Mac Pro Announced

[shelterpaw]

A note for 3rd party upgrades: If you want to upgrade your HD or RAM you can search New Egg, which does carry the RAM and they have a 1GB module that is cheapter to purchase than getting the 512MB or 2GB.

For general computer components, I often price things at Pricewatch.com.

Before you make a RAM purchase, be careful. I have no idea what the requirements, but from past experiece Apple hardware can be picky. The days of the old Blue and White G3's, which I owned, would call for ram with a latency of 2-2-2. If it didn't fit that bill, it didn't work. OWC used to sell that brand as well, but it caused crashes. Worked fine in a PC oddly enough.

The new RAM for these systems comes with different latency's. I highly recommend finding out what Apple's latency is and then only purchasing RAM with the same latency. Who knows, perhaps different latency's will work fine, but it's best to be on the safe side and avoid the headaches.

Hard Drives are different, but try to get liquid ball bearing drives. They're almost all quieter than regular drives.

I hope this info helps.

 

[nerd]

Spec'd the way I want, it's 7 grand.

I went through and selected all the available (and most expensive) options (maxed out the ram, 4 hard drives, a couple of 30 inch displays, etc.) and the total was only around.... $18000.00 (!)

I then became a little paranoid that I might accidentally hit some sort of 1-click shopping button and have to file for bankruptcy so I quickly closed my browser window.

 

[milozauckerman]

Your logic completely defeats my ability to understand it. I use Apple hardware and do not like being called a fool by a 'user of a lesser God'.

What?

I haven't owned a Windows desktop since the last millenium. Can you not read my signature (which is, actually, out of date - I'm typing this on a refurbed 17" iMac).

But, the rest of your post seems to be useless, irrational grandstanding. Dell does not offer any decent video card standard, nor do they offer 2 GB of RAM. You say the graphics card is useless, but it is fine for a high-end file-server. Those wanting high-end graphics have two solid options.

Yes, they do offer 2GB of RAM standard from the upper-level XPS410 on up. Along with a 500GB HD, and dual optical drives standard. And a slightly better graphics card. For about $1850-1900, from what I recall.

Gateway offers all of the above with an X1900 XT stock for under $2k.

Yep, they aren't quads but for the vast majority of potential buyers, a better GPU offers more value than a second processor (or, for $2499 it should be a dual Xeon and a reasonable GPU).

All the G5 towers you saw and Apple sold - were they 'high-end file-servers'? If that's all this new one is good for, where's the G5's actual replacement?

If you need to be schooled in "..but exactly which apps does that matter on?", this machine is definitely NOT for you. If you cannot find an Apple computer that fits your requirements, that is sad. But, you should have to walk away reluctantly, not "..turn and run from Apple hardware in a heartbeat."

I've yet to see a shred of evidence that four cores offers meaningful improvement over two cores running programs through Rosetta.

Apparently you didn't understand my post. At all.

 

[JoshRtek]

I can't decide if I should nix the 250 GB hard drive and save $67 and get the 160 GB drive. I already have 3 250 SATA hard drives in my pc that I plan to put in the empty drive bays, so it's not like I'd spend the saved money on another hard drive. I do plan on doing a Boot Camp partition, which is why I'm considering the 250 GB hard drive...suggestions?

I briefly considered getting the second SuperDrive, but then I realized that when I'm work, on our G5 Powermacs, I have never, ever needed a second drive (as disc-to-disc copying is kinda obsolete nowadays...I can't remember the last time I copied a disc for someone). Better to leave it open for a Blu-Ray drive anyways.

I also decided against the 2 gig of RAM upgrade, as Crucial should have a "guaranteed solution" for a much cheaper price than the Apple upgrade.

Not really in the need for a 512 MB video card... I do play games, but not enough to justify over $300 dollars worth. I can play Homeworld 2 on my 12" 1.5 GHz G4 Powerbook just fine...and I think I can get HL2 to run with the nVidia 7300 GT.

Any advice?

 

[Multimedia]

$344 Per Pair • 2GB Kit

actually crucial already has your ram, apple's basically using an intel 5000 motherboard:

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpa...s&mfr=Intel&tabid=AM&model=S5000XVN&submit=Go

Only $344 a new low price.

Crucial Part Number: CT2KIT12872AF667
Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
Package: 240-pin DIMM
Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300
Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • FULLY BUFFERED • ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 72

 

[Peace]

I may have got the chip wrong but it IS a dual dual core.

