David Pogue: New iMacs and Mac Pros Coming 'Probably in 2013' [Update]

[mozumder]

Yeah its a very good point but why not just kill it off now?

Because it's a useful product?

At this point, anyone that buys a Mac Pro knows exactly why they're buying it. (IO expansion, SDI interfaces, etc.)

And any rendering application that requires increased CPU speed is going to need a CLUSTER of them anyways, which they served up quite well today with the reduced price.

 

[relimw]

Like I said, NOBODY is using 4k and other markets don't matter either.

Are YOU shooting 4k?

Nope, 5k.

 

[Woodcrest64]

So, Retina Thunderbolt Display coming probably a year from now.

When they do it, I really hope they upgrade the FaceTime camera to 1080p.

Wasn't Apple quoted to say that there will be one more Mac Pro update before WWDC2012? Essentially meaning this is it for the Mac Pro... ?

 

[LarryC]

I'll bet you $100,000 it doesn't happen...

Mitt Romney, is that you?

 

[Woodcrest64]

Is that factually correct? It would certainly be a more rational explanation than the "Apple hates us" whine fest.

No I was wrong Damir. I was corrected and I also found on Wikipedia regarding the thunderbolt port that you can use a PCI-E graphics card to have the display run over it.

Judging by what I learnt here tonight and by what Apple has done I am starting to really believe this is it for the Mac Pro.

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Because it's a useful product?

At this point, anyone that buys a Mac Pro knows exactly why they're buying it. (IO expansion, SDI interfaces, etc.)

And any rendering application that requires increased CPU speed is going to need a CLUSTER of them anyways, which they served up quite well today with the reduced price.

They should of updated the graphics card at least along with the processor spec bump. The 5770 is a little dated but so is the Mac Pro's processor... I don't think it would looked as bad had they also updated the GPU too.

 

[qtx43]

What could Apple do that would be a complete redesign of the Mac Pro? In my imagination, I could see them merging the mini and mac pro, so you just start with a base station similar to the mini. Expansion (other than RAM) comes with stackable modules made possible by thunderbolt. You don't even need a thunderbolt cable, because each module plugs in to the one below it when you stack them.

Okay, so that's pretty far out there, but it would be cool.

 

[notabadname]

Wouldn't be such a big deal if my mid 2010 MP were upgradable in the Graphics department. Like at least a 5970, or even better, a 6000 series. Certainly no reason to trade my 12 core, even after 2 years, for the stale improvements made to the Mac Pro line. Thhe lack of support for upgrades has really soured my take on this otherwise awesome machine. Crazy how it just languishes.

And later next year? We aren't yet half way thru this year. 3 years in "computer years" puts dog years to shame.

 

[HelveticaRoman]

Sales of a product that hasn't been updated for years are falling. This seems to prove to someone that there is no point to support the product, whereas to the huge market that has been waiting in vain to spend their not inconsiderable money it just proves the company will not, or cannot, support them. As gorgeous as tablets and phones are, there is a limit to what can be achieved on them, and retina displays don't really make anyone more productive or even more creative, just shinier. Apple is free to apply its marketing genius anywhere that gets it the most money, but it would be decent of them to just be up front about their intentions for, what is to many people, their work.

 

[RalfTheDog]

Hey guys I'm still fairly new here.

Can I curse on this forum? (Serious question).

#^&%$ and %^U** are acceptable. If you say !@$% or @#%^^&, you will be banned.

I think the Mac Pro will get Thunderbolt as soon as a PCIe Thunderbolt card comes out for Windows PCs.

From what I understood, (I may be wrong), PCI Express 3.0 is borderline on having the bandwidth. It might work; It might be slow.

Steve Jobs found a way to take Apple with him.

Now THAT'S visionary genius.

I hope not. I don't think Mr. Jobs went where Apple is currently going.

_______

Apple currently knows they stepped in it. They stepped in it big time and it stinks! The only way they can scrape it off of their footwear is to design a new MP MB that is up to standard. That will take time. If they can get a new graphics card into the current systems, it might help with the scraping.

 

[damir00]

No I was wrong Damir.

Damn, too bad. Then I really have no idea what Apple is on about.

 

[bigjohnwoo]

Like I said, NOBODY is using 4k and other markets don't matter either.

Are YOU shooting 4k?

This has to be a troll post. This cannot possibly be serious.

 

[necromorph]

Well why couldn't the idiots at Apple say that in the first place rather than making me wait 6+ months for a sodding iMac.

In 2013 they will probably say 2014. Why not lower the price of the existing ranges now as they are clearly not worth what you are expecting us to pay for them!

Hackintosh - "sticks two fingers up at apple"

 

[Battlefield Fan]

Apple needs to get it together.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

This is insane, does it take that much to at-least just put in some new processor and ram in the iMac and update it.

Unless they are waiting for a FULL redesign and repositioning then the reasoning could be seen as sound via Apple's part (from a business strategy perspective, not so much tactic/operational). I suspect if they do a complete overhaul then you'll see a slimmer rackmountable design with a completely refocused design.

# The quantifier here being if Apple are still interested in the professional market, which is coming more and more likely they aren't as interested as they were 10 years ago.

 

[Blue Sun]

To all the people complaining about the lack of iMac updates, spare a thought for those who need a Mac Pro to make a living. At least the iMac saw an update last year.

Besides, I still think we'll see an iMac update sooner rather than later (wish I could say the same for the MP).

