It's Here
Following the prerequisite months of speculation and rumour-mongering the new Mac Pro has arrived.
Whilst there are a number of subtle changes to the enclosure (reconfigured ports front and back, a redesigned latch, and most notably a second slot for an additional optical drive), the new systems look remarkably similar to their Power Mac G5 predecessors on the outside.
Inside however it’s all change. Each Mac Pro system features two new 64-bit Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 series processors (“Woodcrest” to those of you who follow such things) at either 2GHz, 2.66GHz, or 3GHz. In addition to the speed bumps (FCP rendering up to 1.4x faster than the Quad G5)*, the new processors have clearly created some much needed space inside the system—there’s room for more hard drives, the second optical drive, as well as newly arranged PCI Express and RAM slots.
Expansion is a big deal with the Mac Pro taking a leaf from the Xserve. The new enclosure features easy access to all components, thumb screws, and “direct-attach installation”.
One other thing to change with the introduction of the Mac Pro is the way Apple structures their product line. With this system there’s one default configuration and innumerable “build-to-order” options (Apple suggest there are almost 5 million variations). Just so you know, the range of prices I could access on the Canadian Apple Store were between CDN$2439 for the base configuration and CDN$15745 for a fully-loaded beast of a system (admit it, you want one and I know full well that you all do this too!). Clearly there’s a vast range their and lots of ways to customise your order.
Mac Pro - Entry Level
- Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
- 1GB (2 x 512MB)
- 160GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
- NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB (single-link DVI/dual-link DVI)
- 1 x SuperDrive
- Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse - U.S. English
Mac Pro - The Beast
- Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
- 16GB (8 x 2GB)
- 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
- 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
- 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
- 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
- NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 512MB, Stereo 3D (2 x dual-link DVI)
- 2 x SuperDrives
- Both Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and AirPort Extreme
- Fibre Channel Card
- Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple wireless Mighty Mouse - U.S. English
- AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac Pro/Power Mac (w/or w/o Display) - Auto-enroll
A little more than a year ago we were all waiting with baited breath having heard rumblings about how Apple were going to use Intel processors. Fourteen months later, here we are. The transition is complete.**
*Interesting to note that the performance tests were completed using a beta version of Final Cut Pro 5.2.1!
UPDATE 09 August 2006: Apple have modified their site to remove reference to the 5.2.1 version number. Fortunately Duane Martin had the foresight to take a screenshot of the offending numerals!
**Including the Xserve, which was announced just after the Mac Pro.
2 Comments
Yah okay, I admit it, I do the whole beast thing too. But really, how can you not? With all those fancy and easy to use web buttons its so simple to ramp it up and just take a peak at the ultimate system. Too bad it ends up costing as much as a new Honda Civic.
I really wish I hadn’t checked the site though and seen your post. Cause now its soo all I’m going to think about. I was holding up buying a Mac until the power Intels came out. I figured I had until next year, but well that plan is gone.
I haven’t done much with upgrading a PowerMac unit, but when doing so online the Ram prices seem rather outrageous. Can you not get better deals throughout various computer vendors and just plug those in yourself and save all the money?
Anyway, now that my focus is lost for the day, I think I’ll go get a Frapp.
What can I say? The prices Apple* charge for RAM are notoriously high. It is of course covered by AppleCare. On the other hand, reputable 3rd-party companies will often offer “lifetime guarantees” on RAM. Ultimately it’s up to you to find the right module and the right company to buy it from.
*To be fair, amongst manufacturers Apple is not alone in this.