Possible Mac Pro Shipping Delays / Apple Horror Story

[seclusion]

Yes a BTO system will always take longer.
For quick turn around, get the stalk system, then add ram, Hd's etc after the fact. I suspect you are waiting because someone has to open the box, case, install yada yada so there is a couple of steps that add to the delay.
30 days from delivery, you can update to the newest Mac Pro.
Maybe the waiting game will be positive for you and within that window an update comes. Pout a bit and maybe apple will exchange...
But waiting can be hard to do.
I feel your pain.

B

 

[thermodynamic]

Yess! This is a great sign! Actually, sorry, I know this has been inconvenient for you, but maybe this is a big telling clue that the Mac Pro will finally get updated next week.

You know if Tuesday rolls by and no new Mac Pro shows up, then I'd call back and give them hell. At that point, I would expect more than just free 2 day shipping.

Thanks for sharing this and do keep us up to date.

I'm not sure. I'd like to hope as much, but the Mac Pro isn't as much for the consumer market. If iMacs and iPhones and MacBooks sell much more, they will likely neglect the Mac Pro. Apple does seem to be moving more towards consumer fluff - and away from niche customers that have supported them for years...

 

[jwire4]

Sorry guys, I think I might have killed some hopefuls. Amazingly today (Saturday) my Mac Pro has shipped. Granted they have only received the billing info, but things will start happening now and I am expected to receive it Tuesday. WoHoooo!

 

[snberk103]

... So I disagree with everybody who thinks the MP won't come out til September, they are just stupid for thinking that. So I think that by the end of august, we will see a new MP and new MBA.

Don't you think that's a bit harsh - just because someone's idle speculation, with no factual basis, doesn't agree with your wishful thinking, entirely based on a random coincidental timing? If there isn't a new MP by August - what does that mean?

Though I suppose the only good response to a comment like that is "I know you are, but what am I ?"

I can tell you the exact day they will be launched. Ask me the day after.

 

[Cynicalone]

My 09 Mac Pro was Ordered on March 30th, last year. It shipped on May 12th and arrived on May 15th.

These things do happen when you custom order.

 

[Inconsequential]

Still confused what you think the MP will change to.

Barely any new CPUs (6 cores will cost more than the current 4 cores), maybe a new GPU and maybe a reduction in price.

You buy a Mac Pro because you need it, not because you want the latest and greatest!?

 

[jwire4]

You buy a Mac Pro because you need it, not because you want the latest and greatest!?

That's what I did. I really don' need the latest and greatest, just something that can do my work sufficiently. If the new one comes out and I feel like it would be a big improvement, I will upgrade. If not, than I am happy with the one I have.

 

[ValSalva]

You buy a Mac Pro because you need it, not because you want the latest and greatest!?

That's never been more true than now

 

[Ravich]

I'm not sure. I'd like to hope as much, but the Mac Pro isn't as much for the consumer market. If iMacs and iPhones and MacBooks sell much more, they will likely neglect the Mac Pro. Apple does seem to be moving more towards consumer fluff - and away from niche customers that have supported them for years...

Can you stop saying completely and utterly baseless things like this? Apple isnt going to send the entire pro market over to non Apple products.

 

[snberk103]

I'm not sure. I'd like to hope as much, but the Mac Pro isn't as much for the consumer market. If iMacs and iPhones and MacBooks sell much more, they will likely neglect the Mac Pro. Apple does seem to be moving more towards consumer fluff - and away from niche customers that have supported them for years...

Can you stop saying completely and utterly baseless things like this? Apple isnt going to send the entire pro market over to non Apple products.

I agree with Ravich.

People need to realize that Apple has many things on the go, and that for them it's not a case of iThings or Mac Things. The computer section of Apple is run by people who have not much to with what the iThing people are doing. Where it gets complicated for Apple is trying to co-ordinate the marketing.

I think the other thing we have hit is that tower computers are now a mature product. What exactly is the huge update that a Mac Pro needs? I believe that there are small number of professionals who will always be able to efficiently use the fastest systems out there, and who will actually max out a quantum speed, 24 core system.

My observation is that for the vast number of people the bottlenecks are not in the hardware anymore, its in the software. There is little point in increasing the CPU clock speed on 4, 6, 8, 12, or 24 cores if the applications are using only 2 or 3 cores at a time. Snow Leopard has started to correct that by making it easy for applications to take advantage of multiple cores, but very few applications are there yet.

