iMac Pro Will Be Available at Apple Stores by Mid Next Week

[iSee]

...my late 2009 27" iMac lasted... Best computer I've ever had.

YMMV

I have the same beast to this day (I did put a ~600GB SSD in it some year ago).
Like you say, the best computer I've ever had.
The time has finally come, I think, to replace it. I'm not quite sure if I should go top-o-the-line iMac or spring for the "low-end" iMac Pro. A nice dilemma to have.

 

[Attirex]

I've been a Mac (MAC?) user for 20+ years, and love it that ppl STILL can't grasp the concept of a pro level computer being expensive, ie, target market is not your 6 year old niece (unless she works for ILM).

Ah, humans. It's a wonder we're still on the planet.

 

[iSee]

Couple of things. If you broke it down, I technically have two jobs that apply to this purchase. I develop software for an aerospace corporation, and this software performs tasks such as two dimensional kinetic analysis, particle physics, etc. To test that code, I need a computer capable of running it. The second job I need this computer for is that of a vulnerability researcher. I need tons of RAM to mass-virtualize systems and probe software / the kernel for vulnerabilities. The first requires a ton of CPU usage in parallel, which means more cores is better, and the second requires so much RAM and a moderate amount of CPU (though with 128GB the CPU may bottleneck instead, but we'll see after actual testing).

Frankly there hasn't been a mac that has been ready for this workload for years, and I've been making due with a laptop that pegs it's CPU all the time under the stress and can only run a few VMs. This has seriously slowed me down, but it will no longer.

For my software development work I used to simulate small distributed system as VMs on my workstation. At the time, I considered these fairly complex distributed systems, but they were tiny compared to what I work with today. As the systems grew larger I thought at first I'd really have to boost the RAM (and HD storage and speed) in my workstation to keep up. But it turned out to be a lot easier, not to mention cheaper, to run these systems "in the cloud" -- that is, on VMs running in environments maintained by someone else -- specialists -- that I could either remote into or simply access as would any other remote client. The best thing about this is I don't have to spend time (or as much money) maintaining virtualization environment... backups, licenses, storage space, hypervisor software, other bottlenecks as they arise, these all sap time from my actual job. Just FYI. I didn't think farming this stuff out would work out half as well as it has, and into the future I can just scale on up, as needed, without worrying about my workstation.

 

[R3k]

Nice.

Now, if it had a 34” curved screen I’d seriously consider buying it. In 6 years that is when my trash can no longer can.
[doublepost=1513299606][/doublepost]

We don't care about the ability to upgrade, for the reason that when you spend the kind of money that it'll be held onto for a while, be it 3 years or more.

Most the whining from pro users about the nMac Pro is lack of upgradability. And top of the future wishlist. Your most definitely wrong there.

 

[SeaFox]

Because the professional users just want a machine that gets the job done as fast as possible so they can move onto the next job quickly and efficiently and know that whatever gets thrown at it, that the machine can handle things.

They also want machines that are durable and easily repairable without having to take it some "genius" in town to reduce downtime.

 

[/dev/toaster]

Welp, it's official my next Mac will be a Hackintosh. I don't mind paying more for a Mac, but this is just ridiculous. Especially with how much flexibility that you lose from an Mac desktop.

When I bought my Mac Pro (2013) I paid a lot for it, but nothing this crazy. Originally I was always chasing this goal of trying to game on it.

Now, I have a dedicated gaming machine. On my Mac Pro I do video editing, little bit of 3D rendering, iPhone development, and a lot of other software development that involves Docker. I am always experimenting with big complicate setups that eat up RAM and CPU so an iMac isn't going to cut it.

I have also gotten so spoiled by my ultra wide screen for my primary and it had me thinking. Why should I even bother trying to buy a Mac for my desktop. I'll still buy their laptops of course because they are worth it.

 

[bobtem]

Should I get more cores or more RAM?

