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No Mac Pro: Not Fair

I can see both sides of this issue.

I'm a music "pro" and am happily generating income with my 2008 eight core.
It is a fine machine and is doing everything I ask it to do.

Would I like more power?
Sure, I would like to have more headroom to be ready for the next generation of software.

Do I need more power?
Not at the moment.
In a day to day working environment, this machine is doing a great job.
I very seldom come up against any sessions where I can't get the results I want.

That being said, Apple is very secretive and non responsive about the next Mac Pro.

This is frustrating for the folks who are waiting to upgrade.
For the ultra high end high performance users, this is beyond frustrating.

The fact that the Mac Pro commands such a high price makes it even more vexing.
The OP has a great point.

The other side is that you can't blame a skunk for stinking.
Apple has demonstrated that this is the way they do this process... over and over again.

I'm willing to go with their particular scent because they have always provided me with capable, well integrated platforms.
OSX is excellent and for me, everything works really well.

I'll probably wait until this all shakes out and then buy the 2nd generation 36 core. ;-)
 
Deepshade said:
You are obviously a prat that has to have a childish dig rather than contributing anything positive. Investment - favourable return in the future - ie maximising the return, finding the best time to buy tech etc etc. Buy now replace in 3-4 years, buy (possibly) next week - replace in 5-6 years. And I can find plenty of use for any number of cores in 3D rendering.

Now go and do something positive rather than having a go at other peoples posts and make the world a better place.
Click to expand...

If you're going to replace it after 5-6 years them I guess you're not in the market for a pro. Plus the so called "professionals" don't rely on single machines for "3D rendering".
Dabbler, enthusiast you may be. Professional? Judging by your comments, no.
 
1. This [long] interval is standard for the Mac Pro. Do your research and this shouldn't be a surprise.

2. Apple needs to ensure that its server-grade processors (the i7 iMac CPU is not in that category) are priced low enough to keep profit margins constant. In the CPU world, you can always have it on day 1. But, if it is 10% cheaper on day 31 and 25% cheaper on day 61, many companies will wait -- rather than shifting down the price accordingly week by week.

3. Apple isn't a components company, with pricing shifting based on the market. The price is almost always constant for the life of the computer version. We would have 45 threads a minute on "Do you think the new Xcomputer will be cheaper next week?" That is a business decision for profitability and consistency.

4. Just because you want it sooner doesn't mean that whining will help.
 
Grimace, not sure i agree with you regarding interval being normal....

as previously posted, for the last five years...the lifecycles have been

6/9/2010 465 and counting
Mar-09 425
Jan-08 275
Apr-07 243
Aug-06 304
Oct-05 183

So, the last 5 cycles have averaged 286, the last 3, 314. Currently, if we refreshed TODAY, it would be 63% longer than we have averaged over the last 5 years or 48% longer than the last 3...thats material...

People have a right to be dissapointed, but they shouldnt be surprised. Apple marches to their own beat on tech refreshes, and clearly, i think they have had their focus on other product lines over the last few years...

i am waiting to get a new MP due to value. The current speed is more than adequate for my uses (simple enthusiast, dont use it for work), but i have a hard time paying close to the same price for something that came out 15 months ago...(my issue, not apple's)
 
the writing is on the wall. :( Apple will eventually move away from Mac and what we are seeing is the very beginning of this. further and further apart and one day . . none. Quite frankly I don't blame them from a business point of view.
 
yes you're right...
even ,Apple can't say much about new machines in order to avoid killing sales...
but...now it's too much...
i'm worried about Apple's will to stay in the Pro market still..
what makes me think is
if they're devolopin a new 10.7..
they would need machines to work with it..
i don't think Apple will ever cut the link between Mac hardware and Osx software...
don't think they will sell Osx without Macs beside....
so....
perhaps i'm wrong
maybe the new 10.7 will be the new I-Os 5....
i hope not...
 
they'll probably release the new mp's within the coming month or so. aside from truly revolutionary mp/pm changes (e.g, G4 to G5, G5 to intel), isn't it rare for apple to announce mac pro or macbook pro revisions at wwdc?
 
Just noticed something funny, my join date was July 2009. Thats when i first startinig thinking about a new MP! And, by being a procrastinating dumbass i fell into the classic trap of always waiting for the next big thing, and as a consequence did nothing!

  • In July, even though the refresh was only a few months old, i wanted to wait for snow leopard
  • then i wanted to wait for them to incorporate the better v cards in bto
  • then it was close to the average refresh wait so i though i would wait for a new one early in 2010
  • now i am waiting still waiting!