On the current Mac Pros you can put in all the memory that 99% of people need, and you can install a mind-numbing amount of storage internally, or externally using nearly half a dozen protocols.

Mac Pros are not designed to be used by gamers, so the video cards are as good as 99% of the intended market needs.

My prediction is that Apple will start releasing it's own software, and a flagship 3rd party application, that actually uses all available cores efficiently at the same time as 12 or 16 core machines are announced.

After that, the Mac Pro will be retired/completely re-imagineered as a Build Your Own system of modules connected by Lightpeak connectors.

 

[Cavepainter]

Can you stop saying completely and utterly baseless things like this? Apple isnt going to send the entire pro market over to non Apple products.

Well, then, by all means, prove how wrong he is. Please. We're all ears.

Every day that goes by with not update and no creditable information or leaks at all IS the basis for his argument. And its getting stronger every day. The Mac Pro page on the Apple website has got to be the only page on the whole site that hasn't even been TOUCHED in months. Introducing the new Mac Pro. No spec updates, no price reductions. Zilch. Oh wait, I think in December of last year they offered a new high-end processor option or something like that. Guess I was wrong.

I work with artists that wanted Mac Pros and bought i7's instead. I work at a studio that wanted SIXTY Mac Pros and bought Imacs instead because they were a much much better deal. I'm a Mac Pro user thats been waiting for the new one since last fall- so believe me, I would much rather believe you than him, but, seriously, Apple is doing one hell of a job making him APPEAR to be right, aren't they?

The only thing that seems to point otherwise is the now famous "just wait".

Where's YOUR evidence showing that he's wrong?

 

[Ravich]

Shouldnt you be asking where HIS evidence is? (hint: it's been a long time since the last update doesnt count as evidence.) Can you explain to me, on any level, what Apple would possibly stand to gain from ending the pro line?

We're talking about apple. How often do we actually know anything about updates? When the mini got updated, no one had been saying "there will definitely be a mac mini update on tuesday but certainly no mac pro update." No, it could have been either one, or the macbook air, or none of them. We just. dont. know. We never do.

Stop acting like this update is "unacceptably long" for any reason other than the fact that you're waiting for it. If you werent, it would be a passing "Hmm. It's been a while since the last Mac Pro update. Must be one coming soon."

If the update happens a month from now, the "WAY TOO LONG" wait period will have been totally insignificant in retrospect, because it was coming all along. Here's the thing: every. single. day between now and then would have you thinking "the Mac Pro line is ending, isnt it?" Until the update (which you have no idea when is happening) comes, the wait period means to you that the mac pro is ending. Isnt that a bit silly?



Let's be honest here. Your only reason for believing anything regarding the mac pro ending is that you really want the update now and in the meantime, angsting about it gives you something to be upset about.

 

[jwire4]

I agree with you guys. We all know Apple will eventually update it. Wether that be in 3 months, or tomorrow, we don't know. All we know is Apple's Mac Pro isn't the latest and greatest, but it is sure one hell of a computer! That's one of the reasons I bought a Mac Pro now. Even when you buy the new Mac Pro,their will eventually be a new one out. So I think the best rule to go by is this:If you need it, buy it. If you can wait, wait.

 

[strausd]

The Mac Pro page on the Apple website has got to be the only page on the whole site that hasn't even been TOUCHED in months.

First off, you need to just relax. Go take a warm bath or something to calm down.

Second, more focused on this quote, the MBA is actually ranked lower on their top sellers. So if you are saying that the MP is the only one that hasn't been looked at in a long time, think again.

Also, has the thought that maybe the reason Apple is taking so long is because it's not ready yet, or is that too much for you?

We're talking about apple. How often do we actually know anything about updates? When the mini got updated, no one had been saying "there will definitely be a mac mini update on tuesday but certainly no mac pro update." No, it could have been either one, or the macbook air, or none of them. We just. dont. know. We never do.

So true. Same for the MacBook! We didn't see any rumors about that one either. And we only saw one rumor about the MBP and that was a benchmark. And the reason we saw one for that is probably because it's their most popular computer. Seriously, go look on their website and look at top sellers, its number 1. Face it, today people like portability. That is why the Mac Pro isn't as popular as the MBP. However, people still need powerful desktops all the same. However, that does not mean that people will like them more.