 

[ezekielrage_99]

What Apps are you using that can benefit from more than 4 hyperthreaded cores? And please DON'T SAY PHOTOSHOP.

I work in geospatial, more then 4 threads is a must... The last box I had for dev purposes was a SuperMicro running 2 X 4 core Xeons with 16GB of ECC RAM, I was looking forward to a Mac Pro redesign...

The system is end of life so the choice being wait till next you for a supposed Mac Pro bump or a 3DBoxx 8920 now (considering the Mac Pro GPU it looks like a Boxxtech system looks pretty likely). Again anyone using 3d and FX would want/need more than 4 threads for obvious usability of the software.

 

[faroZ06]

For all those times you take your iMac to Starbucks to surf the internet. The glare from the windows can be really annoying.

Kidding.

Don't joke; I've actually seen people do that!

Just kidding. You can joke. I think those guys were hipsters or trolls.

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Because it's a useful product?

At this point, anyone that buys a Mac Pro knows exactly why they're buying it. (IO expansion, SDI interfaces, etc.)

And any rendering application that requires increased CPU speed is going to need a CLUSTER of them anyways, which they served up quite well today with the reduced price.

Well, not "anyone". I need a new computer (my old one is slowly burning to death), and I actually found that used Mac Pros deliver the best performance and cost less than used iMacs and MacBook Pros. I've never really dealt with expansion cards besides a couple of PC cards I used in my Windows 98 VAIO before I got my Mac.

 

[spl456]

...As gorgeous as tablets and phones are, there is a limit to what can be achieved on them, and retina displays don't really make anyone more productive or even more creative, just shinier. Apple is free to apply its marketing genius anywhere that gets it the most money, but it would be decent of them to just be up front about their intentions for, what is to many people, their work.

I agree.
Seems like Apple is focused on iOS/iPhone/iPads/MBA/MBP.

The Mac Pro update is a flop.

 

[Swordylove]

Oh no no no no no.... say it ain't so! I was already fairly disappointed that no new iMac was announced at the WWDC. I thought, "Okay, maybe they're holding it off a little bit so that they can give us a completely awesome new iMac" and it wouldn't be too bad for me to wait another 1 or 2 months.

But 6 months minimum!? Are you crazy!!?

I can't imagine how it feels for those who waited for a new Mac Pro. And I'm gonna go nuts if they release the new iPhone before iMac and Mac Pro!

 

[Sgt. ButtKiss]

I've waited a while, only good thing is I can save up some more money.

Right now I hope the predictions of a release with Mountain Lion comes true. I can live with the current design but would dearly love USB3 and a matt screen.

I'm in the same boat man. I would just hate to finally make the purchase only to see the update I've been waiting for to pop up one month later.

Redesign would be nice, and a ML combined release would be sweet. Maybe the new MBP is just a market introduction for machines with no ODD's.

I could see a market for those who want an iPad/iMac combo in lieu of a MacBook with eyes towards a portable unit as well as a large desktop screen with more processing power, but I'm no market analyst so I could be way off. It would definitely keep iMac in the running for continued innovation (and more frequent.)

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Oh no no no no no.... say it ain't so! I was already fairly disappointed that no new iMac was announced at the WWDC. I thought, "Okay, maybe they're holding it off a little bit so that they can give us a completely awesome new iMac" and it wouldn't be too bad for me to wait another 1 or 2 months.

But 6 months minimum!? Are you crazy!!?

I can't imagine how it feels for those who waited for a new Mac Pro. And I'm gonna go nuts if they release the new iPhone before iMac and Mac Pro!

My emotions exactly

 

[NY Guitarist]

Like I said, NOBODY is using 4k and other markets don't matter either.

Are YOU shooting 4k?

Give it a rest. Just stop.

You clearly have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

 

[cliffjumper68]

Perspective

If hackintosh people with little budget can produce workstations with years newer technology with off the shelf parts, what is Apple's excuse while it has thousands of employees and billions of dollars on the shelf? The least Apple could do is sanction pro's building there own hardware rather than give them this crap update that uses hardware three years old. not!

 

[Eric5h5]

Wasn't Apple quoted to say that there will be one more Mac Pro update before WWDC2012? Essentially meaning this is it for the Mac Pro... ?

No.

--Eric

 

[biallystock]

Our pro customers are really important to us...

Appearances to the contrary.

 

[Torrijos]

To all the people complaining about the lack of iMac updates, spare a thought for those who need a Mac Pro to make a living. At least the iMac saw an update last year.

It would be pretty reckless of Apple to update its entire computer line in the same period putting a strain on supply, manufacturing, transport etc.
Furthermore Apple laptops, especially the Air, are what sales best in the computer range, followed by the iMac.

I choose to believe that the iMac will probably get an update in a couple of month, but I see a couple of issue with Apple's desktop range...

If the Mac Pro has a future it would need a better GPU supply from AMD & Nvidia, who sell only a handful of their range adapted for the Mac platform.
What would be the purpose of Apple financing Mac specific version of some GPUs (that would then only be available trough them) if the end user wouldn't get the upgrade options he payed for?

Then there is this Retina future that seems to be promised to us...
I think we might see the same kind of introduction for desktop computer, meaning that when the iMac range is upgraded we'll get a Retina iMac, or iMac Pro that would have components closer to the pro needs allowing it to recuperate part of that market.

Anyway for the Mac Pro range to remain, Apple needs to provide their own GPUs, and probably a Retina Thunderbolt display, so that market becomes more R&D expensive, not certain Apple thinks its worth the trouble.