Mac Pro Redesign?

[thekev]

We'll see what they've done in a week or two. I wouldn't be surprised if its basically just a processor, chipset and graphics update of the existing model. You'd think that they would take the opportunity to make it a system that fills the many roles the platform is capable of though - especially now the Xserve is no more.

I am hoping for a strong update, but I don't know Apple's plans. The base machine is pretty bad for what it costs at this point, and I don't want to have to push it to a $4k+ purchase. There are several reasons for this. I also need to update the laptop at some point. Current laptops are getting to a point where I could almost work on one without it being too tedious. The heat they kick off still freaks me out, and it's ridiculous trying to find enough ports. Why do they have to limit me on ports?

Edit: ports, IO bandwidth, and ram tend to be bigger limiting factors for me than cpu much of the time. That's what I was getting at.

 

[JayJayAbels]

The new Mac Pro will be redesigned.

 

[Jst0rm]

The new Mac Pro will be redesigned.

Ill post this here and I dont kow how legit this is but

rackmountable or tabletop conversion

2.5" drives only

 

[CausticPuppy]

This just randomly appeared in the News section, posted by "cuppertinoghost" (not my spelling).

No info, no context, just this quite-possibly-fake screenshot.

 

[Foxdog175]

This just randomly appeared in the News section, posted by "cuppertinoghost" (not my spelling).

No info, no context, just this quite-possibly-fake screenshot.

Image

It's certainly convenient that the url was left out and that the picture was taken from an awkward angle. Anyone with half a brain would have taken a clear, straight-on shot of the computer screen.

That said, that design is godawful. The only thing it has going for it is ventilation...which may also lead to a much dustier inside.

 

[ValSalva]

It's hard to believe they could make the Mac Pro case drastically smaller unless they used higher rpm fans and created a loud wind tunnel.

I don't mind a little excess size as long as the Mac Pro is nearly silent.

 

[jon9091]

This just randomly appeared in the News section, posted by "cuppertinoghost" (not my spelling).

No info, no context, just this quite-possibly-fake screenshot.

Image

Looks like a waste basket.

 

[dermeister]

You know, sometimes a design is so perfectly fitted to it's function that adding or changing anything would be pointless or worse.

I really think the G5/MacPro case has basically reached that point.

It's kind of like a Porsche. Yeah, improve the gizmos as tech progresses, but unless something revolutionary changes, the form is basically irreproachable.

I feel the same way about the new Mac Minis and the new Apple TVs.

I suppose the iMacs are getting close, and the Mac Book Air is awesome in the same way.

You look at these products over time, and you can see a direction, and eventually it feels like every piece that should be cut off the stone has been cut. The sculpture is complete.

Now maybe they'll completely change it and I'll love it... But if they didn't change it, I would be happy with improved guts.

 

[goMac]

That screenshot is obviously fake...

I could maybe see a redesign if they were trying to fit back into the XServe space and be rack mountable. But I'm not holding my breath.

 

[xgman]

It's certainly convenient that the url was left out and that the picture was taken from an awkward angle. Anyone with half a brain would have taken a clear, straight-on shot of the computer screen.

That said, that design is godawful. The only thing it has going for it is ventilation...which may also lead to a much dustier inside.

It almost looked like it was trying to have a front door. Why do people waste time with such things. And then to just drop it with 2 posts on mac rumors. I don't see the point.

 

[Dr. Stealth]

Funny Thought....



Ya Know....

Depending on what Apple announces on Monday relating to the new Mac Pros,

There could be a RUSH on the current models driving the prices up....

 

[Ravich]

I agree that designated 2.5'' drive bays would be welcome.

 

[jon9091]

Ya Know....

Depending on what Apple announces on Monday relating to the new Mac Pros,

There could be a RUSH on the current models driving the prices up....

I agree. I'm thinking they could pull a FCPX on the Mac Pro here. It could be the most ridiculous, stripped down, illogical re-design you could possibly imagine. They haven't exactly been hitting 'em out of the park lately as far as I'm concerned. I'm predicting complete and utter bewilderment.

 

[steveOooo]

i think its next to perfect - but dont really need two optical slots and its just generally a bit too big and heavy (which you find when buying for the first time and, i suspect, around the world 'f-me its heavy' is murmured when lifting it out of its box!)

You essentially want it to shut up, sit there and produce raw power - not sit on your desk look slim and pretty - its a tomboy, not victoria secrets..