 

[the editor]

:If you need it, buy it. If you can wait, wait.

i find this to be such a lame excuse!! i need a new computer for heavy duty work with lots of CPU power. "Fast!" . Yet this is not going to turn me stupid by paying more than double the money for today's MacPro than what its actually worth. with outdated hardware and a toy computer graphics card.

Why not stop flaming and by a windows PC...well very simple, Apple has allot of pro's Hi-jacked, since lots of professionals invest lots of money in "legal" Mac software and type library's that coast more than 2 Mac Pro's.

So there really is not that much of an option now is there, you either throw your (in my case) 10000$+ investment overboard, or get robbed by Apple because its there way of doing bussines.

i need it now, but i won't buy it...i can't wait, but i'm forced to wait.

 

[Zedcars]

:If you need it, buy it. If you can wait, wait.

i find this to be such a lame excuse!! i need a new computer for heavy duty work with lots of CPU power. "Fast!" . Yet this is not going to turn me stupid by paying more than double the money for today's MacPro than what its actually worth. with outdated hardware and a toy computer graphics card.

Why not stop flaming and by a windows PC...well very simple, Apple has allot of pro's Hi-jacked, since lots of professionals invest lots of money in "legal" Mac software and type library's that coast more than 2 Mac Pro's.

So there really is not that much of an option now is there, you either throw your (in my case) 10000$+ investment overboard, or get robbed by Apple because its there way of doing bussines.

i need it now, but i won't buy it...i can't wait, but i'm forced to wait.

If you won't buy it now then, clearly, you do not need it now.

No-one is forcing you to do anything. Wait if you don't need it, buy if you do. The logic is not that hard to grasp.

And the idea that Apple is robbing people because it hasn't yet updated one of their least popular products is absurd.

The people bearing resentment for what they believe is Apple's more consumer led product direction away from the Pro product lines need to understand that the income from the former is keeping the latter alive. Imagine where Apple would be now without the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. In dire straights if not dead is where it would be. They saved Apple and therefore saved the high-end desktops and towers.

The Pro and consumer products are now like Siamese twins - kill one and the other would die shortly thereafter.

 

[the editor]

If you won't buy it now then, clearly, you do not need it now.

No-one is forcing you to do anything. Wait if you don't need it, buy if you do. The logic is not that hard to grasp.

And the idea that Apple is robbing people because it hasn't yet updated one of their least popular products is absurd.

The people bearing resentment for what they believe is Apple's more consumer led product direction away from the Pro product lines need to understand that the income from the former is keeping the latter alive. Imagine where Apple would be now without the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. In dire straights if not dead is where it would be. They saved Apple and therefore saved the high-end desktops and towers.

The Pro and consumer products are now like Siamese twins - kill one and the other would die shortly thereafter.

now how the f**k would you know if i do or do not need it now? Maybe you have a problem with reading, as i said i do need a much faster system at the moment. but i guess you're one of those guys who just hapen to know what others need, and when they need it wright?

I simply refuse to be a sucker and buy the current rip-off system or better, upgrade from the 2.26 (x2) quad xeon to the 2x 2.93 quad xeon and pay 2340Euro's extra (!!!!) and thats without replacing the current 60$ graphics cards.

i could give less about where Apple would or would not be with or without the Iphone and Ipad crap. All i care about is how i'm treated as a customer.
For now, Apple is a company that rips of people by claiming the 2009 outdated system is still "the latest and greatest out there". Charging a ridiculous amount of money for a system they claim to be a "PRO" machine when in reality its just a descent system by today's standards, only the price probably makes the Mac Pro the baddest choice you could possible make when buying a today's computer.

 

[snberk103]

@ the editor

Its a free market, and how a free market works is.... you buy from company when you think they offer value for money, and you don't buy from them when you believe they don't. If others are buying from that company when you aren't, then it just means that they see value where you don't.

No one is making you pay anything to Apple.

[Most professionals, who plan on staying in business for the long term] don't buy computers, they buy solutions to problems. You buy something to increase profits.

