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Nehalem EP (Xeon) Processors 'Ridiculously fast'

Digital Skunk said:
You are correct, the $2500 isn't a lot to ask for what you get, but what you get may be more than you need. Most users don't need the 4-8 cores of a Mac Pro with Xeon chips and 32GB of possible RAM.

Many just need the 4 cores of a regular desktop chip, and expandable HDD, PCI and GPUs.
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4 cores isn't as expensive as most people believe. Even if they're going to be idle I'm going to pick a slower quad core over a faster dual core for general computing. $150-180 gets your foot in the door for a quad core processor.
 
For most Mac Pro buyers waiting until March/April for the new model isn't going to be a big problem given that Nehalem will be bringing a lot of muscle and it'll let Apple actually hold a press event for a professional product, something they almost never do.

I've given up on ever seeing a mid-priced desktop/tower from Apple ever again because it would force Apple to negotiate deals on a wider variety of components and, mostly, because Steve Jobs believes computers should be sealed boxes like household appliances. When was the last time you upgraded the heat pump or insulation in your refrigerator? When it's not good enough anymore you're supposed to buy a whole new one. Upgradeable towers run counter to his profit focused world view.

I believe the perfect lineup has 4 notebooks and 4 desktops. I'd replace the Mini with a Nano that uses the same parts as the MacBook to reduce cost and inventory issues. They could charge more because it'd be a legitimate performer and it might actually cost less to produce than the Mini.

I'd also cut down on the standard configurations. I see no point in having three different MacBooks, two 20" iMacs or two MacBook Airs. Just make one model and let people CTO a different processor, HD, RAM, etc.

NetBook
MacNano (same as MacBook minus the display, battery, kb, trackpad)
MacBook
iMac 20"
MacBlade (mythical small desktop/tower)
MacBook Air
iMac 24"
MacBook Pro 15"
MacBook Pro 17"
Mac Pro
 
Bregalad said:
NetBook
MacNano (same as MacBook minus the display, battery, kb, trackpad)
MacBook
iMac 20"
MacBlade (mythical small desktop/tower)
MacBook Air
iMac 24"
MacBook Pro 15"
MacBook Pro 17"
Mac Pro
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Yeah... and you were talking about slimming the lines?

MacTablet (13" slab; no swiveling screen, no ODD)

MacBook
MacBook Air
MacBook Pro

Whatever becomes of the Apple TV/Mac Mini
iMac
Mac Pro

Steve will never do an xMac. Wait until he dies.
 
Tallest Skil said:
Yeah... and you were talking about slimming the lines?

MacTablet (13" slab; no swiveling screen, no ODD)

MacBook
MacBook Air
MacBook Pro

Whatever becomes of the Apple TV/Mac Mini
iMac
Mac Pro

Steve will never do an xMac. Wait until he dies.
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A Tablet has a better chance of coming out than a mid-range tower? 😕
 
If I have the current mac pro...would it be possible to put in these newer processors that are coming out, into this computer? And if not, why not?

that is probably a really dumb question so sorry in advance 😛
 
kabunaru said:
A Tablet has a better chance of coming out than a mid-range tower? 😕
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Steve hates them both. I give it a 3% better chance.

Slimdude22 said:
If I have the current mac pro...would it be possible to put in these newer processors that are coming out, into this computer? And if not, why not?

that is probably a really dumb question so sorry in advance 😛
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Different socket, different bus speed, different RAM speed.
 
Eidorian said:
I don't think you'll see an X58 in a Shuttle. More then likely some lower end P5x series.
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I think you "misunderestimate" human stupidity; I've had people try return 8800GTX's with the last 3/4 of the card sawed off because it wouldn't fit in the case.
 
Slimdude22 said:
If I have the current mac pro...would it be possible to put in these newer processors that are coming out, into this computer? And if not, why not?

that is probably a really dumb question so sorry in advance 😛
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Not a dumb question at all, but why would you need to drop in the next gen chip if you have a current machine? It's not like the current Mac Pro is going to be any slower.

And here I am sticking 4GBs of RAM in my dual core G5. Might just take it all the way to 16GB just for the hell of it, and because the 2GB chips only cost $27.
 
kabunaru said:
Apple should make the Mac Pro "greener".
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Best way to do that would be to make a mini-tower using lower power desktop parts - and then sell fewer Mac Pros. 😉


- Mac Pro, the SUV of desktop computers -​

(Dell, 5.9 kg, 235 watt power supply. Mac Pro, 19.2 kg, ~1000 watt power supply)
 

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tenks said:
I think you're the only one of the few who grasp all of this. To everyone else, forget what you have been marketed to, desktop should be this, server should be that.... The bottom line in this generation, the Nehalem 45nm generation, THEY ARE ALL THE SAME CHIP!
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This has basically been true for every "server" CPU that Intel has ever made (EDIT: except the first - the Pentium Pro).
 
Anyone have a compilation of benchmark url links thus far?
Was wondering how the benchmarks have been fairing over time
 
Back on Topic.... ish.

Popped into the Regents Street Apple Store the other night and there were only 3 mac pros on display. This probably doesn't seem that surprising unless you are familiar with the store which normally has about 10. I think the updates must come very soon, and wouldn't be at all surprised if Intel are being deliberately vague to keep Apple happy. New Mac Pro's at Macworld I think. (perhaps I should say 'hope'!)
 
robinp said:
New Mac Pro's at Macworld I think. (perhaps I should say 'hope'!)
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Being a consumer expo, I don't think so. If the update is that soon, they'll do it the Tuesday before MacWorld like they did this year.

And if not, it'll be at WWDC. Yes, they would keep the same hardware that long. They did it last time.
 
Tallest Skil said:
Being a consumer expo, I don't think so. If the update is that soon, they'll do it the Tuesday before MacWorld like they did this year.

And if not, it'll be at WWDC. Yes, they would keep the same hardware that long. They did it last time.
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If you look at the buyers guide then it clearly shows we are approaching the longest time between updates in the history of the mac pro/powermac. I know the update before the current generation was just a drop in CPU replacement and was therefore very little effort for Apple, but I don't think we should use that lack of complexity on their part as an example of what to expect in the future. The actual performance increase from that simple upgrade was very large indeed, in fact it was probably one of the single biggest performance increases to the top end of their Pro lineup. I really think Apple wont wait until WWDC to update, but agree it may not actually at Macworld. However, I think apple's reluctance to release previous Mac Pro updates at Macworld has more to do with the updates not being very glamourous. This might be different, particularly if there is a change to the case on top of the new architecture.
 
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