Could the nMP have been discontinued?

[rGiskard]

As soon as EGPU is officially easy to do and Thunderbolt 3 is out on the iMac etc., I'm going back to iMac. Heck, you can already do it. But a GTX 980 Ti in a case, or two, or three.

Dream on. Apple will never sell an eGPU Thunderbolt housing that lets Mac users install their own aftermarket video cards. The absolute best you can hope for is a sealed aluminum Thunderbolt dingus with some crappy AMD GPU on a custom board. Throw it out every few years and plunk down another $1K for a new one.

 

[electonic]

Hey ... no, I don't think Apple will sell an eGPU housing. I think they will just support eGPU and 3rd manufacturers already have eGPU cases available. Mac OS Sierra already supports eGPU. Get a MacMini and an external gtx 980 ti for example

 

[George Dawes]

iMac Pro ? 5k screen with upgradeable / slottable gpu at rear , easily accessible Ram and HD/SSD ( compared to current iMac .. )

Explains the mysterious 5k display info ...

Jony would love that - so slim , so thin !!! so prone to overheating

 

[rGiskard]

Hey ... no, I don't think Apple will sell an eGPU housing. I think they will just support eGPU and 3rd manufacturers already have eGPU cases available. Mac OS Sierra already supports eGPU. Get a MacMini and an external gtx 980 ti for example

Support for 3rd party eGPU housings? That would be very un-Apple like. Maybe we'll get lucky and the proprietary Apple dingus will share a chipset with a real 3rd party Thunderbolt eGPU housing.

Edit: by support I mean something seamlessly "just works". Hacking kext files doesn't count, if I'm going to do that then I'll just go hackintosh.

 

[Joe The Dragon]

Hey ... no, I don't think Apple will sell an eGPU housing. I think they will just support eGPU and 3rd manufacturers already have eGPU cases available. Mac OS Sierra already supports eGPU. Get a MacMini and an external gtx 980 ti for example

to bad that TB3 is only pci-e 3.0 X4 at best.

 

[violst]

so prone to overheating

So true.

Its a sad state of affairs when apple's flag ship Mac is in assumed jeopardy of being discontinued. I have only ever owned and worked on the Hi-end Macs, 9600's, G4's, G5's Mac pros and the nMP and all these computers work 24/7 without even as much as a hiccup! I love the nMP now that I can travel with it and get great performance wherever I am. I just got rid of my last cMP the other day and carrying that thing was damn near impossible.

The few times I worked on an iMac by the end of the day it was as hot as a toaster and ready to kernel panic! without the option of a Mac pro I will leave the apple world and the apple taxed ecosystem. If I switch to an HP or Boxx workstation I will switch my phones, tablets and laptops to the PC/android world. I don't think apple realizes that a lot of their pro users have a lot of gadgets besides their Mac pro and like me will probably leave the apple ecosystem as well.

Apple needs to stop wasting time and resources on these self driving cars, and get back to basics and start making the Mac line up a viable option for its users.

I truly hope apple releases a updated nMP because I for one would be happy to buy it. I need the horse power and I need the thing to be up and running 24 hours a day without any problems.

 

[NY Guitarist]

This situation is disheartening.

I hope Apple isn't headed toward an 'iMacTV Pro' in place of a truly professional computer.

 

[JimGoshorn]

This situation is disheartening.

I hope Apple isn't headed toward an 'iMacTV Pro' in place of a truly professional computer.

If your definition of Pro computer is along the lines of the cMP, then I seriously doubt that Apple will do that. They said at the nMP introduction that it was the MP design for the next 10 years. They may walk some of that back but whatever happens it will not be like the cMP. I won't be the least surprised to see a fast iMac become their "Pro" computer. Fast CPU (maybe only i7 and i5), decent GPU and add a few ports for expandability like the nMP. Anything more than that and it looks like they are willing to see the user look elsewhere.

As far as a PC running licensed OS X, I think that would be doubtful as well (hope I'm wrong) but Apple has always controlled hardware (limited to few items) and software (they licensed and killed the licensing before) and I don't see them wanting to write an OS that would be compatible with as much hardware as the Windows world offers.

 

[Roykor]

iMac Pro ? 5k screen with upgradeable / slottable gpu at rear , easily accessible Ram and HD/SSD ( compared to current iMac .. )

Explains the mysterious 5k display info ...

Jony would love that - so slim , so thin !!! so prone to overheating

An iMac is a big laptop with a screen. No way it can handle the real deal. Yes, the run fast (the maxed out boys) but they run HOT too... and a profesional would like to choose if he wants to work with a build-in 27"screen. Maybe he wants 3 curved screens next to each-other. Good luck with that, and your iMac pro

Just kidding... iMacs are nice computers. Can handle serious stuff, but it stops where real PC's join the game and do the real real deal

I am seriously intrested in a good review/benchmark with a fast macbook pro and egpu. Not to buy, but how much it can handle.

