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People need highend GFX cards... Any 3D rendering program uses them. This will make my job faster and easier, from vision to rendering to finial press images. GFX cards ARE a big deal.
 
Motion 3 uses the graphics card almost exclusively. So you are mistaken about not needing it for Final Cut Studio 2.

Indeed he is. The new FxPlug architecture for plugins uses the GPU. Color needs a hefty GPU to do anything. The days where you didn't need a fancy card because you just edit are fast disappearing.
 
For Tax Deductions At Least - Two Weeks To The San Francisco Intel Developer's Forum

No, it better not come out in January. They need to end the year with a bang. And start the new year with something more retarded than the MacPro. So it better be November.
Gotta believe the institutional buyers are screaming to their reps about the need for an update before year end so they can buy and write it off this year's expenses for tax purposes. But we do have to remember that although Apple may have everything planned for us long ago, they are still hostage to Intel's shipping process.

Knowing what a good negotiator Steve is, and based on history, we should expect he arranged for Apple to get the fastest and most expensive stuff first at a bargain price to Apple. If it doesn't happen in November, it would seem like Apple and Intel are shooting themselves in the foot - or maybe an arm too. But technology only marches forward when the best laid plans are able to be executed in the face of unknown technological challenges. Going from 65nm to 45nm is quite an amazing feat involving entirely new elements, molecules, ingredients and manufacturing parts and processes.

San Francisco Intel Developer's Forum is September 18-20 followed the next week by Paris Apple Expo September 25-29. Let's hope they throw us a bone at one of those events.
 
You would think Apple would want to release something "big" at their last "big" expo this year. I'm tired of these stupid "media events" with like 50 people. They need to end this year with something "HUGE" like a MacPro. The French dig super computers, don't they? Maybe they will get lucky this year!
 
You would think Apple would want to release something "big" at their last "big" expo this year. I'm tired of these stupid "media events" with like 50 people. They need to end this year with something "HUGE" like a MacPro. The French dig super computers, don't they? Maybe they will get lucky this year!

I could be wrong and I don't mind being corrected if I am but I can not remember anything "big" being introduced at the Paris Expo at any time.
Apple just doesn't use it to show off new products.
 
I could be wrong and I don't mind being corrected if I am but I can not remember anything "big" being introduced at the Paris Expo at any time.
Apple just doesn't use it to show off new products.

Right, nothing that big ever came out of there, but maybe they could surprise us all. But I still dont think it will happen. I think it will come along with Leopard.
 
Noting the schedule of Apple's recent string of hardware releases...

June 29th - iPhone

August 7th - iMacs

September 5th - iPods

...It's about one a month. That would lead me to believe that the Mac Pro should be released sometime around the beginning or middle of October. And with Leopard coming in October I can't see it being released after that and missing out on holiday shopping. November at the latest, but I'm thinking (hoping) October - before Leopard.
 
As much as I hate to say it, it simply does not make sense that Apple would release new Mac Pros either before or concurrent with the Leopard release.

Not before, because there's too much credibility in the theory that Leopard availability is the blocker that's been keeping us from getting new graphics cards up until now. Apple most likely wants to delay any new graphics card offerings until after Leopard so that they don't need to support Tiger with the new card drivers. That decision seemed a lot less significant when Apple probably made it (back before the Leopard release delay) and now they're stuck with it. I'll bet this is the case.

And certainly not at the same time as Leopard's release. Jobs wouldn't want the distraction of new hardware to pull Apple "off message" when they're telling the world how Leopard, the latest OS X release, is going to cure male pattern baldness and bring about peace in the Middle East. For certain Apple would prefer to wait a comfortable period of time to allow the Leopard excitement subside before they toss more chum into the water in the form of a new Mac Pro.

No, I think that the Leopard release has thrown a huge wrench in the works (that's a "spanner" if you're a Brit) for those of us waiting for new Mac Pros. Assuming Leopard stumbles out the door late in October that puts us at November at the earliest. I'm sure Apple is completely fine with that date, too.

