MacPro: ATI X1900 XT Price Drop?!!?

[ender78]

Any computer user would enjoy a Mac Pro. I mean, unless you're an old granny, looking up recepies and typing emails, you will notice a difference between the Mac Pro and the iMac.

I call BS on anyone who claims that the Mac Pro is "overkill" for anyone or anything.

I'd bet that most users would have a hard time pushing the Mac Pro. Bear in mind that I am considering a Mac Pro in the next few months. My big hobby is photography so I know that Aperture would just SCREAM with the Mac Pro and a few GB of RAM.

The average iMac or MacBook user does not have the apps that can push the Mac Pro. I run menu meters all the time and rarely do I see apps that push both cores of my MacBook Pro.

The average user of the Mac that I know does use it for the "simple stuff". The benefits of the Mac Pro will not be realized until more software is written to take advantage of multi-threading.

Upgreadability is a given, but how useful is a Dual G4 1.0GHz versus a loaded MacBook Pro in an app like Aperture [should Aperture even install on the PowerMac G4 with its "upgradable" chassis]

 

[twoodcc]

This sig is just a temporary one until my anger, frustration, and madness blow over. Thanks though...

yep

and i'll say that i agree with your statements earlier in this thread. i can't afford a mac pro, but that doesn't mean i don't want it or need it. believe me, one day i'll own one, and i'll get my use out of it.....fo sho

 

[Chone]

"Overkill" now is "just right" in 2 years.

"Just right" now is "unacceptable" in 2 years.

There's also the "coolness" factor now =P

Agreed, I'm not a pro but I'm at least a power user, I still use THREE PowerMac G4s, I bought them in 2000 and 2001 and upgraded 2 of them to OWC Mercury processors in 2005, if I had bought the iMac I wouldn't be using it right now, it would be so slow I would have had to buy a G5 and if I had bought a G5, I wouldn't be close to buying a Mac Pro right now and I'm sure the Mac Pro will last me a pretty long time, more than an iMac will, so thats enough to justify the premium (well that and the fact I CAN use all that power), besides, Mac Pro are more future proof not only because they are faster but because almost anything (except the motherboard) can be updated.

I owned an iMac once... the original one, it was pretty nice, I liked it a lot but I ended up returning it eventually and maintained my household powermac exclusive (until of course, I got a PC)

 

[mustard]

There's a difference between "a usable way" and "time is money", especially when you're charging $150/hr and the client expects you not to be waiting for Photoshop to chug a composite or chugging rotoscoping effects. The point is, they don't NEED a machine that doesn't meet all their needs. I guess more to the point of Avid, again, if the superfast, kick ass workstation computer doesn't run a primary piece of software, then that superfast, kick ass workstation computer is as good as a doorstop. Don't get me wrong, they WILL go to a Mac Pro, and can AFFORD to go to a Mac Pro, what macgeek is saying is that people who say they don't need or want one are the people who can't afford it, this is plain wrong.

I honestly think they main core of the statements was those that WHERE/ARE complaining are possible doing it out of jealousy.

If someone has the money and the need -> great buy a Mac Pro.

If someone has the money but no need -> great save your money and get what you need.

*If someone has no money and need -> they generally complain/scream OVERKILL (or remain silent and purchase what they can afford)


* = my interpretation of the back and forth dialogue - if you don't need/wan't something then you usually don't care and stay silent. So by inference someone saying overkill is that (*)

 

[ezekielrage_99]

That must mean Apple is getting a price break for selling enough, that's a nice surpise if you have just bought one and made the upgrade.

 

[macgeek2005]

How's life up there on your high horse and how does the world look with your extremely distorted version of reality. Not every 14 year old can convince their parents to buy them a $3000 computer for video games. Not every consumer wants a 65 lbs., $3000 box connected to another $700 display.

Saying that people who say the Mac Pro is overkill are the ones who wish they could afford one is an arrogant, immature, and just plain stupid way of seeing things. My sister doesn't need a Mac Pro, my dad doesn't need a Mac Pro, my friend just bought a MacBook because it was the perfect size for him and doesn't want a desktop, need I go on? I'll give you one more example. My parents run a multi-million dollar company off a Flower Power iMac G3. They could afford a Mac Pro for every day of the week, loaded to the gills with 2 30" displays per tower. Do they need it? No. Can they afford it? Of course. Consider your statement debunked. Call BS on that.

