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Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

marco.org

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Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#12

Post by marquis »

robert_nsu wrote: post #2

I don't get it. Why don't they just discontinue the Mac Pro?

Mac OSX is still solidly used in many industries, such as media and publishing. Recording studios need the Pro to install expansion cards, video production houses the same. I've seen close to riots because a production house wanted to move all their staff to Windows, and as much as you think it might save costs, you don't have to worry about Anti-Virus and Firewall software management, admin permissions etc on top of all that, Windows Pro licenses etc. Integration with iPad and iPhone is also important given that a lot of media development for these goes on in this studios.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#14

Post by planetguy »

hristov wrote: post #5
robert_nsu wrote: post #2

I don't get it. Why don't they just discontinue the Mac Pro?

Probably because they want to clear out some parts, or finish up supply agreements as Marco suggested.

I really doubt it. As long as there's a few customers willing to buy it, and as long as they can make what must be a ridiculously large profit margin on them, they're gonna continue to make 'em.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#15

Post by Bud »

millzlane wrote: post #10

This isn't surprising. Look at the product wikis and see the comparison of all the hardware. From the mac pro all the way down to the phone. They have been selling overpriced hardware for a very long time. To be fair.. before the intel switch the hardware was theirs. Now, after the intel switch they're still selling over priced hardware except now it's cheaper for them because they're not using powerpc's anymore, and…

Uh, except they aren't overpriced, as evidenced by the fact that nobody can undercut the Air or the iPhone or the iPad on price yet.

And they aren't reaping the benefits of using PC hardware, either; other than Intel CPUs, Apple is custom-building all its motherboards and parts.

So basically, you have no valid points at all and are just posting an anti-Apple rant.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#16

Post by wmf »

planetguy wrote: post #11

"No Xeon E5 CPUs" I must admit I've lost track of what the latest and greatest CPU is at any given time, so I googled for "Xeon E5" and found this article: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/06/11/apple_quietly_... So what is it? Have they stuck in an Intel Xeon E5 or not?

AppleInsider is confused. Xeon E5645 is two years old. Xeon E5-26xx is the new hotness.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#17

Post by seanica »

marquis wrote: post #12
robert_nsu wrote: post #2

I don't get it. Why don't they just discontinue the Mac Pro?

Mac OSX is still solidly used in many industries, such as media and publishing. Recording studios need the Pro to install expansion cards, video production houses the same. I've seen close to riots because a production house wanted to move all their staff to Windows, and as much as you think it might save costs, you don't have to worry about Anti-Virus and Firewall software management, admin permissions etc on top of…

"you don't have to worry about Anti-Virus and Firewall software management, admin permissions"

Are you sure about that? "Flashback" is just one example. Apple has also approached an av vendor to help harden OSX.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#18

Post by wmf »

grecy wrote: post #9

I agree this is a lame "update" But I don't think that means it's dead for certain. Maybe they are having a hard time figuring out if Thunderbolt will go on the gfx card or the motherboard...maybe they are still waiting for a usb 3.0/thunderbolt/ivy bridge chipset from inel? In fact, I think a "lame" update is a good sign that Apple wants to keep it around, and for whatever reason doesn't have the tech yet to make it…

They've had years to figure out the Thunderbolt thing. Xeon E5 was delayed 9 months, so the new Mac Pro actually should have been ready in September.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#19

Post by abruzzi »

I think there are two possible explanations:

1. Marco's pessimistic take that they are clearing through existing inventory in slightly reconfigured and cheaper machines.

2. grecy's comment here that they needed to keep people hooked while they get the real bump out the door.

If the answer is 2, then they really can't wait too long. A few people will be satisfied that they can get 12 cores for $3800, but it's only a stop gap.

My pessimistic gut says Marco is right (see FCPx/exFCP fiasco), but I keep hoping he's wrong. Right now I have too much invested in PCIe in my studio (audio hardware) and might get one of these new 12 core boxes and nurse it along for as long as I can.

Geof

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#20

Post by joshAg »

wmf wrote: post #7
tar wrote: post #4

I do not understand. What is the appropriate use case for a Mac Pro where something equivalent and much cheaper cannot be used?

PCIe cards. Multiple matte 30" monitors. Anything really CPU intensive.

I think he meant, why wouldn't a windows/unix/linux machine with similar hardware work just as well?
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