MP 7,1 Waiting for Mac Pro 7,1 A1991 (no more)

[tevion5]

You expect the CPU to be user upgradable?

I am not sure of that, so I'd rather opt for a 12-Core CPU as a priority above all other upgrades. I know for certain Ram, SSD, and GPU can always be upgraded later.

From what I've seen so far I'm optimistic is will be possible, but I'm reluctant to gamble.
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it is.

Is that confirmed? From what I see of the motherboard breakdown it doesn't look soldered on. Metal clasps in the style of standard user swappable CPU sockets. But knowing Apple I tend not to make assumptions.

 

[Korican100]

With less than 24hrs left of Autumn, they sure like to cut it close!

View attachment 873888

Winter doesn’t begin till late December

 

[tevion5]

Winter doesn’t begin till late December

Learned in school in Ireland it was August to October, the Irish state weather service states September to November actually, and now you're saying October to December?

Appears the definition is geographically vague to say the least!

Yeah feeling I'm gonna be told this by 70 more Americans by the end of the day...

 

[fuchsdh]

Learned in school in Ireland it was August to October, the Irish state weather service states September to November actually, and now you're saying October to December?

Appears the definition is geographically vague to say the least!
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Same, I'm getting so impatient now I'll order the moment it's possible. Willing to settle for the stock 8-core 6000 euro option if upgrade pricing is crazy, but would ideally like a 12-core model with faster memory and a larger SSD. If it's too expensive I can always upgrade the SSD later, and use PCIE storage solutions in the meantime.

Will be using it primarily for Audio work and software development and I already have a gaming PC, so graphics aren't an urgent priority for me. Can always upgrade later, that's what's great about a tower Mac Pro!

Hence why under normal circumstances people should avoid talking about seasons for timeframes, given that some places don't even have them

(But yeah, in the US the technical seasons go way later than people think. No one colloquially calls December 'autumn' but it's technically mostly autumn that month.)

 

[AlexMaximus]

it is.

You will have to discuss this with your new T2 chip... and I can imagine what the outcome of that discussion will be...

 

[thevault]

I texted in June that it would be a 2020MP........

 

[Menno87]

You will have to discuss this with your new T2 chip... and I can imagine what the outcome of that discussion will be...

Linus upgraded the CPU in his base iMac Pro and that worked. I don't think the T2 chip will check the CPU. Nothing is certain though .

 

[thisisnotmyname]

You will have to discuss this with your new T2 chip... and I can imagine what the outcome of that discussion will be...

The question wasn't whether any CPU could just be randomly dumped into the socket but whether the CPU could be user upgradeable. Apple clearly shows a traditional socket on their Mac Pro page so it is not soldered (you can see the clips) and can be replaced. At the very least you could swap out other Apple endorsed chips. Further, almost certainly it will support any Xeon of the same socket type. To think the T2 won't allow any change in CPU is tinfoil hat territory.

 

[Mago]

Thread tittle updated

 

[ct2k7]

The question wasn't whether any CPU could just be randomly dumped into the socket but whether the CPU could be user upgradeable. Apple clearly shows a traditional socket on their Mac Pro page so it is not soldered (you can see the clips) and can be replaced. At the very least you could swap out other Apple endorsed chips. Further, almost certainly it will support any Xeon of the same socket type. To think the T2 won't allow any change in CPU is tinfoil hat territory.

The staff at WWDC told me that it wasn’t user replaceable or changeable.

how much they actually know is a different question.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

The staff at WWDC told me that it wasn’t user replaceable or changeable.

how much they actually know is a different question.

There are two animations on this page showing it being placed into a socket, secured with clips, and a heat sink attached. Definitely not soldered in place. Not sure what the staff were thinking (or if like you posited, what they actually knew) but that would meet my definition of user replaceable.

Mac Pro

Mac Pro with M2 Ultra combines our most capable Apple silicon yet with PCIe expansion for the ultimate in workstation-class performance.

www.apple.com

 

[tevion5]

The staff at WWDC told me that it wasn’t user replaceable or changeable.

how much they actually know is a different question.

There may be distinction here between what Apple publicly states as user serviceable and what physically is.

For example I doubt Apple ever said the iBook G3 had a "user serviceable" HDD, but it can be replaced at home with the time and the right tools. Not exactly popping open the RAM cover on an iMac mind you.

So Apple probably says anything that requires 2 hours and 5 different screwdrivers isn't user serviceable.
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Looking at this I would be gobsmacked if it was somehow not replaceable. Looks like a surprisingly normal slot and clip mechanism.

 

[bsbeamer]

AFAIK, CPU's have never been a "user serviceable" item for modern Apple computers. RAM is barely "user serviceable" on some models. Just because it is not listed as "user serviceable" does not mean it cannot be serviced by someone who knows what they're doing. And if the actual build matches the mockups and drawings, it should be fairly easy.