 

[Multimedia]

DOWNGRADE The 250 To 160 • Save The $67

I can't decide if I should nix the 250 GB hard drive and save $67 and get the 160 GB drive. I already have 3 250 SATA hard drives in my pc that I plan to put in the empty drive bays, so it's not like I'd spend the saved money on another hard drive. I do plan on doing a Boot Camp partition, which is why I'm considering the 250 GB hard drive...suggestions? Any advice?

Lose the 250 and save $67. You can buy 400 GB/SATA/300 drives for $99. So the 250 is way overpriced for the 90GB difference.

You did right sticking with the base RAM. See Above. Buy the Crucial 2GB kit and you have 3GB in only 4 slots with the base 1GB costing only $44. If you bought Apple's 2GB "deal" for $300 you would only have 2GB in 4 slots - effectively paying $300 for 1GB in the form of an INFERIOR 2 x 512 sticks - INSANE. $344 for the 2x1GB Crucial Kit Minus $300 you would have given Apple = $44 for the Apple 2x512 kit. See?

 

[JoshRtek]

So do I just get the 400 GB drive and run the restore disc on it, making it the main drive

And I'm going to go ahead and play devil's advocate and suggest that the Crucial RAM might not work since it's not Apple RAM? (or just since Crucial doesn't have a Mac Pro option on their upgrade guide...)?

 

[Multimedia]

Reinstall Off The DVD Install Disc

So do I just get the 400 GB drive and run the restore disc on it, making it the main drive?

Sure. Just reinstall off the DVD Install Disc. Takes only a few minutes. Put the 160 in an external USB 2 case you can get for $30 at Fry's. Or put it aside for when you sell it. Sales feature - New Home Drive NEVER USED. That's what i would do. I wouldn't even boot off it to begin with. I would remove it and replace it with a Maxtor, Western Digital or Seagate 400, 500 or 750 and install off the DVD first thing.

BTW for the $400 each Apple is selling 500GB HDs you can buy 750GB HDs for a total of 3TB not 2TB Apple says is the limit.

And I'm going to go ahead and play devil's advocate and suggest that the Crucial RAM might not work since it's not Apple RAM? (or just since Crucial doesn't have a Mac Pro option on their upgrade guide...)?

Now you're yanking my chain right? It says it is for the motherboard Apple is using. Intel S5000XVN Motherboard. It will definitely work. Since Mac Pro was just announced Crucial just hasn't updated that web page yet. No biggie. Don't worry. Crucial has a money back guarantee anyway man.

Apple RAM? There is no such thing as Apple RAM. They buy their RAM from third parties just like you and me. It's one of their biggest profit centers - they are so making a killing on their ram upgrades it is almost at the Greedy stage of behavior.

 

[JoshRtek]

I'm also waiting on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi option until I can buy the install kit in the Apple store down the street at the mall. I would have it pre-installed, but I need the computer next week for a job and it can't wait.

(and the G5 Powermac module does not work with the Mac Pro, or so the store tech told me on the phone today).

BTW, thanks for all the help. There are so many options with this new computer; it's like finally being able to afford a BMW and walking in and being dumbfounded by all the options.

And as far as Apple RAM, I should know better. I bought a gig stick Corsair Value Stick SO-DIMM at Fry's for my 12" Powerbook and it works great!

 

[Multimedia]

Bluetooth Option Will Be Available Alacarte? Great News!

I'm also waiting on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi option until I can buy the install kit in the Apple store down the street at the mall. I would have it pre-installed, but I need the computer next week for a job and it can't wait.

(and the G5 Powermac module does not work with the Mac Pro, or so the store tech told me on the phone today).

So they are going to be selling the Bluetooth upgrade option alacarte? That's great news.

 

[3CCD]

Incredible. Love it. I still love my single 1.6Ghz PowerMac G5. Definitely going Intel once 10.5 is released.

 

[Multimedia]

Waiting For OctoCore With Leopard

Incredible. Love it. I still love my single 1.6Ghz PowerMac G5. Definitely going Intel once 10.5 is released.

I'm with you unless I can get a "grant" from a relative. I'm more inclined to want a 17" Merom MBP this year. But I would pull the trigger on this model if I can get help. Truth is, while Apple is trying to say these are a lot faster than the G5 Quad, they are not. We need more cores.