 

[spacedesign911]

i think its next to perfect - but dont really need two optical slots and its just generally a bit too big and heavy (which you find when buying for the first time and, i suspect, around the world 'f-me its heavy' is murmured when lifting it out of its box!)

You essentially want it to shut up, sit there and produce raw power - not sit on your desk look slim and pretty - its a tomboy, not victoria secrets..

Well said, I have had a few of these bad boys, and I concur you never look at them, you look at the screen, all my interaction with the device is to reach down and fumble for the power button on a Monday morning, I don't reach for the power on Friday evenings as you power down on the menu, so pretty much once and week we feel up!

For me, its not relevant how it looks.

 

[SkyBell]

I don't think it needs to be smaller, it just needs a refresh. Maybe not a complete overhaul (Though personally, I'd say that this is way overdue anyway) but slight modifications, like when game console companies "redesign" their current gen. systems.

 

[planetdom]

This just randomly appeared in the News section, posted by "cuppertinoghost" (not my spelling).

No info, no context, just this quite-possibly-fake screenshot.

Image[/QUOTE
It looks like a bin,im sorry but i would feel embarrassed to show that picture!

 

[spacedesign911]

This just randomly appeared in the News section, posted by "cuppertinoghost" (not my spelling).

No info, no context, just this quite-possibly-fake screenshot.

Image[/QUOTE
It looks like a bin,im sorry but i would feel embarrassed to show that picture!

Agreed, its a waste paper basket, I was in stitches laughing at that muppet post, and the login name? WTF was he thinking! Cheech and Chong eat your hearts out!

 

[Dr. Stealth]

Refinements

I too love the current case. It's pure form and function. Beautiful engineering. I've never seen another case that can match it.

I'd like to see the current design remain with only refinements as they have done over the last few iterations. Oh, 2.5 bays would be nice too....

Changing the design for fashion sake or for the whiney "CheeseGraters" would be ridiculous.

 

[nuckinfutz]

It needs to be rack mountable. Since Bluray isn't going to be an option they they can reduce a bay.

3.5 drives may not be necessary as we're approaching 1TB for 2.5" drives and larger scale storage is probably best done an external JBOD or RAID enclosure.

Having some sort of easy access to Power Supply and management options would be nice as this Mac Pro is now Apple's only powerful and configurable entry into the Server space.

 

[gusmahler]

The outside of the Mac Pro is nearly unchanged from the PowerMac G5, first introduced in 2003. The inside is very similar to the first Mac Pro, introduced in 2006.

For comparison, here is what the iPod looked like in 2003.

Here's what the iMac looked like in 2003.

They better redesign it. A 9 year old design is just not Apple's style.

 

[Dr. Stealth]

Change for the sake of change....

Change for the sake of change is 'almost' justifiable for the consumer items you picture. An iPod & iMac....

The Mac Pro is in a whole different league. A piece of hardware designed for professionals. We make our livings with it. It does not need a radical design change because "It's long overdue".

MHO always...

 

[rbarris]

If it has dual current generation Xeons, a ton of RAM sockets, supports no-excuses full size GPU cards, and is easy to swap HD's in and out, I'm placing the order whether it's anodized aluminum or lime green plastic with dimples.

 

[Wild-Bill]

I certainly hope it doesn't look like that. Aside from not being able to think of one utilitarian reason for it to be longer on the top than the bottom, it looks like the Jawa transport from Star Wars. Hideous IMHO.

Current case is just about perfect. Just design a way for more than 4 drives & I'm happy.

 

[gusmahler]

Change for the sake of change is 'almost' justifiable for the consumer items you picture. An iPod & iMac....

Almost justifiable? The pictures I posted look ancient compared to what those devices look like today. Those 2003 devices would not sell in today's marketplace. So change isn't just "almost" justifiable, it's mandatory.

As for the Mac Pro being for professionals and not being subject to the whims of the marketplace. I agree. I also agree that I'm probably going to get one no matter what it looks like. I'm just pointing out that it's not Apple's style to keep a design for 9 years. That's an eternity in computing years. A 3 GHz Pentium 4 was state of the art back then. OS X 10.2 was the current version.

You should also remember that the PowerMac G5 chassis was new and innovative at the time. Nothing looked like it.

I certainly expect a new chassis. Whether it looks the same or not, I don't know. But it certainly better have more hard drive spaces. 4 is laughable for a "professional" system these days.