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coffeeinthebin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 29, 2010
17
0
Is it like the macbook pro, only a desktop? all i know is that its really expensive, and they didn't show a picture of a monitor. which probably means there is none.. haha.. but what is it? the apple live chat people were no help in explaining.. i don't want to buy this, i'm just curious.
 

vizfxman

macrumors regular
Mar 31, 2010
126
0
Los Angeles
It's a desktop computer aimed at the professional market, even though some will argue they've been lacking in keeping up.

It's far more expandable than a laptop and no, it doesn't come with a monitor though I don't think there are many professional graphic artists, 3D artists, etc. looking at a laptop screen when doing their work.

And yes, it is expensive.
 

Hellhammer

Moderator emeritus
Dec 10, 2008
22,164
582
Finland
It's high-end desktop computer from Apple. It's the only real desktop Mac as others are more or less laptops. It's very upgradeable compared to others and also the fastest thus most expensive. It's mainly meant for professionals as iMacs are fine for most peope
 

hexagonheat

macrumors member
May 1, 2010
69
0
"What exactly is the Mac pro?"

It's a mac tower that has 1.5 year old hardware with very limited hardware upgrade options and extremely limited 2-generation-old graphic options that apple refuses to refresh. The price of this beast is still the same as it was when it was first launched even though the components stay the same. You can build a PC for about half the price that will be faster using either Windows 7 or Linux.

:D
 

vizfxman

macrumors regular
Mar 31, 2010
126
0
Los Angeles
"What exactly is the Mac pro?"

It's a mac tower that has 1.5 year old hardware with very limited hardware upgrade options and extremely limited 2-generation-old graphic options that apple refuses to refresh. The price of this beast is still the same as it was when it was first launched even though the components stay the same. You can build a PC for about half the price that will be faster using either Windows 7 or Linux.

:D
There is some truth in that, unfortunately.
 

cjmillsnun

macrumors 68020
Aug 28, 2009
2,399
48
It's high-end desktop computer from Apple. It's the only real desktop Mac as others are more or less laptops. It's very upgradeable compared to others and also the fastest thus most expensive. It's mainly meant for professionals as iMacs are fine for most peope

iMacs use desktop class processors now.
 

R.R.Mac

macrumors regular
Sep 16, 2006
197
0
Guildford, England
basically, its a super powerful computer for professional film makers etc. It doesn't come with a monitor as film makers normally have a few anyway!!
 

Dr.Pants

macrumors 65816
Jan 8, 2009
1,181
2
Reading and searching are good ideas.

dqoU5.gif
 

Dr.Pants

macrumors 65816
Jan 8, 2009
1,181
2
I find it much easier to buy a product and then figure out what it's for.

That's a great idea for the OP to do. Buy a MacPro, then figure out what it is used for.

"What are all these connections in the back for? Where the )*)#($ is the monitor? Do I have to open this big piece on the side?"
 

coffeeinthebin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 29, 2010
17
0
Hahaha. No I wouldn't buy it, I tried using it at the Apple store and I liked the iMac better, but that could be cause i'm not really in the category that would like it. they had a monitor with it which was HUGE more like a flat screen TV o_0
On the website it pretty much just said a powerful tower that is amazing in performance and graphics. but apple refers to all their computers as amazing.
 

JeromeOD

macrumors member
Sep 22, 2005
68
0
Heh.

A mac pro is a professional workstation, for real professionals making real money with software. The computer cost is likely the smallest component of their tech investment for work. So they like to use Mac OS and buy a fast computer that works. They don't want to build Win7 machines for half the cost, when what they earn in a day would dwarf that amount of money, and dealing with Windows would cost them even more money.

I'm a sound designer & mixer, and that's why I like a Mac Pro.
 

costabunny

macrumors 68020
May 15, 2008
2,466
71
Weymouth, UK
its simply one of the most beautifully designed workstations EVER!

Powerful for professionals and a work of art in itself (if you appreciate that sort of thing).

Upgradable and using workstation class hardware (hence it costs more than a similar numbered PC or iMac) - simply put it's Beauty and the Beast all in one package.
 

hugodrax

macrumors 65816
Jul 15, 2007
1,219
610
A professional certified Unix workstation. Really meant for professional use, if you have to ask it is most likely not what you need.
 

wisty

macrumors regular
Feb 18, 2009
219
0
It's a workstation. It uses stuff like EEC memory, multiple CPUs, and other things you only see in professional machines.

It's also, sadly, quite outdated now. It's almost 1 year and 4 months since it was last updated.
 
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