But I do love the expadability of this new model. Way more easy to get a lot more stuff inside. Especially love the dual 5.25" Bays which could alternately be used to house a PATA HD above one optical on that PATA bus for a total of 3.75TB possible (5 x 750) inside. I do that on my G5 Quad for a total possible 2.25TB inside.

 

[JoshRtek]

So they are going to be selling the Bluetooth upgrade option alacarte? That's great news.

Haven't they been selling the G5 Powermac BT/AP module upgrade kit in stores for a while now? I even hear they install it for free...

...Anyhow...here it goes...baseline 2.66 GHz system, minus the 250 for the 160 GD drive...wish me luck, be back in a few minutes.

 

[Agathon]

Yes. I bought a work truck for $15000 and made them give me a $100 bedliner free. The amount I'm spending has nothing to do with my desire to extract the most value for myself.

Apple ain't a charity, I want every last penny I can squeeze from our transactions.

I laughed at this.

The problem here is that you're one of those awful tightwads. Don't go blaming Apple or anyone else for your personality disorder.

 

[bloodycape]

This is kind of interesting.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6625581.html?tag=blog

 

[shelterpaw]

I laughed at this.

The problem here is that you're one of those awful tightwads. Don't go blaming Apple or anyone else for your personality disorder.

Perhaps he just doesn't have as much discretionary income as you and he wants to get the most bang for his buck.

 

[bloodycape]

Has Apple given their ID department the year off? Or have the reassigned everyone to make the iPod look cooler? No I wasn't expecting a radical redesign, because aside from the MacBook there hasn't been one in a long time.
I miss the good old days when Apple would not only drastically change the case design every time a new processor was used, but they would also do some major tweeking of materials and color for minor speed bumps. I know it's hard with laptops and the mini because they are so simple all you can really do is change colors and materials used. But the towers and the iMacs....

I hope Apple doesn't simplify themselves out of the industrial design business. Not yet. They do seem to be getting a little lazy though.

The second one of the bottom is an eMac and was suppose to be different from an iMac. BTW you kinda of skipped the iMac G5, granted it pretty much looked to the same (sans front row and isight on the earlier models). But yes I see what you are saying about the designs. I was thinking the same thing wondering why the mb was the only one to have a more major design change.

 

[70355]

The problem here is that you're one of those awful tightwads.

And you're a sucker.

 

[Multimedia]

Quad Mac Pro Is A True Bargain • DELL & HP Should Be Very Afraid

This is kind of interesting.

Macs are cheaper than PCs? Yes by CNET's Andrew Gruen

Yeah this is definitely Apple's Power Move into high end PC sales. Anyone who wants a Quad Core PC is going to want to buy a Mac Pro no matter how much they hate OS X and love XP. The $1200-$1300 saved will buy 6GB of more ram and a copy of XP Pro.

The gloves are off. This is WAR.

Apple is now really STICKING IT to DELL and HP Big Time.

 

[BenRoethig]

Mac OS X not do anything for you? I do agree that there is space for a Mid-range desktop.

I think if Apple just made the Mac Mini a bit bigger. They could fit in a Core 2 Duo (Conroe) inside along with a 3.5" Hard Drive and GMA X3000. The 1.86 GHz Conroe kills the Yonah Core Solo in everything and costs less than the Core Solo. A 3.5" Hard Drive is also much better in the value department. Couple this with an option for a Single-Woodcrest Mac Pro and it completely eliminates the need for a mid-range tower.

I'm thinking something more like this myself:

Mac Express(working name)
All models:
Mac Pro case
16x Superdrive (extra drive bay)
SATA hard drive (2 extra bays)
1 x16 PCI-Express slot
3 x1 PCI-Express slot
Front Media card reader
2 Front USB 2.0, 3 rear USB 2.0
1 Front, 1 Rear Firewire 400
Gigabit Ethernet
Front headphone
7.1 Audio
Airport Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0EDR

3 configurations

1.8ghz Core 2 Duo (2.0ghz BTO) with intel p965 chipset
512mb DDR1066
160gb hard drive (250, 500gb BTO)
128mb GeForce 7300GS (256mb Geforce 7600GS, 512mb 7600GT, or 512mb 7900GS BTO)
$1099

2.4ghz Core 2 Duo (2.66ghz BTO) with intel p965 chipset
1gb DDR 1066
250gb hard drive (500gb BTO)
256mb Geforce 7600GS (512mb 7600GT or 512mb 7900GS BTO)
$1499

2.93ghz Core 2 Extreme with Nvidia Nforce570 SLI chipset
1gb DDR 1066
250gb hard drive
512mb GeForce 7600 GX2 SLI graphics card (1gb 7950 GX2 BTO)
$1999

 

[JoshRtek]

Anyone who wants top of the line Quad Core PC has got to want to buy a Mac Pro no matter how much they hate OS X and love XP.

