Nehalem Mac Pros a world of hurt.

[nanofrog]

I've done the same. Core i7 940 here (2.93GHz) and I can easily OC this to 4GHz at the moment with the cooling I have. Single Thread app performance is off the scale at that point, but there is still 8 threads (4 logical 4 physical).

I couldn't resist the value, let alone the need for RAID. I needed internal, and the MP ('8 and now '09 models) are too small. I refuse to span an array between internal and external drives. Possible, but more risk than I'm willing to accept.

With the '08, had I decided to go with that one, would have lost it's $$$ savings + by the time I added the external enclosures and cables. The '09 is worse, and not a viable solution (for me) to obtain Nehalem architecture.

I'm buying a laptop for school in August to get a free iPod to sell. A good idea, but a few months too early.

You're evil....

Oh... wait... CASH! YES!
That's possibly some free memory or HDD right there.

A lot of other people including myself were looking forward to buying a new Mac Pro, but do not want to pay that much. I was perfectly willing to buy the 2008 Mac Pro. So what does that mean? Is this thing out of my price range? No, it's not. It's just not worth anywhere near the $2500 or $3200 they're asking for it. Why would you buy something for $2500 when it's only worth $1700? Does that make any sense at all?

As a student, saving $$$ where you can, is definitely a good thing. You'll have the time, or at least can make it available, to maintain your own system anyway.

You can choose to go windows only, or a multiple OS environment. I've no idea what your major is, or what you're doing, but the possibility exists. Building a Hackintosh isn't that hard. Plenty of online resources, and they're free. (Perfect for a student).

 

[m1stake]

You're evil....

Oh... wait... CASH! YES!
That's possibly some free memory or HDD right there.

I prefer the term "entrepreneur."

You can choose to go windows only, or a multiple OS environment. I've no idea what your major is, or what you're doing, but the possibility exists. Building a Hackintosh isn't that hard. Plenty of online resources, and they're free. (Perfect for a student).

I wrote in another thread that I couldn't think of any tangible, practical reason to use OSX. That's a problem, especially considering that we've been buying Apple products exclusively for almost 30 years (Even if I was only alive for the last 20 ). If that was the end of the problem, I'd build a hackintosh and be done. But why bother finding OSX compatible hardware (Graphics particularly) when I can have no limits whatsoever with Windows?

 

[Chaos123x]

I prefer the term "entrepreneur."



I wrote in another thread that I couldn't think of any tangible, practical reason to use OSX. That's a problem, especially considering that we've been buying Apple products exclusively for almost 30 years (Even if I was only alive for the last 20 ). If that was the end of the problem, I'd build a hackintosh and be done. But why bother finding OSX compatible hardware (Graphics particularly) when I can have no limits whatsoever with Windows?

Because Windows is awful?

 

[iMacmatician]

You know, this really is a feat of engineering. To take the biggest processor bump since the Core and negate it requires some sort of genius.

Amazing post and so true!

(Still waiting for Mac Pro benchmarks…)

 

[Chaos123x]

Amazing post and so true!

(Still waiting for Mac Pro benchmarks…)

Just e-mailed Rob-Art at Barefeats,

He replied this:

"As early as next week, we will be comparing the high end 2.93GHz 8-core (2009) to the last gen high end 3.2GHz 8-core (2008) and high end 3.0GHz 8-core (2007).
In that context we will compare three graphics cards (Radeon HD 4870, Radeon HD 3870, and GeForce 8800 GT).

Then we will follow-up with tests of the lower end 4-core and 8-core models that you described using the same graphics cards.

We realize with six models of Mac Pro replacing last year's three models raises many questions on how they compare running various real world apps."

www.barefeats.com

 

[m1stake]

Because Windows is awful?

Tell me how Windows crashes and gets viruses and has cheap hardware, and tell me how OSX is a lighter OS with better hardware and software that never crashes. Hardly.

I'd like to know what's so awful about Windows.

 

[nanofrog]

I prefer the term "entrepreneur."

LOL!

It's quite simple. It's a smart thing to do. As mentioned earlier, it's like getting some of your hardware for free, and more reliable than rebates. Instant savings is the only thing better. No effort, and no waiting.

I wrote in another thread that I couldn't think of any tangible, practical reason to use OSX. That's a problem, especially considering that we've been buying Apple products exclusively for almost 30 years (Even if I was only alive for the last 20 ). If that was the end of the problem, I'd build a hackintosh and be done. But why bother finding OSX compatible hardware (Graphics particularly) when I can have no limits whatsoever with Windows?

Personally, if an OS can do what I need, I'm happy. Unfortunately, no OS is truly good at absolutely everything.

So we get divisions. At least client and server variants. And in the case of windows, multiple client variants for home and business. Sort of weird, but makes a certain sense. //shrugs

I've long since given up on any notions of loyalty to an OS. Hardware's somewhat another story. Things change. It's just a fact of life, whether biology or technology. Just roll with it, and try to pick what's best at that particular time.

Because Windows is awful?

Not really. Vista's come a long way since the initial release, and Windows 7 Beta is proving to be far more stable than I would have expected. Bodes well I think.

