Mac Pro (Early 2008) Notes and Options

[THX1139]

Wasn't there anyone else that saw the pic and thought that they added a glossy black coat to the interior well??? I thought they did and went.... COOL, they are adding the new theme. But NO I think they should have, it looks HOT. Am I alone?

I'm not a scientist, but I think that is something known as a "shadow."

 

[MattInOz]

In other words, these ARE the Penryn chips you were looking for, Master Kenobi...

I think the give away is the
"Intel 1600 MHz front-side bus Xeon processors will drop into the upcoming Seaburg chipset. Seaburg features support for dual PCIe 2.0 x16 slots and up to 128 GB of memory"

Oh and none of the 45nm Penryns are able to do dual processor config's.

 

[THX1139]

This is not the new mac pro as promised, very upset right now, where the **** is the penryn processor in these things or is that suppose to be in the crapbook pros? Why is certain applications only 2x faster instead 50+ times faster. Wow an look at that if you want the fastest one its 4k what a fu*king rip off. Come on apple I swear.

apple must be desperately in need for more income.
the new ones suppose to have the Penryn processor not the Xeon processor. I would be very mad if they didn't make a new mac pro. This is the same mac only a little faster, the newer ones suppose to be the future well also known as 3 years then replace it with the newer ones in 2011. With a smaller processor yet more powerful, it's sad that they keep upgrading the mac with something a tad bit better, they need to stop playing games and make one very nice & make it last for 10years max.
But nooooooooo, technology goes obsolete in 6months

You should cut back on the caffeine dude. I think you're going to feel silly when you realize that what you wrote is all wrong.

 

[SMM]

No doubt it will also give a bump to Apple's lagging stock price leading into the bump MacWorld will add.

Everybody's stock stock price is lagging. Apple has been one of the best investments over the past 18-24 months. My wife and I both bought in the $38-$42 range. At the time, I was worried we were getting in late. The more I learned about the company, and realized how far ahead of the curve they were, my fears went away, and we have been rewarded by not reacting to every little bump in the road.

Apple is the best managed, engineered and innovative tech company in the world - hands down. Look at how Dell, MS, Sun, HP and many others are trying to imitate Apple. They are trying to capture some of the excitement, Apple has pioneered.

 

[scottrichardson]

hey guys,

2 PCI Express 2.0 16 lane slots

does that mean we could run dual 8800 GT cards? Is this the long awaited SLI support we had all hoped?

No mention at all on apple's site.. but that's two identical slots.. just one is wider than the other (surrounding space?)

Scott

 

[filmguy15]

Why? The most logical place for Blu-Ray is the Apple TV. After that, the iMac.

The only people needing Blu-Ray on the Pro towers can afford to add a Blu-Ray drive.

Yeah....Apple TV with a blu-ray player. Then an iPod with a CD drive....come on....

 

[SirHaakon]

Why? The most logical place for Blu-Ray is the Apple TV. After that, the iMac.

With all due respect, I couldn't disagree more. The Mac Pro is aimed largely at creative content developers; power users who design and manipulate multimedia material. It is the pro user who needs a Blu-ray burner for authoring high definition video or backing up large amounts of data to optical disc for storage. While this doesn't mean that an iMac user would never be interested in these kinds of applications, the price premium that a BD-R drive commands even at this point would raise the cost of the system above what the "basic" user would be willing to pay. It's clear by Apple's offerings of a $2,600 video card, however, that the Mac Pro is the system which will accept the pricey BTO options regardless of the cost. At the very least, it makes no sense in offering such a drive to an iMac user and NOT a Pro user.

The only reason I believe they have left the drive out - even as an upgrade - is that their own DVD Studio Pro software can't even author simple Blu-ray discs yet. It would cause way too much hassle for Apple to offer a drive that the manufacturer's software can't take advantage of. I'm bummed, too, but my guess is we'll see drives appear when their software finally catches up.

 

[goodcow]

Wow, the ADC pricing is insane.

ADC: $2239
Edu: $2599
Standard: $2799

Anyone in college should just buy a $99 student ADC membership and they still save a bunch of money on the MacPro.

It also shows how crazy Apple's margins are, and makes you wonder if they had ADC pricing for everyone if they'd be at 20% marketshare already.

 

[hempcamp]

I'm quite pleased with this update, as it seems quite a value despite its high price compared to previous revisions.

Oh how I miss the days of upgradeability -- so much so I'm considering the single CPU quad-core version of this or a now-reduced-price quad core 2.0 model instead of an iMac or Mac Mini because it will last me so much longer.

--Chris

 

[Freis968]

Hi Freis968. I'm not sure if this helps, but the following is an earlier post I saw that mentioned something that might be a good idea.

Thanks Purkey, but I have one question...WHAT IN THE HELL IS HE TALKING ABOUT?

