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New MP on May 18
- Thread starter Murray M
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I've not seen anything newer either on costs, but the issue, relative to Firewire, is that FW is already at mass production. Has been for a long time and the only R&D, if any, is to shrink current designs smaller. Is Light Peak going to substantially cheaper than optical Fibre Channel, Infiniband, or optical 10Gb Ethernet? Sure and much more applicable if just really need direct attached storage or I/O. Cheaper than 7 year old, widespread deployed tech ( FW800 passed in 2002)? That is going to be a huge stretch.
Light Peak will make cost sense where replacing multiple ports between two devices. For example, perhaps instead of monitor and USB or two SATA links you'd have one connector. For single protocol , single connections (e.g., a single drive, a keyboard , a sound digitizer ), other more simpler implementations will remain more cost effective for a very long time after Light Peak is introduced.
TOSLINK is made of plastic. You're going to get 10Gb, extremely low error rate out of plastic? This is real, high quality, bendable, glass fiber.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ClearCurve#Computer_bus_uses
Talking two clear curve, multimode fibers bound in one assembly. On top of that folks keep demanding throwing in a third link of copper for power; even more money. A $50 cable to connect two $1000 boxes isn't that big of deal (e.g., MacPro and a six sled RAID box). Likewise if drop 2-3 cables between one (or more) less expensive boxes.
It's shown up on the US store as well. That's that.
A slightly upped processor and a 10 hour battery. Fabulous.
A slightly upped processor and a 10 hour battery. Fabulous.
To me, this is what it's really designed for.
It depends on how it's approached/looked at IMO. That is, if you think of 1x LP port vs. 1x FW port, maybe, maybe not (since we don't have quantity pricing for the combined components yet). I'll reserve judgement until parts costs are published.
But if designers toss other ports not included in the chipset and go solely with LP, it might (add up the cost of added FW, SATA/eSATA, and additional USB), I should think so. Assuming of course, the economy of scale expected for LP falls totally flat, and the costs are much higher than expected (making it less viable as a cost effective solution). When I think of Apple in particular, I can't help but think this would be the case.
In general, I don't think we're that far apart actually.
But users will want existing port tech as to avoid bridge devices necessary to function with existing devices they already own IMO. So for the most part, the change-over would occur over time rather than all at once (save perhaps Apple).
That's my point. Most users won't be able to tell the difference, and I do expect a price increase in comparison due to the differing materials (and required production methods).
But how many actually know one is poly and the other glass without being told, or researching it themselves?
In any event, it still has to be cheap enough for adoption to occur in the mainstream market. Given the extent of LP's planned uses, the economy of scale *should* work out to a point that users would accept the costs.
If not, it will end up a fail.
For RAID and graphics signals, it's not that bad ($50). But when you consider the FW, USB,... port replacements now needing a $50 cable for a device that might not cost that much (i.e. foolishness of say a mouse or keyboard), users will balk. This would likely happen with a single HDD over LP as well.
I guess the only saving grace at this point is that WWDC is only three weeks away. If they don't have a Mac Pro announcement at WWDC there are going to be a lot of angry developers.
Sorry yall.
Not on the 18th.
Most likely it will happen at WWDC.
That could be good news: if it happens at WWDC than it's probably gonna be cool: new case, etc.
To all of you still waiting, like me: well shoot, it's only 3 more weeks. Start saving a couple extra hundred dollars to pay for the additional cost the new case will charge.
Not on the 18th.
Most likely it will happen at WWDC.
That could be good news: if it happens at WWDC than it's probably gonna be cool: new case, etc.
To all of you still waiting, like me: well shoot, it's only 3 more weeks. Start saving a couple extra hundred dollars to pay for the additional cost the new case will charge.
Well I won't be able to wait till WWDC, I need to have a workstation by June 1st. As much as I hate having to buy the current generation with new models "Theoretically" on the horizon, I'm going to have to do it.
I guess looking on the bright side, besides from the extra-high cost of the current machines, they are more than capable computers. I'll also be getting mine at B&H photo/video.....they offer the Mac Pro at Apple's education discount pricing with NO tax...that makes me feel a little better
Good luck to the rest of you that hang in there and wait for the upgrade, hope it's everything you want
I guess looking on the bright side, besides from the extra-high cost of the current machines, they are more than capable computers. I'll also be getting mine at B&H photo/video.....they offer the Mac Pro at Apple's education discount pricing with NO tax...that makes me feel a little better
Good luck to the rest of you that hang in there and wait for the upgrade, hope it's everything you want
Well I won't be able to wait till WWDC, I need to have a workstation by June 1st. As much as I hate having to buy the current generation with new models "Theoretically" on the horizon, I'm going to have to do it.