This arrogant, privileged, snot-nosed idea that people who say they don't need a Mac Pro because they can't afford it is naive and ridiculous in SO many ways, if I were to list them, it would require another 3 pages added to this thread. Grow up *

Well then I guess you understand what it feels like to be rich. Can you tell me what it's like? because i'll be there in a few years!

edit: You have a point. However there are still many users out there who don't "need" but would "enjoy" a Mac Pro.

 

[greenstork]

I'd bet that most users would have a hard time pushing the Mac Pro. Bear in mind that I am considering a Mac Pro in the next few months. My big hobby is photography so I know that Aperture would just SCREAM with the Mac Pro and a few GB of RAM.

The average iMac or MacBook user does not have the apps that can push the Mac Pro. I run menu meters all the time and rarely do I see apps that push both cores of my MacBook Pro.

The average user of the Mac that I know does use it for the "simple stuff". The benefits of the Mac Pro will not be realized until more software is written to take advantage of multi-threading.

Upgreadability is a given, but how useful is a Dual G4 1.0GHz versus a loaded MacBook Pro in an app like Aperture [should Aperture even install on the PowerMac G4 with its "upgradable" chassis]

Didn't they fire the whole Aperture team because it stinks? I mean, it's pretty and all, but I thought it was summarily dissed by pros and semipros alike because of it's speed (or lack therof) and inadequacies "under the hood".

 

[WildPalms]

I'm more impressed with nVidia's recent cards. The x1900 is old hat now and quite long in the tooth for a top end machine. The x1950 is at least the flagship model. TBH I'd be a lot happier if there was a top end nVidia (non Quadro) card in there. ATI cards have left a bad taste in my mouth in the past. Guess I shouldn't go around eating them.

I'm pretty certain you are thinking of a totally different card. "long in the tooth" ?? wtf?

 

[greenmac]

I honestly think they main core of the statements was those that WHERE/ARE complaining are possible doing it out of jealousy.

If someone has the money and the need -> great buy a Mac Pro.

If someone has the money but no need -> great save your money and get what you need.

*If someone has no money and need -> they generally complain/scream OVERKILL (or remain silent and purchase what they can afford)


* = my interpretation of the back and forth dialogue - if you don't need/wan't something then you usually don't care and stay silent. So by inference someone saying overkill is that (*)

Agree

There's a difference between "a usable way" and "time is money", especially when you're charging $150/hr and the client expects you not to be waiting for Photoshop to chug a composite or chugging rotoscoping effects. The point is, they don't NEED a machine that doesn't meet all their needs. I guess more to the point of Avid, again, if the superfast, kick ass workstation computer doesn't run a primary piece of software, then that superfast, kick ass workstation computer is as good as a doorstop. Don't get me wrong, they WILL go to a Mac Pro, and can AFFORD to go to a Mac Pro, what macgeek is saying is that people who say they don't need or want one are the people who can't afford it, this is plain wrong.

These are from the Photoshop speed test thread, well pardon my ignorance but is 30s really a long time, when running everything that is universal would blow the PowerMac away. Oh and the MacPro 3.0GHz would be faster, and adding another 2GB RAM would make this comparison a bit fairer.

MacPro 2.66|2GB ram|250GB WD|320GB Seagate 7200.10|7300gt
Photoshop CS1, 70% memory, 4 cache levels
20 history states: 2:14
1 history state: 1:21
no other apps open, fresh restart both times.

Dual 2.7
6GB RAM
PS2 Stock history and cache
100% RAM usage
2GB RAMDISK Scratchdisk
10K Raptor 2ndary scratch/startup
1:02 seconds
With one history state:
51 seconds!
49 seconds!

 

[^squirrel^]

UK price is down from £239 to £170

 

[mistafreeze]

dunno if they fired anyone because your idea of aperture stinking, but with the 1.1 update, aperture has improved tremendously and many ppl use it, it produces a truer color than camera raw, and cheaper than other commerical raw converters.

version 1 wasnt the best, but 1.1 is pretty close.