Wait a lame ass i am...but after 465 days, i am going to wait you out apple, do you hear me! :)
 
cs4160 said:
Just noticed something funny, my join date was July 2009. Thats when i first startinig thinking about a new MP! And, by being a procrastinating dumbass i fell into the classic trap of always waiting for the next big thing, and as a consequence did nothing!

  • In July, even though the refresh was only a few months old, i wanted to wait for snow leopard
  • then i wanted to wait for them to incorporate the better v cards in bto
  • then it was close to the average refresh wait so i though i would wait for a new one early in 2010
  • now i am waiting still waiting!

Wait a lame ass i am...but after 465 days, i am going to wait you out apple, do you hear me! :)
Click to expand...

+1 ;)

I am doing the same thing and this is my first Mac but I probably won't wait much longer than the end of summer.
 
Grimace said:
2. Apple needs to ensure that its server-grade processors (the i7 iMac CPU is not in that category) are priced low enough to keep profit margins constant. In the CPU world, you can always have it on day 1. But, if it is 10% cheaper on day 31 and 25% cheaper on day 61, many companies will wait -- rather than shifting down the price accordingly week by week.
Click to expand...

Good Point, but based on this approach, we would just have to settle on forever receive outdated (and overpriced) hardware, just to be able to run our beloved OS X (and OS X based software) just so Apple can get some extra bucks in their pockets. I know this has been going on for ages, but it doesn't mean it have ever made sense for us. The only reason we put up to this, is OS X and the sleek aesthetic designs they come up with. So far, not having the latest hardware has been made "bearable" by having the best OS and some cool looking, functional design.

We all know that Apple is (in terms of hardware) mainly focused on design (which is great that someone does), ease of use and reliability, but in some aspects (GPU/CPU), we've been left way behind compared to our PC neighbours.

Since Apple seems not to be interested on keeping up with the latest computer hardware, the next logical step (from the customer's point of view) would be to "release" OS X from the constraints of Mac-specific hardware, once and for all.

If Apple wants to keep making some HW for the "pure breed, 100% Apple hardware and software" fanboys? go ahead Steve, but please, allow me the choice to get that latest video card, that latest processor, allow us the expandability that PC users have enjoyed for ages, combine that with you unmatched OS, and that way you'll finally take over the world of computing.

I Would love to live to the day where i have the freedom to Buy a Mac PRO-like, Apple Case (best case design ever), fill it with the latest and the best hardware available (and have the choice of upgrade it as much and as frequent as i want), and then run the best software available in it (OS X) without the need of Hackingtosh-it.

I don't care if they raise the price to make it proffitable. I don't
 
cs4160 said:
Just noticed something funny, my join date was July 2009. Thats when i first startinig thinking about a new MP! And, by being a procrastinating dumbass i fell into the classic trap of always waiting for the next big thing, and as a consequence did nothing!

  • In July, even though the refresh was only a few months old, i wanted to wait for snow leopard
  • then i wanted to wait for them to incorporate the better v cards in bto
  • then it was close to the average refresh wait so i though i would wait for a new one early in 2010
  • now i am waiting still waiting!

Wait a lame ass i am...but after 465 days, i am going to wait you out apple, do you hear me! :)
Click to expand...

I've been waiting ever since the Intel transition ;)

I'm currently chugging along on an Early '06 iMac. Core Duo! 32bit!

I desperately want to upgrade to a Mac Pro but if they release a new MP soon, I'll beat myself silly (I got this iMac shortly before they released the Late '06 iMac, so I know that annoying feeling).

So, what's another few months on top of 4 years, lol.
 
johnnymg said:
These are NOT Pros who are posting about selling their HW. Mostly posers and trolls. All we're doing is feeding their little egos.
Click to expand...

I would agree, but no one could have that much time to waste trying to sell their bread winner and then have nothing in the hopes of getting some shiny new toy that's only marginally faster.

I sold my PowerMac G5 back in the day because it was still PPC, and my 17" Penryn dusted it on a day to day basis.

I am not going to sell my 17" in the hopes of waiting for a new machine and just let my work stack up.

But hey, to each their own. I just hope they don't start blaming Apple's release cycle for their lost business.
 
cs4160 said:
Grimace, not sure i agree with you regarding interval being normal....
as previously posted, for the last five years...the life cycles have been

6/9/2010 465 and counting
Mar-09 425
Jan-08 275
Apr-07 243
Aug-06 304
Oct-05 183

So, the last 5 cycles have averaged 286, the last 3, 314. Currently, if we refreshed TODAY, it would be 63% longer than we have averaged over the last 5 years or 48% longer than the last 3...thats material...
Click to expand...

