Chances of a modular Mac Pro update at WWDC?

[whitedragon101]

Unlike iPhone/iPad/Mac, for high end stuff like the Mac Pro/ iMac Pro apple have a history of providing updates and sneak peaks at products way before they go on sale.

What do you think the chances are on getting some info at GDC on the upcoming modular Mac Pro ?

 

[bsbeamer]

MAYBE something trickles out around NAB later this week/next week, but would not count on an announcement. Most think the 7,1 is 5-6+ months away.

 

[ActionableMango]

Did you mean WWDC instead of GDC? I just don't see Apple debuting a new Mac Pro at a gaming conference.

 

[whitedragon101]

Did you mean WWDC instead of GDC? I just don't see Apple debuting a new Mac Pro at a gaming conference.

Lol , yes WWDC.

I have GDC on the brain at the moment following all the news coming out of it

 

[goMac]

With the Mac Pro now rumored to ship in 2019, I'm cutting the chances a bit.

I mean, it's possibly 2019 means January and they'll still announce at WWDC. But usually when that happens, Apple just ships a few units that aren't BTO in December and calls it 2018.

 

[Naimfan]

Unlike iPhone/iPad/Mac, for high end stuff like the Mac Pro/ iMac Pro apple have a history of providing updates and sneak peaks at products way before they go on sale.

What do you think the chances are on getting some info at GDC on the upcoming modular Mac Pro ?

Zero.

Given what's been flying around the web, I would not be surprised to see Apple never release a new MP.

 

[Greymacuser]

0.0000000% chance.
It would require a new CEO and business philosophy at Apple to make that happen.
Professional computer users take a back seat to phones and watches.

 

[JesterJJZ]

0.0000000% chance.
It would require a new CEO and business philosophy at Apple to make that happen.
Professional computer users take a back seat to phones and watches.

To be fair, they did preview the iMacPro pretty darn early. I think Apple knows they need to show something as soon as possible.

 

[TheIntruder]

FWIW, from the Bloomberg article about Apple dumping Intel:

"The company has also previously released Macs with ARM-based co-processors, which run an iOS-like operating system, for specific functions like security. The latest MacBook Pro and iMac Pro include the co-processors. Apple plans to add that chip to a new version of its Mac Pro, to be released by next year, and new Mac laptops this year, according to a person familiar with the matter."

They could repeat the same thing they did with the iMac Pro, give a preview at WWDC, and ship it late in the year.

 

[Naimfan]

FWIW, from the Bloomberg article about Apple dumping Intel:

"The company has also previously released Macs with ARM-based co-processors, which run an iOS-like operating system, for specific functions like security. The latest MacBook Pro and iMac Pro include the co-processors. Apple plans to add that chip to a new version of its Mac Pro, to be released by next year, and new Mac laptops this year, according to a person familiar with the matter."

They could repeat the same thing they did with the iMac Pro, give a preview at WWDC, and ship it late in the year.

If the ARM chip, in part, is to prevent user upgrades, Apple shouldn't bother releasing a MP with it.

 

[bsbeamer]

If the ARM chip, in part, is to prevent user upgrades, Apple shouldn't bother releasing a MP with it.

My understanding is the co-processor handles specific tasks, such as the camera or video decoding. The iMacPro uses it for system authentication at startup as well, but reports are that has had many issues at release and it CAN be disabled for that task. If those are the only type of things the co-processor is handling in MacPro7,1 then fine... but if it's looking for specially blessed SSD, RAM modules, or PCIe cards (even in an enclosure) connected to the machine then they can find some other buyers - the majority of people I work with will NOT be interested.

A pro machine of this caliber needs to be able to access cards like NVIDIA GPUs, RED ROCKET-X style accelerators, and MANY others in some capacity. The majority on this forum want that to be internal, but even if accepting that may be external, there is no reason that access should be blocked. Anything preventing that from legitimately happening with proper software and drivers being provided by the manufacturer would not be acceptable for a pro machine.

