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He makes solid points even if he's a weirdo. Apple sees more profitability in using less and less materials with each major iteration whilst charging the same or more. It's simply the new Apple modus operandi. Apple could return to the last form factor, use better battery tech and stick in a beefy processor, but the price would go up considerably. If you want something beefy now, you're better off investing in a Dell or HP mobile workstation unless third party vendors like Puget (they don't) offer something like that. It's gonna be chunky as hell.

Apple can screw the pooch when it comes to their computers and Tim Cook will still be around due to the income Apple sees through their phone division. We're a ways off from Moore's Law coming into effect for mobile phone processors. Even ARM processors will eventually hit a wall. We're seeing these 1-2x yearly increases in performance and it's very similar to the processor wars most of us older people witnessed first hand (and with our wallets!).
 
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If you want something beefy now, you're better off investing in a Dell or HP mobile workstation unless third party vendors like Puget (they don't) offer something like that. It's gonna be chunky as hell.

While it's large compared to a macbook pro, Metabox does a laptop with a 17" 4k screen, twin Nvidia 1080s in SLI, 64GB or ram capacity in whatever speed you like, 3x m2 drives, plus 2x 2.5" HD/SSD drives and a bazillion ports. Sure, it's a veritable aircraft carrier, but I'm willing to bet it's more compact, for on-location work than a MBP plus all the external drives, eGPUs etc necessary to get the same capability.
 
While it's large compared to a macbook pro, Metabox does a laptop with a 17" 4k screen, twin Nvidia 1080s in SLI, 64GB or ram capacity in whatever speed you like, 3x m2 drives, plus 2x 2.5" HD/SSD drives and a bazillion ports. Sure, it's a veritable aircraft carrier, but I'm willing to bet it's more compact, for on-location work than a MBP plus all the external drives, eGPUs etc necessary to get the same capability.
Can you link me to the one you're talking about? I saw a few with decent form factor. You've got it right, though. I actually like the HP ones because they're very pedestrian compared to other brands. Admittedly, I haven't checked in on them in two years, but I suspect they offer some great processor choices including Xeons.

Also cool that you mention 3x m.2 PCI-E drive slots. I was looking at Intel and AMD motherboards for HEDT use and was amazed they now come with 3-4 of those slots or offer 6+2 or 8+2 native/third solution ports. I'm not sure how good third party ports are versus native, but what I know is several years old and it's likely they're good now. In an ideal setup for a full tower, you'd utilize a 'fast' LSI card, flashed or not, with a modded HSF setup for big platter storage. Or offset that to an external setup via the ports on the i/o panel.
 
Can you link me to the one you're talking about?

https://www.metabox.com.au

Specific machine: https://www.metabox.com.au/store/b236/Metabox-Prime-P870TM-G-Laptop

I'm not sure if they're available in America as well.

Also cool that you mention 3x m.2 PCI-E drive slots. I was looking at Intel and AMD motherboards for HEDT use and was amazed they now come with 3-4 of those slots

All the mini-ITX motherboards I've looked at have 2 M2 slots onboard. It really is demoralising how many high end (for the mac) features you can get in low end gear in the PC world.
 
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https://www.metabox.com.au

Specific machine: https://www.metabox.com.au/store/b236/Metabox-Prime-P870TM-G-Laptop

I'm not sure if they're available in America as well.

All the mini-ITX motherboards I've looked at have 2 M2 slots onboard. It really is demoralising how many high end (for the mac) features you can get in low end gear in the PC world.
About to head to bed but figured I'd reply to your post. That is what I was looking at but I wasn't completely sure. That's a lot of money for not a lot of fancy gear. Then again, you're in Australia where everything is severely overpriced. A similar HP mobile workstation like that would cost less than $2800 with a better processor and more RAM.

There would be no point in buying from Australia.
 
That's a lot of money for not a lot of fancy gear. Then again, you're in Australia where everything is severely overpriced. A similar HP mobile workstation like that would cost less than $2800 with a better processor and more RAM.

Yeah we absolutely get hammered with a premium on top of currency conversion, but to put it in context, the Radeon 560-equiped Macbook Pro, which is significantly less computer in many ways, is $4100 local pricing.
 
I'm really tired of people who are trying to discredit the perfectly written article by saying that people doesn't need performance upgrade as often.
Then Apple should accept the fact that it's using more than a year old parts in computer and do discount.

Look at Mac Pro and Mac Mini. With all the old parts, how can they charge that much price for junk parts?
Do not try to defend Apple by saying that you are fine with computer. Everyone is in different situation, and a person trying to upgrade may not be upgrading every year as you think. If "People do not need a new part" is Apple's thinking, then properly do discount after parts become obsolete. I really think it's unethical to sell Mac Mini and Mac Pro at this point and price level.
 
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Apple must ink some type of deal with their suppliers, agreeing to buying X amount of chips, what have you, an X amount of logic boards from Foxconn or whoever. So they can get everything at the lowest price point because they have agreed to buying X amount.

Even when a product( looking at you nMP ) doesn't sell very well, Apple just keeps selling it until it reaches the number of units it is under contract to buy.

Hell of a way to run things, pushing products you know your customers don't want, so that you can get parts cheaper.
 
https://www.metabox.com.au

Specific machine: https://www.metabox.com.au/store/b236/Metabox-Prime-P870TM-G-Laptop

I'm not sure if they're available in America as well.