 

[Freis968]

Shrug. Not much difference between an option to add and an option to subtract. But most things are options to add, probably because it lets them keep the base price (the one they advertise) lower. And they probably figure that more people are going to be using it wired than not (for one thing, if you're actually doing significant local network traffic, it's going to be a lot faster over ethernet). And you'll notice that you can't subtract Bluetooth, whereas wi-fi is actually an option. Honestly, I'm really not sure why you're complaining about having to click a radio button.

IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME...

 

[DeepIn2U]

Now this is what the OT & Holiday pay is for ... if ONLY I knew ahead of time. Oh well there IS this months OT and next months. Then I'll FINALLY have a MAC PRO!

FINALLY!

Now Love how when you save an image of the XServe the name has "hero" in it

 

[IlluminatedSage]

It is a nice machine, though i am disappointed in the following:

1- No Blu-Ray reader or Burner option
2- No new Monitors to take advantage of HDMI inputs with Speakers integrated

soe nice sides to the new model. I would be interested, but i want the options i am mentioning.

I am sitting on my wallet until Blu-Ray !

But... the shipping time on these models are 3-5 weeks. who knows what the news at Macworld will be.

My hope is some of the above

 

[kaneda]

Where?

Where is the new MAC pro redesign? This case is old... I am waiting for the new one before I purchase a new computer. The last time I bought new computer 6 months later they came out the G5... That is like loonnng time ago...

 

[Freis968]

Ok, do you think my CONFIGURE NOW Mac Pro I just ordered will do the job for me? I just need to type emails to my friend in Jacksonville and want to make sure I have enough power to do so...


Summary

Subtotal $23,197.00
Estimated Ship:
3-5 weeks
Free Shipping
Next business day delivery available

Specifications

Two 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8-core)
32GB (8 x 4GB)
300GB 15,000-rpm SAS
300GB 15,000-rpm SAS
300GB 15,000-rpm SAS
300GB 15,000-rpm SAS
NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 1.5GB (Stereo 3D, two dual-link DVI)
Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)
Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)
Two 16x SuperDrives
AirPort Extreme card (Wi-Fi)
Apple wireless Mighty Mouse
Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) + Mac OS X

 

[sas76]

Where is the new MAC pro redesign? This case is old... I am waiting for the new one before I purchase a new computer. The last time I bought new computer 6 months later they came out the G5... That is like loonnng time ago...

I am still suprised people care what these things look like. They are a box (very well designed) to put computer bits in, nothing else. I am sure you would find most Mac pro's stuck under a desk.

Who cares...

 

[MattInOz]

Ok, do you think my CONFIGURE NOW Mac Pro I just ordered will do the job for me? I just need to type emails to my friend in Jacksonville and want to make sure I have enough power to do so...


Summary

Subtotal $23,197.00
Estimated Ship:
3-5 weeks
Free Shipping
Next business day delivery available

Specifications

Two 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8-core)
32GB (8 x 4GB)
300GB 15,000-rpm SAS
300GB 15,000-rpm SAS
300GB 15,000-rpm SAS
300GB 15,000-rpm SAS
NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 1.5GB (Stereo 3D, two dual-link DVI)
Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)
Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)
Two 16x SuperDrives
AirPort Extreme card (Wi-Fi)
Apple wireless Mighty Mouse
Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) + Mac OS X

I think your storage needs would be volume over access time.
Maybe the 4x 1TB 7,500rpm would be a better choice?

 

[iSee]

The terms of the ADC discount say this:

Your ADC Membership may permit you to purchase a limited number of development systems at a discount. A system is equivalent to one (1) CPU with one (1) display; one (1) iMac; or one (1) portable.

Reading this literally it suggests that you would need two ADC discounts if you were buying a two CPU Mac Pro, and maybe that you would need to buy a display at the same time? Do Apple ever interpret it like that, or can you use the single ADC discount from the "select" package to get ~20% off a Mac Pro with no display?

That's funny... but don't worry, Apple doesn't interpret it that way: a Mac Pro
counts as one system, even when it includes 2 CPUs.

 

[tirerim]

I love to swap or change out hardware like the rest of you; Probably why one of my first Mac's was a PowerMac, but I am a total convert to the iMac after I gave the 24" a shot.

It is what it is, an all in one machine that performs and functions perfect for what it was designed for.

If people need to add to the baseline hardware of a top end iMac, then they naturally shouldn't be in the mid-range market.

So ultimately, it isn't the iMac's problem, its just the user is trying to use it for something it was never intended for.

iMac preaching complete.

There are two main problems with the iMac. One is that while it's a fine computer now, two or three years down the line you can't extend its life with some upgrades. The other is that monitors go obsolete slower than computers, so it doesn't make sense to have to buy a new monitor every four or five years.

Realistically, I think that either the single-chip Mac Pro or the Mac Mini will serve most people's needs if they don't want an iMac (the Mac Mini isn't upgradeable, but you can also afford to replace it a lot more often), so it makes sense for Apple to keep their product line as it is. But there will always be a few people for whom that doesn't apply.