By your logic, even if Apple announced it's upgrades they would be ripping you off if your system died a month before the new upgrade, and Apple refused to sell you the new system because you needed it.

I have a friend who is waiting for the new Mac Pros. But he is an economist and understands these things, so he doesn't take it personally. But - admittedly - he is getting a bit impatient.

 

[Zedcars]

now how the f**k would you know if i do or do not need it now? Maybe you have a problem with reading, as i said i do need a much faster system at the moment. but i guess you're one of those guys who just hapen to know what others need, and when they need it wright?

I simply refuse to be a sucker and buy the current rip-off system or better, upgrade from the 2.26 (x2) quad xeon to the 2x 2.93 quad xeon and pay 2340Euro's extra (!!!!) and thats without replacing the current 60$ graphics cards.

i could give less about where Apple would or would not be with or without the Iphone and Ipad crap. All i care about is how i'm treated as a customer.
For now, Apple is a company that rips of people by claiming the 2009 outdated system is still "the latest and greatest out there". Charging a ridiculous amount of money for a system they claim to be a "PRO" machine when in reality its just a descent system by today's standards, only the price probably makes the Mac Pro the baddest choice you could possible make when buying a today's computer.

You are the one who told me that you do not need it now in your previous post by stating that you were not prepared to pay for today's MacPro. Ergo you do not need it to do whatever it is you want to do with it. I think perhaps you have a problem reading and understanding your own posts.

Look, I'm not trying to get into a verbal tussle with you. I'm just pointing out the logic here. Some professionals that use Macs may have a real financial need to purchase a (unrefreshed) Mac Pro today for any number of reasons (upgrading, unrepairable machine, for a competitive edge, tight deadlines etc). The fact that you are not willing to buy one because you are holding out for new models means that you do not have this need, or requirement, or necessity. Your current system will do to tide you over until the new models come out. That must be the case or you would have upgraded already.

 

[the editor]

@ the editor

Its a free market, and how a free market works is.... you buy from company when you think they offer value for money, and you don't buy from them when you believe they don't. If others are buying from that company when you aren't, then it just means that they see value where you don't.

No one is making you pay anything to Apple.

Professionals don't buy computers, they buy solutions to problems. You buy something to increase profits.

By your logic, even if Apple announced it's upgrades they would be ripping you off if your system died a month before the new upgrade, and Apple refused to sell you the new system because you needed it.

I have a friend who is waiting for the new Mac Pros. But he is an economist and understands these things, so he doesn't take it personally. But - admittedly - he is getting a bit impatient.

what a load of crap...professionals buy when they need it, professionals by solutions not computers...professionals do this, professionals do that...

professionals are in the first place just human beings...some professionals might even buy 10 MacPros just to have 10, just saying that there's all kinds of reasons why people buy stuff...some professionals buy because they need it,some because they think they need it... some because they like it, some because they are fan-boys...and the list goes on...if its your money you can do whatever you want with it, whenever you want pro or amateur.

 

[snberk103]

what a load of crap...professionals buy when they need it, professionals by solutions not computers...professionals do this, professionals do that...

professionals are in the first place just human beings...some professionals might even buy 10 MacPros just to have 10, just saying that there's all kinds of reasons why people buy stuff...some professionals buy because they need it,some because they think they need it... some because they like it, some because they are fan-boys...and the list goes on...if its your money you can do whatever you want with it, whenever you want pro or amateur.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. I don't have to agree. I was talking about the majority of the group. Perhaps I will modify the statement slightly.

 

[Cavepainter]

First off, you need to just relax. Go take a warm bath or something to calm down.

Second, more focused on this quote, the MBA is actually ranked lower on their top sellers. So if you are saying that the MP is the only one that hasn't been looked at in a long time, think again.

Also, has the thought that maybe the reason Apple is taking so long is because it's not ready yet, or is that too much for you?

OK, so we just got out of the Jacuzzi. I appreciate the suggestion.

I'm not sure. I'd like to hope as much, but the Mac Pro isn't as much for the consumer market. If iMacs and iPhones and MacBooks sell much more, they will likely neglect the Mac Pro. Apple does seem to be moving more towards consumer fluff - and away from niche customers that have supported them for years...

