2012 Mac Pro or Should we say Apple Pro!

So today is the day Intel finally launch their new workstation chips. If there is going to be a Mac Pro revision this is the month we will find out.

So what does everything think? Are you happy with your iMac, Macbook Pro and see no need for a new power machine?

I suspect Apple might surprise us with a new machine - time to redefine what a pro machine is - maybe?

My boss has given me the go ahead to get a Mac Pro, but now would properly be the worst time to buy one. Literally anything could happen and I don't want to get anything that hasn't got some flavour of thunderbolt.

What do you guys think?

I'm really hoping for a re-imagining of the MacPro.
Days are gone where you needed a six slot beast.
Thunderbolt is taking care of that.

If there is another MacPro I'm sure it will be the last. My god the form factor has been around since 2003. What a testament to Apple's design.

Makes me think of the PowerMac 9500, I hated that machine sooooo much.

First of all, where did you get information that today is the day Intel is releasing new CPUs? There is a rumor it may be released this week, but I've not seen anything about it being released today.

Thunderbolt is simply PCI for small and portable computers that don't have slots. I'd prefer slots, the cards are way cheaper to manufacture than building things inside their own cases, with the expensive T'bolt chip set, etc. Slots will always be cheaper and easier to use than T'bolt cables. A slotless Mac Pro would be more expensive and more difficult to expand. Beside, T'bolt doesn't support all PCI lanes, thus, can't support the highest end graphics cards.

No Mac Pro no Apple Pro!
Mac Pro over iMac and Macbook Pro any day!
Intel's Xeon E5 is already in the channel says Boston

you can find it everywhere in the internet that the release is planned for today ... but yes no official info that it has been released

however i really hope that Apple updates these days the MP as my one from beginning 2008 getting a bit oldish these days

HP has unveiled the Z820, Z620 and Z420. So lets hope Apple is staying on the ball...

Yes, but HP isn't shipping those until April. I'm searching, I can't find any where that has any announcement that Sandy Bridge chips are actually shipping now, only that it's expected this week. Do you have a link to something specific?

Apple has a media event for tomorrow, Wed the 7th. But they won't announce new hardware until it's ready to ship.

So the day Intel starts shipping Sandy Bridge CPUs means manufacturers need to actually put computers together with them. Nothing will be shipping for a bit, just like HP's not shipping until April.

Ben, wouldn't you prefer a PC?

I think either: Apple have had a Thunderbolt'ed Mac Pro design waiting in the labs for these chips are are ready to go - or thats it, game over for the golden age of Pro Machines. And we will find out in the very near future. There would be little point in delaying any announcement further.

In my opinion Apple need a powerful machine at the top of their line. It doesn't have to be mass market - but something to aspire to, and the pinnacle of design vs power (in product terms, similar to the way the Mercedes SLS AMG works for regular Mercedes customers).

This would work well for the pros who want something other than a consumer device to work on in front of clients. FCPX is crying out for more powerful hardware. I am running it on a 2011 macbook pro - with maxed ram - and it still lags or sends the fans into overdrive for even simple tasks. It's workable, but far from perfect.

At work, I am sure I could do everything I do on a iMac with a Sonnet, and Promise Raid. But something makes me a bit uneasy about having a fixed monitor and no way to upgrade the graphics card. Maybe computing has changed - and I need to get with the program....

I do hope not, though..... I want a new Mac Pro!

PC? No, I need "quality" and reliability in my hardware. As a trainer I also need portability. There are two companies coming out with T'bolt enclosures that will hold graphics cards, which means GPU upgrade-ability.

this is intresting

9to5mac.com/2012/03/06/apples-next-ipad-...ional-event-planned/

maybe this additional event is the announcment of an all-new Mac Pro?

Apple has announced product before shipping date.
If Apple does have event for the Mac Pro that proof for me they are taking the Pro market serious.
Apple is not the only one that offers good quality. But if you want OSX or the future desktop iOS lol and FCPX you need a Mac right?
I like to stick with for FCPX for sometime and after working with a Mac Pro with 32GB vs the latest MacBook Pro... I want a Mac Pro!
GPU on a Mac Pro vs Thunderbolt, the Thunderbolt is going be a bottle neck.

Intel showed the Xeon E5 and also told prices - so i'd think they're available now

only german ... but google translate helps
translate.google.de/translate?sl=de&tl=e...90297-2.html&act=url

"GPU on a Mac Pro vs Thunderbolt, the Thunderbolt is going be a bottle neck."

Actually no it won't be a bottleneck, since both are PCI and support PCI speeds. There's no difference there.

Well the chips are here - now the ball is in Apple's court..

www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?...66&SID=1pttuoi3729i5

I know its not Apple's style, but if they have no plans to launch a new Mac Pro, they should have the decency to tell everyone.

Scrubelicious wrote: No Mac Pro no Apple Pro!
Mac Pro over iMac and Macbook Pro any day!
Intel's Xeon E5 is already in the channel says Boston

I think Tim Cook is going to announce the new MacPro tomorrow, March 7th along with the iPad3. The way I look at it, Apple has to have more to announce then simply a new iPad. I mean come on, unless this new iPad can fly or is a 7" model, what can possibly be so surprising about it? Everyone expects better cameras, and a higher resolution screen, but big deal! Tim Cook needs a chance to really put himself in the spot light for the first time since Steve left us and announcing the new Mac Pro would help do that.

i don't think Apple will present a new Mac Pro and an iPad at the same event
- so two products mainly aim very different customer-groups
ok i'm one of those who'd like a new ipad as well as an new mac Pro

most likely they quitly update the MacPro without any special event

Yeah, your probably right but I thought I'ld get that in there just in case they do. Then everyone will think I know what I'm talking about! :whistle:

I never try to guess what Apple may or may not do at an event. It'll be exciting either way. But if they can do an 8 core MBP with 16GB RAM, I have no need for a tower anymore.

I guess there's no real pressure to announce a new Mac Pro right now. Maybe a little closer to NAB when the can also showcase some pro apps like (hopefully) Aperture 4 and Logic Pro X.

Anyone see the new Lightroom? Adobe is certainly taking it to Apple with a big price drop and great features.

BenB wrote: I never try to guess what Apple may or may not do at an event. It'll be exciting either way. But if they can do an 8 core MBP with 16GB RAM, I have no need for a tower anymore.

I've already got one of those! Okay, well it's an i7 make believe 8 core, is that good enough?