Just e-mailed Rob-Art at Barefeats,

He replied this:

"As early as next week, we will be comparing the high end 2.93GHz 8-core (2009) to the last gen high end 3.2GHz 8-core (2008) and high end 3.0GHz 8-core (2007).
In that context we will compare three graphics cards (Radeon HD 4870, Radeon HD 3870, and GeForce 8800 GT).

Then we will follow-up with tests of the lower end 4-core and 8-core models that you described using the same graphics cards.

We realize with six models of Mac Pro replacing last year's three models raises many questions on how they compare running various real world apps."

www.barefeats.com

I was hoping he'd get to the 2.26GHz Octo sooner than that, as it's the one I, and have the impression many others, are waiting on.

 

[Quu]

LOL. I get it. You were looking forward to buying a new Mac Pro, but don't want to pay that much. That doesn't mean it's not a powerful upgrade for people who see the value.

I just spent 1.1K upgrading my Desktop, 2.2K on a new 17" Notebook and I'm looking at yet another 30" display. Money is not an issue, Specifications and Value for money is an issue. All prices in GBP btw.

 

[Infrared]

Just e-mailed Rob-Art at Barefeats,

He replied this:

"As early as next week, we will be comparing the high end 2.93GHz 8-core (2009) to the last gen high end 3.2GHz 8-core (2008) and high end 3.0GHz 8-core (2007).
In that context we will compare three graphics cards (Radeon HD 4870, Radeon HD 3870, and GeForce 8800 GT).

Then we will follow-up with tests of the lower end 4-core and 8-core models that you described using the same graphics cards.

While interesting to know (in particular, so we can check Apple's
own benchmarks), I think it will be more interesting to see the
8 x 2.26GHz compared with the previous generation 8 x 2.8GHz.

I would like to see those results first. How many people will be
buying the $5,899 8 x 2.93GHz machine anyway?

 

[ccuk]

It would be nice of DVDSP supported burning to BR. Maybe we'll see this in FCSP 3. Otherwise, use Toast. Not. A. Big. Deal.

Seriously if you're actually doing Blu-Ray disk authoring rather than just making arguments, you're going to want to replace any stock drive either right away for the new 8x, or in the near future when faster drives come out. Blu-ray drives are the weakest link in the HD workflow.



Look at the component prices. Apple could have waited longer for price breaks, but then everyone would complain. Apple could have used lower chips, but then everyone would complain.

Basically, Apple is delivering real performance for professionals. Certainly there could be a mid-range box, but I think these machines will be similarly competitive compared to previous Apple products.

You are saying that Toast offers the same authoring experience as DVDSP? What planet or rock have you crawled from under? Is it really so hard to understand that studios who have been happy to use the Macintosh platform to work from; and those who used FCS are now getting annoyed that Apple are not keeping up with market trends? Studios are being asked to author Blu-Ray material, and some wish to offer the services but to move to a part Adobe, or Sonic Scenarist and part apple FCS workflow is counter intuitive. Because Apple wish to tout their beloved iTunes store more and more, we professionals, the ones who actually use this kit to make money, are being hung out to dry. You cannot produce scripted DVDs or Blu-Ray in Toast. You cannot author BD Java in Toast. You cannot create complex menu structures in Toast.

That is reality. So. It. Is. A. Big. Deal.


Don't get me onto the shambles that is the Color workflow, or the lack of SMP support in FCS...


As for the fanciful Mac Pro. That is a joke. I was deciding between a new Mac Pro or a custom build. The custom build gives me way better specs for the money, and don't bother telling me the fancy Mac Pro case improves stability. At the end of the day, when you build high end workstation rigs, you pay more for the fact that you are playing with tried and tested components designed for a 24x7 duty cycle. Not to mention the parts usually come with 3+ years warranty, with a quick turn around for repairs or cross shipping of replacement parts. 1 Year on the Mac Pro? I'll Pass.

 

[LethalWolfe]

It would be nice of DVDSP supported burning to BR. Maybe we'll see this in FCSP 3. Otherwise, use Toast. Not. A. Big. Deal.

Seriously if you're actually doing Blu-Ray disk authoring rather than just making arguments, you're going to want to replace any stock drive either right away for the new 8x, or in the near future when faster drives come out. Blu-ray drives are the weakest link in the HD workflow.

Toast is not comparable to an authoring app like DVD SP and not being able to author BR is a bigger deal than worrying about whatever OEM burner Apple may or may not use in the future. That's like being overly-concerned about the factory tires on a car w/o an engine. Yeah, factory tires aren't great, but not having an engine is a more pressing problem. Many people have authored many DVDs on stock SuperDrives w/o a hitch.


Lethal

 

[sal]

The real issue is that this is a sign that DVD Studio Pro won't have Blu-Ray either.

How are you supposed to give a client a HD video to play on there HDTV?

A computer file? Please, they would never ever figure out how to open quicktime to play it.

i am with you and I feel your pain. It's one thing to leave out bluray recorders off their macpro...I think apple has a good enough reason here but not to update DVDSP to support bluray authoring is just a very dumb move on apple's part. It's pushing people off FCP and into the adobe production suite world.

There is no excuse for that apple.

Doesn't matter what people(or apple) say about bluray, there are clients right now requesting bluray disks. And it's a shame FCP users have to buy the adobe production suite to author bluray.