I wouldn't even count the April 2007 Mac Pro as being a Mac Pro release. It was just a minor update.
As seen below, even Apple's support page (specifications) does not include the April 2007 Mac Pro. But the support page does offer the manual for download.

G5 to 2006 Mac Pro - 304 days.
2006 to 2008 Mac Pro - 518 days
2008 to 2009 Mac Pro - 425 days
2009 to 2010 Mac Pro - 463 days and counting

But there's no reason for people to be angry, frustrated, disappointed.

Mac Pro.jpg
 
Major Reeves said:
If you're going to replace it after 5-6 years them I guess you're not in the market for a pro. Plus the so called "professionals" don't rely on single machines for "3D rendering".
Dabbler, enthusiast you may be. Professional? Judging by your comments, no.
Click to expand...

I agree with the single machine in the PRO render house conundrum. I have never seen, even in the smallest, tiniest production house, one machine being used to render, and the editor or colorist sitting there waiting for hours.

If you are cutting a feature film, even indie, and: 1) you are rendering the entire 1 hour + at one time, 2) start a render then look for a cheese sandwich while you wait the 2 hours+ and/or 3) use QAdministrator to cluster your Mac Pro, Mac Mini, and white Macbook to speed a render, then you might want to consider buying another Mac Pro at the very least.
 
Grimace said:
2. Apple needs to ensure that its server-grade processors (the i7 iMac CPU is not in that category) are priced low enough to keep profit margins constant. In the CPU world, you can always have it on day 1. But, if it is 10% cheaper on day 31 and 25% cheaper on day 61, many companies will wait -- rather than shifting down the price accordingly week by week.
Click to expand...
They buy directly from Intel via contract. That means the pricing is stable, unlike the Distributor Channels, where pricing is volatile. The quantity purchased is what allows them to do this, and as it happens, usually allows for better pricing (depends on actual quantity ordered), even for the initial release.
 
VirtuallyReal said:
I'm losing work because i sold equipment and made buying plans based on the availability of new Mac Pro's by June.

Don't just jump into conclusions that easily.
Click to expand...

That makes no sense, That would be like me selling my functional money making trading workstation and waiting for a new one and now sitting on my hands not earning money.

Makes no sense that you did that. So how do you earn money now?
 
hugodrax said:
That makes no sense, That would be like me selling my functional money making trading workstation and waiting for a new one and now sitting on my hands not earning money.

Makes no sense that you did that. So how do you earn money now?
Click to expand...

For the 132,387th time:

I
DO NOT
RELY
ON THIS
WORKSTATION
TO MAKE
A LIVING.

Doing so, and selling it, would be stupid. I know that. I have my share of common sense.
 
2006 to 2008 Mac Pro - 518 days ?
thanks i didn't remember this...
so maybe
is it impossible to have a 2009 to 2011 ?
Sandy Bridge seems good...
maybe this explain all...
in the meanwhile i think i can continue to use my octo 2008...:cool:
 
VirtuallyReal said:
Obviously you are not bright enough to think about the possibility that i do not rely on that single machine to get the job done. Now you are insulting my work. insinuating it might be worthless? what place is this?

"Buy another one"? please don't tell me what to do. You go and buy an 18 month old, decaying MP... that's a brilliant advice, hope you are not a tech consultant.
Click to expand...

Please, start to live in the real world.

I understand the *want* for a new Mac Pro. It's gr8 that your wonderful work will be done about 15% faster on a new Mac....
But actually selling your stuff based on a hunch...??!! :eek:

A new Mac Pro will be faster, sure. But not mind-blowingly faster. Most businesses refresh their machines every 3 or 4 years. Sometimes timing is perfect... remember the intro of the G5: If the exact time of refresh is with the intro of a major upgrade, that's cool.

But usually you're caught between waiting a bit for a new model, or being happy with what Apple has to offer now.
But most pro's who want to wait (which I understand fully ATM) keep their work-horse which probably still works fine.

No one knows why Apple hasn't done the Mac Pro upgrade to the newest available Xeons. But for one reason or another, Apple have decided to wait.

I'm sure that once a new Mac Pro does arrive, we all will find the wait worth it.
 
This situation gets more ridiculous with each passing day.

Switching back to Linux seems more and more compelling.
 
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