 

[whitedragon101]

My understanding is the co-processor handles specific tasks, such as the camera or video decoding. The iMacPro uses it for system authentication at startup as well, but reports are that has had many issues at release and it CAN be disabled for that task. If those are the only type of things the co-processor is handling in MacPro7,1 then fine... but if it's looking for specially blessed SSD, RAM modules, or PCIe cards (even in an enclosure) connected to the machine then they can find some other buyers - the majority of people I work with will NOT be interested.

A pro machine of this caliber needs to be able to access cards like NVIDIA GPUs, RED ROCKET-X style accelerators, and MANY others in some capacity. The majority on this forum want that to be internal, but even if accepting that may be external, there is no reason that access should be blocked. Anything preventing that from legitimately happening with proper software and drivers being provided by the manufacturer would not be acceptable for a pro machine.

I really hope we can put in regular GPUs from nVidia.

I have a PC for VR development and a Mac for xCode. My dream would be for that to be on one machine. Even better would be if Oculus support Mac and didn't have to dual boot.

 

[Moonjumper]

I think WWDC is the most likely place to announce the Mac Pro. It is a developer event rather than a consumer press conference, so would suit what should be the most professional machine in Apple's range. Also, the last Mac Pro was announced at WWDC. The release may come much later, as it did with the last Mac Pro.

 

[AidenShaw]

Lol , yes WWDC.

I have GDC on the brain at the moment following all the news coming out of it

As the thread starter, you can edit the title. Look for the little "gear" icon at the top right of post #1.

 

[ActionableMango]

Zero.

Given what's been flying around the web, I would not be surprised to see Apple never release a new MP.

I'm surprised at people saying zero. Apple held a press event to do two very unusual things for them (1) admit they made a big mistake and (2) discuss a future model. I don't think they would do those things without serious consideration and commitment.

I absolutely 100% believe there will be a new Mac Pro. It isn't going to make everyone happy, it might not be announced at WWDC, and maybe it won't be here this year, but there will be a new model.

 

[AidenShaw]

I'm surprised at people saying zero. Apple held a press event to do two very unusual things for them (1) admit they made a big mistake and (2) discuss a future model. I don't think they would do those things without serious consideration and commitment.

I absolutely 100% believe there will be a new Mac Pro. It isn't going to make everyone happy, it might not be announced at WWDC, and maybe it won't be here this year, but there will be a new model.

However, things change and plans can change.

Apple's responsibility is to do the best thing for their shareholders - not to throw money away based on "forward thinking" that does hold up to financial analysis.

If the Imac Pro satisfies most of the pro market, the mMP is dead.

 

[Greymacuser]

To be fair, they did preview the iMacPro pretty darn early. I think Apple knows they need to show something as soon as possible.

Shame it was just an iMac. After owning one of those I would never purchase another. Horrible air flow design traps all its heat inside and cooks the screen. After one year the screen was incapable of generating white. Everything was a water stained yellow.

 

[goMac]

However, things change and plans can change.

Apple's responsibility is to do the best thing for their shareholders - not to throw money away based on "forward thinking" that does hold up to financial analysis.

If the Imac Pro satisfies most of the pro market, the mMP is dead.

I agree with Mango, but even if I didn't agree with his reasoning, the latest ARM rumors mentioned that the Mac Pro was still a real project.

 

[ETN3]

However, things change and plans can change.

Apple's responsibility is to do the best thing for their shareholders - not to throw money away based on "forward thinking" that does hold up to financial analysis.

If the Imac Pro satisfies most of the pro market, the mMP is dead.

Apple has a focus on the bottom line but that doesn't necessarily mean that a product that doesn´t sell in very big volumes are not important. For Apple, the professionals and creators are an important group and the biggest reason is they need them for their high volume products. Having an iPhone with iOS is not very special without the Apps, content, and Services from 3rd parties that come with it and it is even more important now when we maybe are on the steps to adopting VR. Ensuring a good platform for these professionals will enhance the possibility that the next big thing comes to an Apple device first. And Apple knows this just read the Annual reports. So it isn't just about the quarterly sales numbers this is a long-term strategy.

