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Can we actually be surprised by the upcoming Mac Pro?

Loa

Loa

macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 5, 2003
1,732
79
Québec
Hello,

It seems that every time we hear concrete rumors about a Mac Pro revision, people start theorizing about what it will be.

This time around, I don't think that Apple can actually surprise us. Everything seems quite easy to predict, except perhaps for a case redesign.

Can you guys think of something that would make us go "wow"?

Loa
 
The only thing that would make me go "wow" is if it was implemented as something similar to what this guy suggested in another thread. I can see how that would work and I think it's a darn fine idea.

Neodym said:
Who says you need to have cables as interconnection? In the 1980's a german HiFi company already introduced something called "Direct Contact System", where the HiFi components (tuner, tape deck, amplifier, equalizer and turntable) would be connected via a dedicated plug system that needed no extra cables (except for power in and speaker out obviously).

Each component had male connectors on the top and right side and female connectors on the bottom and left side (except for the turntable iirc), so you could arrange the components the way you liked without having a cable mess on the back.

Here are some pictures from their flyers:
http://wegavision.pytalhost.com/schneider83/schneider01.jpg
http://wegavision.pytalhost.com/schneider83/schneider03.jpg
http://wegavision.pytalhost.com/schneider83/schneider06.jpg

Sure - it was proprietary, but that's not something unusual for Apple.

So they could indeed introduce a modular computer system without cluttering the place with interconnection cables. Just the opposite - it would give them a pretty unique selling point:

Need more power? Need more storage? Need more ports? Just buy another Cube (or whatever Apple would call the boxes - it surely wouldn't be real cubes), providing cable-free expansion at higher speeds than any external interface could offer!

If they do it right, they could even offer one box with (additional) "standard" interfaces (Firewire, eSata, USB 3 etc.) for those who don't want to be locked completely into the Apple ecosystem.

And with the boxes designed properly, economies of scale would allow for low costs due to high volume (whether that'd translate to low customer prices is another question, though).
Click to expand...
 
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^ What that guy said. The fact that they're likely finally updating the damn machine made me go "wow" anyway.
 
I had a hi-fi system like that from Marantz. Not a very good system sound wise, but it looked pretty good and yes, the stacking idea worked really well. Amp, tape deck, tuner, deck (for vinyl if I remember right) all interchangeable - except the vinyl deck (!)

Having said that, with a limited number of components it's all fairly straight forward. I can't see it working so well if the CPU is on the top but the link to other bits is thru 2 or 3 different boxes. I can still remember the headache that was called 'SCSI chain'
 
I myself am a little skeptical of what is to come. I'm very happy they're refreshing the line as it's always been my favorite machine but I'm hoping they don't screw us on the entry model. I'm preparing myself to see 3GB of memory which I think is crazy since memory in general has dropped (yes, I know it's ECC but still). It's odd how these pro machines come with so little memory off the bat. I hope I'm 100% wrong and they do shock us with something terrific. I've switched to a Macbook Pro since my last Mac Pro and I'm hoping that whatever they release convinces me to buy it. I truly regret selling that machine but I couldn't justify in spending the money to buy the current model.
 
I think that it's going to either be a total redesign - inside and out - that will "wow" us, Or... the MacPro will basically not change at all except for the addition/deletion of some I/O ports.

That is to say ... if there is a redesign it won't be just, for example, slightly modifying the case to make it rackable, or other cosmetic changes... If there is a change, it will be a fundamental change of some sort. Or, the changes will be as minimal as possible so as incorporate Thunder Bolt.

The one exception may be a MacPro designated at a "server". But it will be different in the same way the Mini Server is different from the stock Mini.
 
I can be surprised if they don't charge 2x over retail for every optional component. That would wow me.

I don't put it beyond apple to wow, but I think we would have seen some leaks by now if major redesigns were in the cards. I still think the case will get some tweaks, but they will be minor.
 
Arstechnia wrote a balanced fair article about what to expect in a new Mac Pro and finished on this note,

"The information we have is that Apple is planning to add something new and significant to the Mac Pro line that acknowledges the needs of professional Mac users."

Reasonable thoughts?
 
I'm both surprised and wowed by the whole thing. Just one year ago in light of Apple's dumbed-down Lion and their focus on iToys and selling OK-quality content I was plotting my return to Windows as my primary OS. Windows 7 and I get along rather well.

Since then Microsoft has shown not only its ability but its passion to ruin Windows and Apple is apparently not forgetting about those of use use like powerful, user-configurable computers. Mountain Lion looks like a real improvement over Lion. My what difference a single year makes!

----------
spacedesign911 said:
Reasonable thoughts?
Click to expand...

Enjoy the weekend and tune in Monday.
 
auero said:
I'm preparing myself to see 3GB of memory which I think is crazy since memory in general has dropped (yes, I know it's ECC but still). It's odd how these pro machines come with so little memory off the bat.
Click to expand...

In a machine that's super easy to expand, I'm surprised how often people get hung up on the amount of RAM supplied. At their prices, I'd be happy for Apple to supply me with a machine with zero RAM (and drop the price accordingly).