 

[pat500000]

You know apple doesn't know what reality is when they start producing those earpods....

 

[iMcLovin]

An iMac is a big laptop with a screen. No way it can handle the real deal. Yes, the run fast (the maxed out boys) but they run HOT too... and a profesional would like to choose if he wants to work with a build-in 27"screen. Maybe he wants 3 curved screens next to each-other. Good luck with that, and your iMac pro

Just kidding... iMacs are nice computers. Can handle serious stuff, but it stops where real PC's join the game and do the real real deal

I am seriously intrested in a good review/benchmark with a fast macbook pro and egpu. Not to buy, but how much it can handle.

I previously had the Maxed out 5K iMac before I switched to PC. Its not a bad computer at all. And its amazing how apple have managed to cram such a powerful computer into such a tiny case and how they have tweaked the fans to be super silent unless you do some heavy lifting (of course once they start spinning it sounds like the machine is about to take off). I would say in most cases the iMac is enough even for many professionals. Particularly if you work with Adobe software. ...because adobe hasnt really optimized their software to take advantage of multiple cores and good GPUs. I would say, if you are an Adobe user only I would actually recommend the iMac BEFORE the Mac Pro (even if the Mac Pro would have had new updated Xeons processor and new GPUs). Because the 4 cores of high GhZ performs better than more cores of lower GhZ. THe new PC I bought pretty much outpower the iMac I had in every way...except in Adobe programs. I made a benchmark test using Element 3d, together with DoF and glow and multiple other effects in after effects. But since AE almost only uses 1 single core CPU in the rendering process I got the same result on on my new machine as with the iMac. Despite now having the highest GhZ 6 Core Broadwell.

But, thats Adobe being lazy bastards. AE could have performed so much better - and from what I undertsand they are slooooowly working on it.

But you are right its a laptop with a screen. Except the CPU. But laptops can do some heavy lifting.

 

[enc0re]

You cannot put a pro machine into a chassis resembling an iMac. The thermals are just not possible. You could do a Mac Mini with eGPU support; third-party or Apple. But that doesn't seem Apple-like at all.

What's far more likely is a spec bump of the nMP with 14nm AMD cards and all the new peripheral connectors.

 

[tuxon86]

I previously had the Maxed out 5K iMac before I switched to PC. Its not a bad computer at all. And its amazing how apple have managed to cram such a powerful computer into such a tiny case and how they have tweaked the fans to be super silent unless you do some heavy lifting (of course once they start spinning it sounds like the machine is about to take off). I would say in most cases the iMac is enough even for many professionals. Particularly if you work with Adobe software. ...because adobe hasnt really optimized their software to take advantage of multiple cores and good GPUs. I would say, if you are an Adobe user only I would actually recommend the iMac BEFORE the Mac Pro (even if the Mac Pro would have had new updated Xeons processor and new GPUs). Because the 4 cores of high GhZ performs better than more cores of lower GhZ. THe new PC I bought pretty much outpower the iMac I had in every way...except in Adobe programs. I made a benchmark test using Element 3d, together with DoF and glow and multiple other effects in after effects. But since AE almost only uses 1 single core CPU in the rendering process I got the same result on on my new machine as with the iMac. Despite now having the highest GhZ 6 Core Broadwell.

But, thats Adobe being lazy bastards. AE could have performed so much better - and from what I undertsand they are slooooowly working on it.

But you are right its a laptop with a screen. Except the CPU. But laptops can do some heavy lifting.

You could always stick a 25 pounds aluminium block/heatsink with 8 slow moving fans to the back of it

 

[Larry-K]

If your definition of Pro computer is along the lines of the cMP, then I seriously doubt that Apple will do that. They said at the nMP introduction that it was the MP design for the next 10 years. They may walk some of that back but whatever happens it will not be like the cMP. I won't be the least surprised to see a fast iMac become their "Pro" computer. Fast CPU (maybe only i7 and i5), decent GPU and add a few ports for expandability like the nMP. Anything more than that and it looks like they are willing to see the user look elsewhere.

As far as a PC running licensed OS X, I think that would be doubtful as well (hope I'm wrong) but Apple has always controlled hardware (limited to few items) and software (they licensed and killed the licensing before) and I don't see them wanting to write an OS that would be compatible with as much hardware as the Windows world offers.

I think that "10 years" comment was overly optimistic.

If they continue with the nMP Form-Factor at current pricing, without radical improvements, they won't be selling any "MacPros" by then, unless some drunk buys one on a dare.
[doublepost=1473708145][/doublepost]

So true.

Its a sad state of affairs when apple's flag ship Mac is in assumed jeopardy of being discontinued. I have only ever owned and worked on the Hi-end Macs, 9600's, G4's, G5's Mac pros and the nMP and all these computers work 24/7 without even as much as a hiccup! I love the nMP now that I can travel with it and get great performance wherever I am. I just got rid of my last cMP the other day and carrying that thing was damn near impossible.