I guess looking on the bright side, besides from the extra-high cost of the current machines, they are more than capable computers. I'll also be getting mine at B&H photo/video.....they offer the Mac Pro at Apple's education discount pricing with NO tax...that makes me feel a little better
Good luck to the rest of you that hang in there and wait for the upgrade, hope it's everything you want
I don't think you can go wrong, that's for sure. Jeez, I used to edit shows on a blue and white G3. And I don't see how a new case is going to affect my work.
Mass suicide. Those with no life outside of a Mac Pro update will have no reason left to live.
If nothing comes by the 8th of June then Apple will have seemingly changed their attitude towards the Mac Pro. I find it extremely unlikely that will happen though.
Depends if you consider the December '09 a 'restart' date for a refresh.
Looking at the actual history it's generally more like 18 months between a major architecture overhaul.
I'm not saying I know for sure but September released in conjunction with FCS Version 4.0 wouldn't surprise me at all.
With the greatest respect that sounds like a consumer argument. A working professional looks at the money the machine in his ownership makes right now.
If you have a working setup you don't really have a problem - you can wait a little while longer - if you don't have a working setup and yet you have pressing paid work then, again, not really a problem cos your Mac Pro is going to pay for itself regardless of it's release generation.
I'd actually say that technology no longer moves as fast as it did in the 1990's. It now really takes about 4-5 years between computers to make a 'WOW!' difference.
If you need - buy - if you don't - wait.
Oh thank God they finally updated the MacBooks! It's been an agonizing 210 days since the last refresh!!! I am finally at peace with Apple.
This is exactly how I feel. WTF Apple?? Why are you ignoring the MPs when they haven't been updated in 441 days! That's more than twice as long as the MacBooks you've just updated!?!?!?
I think that we should most likely see one at WWDC, if not then I believe most people will have to go and buy the current line of MPs... which is just outrageous for the money you spend.
It's all business for Steve Jobs... he couldn't care less about the people who save up their money for such a long time wanting to get the best value for their pennies... He probably forgot what it's like to want to make sure you are getting a good deal..
This is the one element of Apple that I cannot stand. Waiting and waiting... being fed nonsense that their machines are value for money buy stupid sales staff who don't know the difference between RAM and hard drive space.
Forget the iPad Steve, I'd look about developing a character and a persona that people actually like and can trust.. People love your products, they don't have to like you. That's where the problem lies, Apple products are great... everything else about Apple including support, staff and policies are nonsense.
Rant Over. I'll wait till WWDC then I'm going Hackintosh.
It's all business for Steve Jobs... he couldn't care less about the people who save up their money for such a long time wanting to get the best value for their pennies... He probably forgot what it's like to want to make sure you are getting a good deal..
This is the one element of Apple that I cannot stand. Waiting and waiting... being fed nonsense that their machines are value for money buy stupid sales staff who don't know the difference between RAM and hard drive space.
Forget the iPad Steve, I'd look about developing a character and a persona that people actually like and can trust.. People love your products, they don't have to like you. That's where the problem lies, Apple products are great... everything else about Apple including support, staff and policies are nonsense.
Rant Over. I'll wait till WWDC then I'm going Hackintosh.
Couldn't have said that any better. I'm definitely going to build a hackintosh now. I can have a 6-core "hack pro" for 1/3 of the price apple will be charging if they ever release one. It almost doesn't make since to wait anymore.
I want OSX without paying Apples prices, there is only one solution.... HACKINTOSH!
velocity micro builds some good computers... I wonder if I could turn one into a hackintosh??? Hmm.....
same, except probably reluctantly back to windows only unless I could buy a hackintosh with guaranteed updates that I didn't have to actually build. I am not a fan of the hackintosh route. I see this trend getting worse over the coming years to the point where they may eventually bow out of the MP line altogether. If they can't muster up a simple upgrade to the MP by June, which I still consider way late, then it really does become a second rate hardware platform lagging way behind other options. And by the way, hardware will continue to march on. By the end of the year we will be talking about yet even newer platforms that will again be way late on the apple side. All this talk of lighpeak coming is almost laughable when you consider how long it takes apple to adopt even the most basic of hardware upgrade. I'm really just getting fed up with all of this. I bailed on PC's a couple of years ago to get some stability and dependability, but this is ridiculous.