So, back on topic, my only point was, Thermodynamic's post was not unreasonable or baseless at all. I won't speak for him, but apparently, he's simply looking at what he sees, and what we have seen is a powerful computer go from a great deal to to a poor deal. Thats not baseless. Thats reality.

I stand corrected on the MBA product line update. Its pretty stale too. However, that is not a flagship product that is designed to be a premium solution in speed, power and reliability for the professional user. We should, as consumers, expect a more aggressive update cycle for those premium products. Thats why we are paying a huge mark-up. To get a very powerful "solution" on the front end of its life span that will remain competitive for a longer period of time.

And yes, we do understand that the new product may not be market ready. Fine. THEN REDUCE THE PRICE ON THE OLD ONE. Is that too much to grasp?

The argument put forth on this website repeatedly is "well, they typically haven't done it in the past" is a feeble argument and would be expected coming from an Apple store employee, not coming from a prosumer who wants actual value for their money.

I'd be willing to bet that the majority of Mac Pro buyers that are unhappy with the way the Mac Pro market appears (notice I said "appears", not "is") to be going right now would be more than happy to buy a brand new Pro right now, as a short- or medium term solution, if Apple dropped the price to a more realistic number.

Why is that so unreasonable to ask?

 

[bzollinger]

OK, so we just got out of the Jacuzzi. I appreciate the suggestion.




So, back on topic, my only point was, Thermodynamic's post was not unreasonable or baseless at all. I won't speak for him, but apparently, he's simply looking at what he sees, and what we have seen is a powerful computer go from a great deal to to a poor deal. Thats not baseless. Thats reality.

I stand corrected on the MBA product line update. Its pretty stale too. However, that is not a flagship product that is designed to be a premium solution in speed, power and reliability for the professional user. We should, as consumers, expect a more aggressive update cycle for those premium products. Thats why we are paying a huge mark-up. To get a very powerful "solution" on the front end of its life span that will remain competitive for a longer period of time.

And yes, we do understand that the new product may not be market ready. Fine. THEN REDUCE THE PRICE ON THE OLD ONE. Is that too much to grasp?

The argument put forth on this website repeatedly is "well, they typically haven't done it in the past" is a feeble argument and would be expected coming from an Apple store employee, not coming from a prosumer who wants actual value for their money.

I'd be willing to bet that the majority of Mac Pro buyers that are unhappy with the way the Mac Pro market appears (notice I said "appears", not "is") to be going right now would be more than happy to buy a brand new Pro right now, as a short- or medium term solution, if Apple dropped the price to a more realistic number.

Why is that so unreasonable to ask?

I agree that they should either reduce the price of the current machine to reflect the costs of the component used, or they should update the base components to something more reasonable, like 4-6 GB or RAM, a better video card and a 1TB drive.

It's where these components costs have plummeted and Apple keeps charging for them like they are cutting edge. WTF ?

 

[snberk103]

...
And yes, we do understand that the new product may not be market ready. Fine. THEN REDUCE THE PRICE ON THE OLD ONE. Is that too much to grasp?

... if Apple dropped the price to a more realistic number.

Why is that so unreasonable to ask?

I agree that they should either reduce the price of the current machine to reflect the costs of the component used, or they should update the base components to something more reasonable, like 4-6 GB or RAM, a better video card and a 1TB drive.

It's where these components costs have plummeted and Apple keeps charging for them like they are cutting edge. WTF ?

Or, perhaps its because that despite all the, um, outcry's of unhappiness Mac Pro sales are still strong? Since Apple doesn't share those figures we are guessing.... but I'm sure one or two Apple execs may have completed a business course or two.

The price of anything is not what it costs to make it, but what people will buy it for. Period. If the company makes money, then you assume they know how to price their product. If they go broke, then they don't.

All we know for a fact is that some people on this thread find the value of the current Mac Pro less than what Apple is charging. That is the free market in action. Cheers and all.

 

[jrlcopy]

I'm curious how many of these Mac Pro buyers are just using a stock 7200rpm hard drive.

The hard drive is the limiting factor in all of these machines. Now if everyone was complaining, My Mac Pro isn't taking advantage of my renderfarm hooked up over SAS, Fiber, or whatever, it is just tooo slow!!! Then you'd have a more valid argument.

But compare the prices to the Z800's on HP's side, their prices haven't dropped all that much since they came out either. They just have better graphics card options though.