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New MP on May 18
- Thread starter Murray M
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What about eSATA? The new MPs have no excuse not to include that feature. The "new" iMacs should have it! Especially since they only hold on HDD.
Sure apple might have to update the board with some new ports, but doesn't the current board already have the SATA controller on it?
Apple's update strategy is pretty lazy, it seems like the last few updates all they've had to do is plop in new CPUs and then sell. Pretty disappointing...
Sure apple might have to update the board with some new ports, but doesn't the current board already have the SATA controller on it?
Apple's update strategy is pretty lazy, it seems like the last few updates all they've had to do is plop in new CPUs and then sell. Pretty disappointing...
The Intel ICH10 chipset used on Mac Pro main boards includes 6 SATA ports. Four are allocated for the 3.5" hard drive bays and the other two are allocated for the optical bays. In order to provide an additional ESATA port, Apple would have to rev the main board to include another chip to add ESATA and link that into the PCIe bus. Of course, this isn't free... it would add to the cost of the Mac Pro. Alternatively, for less than $50, you can add a PCIe ESATA card yourself. I'd rather they approach things this way, frankly, since I don't need ESATA, I'd prefer not to have to spend more on a Mac Pro for something I don't need. Those that need it, can pay for the card and be no worse for wear.
I'd rather pay $30 more to have a "Pro" computer that has industry standard peripheral options implemented then have to spend $45-60 (shipped) to put a eSATA card in it after buying it.
You're saying it's okay for apple to not spend any effort of money updating a new computer because if you want that feature just put a card in?
I say you're an enabler.
Seriously we the consumer need to expect more for our money!
Sort of.
It's capable of daisy chaining multiple perhipherals to reduce the port count required for multiple devices, as well as offer increased bandwidth for devices that otherwise need a PCIe slot (i.e. monitor signals over LP rather than HDMI, DVI, or DisplayPort would be one such instance).
But there are limitations, as 10Gb/s is rather fast for externals (1.25GB/s max), but it's not a replacement for PCIe (i.e. 16x lanes at PCIe 2.0 spec. <500MB/s per lane> = 8GB/s max).
Only on the highest processor per line (SP and DP families). The others that would be used in the MP are 1066MHz clocked just as the current parts are.
And the highest clocks on the current parts are also faster RAM clocks (1333MHz), but won't utilize it (tested by MR a couple of members as they did CPU swaps and tried faster RAM), as the firmware's memory clock is fixed at 1066MHz. And I doubt that will change this time around either since the existing boards should only require an update to the firmware (microcode for the new hex core processors).
The system buses are fixed (QPI, PCIe, SATA,...) that's in both the CPU and chipset. PCIe can allow for other buses to be added to a system that may not have existed at the time of manufacture (or offered if it was).
But there are some limitations with PCIe cards as well that users may not be aware of. Particularly USB 3.0 cards. The NEC chip used is a single lane (1x card), and that causes a bottleneck in either PCIe 2.0 (500MB/s max) and especially 1.0 spec (250MB/s max).
If the LP cards have similar issues, it will disappoint some users that would be able to saturate the LP's bandwidth.
So it's definitely worth putting in the time to research such issues as products release.
The die shrink allows for both more efficient electrical operation (lower power), and the ability to add in features (cores in the case of the hex core models) and keep the yeilds high (tested and passed processors per wafer).
The latter allows Intel to make more money per wafer than if the design were released on a larger die (fewer parts per wafer), which is one of the biggest reasons for die shrinks. There are others, but as Intel's in existence to make money, that's their primary concern.
Added parts would definitely increase production cost (parts + new PCB's + redesign costs for the PCB's), and passed on to the consumer (particularly in Apple's case, as they're addicted to high margins).
Cards are a nice way to get around this, but when other vendors are offering such items and still competing, Apple's losing out in terms of competition. Now consider the fact that their systems are more expensive (even if it's by a smaller margin on workstations), it's not unreasonable for users to expect such items to be included IMO, particularly as the slot count is limited in the MP.
The savings of a slot by including an eSATA port (Port Multiplier compatible BTW) would be a value-added feature for most users, even if they don't use it = positive psychological effect, and those that do use them would be truly greatful IMO (i.e. those that need eSATA for backup for example).
1) Don't hold your breath for LP.
2) Apple will bump the specs on the 10MP just a bit. That's all any company ever does. It's not going to be 50-100% better (although their marketing will suggest that, like it always does). In real-life-use, 10MP's will be 10-15% better than 09MPs (just like 09MP's were that much better than 08MP's and so on).
3) We should be grateful if they design a new case that's as classic as what they've got now.
4) I still think May 18th is the day.
