New Mac Pro Nearing Release as Apple Advises Technicians How to Place Computer in DFU Mode

[MacRumors]

Apple today updated its Mac Configuration Utility for authorized technicians with instructions on how to place the new Mac Pro in DFU mode, according to a reliable source. For existing Macs, this software is used to pair components like the logic board to the Apple T2 security chip after a repair is completed.

We have elected not to share any screenshots to protect our source, but a generic image of the Mac Configuration Utility is below. An option for the new Mac Pro has been added alongside the iMac Pro, Mac mini, and notebooks.

Mac Configuration Utility via The iPhone Wiki​

Our source was informed that this move likely means the new Mac Pro will be released imminently. Apple previewed the new Mac Pro at WWDC 2019 in June and said the computer will be available to order at some point this fall, but it has yet to specify a release date.

The all-new ?Mac Pro? is a powerhouse, with up to 28-core Intel Xeon processors, up to 1.5TB of ECC RAM, up to 4TB of SSD storage, and up to AMD Radeon Pro Vega II Duo graphics with 64GB of HBM2 memory. The computer also has eight PCIe expansion slots for maximum performance, expansion, and configurability.

A new design includes a stainless steel frame with smooth handles and an aluminum housing that lifts off for 360-degree access to the entire system. The housing also has a unique lattice pattern to maximize airflow and quiet operation.

Apple says the new ?Mac Pro? provides over 300W of power to the CPU and has a "state-of-the-art thermal architecture" to allow the processor to run "fully unconstrained all the time." This is a significant change from the previous ?Mac Pro?, which Apple eventually admitted led it "into a bit of a thermal corner."

Facing mounting criticism that it had abandoned its professional customers, Apple made the rare move of announcing that it would be releasing a new Mac Pro in April 2017, over two years before the computer was unveiled.

The new ?Mac Pro? will start at $5,999 in the United States with an eight-core Intel Xeon processor, 32GB of ECC RAM, Radeon Pro 580X graphics, and 256GB of SSD storage. Apple will also be selling the 32-inch Pro Display XDR with 6K resolution for $4,999, although the stand for the monitor costs an extra $999.

With the chances of an October event becoming increasingly slim, Apple could announce Mac Pro availability via press release.

Article Link: New Mac Pro Nearing Release as Apple Advises Technicians How to Place Computer in DFU Mode

 

[Fried Chicken]

Oh boy, here we go

 

[BootsWalking]

The internal Apple document also depicts how the cheese grater front grill is used to shred 60 $100 USD bills.

 

[brofkand]

I'm interested as to how many people will buy these. They seem laser focused on the hollywood/pro video markets, especially considering the new display. Relatively limited market, even for Apple.

 

[Marvelous Patric]

What I really want to know is what this will do to the iMac Pro. They're already $3600ish on ebay. I think if Apple rejiggered the iMac Pro a bit and had a base price of $3k, that would be the perfect mid level computer.

 

[tkukoc]

I'm interested as to how many people will buy these. They seem laser focused on the hollywood/pro video markets, especially considering the new display. Relatively limited market, even for Apple.

Correct, this isn't for 99% of the people on this website. This is for companies that need major firepower for editing etc. Of course there will still be those regular users who claim they really have to have it. So they'll toss cash at it which is also what Apple banks on.

 

[SecuritySteve]

I'm interested as to how many people will buy these. They seem laser focused on the hollywood/pro video markets, especially considering the new display. Relatively limited market, even for Apple.

Trust me, there are plenty of us who want it.

 

[alpi123]

Does anyone else think they will do a November event for the first time? October is already wasted.
I refuse to believe they will launch all those new products without an event.

 

[MN7119]

Just the stand for the monitor cost $999??? Wow, that is very cheap........

 

[Baymowe335]

The internal Apple document also depicts how the cheese grater front grill is used to shred 60 $100 USD bills.

Is this an attempt to be funny?

The machine is a beast and very capable.

 

[dredlew]

They really could have included WiFi6 with this thing, it’s expensive enough already. Hope there will be some minor updates to the spec on release. ?

 

[Marvelous Patric]

i was always a pro user before the trash can. i thought i could get by with an i7 iMac... boy do I regret that 7 years later. In 7 years, as an artist I find myself doing a lot more video. I have to believe that's going to be more and more true for not just me, but a lot of people.

 

[hermes16]

that's funny.. D-FU mode

 

[cwkoller5]

They should sell well for people making money with them, H'Wood, the scientific community, etc. Amortize these machines over 3-4 years and you're paying a few thousand a year. You'll probably pay as much, if not more, for software and services. This also holds true for smaller businesses, plus the resale value of the MP will cut this annual expense considerably.

PCs are cheaper, sure and there are other Macs (Minis, iMacs, etc.) but I'll bet most Mac-based shops are going to have at least one of these beasts. It's been a long, long time coming.

 

[carlos700]

It's really impressive and I think I could get passed the base price and small base SSD size if they were to just swap out that base GPU. Polaris is rough in what is effectively 2020. Even an entry-level RDNA-card like Radeon RX 5500 would be better.

 

[Glockworkorange]

I'm interested as to how many people will buy these. They seem laser focused on the hollywood/pro video markets, especially considering the new display. Relatively limited market, even for Apple.

I think you described exactly who this machine is meant for. For everyone else, there is iMac Pro, iMac and MacBook Pro.

Mac Pro for the hardest of the hard core.

 

[OddyOh]

Ha, I checked here an hour ago looking for any new Mac Pro rumours to give me some hope. C’mon Apple, unleash the beast!

 

[thisisnotmyname]

"SOON"! :-D

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

that's funny.. D-FU mode

Device Firmware Upgrade

 

[cwkoller5]

It's really impressive and I think I could get passed the base price and small base SSD size if they were to just swap out that base GPU. Polaris is rough in what is effectively 2020. Even an entry-level RDNA-card like Radeon RX 5500 would be better.

Ain't it usually the way that you buy a pro Mac (remembering the cheese grater days) with as little in it as possible and then populate it yourself? Apple is historically the WORST price/performance supplier of storage, RAM and components. That's what raised the ire of pros when Apple tried to shove us all into iMacs and trash cans. They were harder to upgrade so the most cynical of us thought it was an attempt to corral upgraders into ponying up more up front.

 

[macguru212]

28 cores is serious power, not counting what the GPU will be able to do. I'd like to set this running SETI at Home or something on BOINC. But for work, Cinema 4D would fire out those image sequences frighteningly quick. Wow

 

[turbineseaplane]

Does anyone else think they will do a November event for the first time? October is already wasted.
I refuse to believe they will launch all those new products without an event.

Mac Pro already was talked about at an event

Rumored MacBookPro I could see a small press event or no event at all, especially if a highlight feature is the keyboard (because there really was never a big problem with the butterflies if you ask Apple.. )

Like last Spring when there was a full week of releases without an event, I could see them simply putting these things for sale, doing some press and ADs and perhaps having some in hands of reviewers already, just waiting on an embargo lift.

 

[pawtracks]

Time to sell some Amazon stock, maybe 25 shares will get me a mid-grade model?

 

[jlocker]

This machine is killer!!!! I need a very large carrying bag so i can take it back and forth from work to home!!!!!!! They hardware is state of the art!!!!!!

 

[JPack]

Does anyone else think they will do a November event for the first time? October is already wasted.
I refuse to believe they will launch all those new products without an event.

What would such an event involve?

The Mac Pro has already been fully revealed. They have a 5-minute video on YouTube. Do you expect them to present the same slide deck from WWDC?