All the mini-ITX motherboards I've looked at have 2 M2 slots onboard. It really is demoralising how many high end (for the mac) features you can get in low end gear in the PC world.

For fun comparisons to this product, the last time Apple made a laptop that heavy was the Macintosh Duo era (no laptop Apple has made since the Portable has come close to 8.5lbs, let alone 9.5) and the last time Apple made a machine 1.6 inches deep was the PowerBook with Firewire back in 2000.
 
Apple must ink some type of deal with their suppliers, agreeing to buying X amount of chips, what have you, an X amount of logic boards from Foxconn or whoever. So they can get everything at the lowest price point because they have agreed to buying X amount.

Even when a product( looking at you nMP ) doesn't sell very well, Apple just keeps selling it until it reaches the number of units it is under contract to buy.

Hell of a way to run things, pushing products you know your customers don't want, so that you can get parts cheaper.


Apple like any brand will cut corners to save money and maximize profits. In this case, it's special variants. Though, I do hesitate using the words "cut corners" when describing Apple because they focus on other areas instead of limiting quality and structural integrity. From a power use point of view, the end result in Snazzy's tests didn't lead to a huge difference. And since most computer use will be in the low to medium draw range, it makes a lot of sense for heat output and unit price.

Having said that, if you've got the budget and need faster output, you'll want to invest in a PC. Right now I think the craziest yet very good software that works on all three OS platforms is probably Blackmagic's software, and honestly I wouldn't expect anything else unless something pops up at NAB 2019.

At the moment, I can't imagine the 8180 dipping the sub 5K range for several years if not more. Likewise, I don't see P6000 or GV100 cards going for cheap. Cheap would be 7-8 years later with a heavy use history.

I've been following all products closely. Unfortunately, no one has yet to order a dual 8180 setup through various vendors, and no one has built a 4x 8180 setup using an SuperMicro mobo. Then again, I very much doubt many people drop upwards of 55-60K on a computer capable of warping time because of how efficient and fast it is. You're looking at a 2,000 watt Platinum+ or greater PSU for the monster.
 
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I wonder how BK stepping down from Intel will affect the company? Come on, messing around with a fellow co-worker (guy or gal?), when he knew it was forbidden? The guy has b@lls, choosing love (I guess) over his position in a company like Intel?!
Bad timing for Intel though, with AMD looking good with Rome and Milan.
Not related to BK, but with TR and Epyc going strong will Apple really stay on Intel or switch to AMD? An all AMD solution seems quite appealing now.
There's still time to re-engineer the mMP until 2019 :)
 
Has anyone heard if Apple have invited the select few people that got invited to Apple to talk about the future of the Mac Pro after that very first meeting? Im afraid Apple moves in the wrong direction again and produce a new Mac Pro with the same extreme proprietary design and hardware like they did with the 6,1 if they don't get clubbed down back to earth by real people from the industry.
 
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Has anyone heard if Apple have invited the select few people that got invited to Apple to talk about the future of the Mac Pro after that very first meeting? Im afraid Apple moves in the wrong direction again and produce a new Mac Pro with the same extreme proprietary design and hardware like they did with the 6,1 if they don't get clubbed down back to earth by real people from the industry.

The next Mac Pro will definitely be a "do or die" moment. Apple can't have another Trashcan disaster.

All people seem to want is a return to the old Cheesegrater design. You know... like pretty much every other workstation.

I'm not saying Apple should be like everyone else... it's just that the standard tower with standard PCIe slots and standard storage is a proven design. Sometimes you don't need to rock the boat.
 
So just gonna post this here. Given that Mojave will be released very soon, and the Mac Pro 6,1 will not be supported. Could yjis be an indication that Apple are underpromising, so they can over deliver (ie. deliver early to impress) I find it astonishing that they are still selling a system which fundamentally won’t suppory its next OS X.
 
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Well, everytime i've hoped that Apple underpromised and then later would overdeliver or even deliver i have been incredible disappointed because at every event they have underdelivered even on my lowest of expectation.

Don't think its different this time either.
 
Seems like Apple still don't get it, the Blackmagic eGPU have a non-userreplacable GPU, i would be fine with it aslong as Blackmagic made the eGPU 100% on their own, now though, they launched it together with the new MBP and even said Apple worked with them during the development process. Everyone else makes eGPU enclosures where the user use normal GPU:s and can replace the GPU in the future, as soon as Apple gets their say or makes a suggestion to a developer for a synced launch, they make it non-upgradable.

Apple never learns, never listen, i bet the upcoming Mac Pro will be a 100% soldered non upgradable shitbox...........
 
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Seems like Apple still don't get it, the Blackmagic eGPU have a non-userreplacable GPU, i would be fine with it aslong as Blackmagic made the eGPU 100% on their own, now though, they launched it together with the new MBP and even said Apple worked with them during the development process. Everyone else makes eGPU enclosures where the user use normal GPU:s and can replace the GPU in the future, as soon as Apple gets their say or makes a suggestion to a developer for a synced launch, they make it non-upgradable.

Apple never learns, never listen, i bet the upcoming Mac Pro will be a 100% soldered non upgradable shitbox...........

So buy one of the many other alternatives with replaceable GPUs?

Sonnet already makes a series with non-replaceable GPUs (their puck series) so this isn't really new. The Blackmagic eGPU is also not the first non-upgradable 580 on the market.
 
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