Dear Mr. Cook:
In the past few days I've been reading and hearing these rumors on Apple's decision to pull the cord on the Mac Pro line. I will never forget Steve's quotation of Wayne Gretzky's "I skate to where the puck is going to be" and sure enough the puck is not in the same place it was back when the Mac Pro was introduced. I also remember Steve's historic comeback in 1997 when apple was almost dead. Steve then mentioned that Apple needed to find where it was still relevant and focus on its core assets to invest more on them. I'm convinced that the two relevant markets that Steve mentioned still apply today. Content Creation and Education. Education has clearly shifted route. And while for this market an iOS device or an iMac would suffice for Content Creation is a different story.
I would like to share with you the story of how Apple came to my life. I remember watching the PowerMac G5 introduction back in 2003. That was a "wow" moment for me. And I knew somehow that was going to be the computer I would own. I was 20 years old back then and with the job I had I just wasn't able to afford it. I had a dream nonetheless. That was going to be my computer. Came 2005 I had the opportunity to visit the United States of America (I'm from Guatemala) giving me the chance to visit an Apple Store for the first time ever. I would go to the Apple Store and spend hours and hours just playing with the Power Mac. I still could not afford it so in my head I though: "I would just take a piece of you and come for the whole thing at another time". And so I bought my first iPod. The 30GB fifth generation iPod. It was gorgeous and it made me feel closer to making my dream come true. Later on I heard about the Intel switch and I thought to myself "I'm done" but then this gorgeous 2006 Mac Pro. Same outside, beautiful inside, carefully crafted. I just fell in love once again. Fast forward to 2009 when I got a job in an advertising agency in Guatemala which paid well for the work they requested, I finally was able to afford the Mac Pro and so on December 2009 I came home with a shiny Mac Pro. Ever since that day the bar of what a computer should be has raised for me. I've been working as a freelance web developer, as an in-house software developer, as an iOS developer, freelance and in-house 3D Art Creator, 2D and 3D animation, and trust me in all of these fields there is nothing that would come even close to the Mac Pro. I'd hate to see the Mac Pro killed off because for me more than just another computer it's a valuable work tool that allows me to perform not only faster but also better at what I do. And it's because all of this and more that I would like to ask you Mr. Cook, that if it is in your hands and your reach, to please keep the Mac Pro alive. There is just no way to replace this computer. I as many others I'm sure hope Apple will realize this, and keep the machine alive for the years to come.
With best regards
Roberto Gutierrez Rios
3D Art Creator/Developer and Mac Pro user.
