The 'Trashcan' Mac Pro: Remembering One of Apple's Most Controversial Designs Nine Years Later

[PauloSera]

Love it or hate it, the design was hardly the biggest issue with this Mac.

On the contrary, it was the innovative design itself that became a problem within a year or two, and the machine couldn't be updated, because it couldn't handle the thermal requirements of the next generation chips.

All the more reason why Apple Silicon is important and a real win for Apple. Apple has full control over what comes next for the Mac Studio.

 

[Prof.]

I loved the design, but clearly had no use for it as then college student.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

I called it ”A very bad good idea”.
New Macs are basically disposable, and barely or not upgradeable at all.
Pros do need to be able to upgrade components, add more RAM, replace video cards, upgrade CPU, etc.
On the other hand, the compact architecture of the Mac, with soldered components makes it more compact, faster and more reliable. Hopefully someday we can have the best of both worlds.

 

[drcre8tive]

I have two towers still in active duty; I picked up one for a song used... but it's about time to upgrade them.

 

[GooseInTheCaboose]

It kinda looks like Apple Headquarters

 

[WestonHarvey1]

Replying from mine right now. Most beautiful desktop computer ever made.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

On the contrary, it was the innovative design itself that became a problem within a year or two, and the machine couldn't be updated, because it couldn't handle the thermal requirements of the next generation chips.

All the more reason why Apple Silicon is important and a real win for Apple. Apple has full control over what comes next for the Mac Studio.

Ironically, because of what you said, this is the time when the trash can Mac Pro's design makes the most sense.

 

[xraydoc]

Has the current Mac Pro ever received a processor update since its release?

 

[Freida]

I think the design was genius but came too early. I think that would be much better design for AS.
The triangle thing with one fan in the center was just very clever. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for the Intel baking inside. I wouldn't mind that design back I think it was beautiful (even if it looked like a trashcan)

 

[kerr]

As is often the case, stupid form over useful function

 

[Devnul0]

Did the “spin it to get access to the ports on the back” thing work correctly (those of you who had one) or was that useless?

 

[zoozx]

Being a pro user at the time, upgrading every few years, this design was stupid!
The design made any upgrading extremely expensive and limited. Not what a pro wants just for a fancy box that sits on the floor.
You had to wonder, wtf were they thinking; or were they?
This is the co that now pushes emoji's and colors as new features, new phones every year with minimal un needed features just for sales...

 

[MysticCow]

This should have been the "Mac Studio" instead of the fat mini we got. With that much open space for cooling, we could have more cores and higher speeds quite easily.

 

[dawnrazor]

Hard to believe, but I happen to know that the latest season of Lord of the Rings was edited on trashcan Mac Pros, many edit suites and many 2013 Mac Pros…

 

[Bakerman]

I'm still using mine professionally every day. I really love the design.

 

[erikkfi]

Never afraid to embarrass himself, that Phil Schiller.

 

[alfonsog]

It was my 2nd favorite Mac ever after the iMac G4. I had one and now I have a Mac Studio which is boring looking.

 

[Onelifenofear]

You're either lying or haven't seen a PC in decades. Beige machines haven't been a thing in like 20 years.

Jesus christ, some of you are insufferable.

Off you pop then.

Beige box is a term used for Bog standard ATX Case.

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

This mac pro design should've become macmini design, it serves the purpose and is iconic.

 

[MarkAtl]

I used mine in a recording studio for 9+ years. It sadly died a couple of months ago and I replaced it with a Mac Studio (which has been a phenomenal upgrade as software has caught up). I wish I could have waited for the next mac pro, but sadly timing didn't allow for this.

I think as a design it was quite interesting, but it didn't really fit into any spaces that well. It felt very much form over function/aesthetic. It was quite attractive when no cables were attached to it. But when you're in a studio with all ports in use sans the second ethernet port, it becomes much less visually appealing. Most of my clients were surprised to even know it was the computer, and that became a talking point.

Performance wise, it was a very good machine. Could do a lot, but was quite noisy, and difficult to clean. So was prone to running quite hot. I don't have the same issues with the Mac Studio.

I have my Pro 8 core in a 4U rack.

 

[Onelifenofear]

Has the current Mac Pro ever received a processor update since its release?

No - I believe the Alder Lake Xeons only out at the beginning of the year and not very available. And they only give about 10% speed boost like for like. They do have a 32 and 38 core though.

They are more efficient though as they are 10nm rather than 14nm -

 

[albebaubles]

IMHO great product engineering wise.

Sadly not what the target customers needed.

Runs far too hot. I own one.

 

[dominiongamma]

Loved this design, hope they dare to come up with creative designs like this for new products again. Current Apple design is becoming bland, all variations of the same thing.

It was a mess and Apple admitted that by never using it again

 

[opeter]

The iMac G4? I loved mine! The design had way better thermals than the subsequent slapped-on-the-back-of-the-display designs and the ergonomics of the display were great.

Yes, but it never got an update/upgrade... that's why I wrote, that it was a dead end from the beginning.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

I would wager the Trash Can Mac Pro was more responsible for more Adobe Premiere users moving from Mac to monster PC's/Windows than any other Mac. I personally know whole shops that gave up on Mac Pro's because no updates came and issues with Trash Can its self. I am sure some may have come back, maybe.