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Mac Pro 5.1 (4.1) support in Mac OS 10.14

C

Cubit

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 29, 2008
18
0
It's been a while since I've posted but am just about to embark on a project and could use some help.

I've inherited a 2009 Mac Pro which I am planning to upgrade (SSD, X5680 x 2, 32GB RAM, Airport ac &Bluetooth 4.0 card, USB 3 card, new GPU etc), but before I spend significant money on the process I was wondering if anyway has some thought on if these machines will continue to be supported in Mac OS 10.14 which I guess will be out this summer.

I know it is speculation at this stage but musings from others would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Cubit
 
It's hard to tell.

IMO, the 2012 Mac Pro was introduced back in Jun 2012. Since Apple usually provide 7 years support for the Mac. Which means any macOS launched before 2019 Jun should be supported on the 5,1.

And most likely 10.14 will be launched at late 2018. Therefore, there is a high chance that the 5,1 can run 10.14 natively.
 
Right now the 5,1 cheesegrater Mac Pro Tower natively runs "High Sierra" - but how long before Apple decides to make these wonderful machines yesterday's hardware - by making them not compatible with the latest version of OSX?

I've used a Mac Pro 1,1 for years with SFOTT boot .efi hack so I can run Yosemite. How long will it be before this becomes necessary with a 5,1? Next year? Three years? I know only Apple know for sure, but what's the thinking here, please?

I'm about to buy a Mac Pro 5,1 (2010 - 3.33GHz - 6 core - Serial No: CK11901DHF7) on ebay. My question is - how long does the 2010 5,1 have before it no can no longer NATIVELY (WITHOUT the need for boot .efi hacking of the OS) support the latest version of the Mac OSX operating system? I know only Apple know the answer to this question for sure. But I'd be VERY GRATEFUL for your insight. Grateful thanks for your time.

Keith :)
 
ksq1307 said:
what's the thinking here, please?
Click to expand...

Apple is in business to make money, just like any other company. Plain and simple.

The thinking, in part, is that it forces users to buy new computers that will run the latest OS instead of prolonging the ability to update with their current machines.

Planned obsolescence, it seems, is designed in part to drive the economy and make money.
 
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Likely for the 2012 machines.

2010 are a big question mark. I'm guessing yes since the 7,1 is not coming out soon. Last thing Apple needs is more bad blood from the pro customer base who are holding on to their 5,1's in anticipation of the 7,1.
 
My position is that if Apple is like any of the big tech companies I've worked at, there's a set of rules to follow. And unless it's an exceptional situation (which the cMP is not...) then this will be like any other device - no more, no less. Big Tech doesn't want to support devices forever, both because this costs money, and holds back new device revenue.
 
Demigod Mac said:
Likely for the 2012 machines.

2010 are a big question mark. I'm guessing yes since the 7,1 is not coming out soon. Last thing Apple needs is more bad blood from the pro customer base who are holding on to their 5,1's in anticipation of the 7,1.
Click to expand...
The 2010 and 2012 Mac Pros are essentially the same hardware. It's very likely that Apple will drop support for both at the same time.

Three reasons for why the Mac Pro 5,1 will likely be supported by MacOS 10.14, but I would not count on 10.15 being supported officially (doesn't rule out unofficial patches for running it unsupported). This includes flashed to 5,1 2009 Mac Pros, as I'm not aware of any previous version of MacOS that checked the serial number to distinguish supported from unsupported Macs.
 
If history holds true, there'll be a few vectors to run macOS on unsupported Mac Pros for a few OS updates. Right now the big die-offs for support have largely revolved around support issues: dropping support for 32 bit macs, then 32 Bit EFI Macs even with 64 bit CPUs, and Macs that probably didn't ship with later WiFi chipsets like the Broadcom BCM94360CD found in the Mac Pro 3.1.

As of right now there aren't any lineup changes that indicate dropping support for older Macs. Even if all Macs tomorrow ship with T2 chipsets, that leaves every Mac sans iMac Pro sold before wouldn't have support. So for the interim even if unofficially supported, likely moving forward we'll be able to run modern macOS for some time (with some possible asterisks).
 
Yeah! I just found it too!

"macOS Mojave will be available this fall as a free software update for Macs introduced in mid-2012 or later, plus 2010 and 2012 Mac Pro models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards."

That's really interesting about the recommended graphics card requirement. Does it mean Apple is recommending new graphics cards for the cMP?? :)
 
MisterAndrew said:
Yeah! I just found it too!

"macOS Mojave will be available this fall as a free software update for Macs introduced in mid-2012 or later, plus 2010 and 2012 Mac Pro models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards."