Can you imagine what the base price would be if it came with 32Gb of Apple priced RAM pre-installed?
 
Beardy man said:
In a machine that's super easy to expand, I'm surprised how often people get hung up on the amount of RAM supplied. At their prices, I'd be happy for Apple to supply me with a machine with zero RAM (and drop the price accordingly).

Can you imagine what the base price would be if it came with 32Gb of Apple priced RAM pre-installed?
Click to expand...

Or they could offer you zero memory and still sell it at the same price point. My point is that for the current price they should throw in more memory. Even the base 13" macbook pro model comes with 4GB. I'm not asking them to supply it and charge me more for the machine but at least give an ample amount for their workstation.

Although unlikely, it would be awesome if Apple did a BTO order without a videocard, memory or hard drives.
 
I have a felling it won't be called the Mac Pro and it won't look anything like the previous models.
 
Every year when I go to WWDC, I walk in with zero expectations. It's a great way to approach it. Then anything of value is appreciated , and there's no way to be disappointed.

Patience is the key. Despite the marketing hype & carefully worded dialog, years of experience with Apple prepares me for some of their rather odd ways.

Often it's the following year or so before they actually deliver on claims or promises. They know exactly what they can get away with.

At the end of the day, it's Apple & it all works out sooner or later :)
 
theSeb said:
Let's stick to realistic expectations.
Click to expand...

That's quite realistic.

currently the 512GB SSD at the online store is $1,400

at OWC a PCI-e SSD that asolutely pummels that drive's performance is .... $880 for 480GB
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/PCIe/OWC/Mercury_Accelsior/RAID

A 2.5" 480GB 6Gb/s drive that is $758. (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/PCIe/OWC/Mercury_Accelsior/RAID ).

Even Apple isn't going to "way too high" GB number as their only SSD offering. They may even switch back to the other side ... put a mSATA slot that takes a MBA format drive into the Mac Pro.
Even a $880 SSD with an 30% Apple tax would only come out to $1,144. :)


A "wow" would be making the whole Mac Pro line up SDD by default in all the configurations. Apple making a HDD into a purely optional component.

Note that is something none of the other workstation vendors dropping new E5 have done so far.

A slightly less "wow" move would be going 100% 2.5" drive sleds.
 
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I would love to buy a bto option without any ram drives or card. We know this won't happen. There's absolutely no reason for Apple to overcharge that ridiculously for ram. It's insulting. Whatever though, I'll get over it. It's just...wow.
 
auero said:
Or they could offer you zero memory and still sell it at the same price point.
Click to expand...

Apple sells working systems, not barebones boxes. A computer with no memory doesn't work. Therefore not a working system.

The closest Apple gets to selling a barebones box is one with the minimal amount of memory to test the memory controllers at the factor ( currently 3 in current Mac Pro and 4 in the E5 based ones. ) and the smallest HDD they can get away with for the price point. ( currently 1TB since iMacs are coming standard with 1TB drives except its entry level option. )

The could put in the memory at the factory and then rip it out. However, there several flaws there.

1. you have to pay factory workers to take stuff out of the box. If trying to optimize the production line you just pay workers to put stuff in.

2. factory workers make mistakes. So for some very small percentage of systems the removal process will introduce a defect. That doesn't improve product quality of system delivered to customers.

3. it makes the amount of RAM used in the assembly process more variable. (depends upon how many barebones buyers show up that month). That makes the supply chain and inventory more costly.

Nevermind the initial point above. It is not a working system. Apple primarily sells working systems.

Folks who view the Mac Pro as a basic erector set are in conflict with how Apple views the Mac Pro.


Although unlikely, it would be awesome if Apple did a BTO order without a videocard, memory or hard drives.
Click to expand...

If Apple went with a mSATA standard OS/Apps drive and an embedded GPU you could get two out of the three. You'd have empty HDD drive sleds and no PCI-e cards, but the system would still work.
 
derbothaus said:
Seriously? How is that? You like those notifications? Kinda like Win nags, no? "Pay attention to me user", "I said pay ATTENTION to me". No thanks.
Click to expand...

One of the other Apple sites ran something a long time ago regarding installing Windows 7 under bootcamp. They were irritated when several things popped up during an application installation rather than a single notice. In OSX, sometimes I get a couple things at once. Anyway take the most irritating thing about Windows and add it to OSX. Hopefully it will be possible to turn them off or limit them.
 
Does the Mac Pro really need to wow you to make you buy it. Every other Mac Pro revision has just been a spec bump and maybe a internal design tweak. As for rumours speculating specs its not hard to do yourself if you look at Intel and AMD/Nvidia roadmaps.
 
derbothaus said:
T
You like those notifications? Kinda like Win nags, no? "Pay attention to me user", "I said pay ATTENTION to me". No thanks.
Click to expand...

If you look closer, much of what the Notification center posts is human generated (game center , email , IM, facetime , ... even "I've finished new software, you should download" messages ). It is just humans on other machines who are advocating the same thing "pay attention to me". LOL. There is suppose to be a "do not distrub" mode in Mountain Lion.
 
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