get competition away from NVIDIA/CUDA and promote OpenCL, where everyone wins.

The TB2 internals, PCIe, fast memory, etc will be expensive at first (to Apple), but they will use the MacPro as the first model, and then those options will trickle down to Mac Mini, iMac, and maybe laptops where their economies of scale will offset their margins on the Macpro. They probably bought a couple years worth of RAM, GPUs, etc at bargain pricing. We saw this before with flash memory on iPhones and iPod touches.

 

[Patriot24]

I'm guessing you've never actually listened to the lyrics of that song, then...

Of course. The ignorance of the lyrics makes it all the better when it is played as an anthem for our independence, etc.

I guess my "'MERICA'" wasn't sarcastic enough.

 

[macchiato2009]

of course it's "assembled" in the US, all the parts are manufactured in China

it will be "made in" US only when Apple decides to produce all the parts by itself

maybe its own processors in the future ???

 

[GreyOS]

And who do you think programs, maintains, and repairs those robots? It ain't other robots. Well, not yet.

Yes, of course automation requires some labour for maintenance. The point is it reduces the labour, all maintenance considered, required for x quantity of product. If that wasn't the case, they wouldn't bother investing in automation. The more advanced the automation, the less labour required for production - including the labour to build the machines.

 

[td2243]

This thread confirms that a large percentage of people on this forum come here only to complain and whine and complain some more.

Sounds like a complaint to me.

 

[GreyOS]

And for the record, living in the DFW area. I can tell you Fort Worth is a haven for low cost labor, so any assembly not automated can be done cheaply.

Comparable to Chinese labour?

 

[Ezlivin]

What exactly are you implying about Texas? It's a great state to live in, and we boast the healthiest economy in the USA.

I live in Texas, too. Let's not mention our abysmal treatment of the sick (Texas ranks last in health care), how poorly our school system is run (Texas ranks last in high school diplomas) and a legislature hell-bent on ramming their morality down our throats with nearly every bill. Sure, Rick Perry is determined to save every fetus, but once they're born they are on their own.

Are you ready for another record-breaking summer heat and drought? Will we see the bottom of more lakes? Will Texas force Oklahoma to give it more water so they can continue to develop every last bit of green space? Well, Chris, we'll have to see what happens, won't we?

 

[whooleytoo]

Yeah, agree with those who say the "Assembled in the US" won't count for a huge amount, there isn't a huge amount of work involved; and given the product probably not a massive volume either.

I'd have thought it's the jobs in Orlando that are now more interesting. Given that (in a few months time) no Mac supports standard PCI graphics cards, the news that Apple's hiring GPU engineers takes on more significance. If they were to start engineering their own GPUs, they'd have more control over the heat produced (important in small enclosures), and the power draw (the new Apple obsession). Plus, we wouldn't have to worry about 3rd party driver support lagging behind.

 

[cmanderson]

Do you guys realize that the AMD/ATI Fire Pro W9000 that meets the specs on Apple's web site cost $3000 just for that GPU itself. There are supposed to be 2 of these professional level GPUs in the new Mac Pro!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195116

So a price of around $3000 for the new Mac Pro may be a pipe dream!

There is a rumor that AMD/ATI gave Apple an offer it could not refuse, so lets hope that deal makes the price cheaper!

Remember the "up to" statements during the presentation and on the web. I agree with you a dual W9000 GPU configuration with max CPU, RAM and Storage is going to be quite expensive. I'll take a guess at a fully spec'ed out Mac Pro coming in at over 10K.

However, the entry level Mac Pro (just a guess, 4 or 6 core, 16GB RAM, 1 lower end GPU, 512GB PCIe SSD) will probably come in the ball park of between 2500 and 3000, and scale rapidly up from there.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

They should launch this puppy on July 4th to "Born In The USA" by the Boss.

'MERICA

You realize it's not a patriotic song. It was turned into one because of the chorus line, the only part of the song people bother to listen to, which is actually meant to be tongue in cheek. Read the entire lyrics. It's an anti-war song using one soldiers experience from being sent to Vietnam to returning and its aftermath.