Though I’m not quite in need of all the power that IMac Pro offers, I still want to get a lower configuration version. I use it for graphic design and image editing, with adobe applications, and the IMP even in it’s base configuration would more than suit my needs for many years.

I want to buy one step up from base model, but don’t know if I gain more with 8-core/64 gb RAM, or 10-core/32 gb RAM? Why not just go 10 and 64 you ask? Trying to keep it under $7000!

 

[fairuz]

These machines aren't meant for Facebook browsing or editing instagram photos with Photoshop Elements. They're meant for true professionals who crunch large amounts of data may it be with graphics or video. While I'm not necessarily in the market for an iMac Pro, I'm always a Mac Pro user that spends $5,000 or more on Macs. I see it as a long term investment that will help me work faster and have quicker turnarounds for clients. You will never understand Specially making comments like these when Pro computers no matter if you go Mac or PC have always been expensive.

If you're the target user, the (i)Mac Pros are great. Some pros are either fine or even better off* with just a desktop i7 and GTX graphics instead of all enterprise-grade CPU/RAM/mobo and 3D modeling GPUs. I think a lot of people fall into that category since there are so many non-Apple PCs with those configs, and Apple needs to release a Mac like that.

* Xeon sucks for single-core usage, and GPUs have their own distinct uses

 

[Luap]

Why would any pro user want to spend that much on a machine that they can't upgrade?

Roll on the proper Mac Pro next year! (Just don't rip us off!!)

Why do you assume Pros all want to pull their computers apart so often? They don't. Its 2017, not 1995.

 

[groovyd]

Hoping to pickup a black kb/mouse combo on ebay in a year or so, or whenever apple decides they made enough off the early adopters and puts them for general sale.

 

[Hoko222]

Apple today made the iMac Pro available to order from its online store, with 8-core and 10-core models shipping in late December, but customers looking to see or purchase one at an Apple Store will have to wait a little bit longer.

MacRumors has learned from a reliable source that Apple will begin selling select iMac Pro configurations at its retail stores by mid next week.

We don't know if all of Apple's retail stores around the world will have in-store stock by mid next week, but it's safe to assume that many locations will have the iMac Pro both on display and available to purchase in limited quantities. We can't confirm when authorized resellers like Best Buy will have iMac Pro availability in stores.

Update: Apple confirmed the iMac Pro will be available at Apple Stores by mid next week at a private media briefing on Wednesday, according to iMore's Rene Ritchie, backing up the information provided to MacRumors.
iMac Pro is an expensive workstation aimed at professional users with demanding workflows, and it is also highly customizable, so many customers may prefer to order from Apple's online store, where exact tech specs, accessories, and software add-ons like Final Cut Pro X can be selected as desired.

iMac Pro starts at $4,999 for a base 8-core model in the United States, with 10-core models available from $5,799. 14-core and 18-core models start at $6,599 and $7,399, but they aren't estimated to ship for 6-8 weeks.

Every configuration has optional upgrades available for storage, memory, and graphics, with prices topping out at $13,199 for a maxed-out, high-end model with an 18-core Intel Xeon processor, 4TB of SSD storage, 128GB of ECC RAM, and AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64 graphics with 16GB of HBM2 memory.

First impressions of the iMac Pro have generally been very positive. YouTube reviewer Marques Brownlee, for example, said the iMac Pro is very fast and even fairly priced, although he said its lack of upgradeability is a weakness.

Fortunately, for customers who want upgradeability, Apple today confirmed that it continues to work on a modular Mac Pro that will be released alongside new Apple-branded external displays. Apple hasn't provided a release date for any of those products, beyond noting that they won't be available in 2017.

In the meantime, at least the iMac Pro's RAM will be upgradable by Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers. Still, we recommend future-proofing your iMac Pro by choosing tech specs that will meet your needs over the long term.

Article Link: iMac Pro Will Be Available at Apple Stores by Mid Next Week

[doublepost=1513301343][/doublepost]Why NO OLED screen?????? OLED is the future of displays for a long time. Big mistake.