That's really interesting about the recommended graphics card requirement. Does it mean Apple is recommending new graphics cards for the cMP?? :)
Click to expand...

Agreed that line is so intriguing! Like in 2018 what GFX card is Apple going to recommend 5,1 users to purchase??? You can bet it's not going to be a card that doesn't get a bootscreen. Apple would never recommend something like that.
 
Susurs said:
It’s here: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/06/apple-introduces-macos-mojave/

Which series started to be Metal-capable graphics cards?
Click to expand...

Any AMD GCN based GPU or newer (e.g. HD7950)

Any Nvidia Kepler based GPU or newer (e.g. GTX680)
[doublepost=1528143132][/doublepost]
MisterAndrew said:
Yeah! I just found it too!

"macOS Mojave will be available this fall as a free software update for Macs introduced in mid-2012 or later, plus 2010 and 2012 Mac Pro models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards."

That's really interesting about the recommended graphics card requirement. Does it mean Apple is recommending new graphics cards for the cMP?? :)
Click to expand...

They officially licensed the HD7950 and GTX680 Mac Edition card. Which fit that statement already. So, not necessary means recommend us to go for something like Vega.
 
h9826790 said:
Any AMD GCN based GPU or newer (e.g. HD7950)

Any Nvidia Kepler based GPU or newer (e.g. GTX680)
[doublepost=1528143132][/doublepost]

They officially licensed the HD7950 and GTX680 Mac Edition card. Which fit that statement already. So, not necessary means recommend us to go for something like Vega.
Click to expand...

Hope it does not mean that only 2 “officially licenced” cards - HD7950 and GTX680, are supported ...
[doublepost=1528145242][/doublepost]Our 5,1 macs survived this. Yay :D

P.S. ...Survived for the last time... Well...
 
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Susurs said:
Hope it does not mean that only 2 “officially licenced” cards - HD7950 and GTX680 are supported ...
[doublepost=1528145242][/doublepost]Our 5,1 macs survived this. Yay :D

P.S. ...Survived for the last time... Well...
Click to expand...

Whatever they say / mean doesn't really matter. As long as our own upgrade still work (e.g. my 1080Ti), then it will be good enough. :D
 
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Mojave won't download to install on my Radeon HD 5870...

I guess it's time for a GPU upgrade.

The thing is, it seems the 980/1080's are out because I would have to wait for nVidia web drivers to be released for each beta (and eventual official) release.

So what's the next best thing?
 
Auggie said:
Mojave won't download to install on my Radeon HD 5870...

I guess it's time for a GPU upgrade.

The thing is, it seems the 980/1080's are out because I would have to wait for nVidia web drivers to be released for each beta (and eventual official) release.

So what's the next best thing?
Click to expand...

Mojave likely won't download/install on any cMP at the moment. The Apple statement clearly said that 2010-2012 cMP support is to be added at a later date.
 
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Auggie said:
Mojave won't download to install on my Radeon HD 5870...

I guess it's time for a GPU upgrade.

The thing is, it seems the 980/1080's are out because I would have to wait for nVidia web drivers to be released for each beta (and eventual official) release.

So what's the next best thing?
Click to expand...

It's the computer's model, nothing to do with the GPU. 5,1 is not supported in any 10.14 beta yet.
 
crjackson2134 said:
The Apple statement clearly said that 2010-2012 cMP support is to be added at a later date.
Click to expand...

Not sure what clear "statement" you are referring to, but all official Apple communications that was sent to me directly by Apple to participate, and all subsequent links provided by Apple to learn more information, absolutely do NOT refer to any such TBD support date for cMPs.

And when I click on "Learn More" on the App Store as to why it won't download, nothing comes up.

Just wanted to clarify your comment.
 
Did Nvidia made WebDrivers available for betas of MacOS previously (Last year, etc.)?
 
Auggie said:
Not sure what clear "statement" you are referring to, but all official Apple communications that was sent to me directly by Apple to participate, and all subsequent links provided by Apple to learn more information, absolutely do NOT refer to any such TBD support date for cMPs.

And when I click on "Learn More" on the App Store as to why it won't download, nothing comes up.

Just wanted to clarify your comment.
Click to expand...

Well, it was an official Apple support page, I can't find it at the moment, so I'm okay if you don't believe me.
I just made it up...

Not a problem ;)

EDIT:

Scroll down and READ where it says AVAILABILITY.
 
Last edited:
crjackson2134 said:
Well, it was an official Apple support page, I can't find it at the moment, so I'm okay if you don't believe me.
I just made it up...

Not a problem ;)
Click to expand...

You sure you weren't referring to this page?: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/06/apple-introduces-macos-mojave/

Mojave Mac Pro.png
 
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