That's because Apple's Mac Pro buyers aren't influenced by the holiday buying season anyway -- I can't imagine Apple has given any serious worry to that particular issue. Sure, they'd never push a iMac update out into December, but the Mac Pro? sure. Jeez -- you guys are all pro buyers. You've seen the size of that box. No way you could fit a Mac Pro under a tree! :)
 
Noting the schedule of Apple's recent string of hardware releases...

June 29th - iPhone

August 7th - iMacs

September 5th - iPods

...It's about one a month. That would lead me to believe that the Mac Pro should be released sometime around the beginning or middle of October. And with Leopard coming in October I can't see it being released after that and missing out on holiday shopping. November at the latest, but I'm thinking (hoping) October - before Leopard.

I would hope for just an announcement within the first 2 weeks of October telling us about new MacPros that will start shipping once Leopard comes out. It makes sense for Apple to not ship a new MacPro without Leopard on it so they can show us what an operating system can do with 8-cores. So either ship it right when Leopard comes out. Or a couple weeks after into November.
 
Okay, here is a crazy thought:
What if Steve needs the "ammunition" for Macworld?

I think that was one reason why they talked about gaming at WWDC, because they didn´t have enough to show. So could it actually happen, that they focus completely on Leopard for the rest of the year and push the new Mac Pro back to Macworld, so they have enough amazing stuff to show and release immediately then?

Does anybody know how the Leopard launch will happen? Will there be a press event again? Because that´s the only time and place where I could imagine, they would release the new Mac Pro this year.

My student-status ends this November and I have to by a Mac Pro by then or I have to pay a lot more! :(
 
Seriously, if there is no update by October or November, I will be really pissed. I am only waiting because people are so sure there will be an update this year. Let's hope for a silent update with the ipods.
 
And there better not be an event to just release Leopard. They spent too much time on it. They had 2 events already and screwed us on the Spring release. So they better just be like, "Hi. Here you go. Leopard." And start shipping. :D Or have the event with the MacPro.
 
Okay, here is a crazy thought:
What if Steve needs the "ammunition" for Macworld?

I think that was one reason why they talked about gaming at WWDC, because they didn´t have enough to show. So could it actually happen, that they focus completely on Leopard for the rest of the year and push the new Mac Pro back to Macworld, so they have enough amazing stuff to show and release immediately then?

Does anybody know how the Leopard launch will happen? Will there be a press event again? Because that´s the only time and place where I could imagine, they would release the new Mac Pro this year.

My student-status ends this November and I have to by a Mac Pro by then or I have to pay a lot more! :(

I really don't think the Mac Pro will be released at MacWorld San Fran.
Apple doesn't need an event to bring out new computers especially the Mac Pro.
If the Mac Pro is ready in November (hypothetically speaking) why would they hold back until January?

And I can't picture Apple touting the Mac Pro as a gaming rig.
I suppose it is possible that Apple could come out with a computer that is especially geared to gamers but I don't think it would be called a Mac Pro.

My money says November because it works out perfectly with Intel's Harpertown releases.
 
If it is not pre-Thanksgiving then it will be in January and if it will be in January - one could expect a new case - just so there is someting to show off.
Based upon all I have read there is really no need for fanfare around this update - so when they get the stuff in they should just release it so I can buy...
 
Add my name to the list of waiters too. I've been on the darkside for far too long. I recently got my wife a new iMac because I got sick of doing tech support for her windows bul&*#$ :eek:. I saw the light and I want to replace my aging winrig with a Mac Pro, but I don't want to spend the money now and regret it in a couple of months.
I am hopeful that :apple: gets it right and offers an up-to-date workstation.
 
Waiting here too. I have a dual 2.3ghz powermac that's showing it's age. . . but not quite enough to warrant replacing it with a premium priced year old machine.

Honestly, I just wish they'd put a decent video card in the iMacs and make them more then laptops with desktop lcd glued to the top.
 
You won't regret it...

Add my name to the list of waiters too. I've been on the darkside for far too long. I recently got my wife a new iMac because I got sick of doing tech support for her windows bul&*#$ :eek:. I saw the light and I want to replace my aging winrig with a Mac Pro, but I don't want to spend the money now and regret it in a couple of months.
I am hopeful that :apple: gets it right and offers an up-to-date workstation.