 

[Fran6cojL]

hmm I can build my own killer PRO machine with similar specs and save about 2k lol

 

[Larry-K]

Wonder how long before it gets hidden by iPhone covers?
[doublepost=1513301956][/doublepost]

Why do you assume Pros all want to pull their computers apart so often? They don't. Its 2017, not 1995.

Sure is, 1995 was way better.

 

[doelcm82]

These machines aren't meant for Facebook browsing or editing instagram photos with Photoshop Elements. They're meant for true professionals who crunch large amounts of data may it be with graphics or video. While I'm not necessarily in the market for an iMac Pro, I'm always a Mac Pro user that spends $5,000 or more on Macs. I see it as a long term investment that will help me work faster and have quicker turnarounds for clients. You will never understand Specially making comments like these when Pro computers no matter if you go Mac or PC have always been expensive.

I agree except for the words "true" and "professionals".

Sure there are many "true professionals" (prostitutes? dentists?) who could benefit from these machines and don't care about upgrading the onboard GPU. And a good number of them have the means to buy one of these.

But they won't turn you away at the door if you're a rank amateur who happens to need to crunch large amounts of data. If you want it, and you can afford it, this computer is for you--no matter who may think you, or it, aren't "professional" enough.

And if you want it and can afford it, you probably know who you are.

 

[billystlyes]

A thousand dollar phone and four thousand dollar all-in-one computer. What is this 1984?

 

[skeuomorphism]

The most expensive Mac ever is also soldered inside and destined to be obsolete real fast?

Why would ANYONE pay that much money for something that's guaranteed to be doomed.

This is definitely not the most expensive Mac ever. The base model of the Macintosh IIfx cost ~$9000 in 1990, which is equivalent to ~$17,000 in 2017.

 

[Daniel Reed]

Coming from a pro, I believe most of us have a custom spec or configuration in mind, but I would love to hear if anyone is actually planning to go into the store to buy a default config.

The default config is gimped hard.


pads most of the margin into their base product model.
As with just about every hardware release, notching up every option by one satisfies the majority.

10-core
64GB
2TB
Vega64

 

[Brandhouse]

Your most definitely wrong there.

Am I? I'm just giving my opinion, which is equal to some others who have posted. You're also giving your opinion. Neither of us can quantifiably show we have data to say, "I'm right, you're wrong."

 

[Daniel Reed]

Where did Apple today confirm a modular Mac Pro is still in the works? I seemed to have missed the news.

Not seeing this either.
Where is the source dated for today regarding the mMP?

 

[thadoggfather]

Shipping with High Sierra presumably

Can one roll back to mature Sierra?

If not, these machines are a bit of a joke imo

Even with beastly hardware

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Where did Apple today confirm a modular Mac Pro is still in the works? I seemed to have missed the news.

Not seeing this either.
Where is the source dated for today regarding the mMP?

At the bottom of Apple's iMac Pro press release today:

In addition to the new iMac Pro, Apple is working on a completely redesigned, next-generation Mac Pro architected for pro customers who need the highest performance, high-throughput system in a modular, upgradeable design, as well as a new high-end pro display.​

 

[coolkid93]

Just in time for people on a low budget who wants one of these to go in grab one and walk out

 

[dan110]

This is probably the laziest thing Apple has done in years.

 

[xbjllb]

All you need to know:

The iMac [NOT A GAMERS MACHINE] PRO.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Why would any pro user want to spend that much on a machine that they can't upgrade?

Roll on the proper Mac Pro next year! (Just don't rip us off!!)

Because most pros buy what they need. They’re not going to spend $5k on a sub-optimal machine that’s less than they need, with the thought of upgrading later; they’ll pay 8k or 12k from the outset. And for a certain subset of pro users, iMac Pro is the “proper” solution.

Why do people continually use proper when referring to a personal preference for something they consider better. omg he bought a Toyota, why didn’t he go to the Lexus dealership and buy a proper car. It’s a little condescending, and a tad arrogant, to presume you know what’s “proper” for everyone.

/rant