My cousin was in the market for a new laptop about a month ago. He was quite jealous of my 12" Powerbook and wanted to make the switch, had it not been for a certain software program called Hyperion Essbase (database software).

However, when the MacbookPros came out with Bootcamp, the decision was non-existant. He doesn't use the Mac OS X side of his computer at all, but if it weren't for that one PC program, he'd have no use for Windows XP. Nonetheless, he loves his MBP and will probably never go back to non-Apple hardware again.

 

[Multimedia]

Math Doesn't Make Cents

I'm thinking something more like this myself:

Mac Express(working name)
All models:
Mac Pro case
16x Superdrive (extra drive bay)
SATA hard drive (2 extra bays)
1 x16 PCI-Express slot
3 x1 PCI-Express slot
Front Media card reader
2 Front USB 2.0, 3 rear USB 2.0
1 Front, 1 Rear Firewire 400
Gigabit Ethernet
Front headphone
7.1 Audio
Airport Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0EDR

3 configurations

1.8ghz Core 2 Duo (2.0ghz BTO) with intel p965 chipset
512mb DDR1066
160gb hard drive (250, 500gb BTO)
128mb GeForce 7300GS (256mb Geforce 7600GS, 512mb 7600GT, or 512mb 7900GS BTO)
$1099

2.4ghz Core 2 Duo (2.66ghz BTO) with intel p965 chipset
1gb DDR 1066
250gb hard drive (500gb BTO)
256mb Geforce 7600GS (512mb 7600GT or 512mb 7900GS BTO)
$1499

2.93ghz Core 2 Extreme with Nvidia Nforce570 SLI chipset
1gb DDR 1066
250gb hard drive
512mb GeForce 7600 GX2 SLI graphics card (1gb 7950 GX2 BTO)
$1999

I know what you mean. I agree this would be good territory to invade. But the top total 6GHz is in the same price range as the Quad 2 GHz = 8GHz Mac Pro. I don't see how the bottom can be less than 2GHz with the 4MB L2 shared cache. Middle is probably right, but maybe faster. So it looks to me like two models would work here or better yet just one plus faster and slower processor options like the Mac Pro setup.

 

[wildmac]

Keynote?...

Has anyone been able to watch that whole keynote without it breaking up like a bad windows-media straming feed?... egad. Apple makes themselves look bad if they can't dedicate enough server redundancy to meet the demand... I'm on a high-speed cable modem line and I still can't get more than 5 seconds without it breaking up....

 

[aswitcher]

I'm thinking something more like this myself:

Mac Express(working name)
All models:
Mac Pro case
16x Superdrive (extra drive bay)
SATA hard drive (2 extra bays)
1 x16 PCI-Express slot
3 x1 PCI-Express slot
Front Media card reader
2 Front USB 2.0, 3 rear USB 2.0
1 Front, 1 Rear Firewire 400
Gigabit Ethernet
Front headphone
7.1 Audio
Airport Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0EDR

3 configurations

1.8ghz Core 2 Duo (2.0ghz BTO) with intel p965 chipset
512mb DDR1066
160gb hard drive (250, 500gb BTO)
128mb GeForce 7300GS (256mb Geforce 7600GS, 512mb 7600GT, or 512mb 7900GS BTO)
$1099

2.4ghz Core 2 Duo (2.66ghz BTO) with intel p965 chipset
1gb DDR 1066
250gb hard drive (500gb BTO)
256mb Geforce 7600GS (512mb 7600GT or 512mb 7900GS BTO)
$1499

2.93ghz Core 2 Extreme with Nvidia Nforce570 SLI chipset
1gb DDR 1066
250gb hard drive
512mb GeForce 7600 GX2 SLI graphics card (1gb 7950 GX2 BTO)
$1999

I would be happy even with less PCIs.