 

[Daspeed]

Anyone in Europe who has seen the price of his order (with x1900) being lowered? I haven't (yet). Or should you call Apple if you want the updated price?

 

[daneoni]

For anyone interested and im sure this has been reported already, the UK prices have been updated. The X1900XT now cost £170. Not bad, not bad at all

 

[Lau]

edit: You have a point. However there are still many users out there who don't "need" but would "enjoy" a Mac Pro.

If someone offered me the choice of a free maxed out 20" iMac or a free maxed out Mac Pro with 30" screen, I'd take the iMac. Seriously.

 

[timber]

I've read that a 7800GTX was successfully converted to a Quadro but there aren't any details on that yet. Can a 7800GT be flashed into a 7800GTX? I haven't looked yet. If someone with a Quadro 4500 can install Windows and then extract the card's firmware and post it on here. Then someone with a 7800GTX could try flashing it to their card (after backing up the original firmware of course).

Sorry, but you can't flash a 7800 GT into a GTX. The GT has 20 pipes and the GTX 24. It would be like flashing a Core Solo into a Core Duo

 

[timb]

A good start would be to extract the firmware from an Apple 7300gt and flash it onto an off the shelf PC 7300gt. Also, I've heard of people flashing Quadro firmwares onto their GeForce brothers so maybe someone can extract the firmware off a Quadro and flash it onto an off the shelf GeForce card of similar design.

I did it, it works.

 

[chrismmx]

I did it, it works.

Interesting! Could you tell us how to do that and your gf7900gtx wok just like quadro 4500?

 

[Origin]

Anyone in Europe who has seen the price of his order (with x1900) being lowered? I haven't (yet). Or should you call Apple if you want the updated price?

No price drop on my X1900 XT order yet, but sure it'll come. Patience ....

 

[topgunn]

If someone offered me the choice of a free maxed out 20" iMac or a free maxed out Mac Pro with 30" screen, I'd take the iMac. Seriously.

Take the Mac Pro and 30" ACD, sell them and buy 3 maxed out 20" iMacs.

 

[MovieCutter]

Well then I guess you understand what it feels like to be rich. Can you tell me what it's like? because i'll be there in a few years!

edit: You have a point. However there are still many users out there who don't "need" but would "enjoy" a Mac Pro.

Rich? No. Successful? Yes. You're born into being rich. You earn success. My parents came to America with $5 in their pockets. They taught me the essence and importance of hard work by getting to where they are at today. They never bought me a computer, or a car, or a house. I had to do all that on my own.

 

[Glen Quagmire]

For anyone interested and im sure this has been reported already, the UK prices have been updated. The X1900XT now cost £170. Not bad, not bad at all

Yes, it's pretty good. Now, if Apple could reduce the price of my Mac Pro by £69.99, I'd be a happy bunny.

Anyone from the UK called the Apple Store and had a moan yet?

 

[EvilMonk]

Rich? No. Successful? Yes. You're born into being rich. You earn success. My parents came to America with $5 in their pockets. They taught me the essence and importance of hard work by getting to where they are at today. They never bought me a computer, or a car, or a house. I had to do all that on my own.

Oh thats the most intelligent thing i heard in the place lately.
For that you have my respect

 

[PaulCaden]

Yes, it's pretty good. Now, if Apple could reduce the price of my Mac Pro by £69.99, I'd be a happy bunny.

Anyone from the UK called the Apple Store and had a moan yet?

Just contacted them and the price of my Mac Pro system is being reduced by £70.

 

[Mr. Mister]

Can you tell me what it's like? because i'll be there in a few years!

I'm absolutely fascinated by this claim that keeps popping out of you. Tell us all about it.

I'm pretty certain you are thinking of a totally different card. "long in the tooth" ?? wtf?

Well, it's been out for more than half a year.

 

[EvilMonk]

I'm absolutely fascinated by this claim that keeps popping out of you. Tell us all about it.


Well, it's been out for more than half a year.

Maybe his oncle friend Steve Jobs will give him a big executive job