The few times I worked on an iMac by the end of the day it was as hot as a toaster and ready to kernel panic! without the option of a Mac pro I will leave the apple world and the apple taxed ecosystem. If I switch to an HP or Boxx workstation I will switch my phones, tablets and laptops to the PC/android world. I don't think apple realizes that a lot of their pro users have a lot of gadgets besides their Mac pro and like me will probably leave the apple ecosystem as well.

Apple needs to stop wasting time and resources on these self driving cars, and get back to basics and start making the Mac line up a viable option for its users.

I truly hope apple releases a updated nMP because I for one would be happy to buy it. I need the horse power and I need the thing to be up and running 24 hours a day without any problems.

Apple's new motto is "Why do anything well, when you can do everything poorly?".

Loved that 9600.

 

[ITguy2016]

Apple needs to stop wasting time and resources on these self driving cars, and get back to basics and start making the Mac line up a viable option for its users.

It's not as if Apple can't do both. Updating the Mac Pro with current parts should be nothing to a company with their resources. They've done it in the past with a lot fewer resources.

 

[electonic]

Edit: by support I mean something seamlessly "just works". Hacking kext files doesn't count, if I'm going to do that then I'll just go hackintosh.

Just a quick note, maybe you didn't know, Sierra now natively supports EGP, with egpu efi.

 

[Hank Carter]

You could always stick a 25 pounds aluminium block/heatsink with 8 slow moving fans to the back of it

Or just add some vents at the top of the case, because hot air rises... Somehow HP manages to pack a Xeon in their all in one model without it catching fire.

But I guess that would ruffle someones artistic sensibilities.
;-)

 

[Larry-K]

Or just add some vents at the top of the case, because hot air rises... Somehow HP manages to pack a Xeon in their all in one without it catching fire.

But I guess that would ruffle someones artistic sensibilities.
;-)

I think one of those blowing-tube guys from a car dealership would make a great heat chimney.

 

[enc0re]

It's not as if Apple can't do both. Updating the Mac Pro with current parts should be nothing to a company with their resources. They've done it in the past with a lot fewer resources.

If you spun off Macs into their own company, it would be a Fortune 500 company. Let that sink in for a minute.

A Fortune 500 company that sells three laptops and three desktops. And they can't be bothered to update them at least once a year. It would be comical, if I didn't want a new Mac so much.

 

[violst]

If you spun off Macs into their own company, it would be a Fortune 500 company. Let that sink in for a minute.

A Fortune 500 company that sells three laptops and three desktops. And they can't be bothered to update them at least once a year. It would be comical, if I didn't want a new Mac so much.

You hit the nail on the head. Its shameful how long its takes apple to update their mac line up. They complain that they aren't selling as many mac's as they like, but the real problem is that they are all out of date. If they kept them updated more often they would sell like hot cakes!!!

 

[ActionableMango]

And they can't be bothered to update them at least once a year.

My only hope at this point is that they've been saving updates in order to have an October event that blows us away with a huge new lineup.

But there aren't leaks that match such a spectacle. Just something about a new touchstrip and how the MP might be dead.

 

[richinaus]

If you spun off Macs into their own company, it would be a Fortune 500 company. Let that sink in for a minute.

A Fortune 500 company that sells three laptops and three desktops. And they can't be bothered to update them at least once a year. It would be comical, if I didn't want a new Mac so much.

Thanks for the clarity - great observation and is amazing when you think about it.
It is a comical situation, and you do have to wonder what the conversations are like within Apple. Is cook fuming or happy to let this continue? I would be embarrassed as a CEO if I was him - drop the price on the out of date products and release the quality hardware when ready, but don't keep the same prices - it is rude.

 

[violst]

It is pretty ridiculous that so many mac users are left frustrated about the lack of updated equipment. I don't understand how apple doesn't see that as a huge problem for them. I for one am tired of being stressed out about the future,or lack of a future of the Mac Pro. I have also been waiting to have a Macbook pro with more the 16gigs of ram already!

 

[cohen777]

It is pretty ridiculous that so many mac users are left frustrated about the lack of updated equipment. I don't understand how apple doesn't see that as a huge problem for them. I for one am tired of being stressed out about the future,or lack of a future of the Mac Pro. I have also been waiting to have a Macbook pro with more the 16gigs of ram already!

 

[richinaus]

It is pretty ridiculous that so many mac users are left frustrated about the lack of updated equipment. I don't understand how apple doesn't see that as a huge problem for them. I for one am tired of being stressed out about the future,or lack of a future of the Mac Pro. I have also been waiting to have a Macbook pro with more the 16gigs of ram already!

the worst thing for me is that it is really nagging me at the moment and is effecting my work / business. I am commenting on these boards / checking to see if anything has been released rather than working which is not good. Should get my focus sorted out, but release the friggin computers so I can work !!!!!