As for your statement on the iMac Pro, I agree. But that depends on the sales of the mMP. Apple has a lot of prestige and commitment to make the new Mac Pro a great machine for professionals now and I am very curious about what they come up with. I don't think they will make the same mistake as they did with the tcMP and who knows, maybe we are in for a pleasant surprise

If the new Mac Pro also fail, the decision to ax it won´t happen before a year or two after it has been brought to market.

 

[Theophany]

To be fair, they did preview the iMacPro pretty darn early. I think Apple knows they need to show something as soon as possible.

They also previewed the 6,1 way before it shipped.

I would imagine that as soon as Apple are confident that they have the shipping dates and supply chains ready to meet those dates, we'll see a reveal of the new Mac Pro. Maybe 1-2 quarters ahead of when it will be available for sale.

I think WWDC is the earliest we're likely to get any information from Apple, but personally I would think an event on Apple's campus in September with a shipping date of Q2 2019 is more realistic.

 

[sublunar]

They wouldn't put a long future release date on the Modular Mac Pro because it would crater the sales of the existing Mac Pro unless they are intending to clear the last of those out with run-out deals with the iMac Pro present to take up any slack from people who can't wait.

IMHO the MMP is going to get an immediate release when they announce it properly. WWDC seems like the most likely place to unveil it but we have 2 further possibilities - a pre WWDC launch date in May if they have a lot of software to discuss at WWDC itself. Or they could re-use the 'traditional' October Mac launch window.

Given that most Macs could be updated at WWDC in June as 1 year rolls up on most Apple Mac hardware the October date looks a bit redundant again while a May pre-WWDC update is possible if they also have a new iPhone SE to get out the door.

 

[pl1984]

They also previewed the 6,1 way before it shipped.

I would imagine that as soon as Apple are confident that they have the shipping dates and supply chains ready to meet those dates, we'll see a reveal of the new Mac Pro. Maybe 1-2 quarters ahead of when it will be available for sale.

I think WWDC is the earliest we're likely to get any information from Apple, but personally I would think an event on Apple's campus in September with a shipping date of Q2 2019 is more realistic.

The 6,1 was previewed in June and began shipping in December. The mMP was mentioned in an interview almost a year ago and we've heard nothing about it since (aside from the afore mentioned ARM rumor). The 6,1 was also announced a year or so after an update to the cMP. The mMP was mentioned almost four years after the release of the 6,1 which has seen zero, none, nada, zilch, updates since its release almost four years earlier.

 

[ra4oasis]

0.0000000% chance.
It would require a new CEO and business philosophy at Apple to make that happen.
Professional computer users take a back seat to phones and watches.

You DO realize that Apple has already said that a new modular Mac Pro is on the way, right? And can you blame Apple for focusing on the iPhone and Apple Watch, when those are the areas of the most growth? It doesn't mean they don't care about the Mac line, they do, it's just not the bread and butter like it was 20 years ago.

 

[pl1984]

You DO realize that Apple has already said that a new modular Mac Pro is on the way, right? And can you blame Apple for focusing on the iPhone and Apple Watch, when those are the areas of the most growth? It doesn't mean they don't care about the Mac line, they do, it's just not the bread and butter like it was 20 years ago.

They also said the 6,1 Mac Pro represents the Mac Pro for the next 10 years.

 

[sublunar]

The 6,1 was previewed in June and began shipping in December. The mMP was mentioned in an interview almost a year ago and we've heard nothing about it since (aside from the afore mentioned ARM rumor). The 6,1 was also announced a year or so after an update to the cMP. The mMP was mentioned almost four years after the release of the 6,1 which has seen zero, none, nada, zilch, updates since its release almost four years earlier.

The 2012 Mac Pro was discontinued a few months earlier that year in Europe thanks to the EU so there was nothing to supersede in Europe. It was officially discontinued in October 2013 worldwide. By the time of the 2013 nMP announcement the technology in the 2012 MP was woefully out of date anyway. Kind of like how the 2013 is now with the MMP on the horizon.