(Oh, and if the current iMacs are anything like the original ones, they are upgradeable... it's just really annoying. On my old lime iMac G3, I maxed out the RAM (over a series of three separate upgrades), installed a bigger hard drive, replaced the CMOS battery after it died, and finally upgraded the fan to a quieter one. The last involved removing the entire case along with about 30 screws, and being very careful around the CRT. But it still works, and it happily runs Ubuntu.)

 

[mixel]

Why is certain applications only 2x faster instead 50+ times faster. Wow an look at that if you want the fastest one its 4k what a fu*king rip off. Come on apple I swear.

.. I wish yearly updates offered 50x performance boosts too.

Seems pretty decent value to me! Cheaper than before, more powerful than before.

If I had the spare cash I'd be all over this to replace my poor old 1.8 dual G5.

 

[darthraige]

I am still suprised people care what these things look like. They are a box (very well designed) to put computer bits in, nothing else. I am sure you would find most Mac pro's stuck under a desk.

Who cares...

I agree... Also, its still the most badass looking machine on the planet. It's scary looking. Can not wait to purchase this. Just waiting for my credit card to show up.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

I'd love to see this too, but I don't imagine Apple doing that. They seem to be fixated on form -- smallest size above all else. The Mac mini was a new product and it was created from scratch. There was no reason why they couldn't have dimensioned it to use full-size 3.5" hard drives in the first place. Instead they chose to use smaller laptop drives because they insisted on making it as small as they could. Now that they've established that footprint (Mac mini, Apple TV, Airport Extreme) I don't see them suddenly introducing a bigger one just so we can have what we want.

Heck, it would have been a LOT cheaper for them to use commodity 3.5" drives instead of expensive laptop drives. The fact that they didn't strongly suggests to me that they really, really care about making it small, to the extent that they're willing to sacrifice cost and performance.

Which, if you think about it, really describes Apple's design decisions lately. Make it look good, no matter what.

Too bad. I'd have bought one as a server if it had an internal 3.5" drive.

You are forgetting about heat and power consumption, when you add a 3.5" desktop class HDD and or a dedicated GPU even with a little larger case you are going to generate a lot of heat. To counter that you have to add a fan or two and then you have a noisy machine, to make matters worse you also have to up the power supply. Before you know it you will be asking for the option to add another HDD and that will lead you to the MP line.

Don't are for the GPU, however will agree that a 3.5" 7200 rpm HDD would be appreciated.

I would have to agree with this. I know a lot of people here are looking for a "mid range" computer other than the iMac, and I would agree with them, but the absolute minimum price on the Mac Pro (with one 2.8 GHz processor) gives you the same price as the high end iMac. So to me it doesn't look like there's room between those two. On the other hand I can understand still wanting something cheaper than $2,299 but also upgradeable.

the mid-range headless iMac, or whatever you want to call it is actually been released today, its the single quad-core bto. This makes more sense to house it in the same casing as the rest of the MP as it reduces cost for R&D, redesign, testing, production, shipping, advertising, and the list goes on.

Cheaper to have the same MP case and give the end user more options or similar options to upgrade when compared to the rest of the product line.

Apple is wise to reuse the same MP case for a mid-range model. Consumers are too blind to notice or see the possibilities. Do not need another G4 Cube.

I believe there is some kind of vibe going across the world -- you're like the seventy forth person to say this exact same thing I'm starting to believe it's true

The "Vibe" occurs with every Apple event may it be MWSF or WWDC or MW Paris. When can I say Fan's.

 

[MacFly123]

I'm not a scientist, but I think that is something known as a "shadow."

WOW, thank you for clearing that up. It is a very dark shadow, so at first glance I just automatically assumed they added the black border that all the other products are getting or will get because that is the new design theme and the new materials. I didn't think about it till I saw the other pics. I'm not an idiot. And I wasn't the only one. It would look much better if they did I think, look at it, it would fit the new iMac theme very nicely

 

[bigwig]

Is there some new chip from intel arriving this summer?

Nehalem was scheduled for second-half of '08. August '08 would qualify.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

I agree... Also, its still the most badass looking machine on the planet. It's scary looking. Can not wait to purchase this. Just waiting for my credit card to show up.

reason why Apple has not updated any of the casings on most of its products, is because its trying to cut costs to design and produce a new case every 2-3 years in its previous track record, this added extra cost to the consumers.

Apple is trying to save the consumer money by not redesigning often enough, take the same amount or a little less profit margin to please its shareholders and sustain company growth and in the end you have happy customers (generally happy and most of them).

We can all agree that Apple product line has come down in price when compared to the past, however that is the nature of technology, one also has to factor in that since the past Apple has also grown into many other business ventures yet still dropping prices and offering more to its customers.

If the customer(s) want to pay more for a new product casing every 2-3 years then I am sure Apple will not mind delivering on that objective.

redesigning the MP when its already a great industrial design (maybe reduce its dimensions a little and change the handle design), plus for a machine that is heavy and big which will normally be kept on the floor or under a desk, seems almost pointless to redesign for the cost to consumers.