One thing great about a Mac is the value. I've had my dual 1 gHz quicksilver G4 for about five years - and really nothing is wrong with it. It's still a great computer for average use - internet, e-mail etc. My G4 is a better computer (or at least more fun to use:) than the ThinkPad laptop my company recently gave me to use at work - and better than most current cheapo Dells (in my opinion). If you buy a Mac Pro you'll be really impressed by the quality - and the think will last. However, as with all technology, something better will come out a month or so after you buy... :rolleyes:
 
Honestly, I just wish they'd put a decent video card in the iMacs and make them more then laptops with desktop lcd glued to the top.

Yes, why can't they make a high-end iMac with an extremely powerful video card?
With the iMac being so thin, is heat a factor?
 
Add me to this ridiculous list.

It better come out with Leopard. Leopard needs no event, we already know and have seen nearly everything it does.

I blame the iPhone for this painfully long wait. It pushed back leopard and leopard pushed back Mac Pro. At least there should've been an update to video cards, or a price drop, about six months ago.

I just want more bang for my buck and I'm ready to buy.
 
Add me to this ridiculous list.

It better come out with Leopard. Leopard needs no event, we already know and have seen nearly everything it does.

I blame the iPhone for this painfully long wait. It pushed back leopard and leopard pushed back Mac Pro. At least there should've been an update to video cards, or a price drop, about six months ago.

I just want more bang for my buck and I'm ready to buy.

It will all come October/November. If not, then shame on Apple... I'm sure it will come out this year. It has too. The iMac has better crap in it than the MacPro.
 
Yes, why can't they make a high-end iMac with an extremely powerful video card?
With the iMac being so thin, is heat a factor?

I wager heat is definitely a factor. Oddly enough, the newest iMacs actually come with a downgraded video card that in some cases puts out 1/2 the FPS of the previous iMac....even with a much slower cpu (so definitely a vid card bottleneck). This makes the new iMacs even *less* appealing to someone who might wish to do a little gaming on their mac.

Old iMac's had the 7900 nvidia cards and the new ones have the craptastic ATI 2600's or some such.

This certainly is not the sort of design decisions I'd expect from a company that has started making attempts to improve their "gamer friendly" image.
 
I wager heat is definitely a factor. Oddly enough, the newest iMacs actually come with a downgraded video card that in some cases puts out 1/2 the FPS of the previous iMac....even with a much slower cpu (so definitely a vid card bottleneck). This makes the new iMacs even *less* appealing to someone who might wish to do a little gaming on their mac.

Old iMac's had the 7900 nvidia cards and the new ones have the craptastic ATI 2600's or some such.

This certainly is not the sort of design decisions I'd expect from a company that has started making attempts to improve their "gamer friendly" image.

Old iMac came with a Geforce 7300GT but had an BTO option for the Geforce 7600GT.
 
Old iMac came with a Geforce 7300GT but had an BTO option for the Geforce 7600GT.

yeah that's the one. I was looking at the benchmarks yesterday when contemplating buying an updated iMac in lieu of the Mac Pro.

I probably don't need all the power of a Mac Pro. Especially since I now have access to some heavy computational muscle at work with our cluster. I was hoping that the iMac could provide at least mediocre gaming performance...but no such luck.

The shame, as I see it, is that it's actually the most economic solution to just buy a Mac Pro if you want to game. But then all those extra cores, processing power, and server hardware is going to waste. There's always the "you can build a gaming machine for 500 dollars!" comments, but I have yet to see a 500 dollar pc rig that could even come close to hanging with a mac pro. To compete with a MP, you'd have to drop about 1500 on a gaming rig. Low end iMac 1200, mid-grade gaming pc 1500 for 2700....or just buy a MP.

Currently, the 1500 pc will beat out the mac pro due to having a current video card while the MP is using an obsolete (no longer manufactured even) video card. If they update the MP, the price will stay the same (a la apple pricing model) while the performance will exceed the 1500 dollar pc........

This is why I wait. hehe
 
I'm not waiting for one (have a MBP), but my roomate was waiting for quite a while for a new Mac Pro. He finally cracked yesterday since there wasn't a new one and went out and bought one...I just find it funny :p Still a nice machine though, 2x 2.66ghz Xeons, 4gb ram, nvidia quadra gpu
 
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