2) Apple will bump the specs on the 10MP just a bit. That's all any company ever does. It's not going to be 50-100% better (although their marketing will suggest that, like it always does). In real-life-use, 10MP's will be 10-15% better than 09MPs (just like 09MP's were that much better than 08MP's and so on).
3) We should be grateful if they design a new case that's as classic as what they've got now.
4) I still think May 18th is the day.
Maybe they were preparing the store for a next Tuesday update... Or not.
or the Tuesday after that...or the Tuesday after that...or the...
Why do you keep saying this ?
Unless you have specific proofs then really your not helping the situation (which is already frustrating enough) and without which your commentary is nothing more than unsubstantiated extreme speculation designed to upset working professionals whose livelihoods depend upon the stability and viability of the Mac Pro platform.
Maybe they were preparing the store for a next Tuesday update... Or not.
Well I will say this, while the update was going on in the wee hours of the morning, I was able to access the info pages for all the systems except the Mac Pro. Every time I would click on the "Learn More" link of the main info page for the Mac Pro, the page continued to load but would never come up. I just thought that was weird.
Maybe they are getting ready to update this portion of the site for this coming Tuesday when the 6-cores come out
Wishful hoping.
I don't need a new MP (Still using the Quad 09 model) but what I would like are some updated GFX card options! No way I'm shelling out $350 for a 4870 or $480 for a GTX285. (MY GT120 was fine but I have dual monitors now and I would love a better card with more memory)
prediction: your hackintosh will have lightpeak long before any mac.
I guess you mean Intel's computer is a hackintosh. Because...? It's not in a silver case? Intel makes the MPro motherboard so how could their prototype be labeled as "hackintosh" ?
Besides, no, hackintosh never gets stuff before macs. they have to wait until apple makes the stuff, then they modify it to support broader hardware. DP will not come to hackintosh before mac
I guess you mean Intel's computer is a hackintosh. Because...? It's not in a silver case? Intel makes the MPro motherboard so how could their prototype be labeled as "hackintosh" ?
Besides, no, hackintosh never gets stuff before macs. they have to wait until apple makes the stuff, then they modify it to support broader hardware. DP will not come to hackintosh before mac
My point is lightpeak, like usb 3 , will likely show up in a pc before it ever shows up in a mac.
If that was true, I would be soooooo happy. However, I don't think it is, especially since the model number revealed appears to match up with the MacBook Air. I'm going to stay positive and keep my fingers crossed though.
If the Air really is updated before the Mac Pro, I think that would really be saying something, though, I don't really know what...
Yea, I'm just being hopeful too. Though, if it is the 27" ACD, that would be great too. If it ends up being that, I'd really like to see if Apple makes any pricing change to the existing 24".
Updating the ACD would also be a nice indicator for the upcoming Mac Pro too.
I've given up on the update. I made my mind up last December to replace my creaky old MP 1,1 with the 2010 update. Then the anticipated early 2010 update became later... and now, the year almost half gone, who knows when. It really could be tomorrow, next week, next month, next quarter, next season, or next year. Spending all that time waiting caused me to spend some time on this board which I had not ever done before (mac owner since 2003). Thanks to what I discovered here I decided that instead of waiting I would just upgrade my 1,1 as much as possible right now so I can wait out the 2010 update whenever it comes and probably be fine waiting until 2011. My struggling machine, a quad core (woodcrests), 5GB RAM, Geforce 7300GT 256MB DDR3 machine will soon be an 8-core (clovertowns), 9GB RAM, ATI 4870 1GB DDR5 machine. Not as great as buying a new machine but not near the price either. The upgrade has cost right about $1k, and it has injected at least a couple more very useful years out of the old girl -- even if I do also decide to get a 2010/11 machine. For me this has been the best solution to this extremely frustrating delayed rollout. Just wish I had the smarts to have thought of it 6 months ago.
Exactly. Although if the 27" ACD is glossy I will go with the Dell U2711 instead. I wonder if the likely LED backlit Apple 27" ACD will have any yellow tinting problems.
I've been watching this thread with some interest.
I sold my G5 about 3 months ago fully expecting the 2010 Mac Pro's to be released around April at the latest.
I'm using an 17" MBP which is fine for most things but I do run out of juice when running large Logic sessions.
I'm really getting to the stage of needing a new desktop and probably going to have to bit the bullet soon on a used MP.
Is there any real info out there about new MP's or is this all speculation?
I sold my G5 about 3 months ago fully expecting the 2010 Mac Pro's to be released around April at the latest.
I'm using an 17" MBP which is fine for most things but I do run out of juice when running large Logic sessions.
I'm really getting to the stage of needing a new desktop and probably going to have to bit the bullet soon on a used MP.
Is there any real info out there about new MP's or is this all speculation?