The CPU in MP7,1 should be compatible with all in the same series/class, whether sold by Apple at release or not. There is no reason to blacklist additional CPUs or believe that will be done. If Apple was interested in "protecting" the hardware this way, it would start with other models and require a T2/Tx chip for macOS support, effectively killing Hackintosh and older machines.

As with all user-end CPU upgrades, you're likely on your own. And I'd imagine the majority of users will not be touching the CPU for several years, either until higher end options drop in price and/or the machine is out of warranty.

 

[AidenShaw]

Thread tittle updated

Waiting for A 1991 Mac Pro

 

[fuchsdh]

Apple has shown no interest in preventing CPU upgrades in particular so I imagine that will continue to be the case.

I will certainly be interested in seeing what the modders and hot-rodders get up to in regards to expansion and upgrades down the line, though.

 

[wallysb01]

Yeah feeling I'm gonna be told this by 70 more Americans by the end of the day...

Its kind of silly really. Most people unofficially feel like Fall is Sept-Nov. But strictly speaking its from the equinox to the winter solstice. Apple could claim its even the Fall fiscal quarter (Q4) they are referring to, so that's Oct 1 - Dec 31.

Essentially, who the hell knows. And even if they release it, they were perfectly happy having just token shipments with the trash can Mac Pro to get it into 2013. They could do that again, in which case, most people might not get their delivery until into February... blpblpblp

 

[thisisnotmyname]

It will be released VERY SOON. I don't know which I'm looking forward to more now though, receiving my Mac Pros or the end of silly comments like "Apple is planning to release at 11:59 PM* on December 31st."

* in the IDLW time zone

 

[chfilm]

Essentially, who the hell knows. And even if they release it, they were perfectly happy having just token shipments with the trash can Mac Pro to get it into 2013. They could do that again, in which case, most people might not get their delivery until into February... blpblpblp

Yea I‘m almost certain that it‘ll be a replay of 2013! I got my machine mid Feb. But it would just be nice to see the prices for actual configs to figure out financing options.

 

[goMac]

Its kind of silly really. Most people unofficially feel like Fall is Sept-Nov. But strictly speaking its from the equinox to the winter solstice. Apple could claim its even the Fall fiscal quarter (Q4) they are referring to, so that's Oct 1 - Dec 31.

Essentially, who the hell knows. And even if they release it, they were perfectly happy having just token shipments with the trash can Mac Pro to get it into 2013. They could do that again, in which case, most people might not get their delivery until into February... blpblpblp

I think shipping in December and calling that Fall would be beneath even Apple.

I'm sure some people will have their shipments slip in December depending on when they order and what configuration they have. And there will be endless hand wringing. But I think most configurations will ship reliably in November.

 

[Krevnik]

Waiting for A 1991 Mac Pro

You joke, but:
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_quadra/specs/mac_quadra_900.html

I think shipping in December and calling that Fall would be beneath even Apple.

I'm sure some people will have their shipments slip in December depending on when they order and what configuration they have. And there will be endless hand wringing. But I think most configurations will ship reliably in November.

Over the years, I’ve learned to mentally add “end of” to the start of any release window Apple has given. It was true back when Apple boxed and sold copies of macOS X, and it’s still true now.

And as a large business, they have to rely on more rigid definitions of seasons/quarters. Mid December is totally a possibility.

 

[deconstruct60]

Learned in school in Ireland it was August to October, the Irish state weather service states September to November actually, and now you're saying October to December?

Appears the definition is geographically vague to say the least!
....

It isn't vague it is just two different things with similar names.

Meteorological Fall is same Sept->Nov in the USA also. That just isn't Calendar Fall.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weat...omical-fall-start-on-2-different-dates/344058

Apple is not referring to the weather when they talk about "when" they are going to ship a product. It is a time ( Calendar). It isn't cold enough outside on an average day so Apple has to wait until "Fall" (meteorological) to release the Mac Pro (or days to long or Mac Pro hasn't grown tall enough) . Eh no. Apple doesn't have the stuff together so the release date for Mac Pro slides into Fall ( probably late Fall since changing factory and high priority on ducking taxes. ). Yes.

We are now in Apple's Fiscal first quarter and the fourth quarter of the Calendar year. 30 degrees C is different from 30 degrees F . The '30 degrees' part there isn't vague. The context/scale grounds what is meant.
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... Apple could claim its even the Fall fiscal quarter (Q4) they are referring to, so that's Oct 1 - Dec 31.

Not really. Oct -> Dec is Apple's First fiscal quarter.

"... Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2019 first quarter ended December 29, 2018. ..."
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/01/apple-reports-first-quarter-results/

The report they just did yesterday was for the end of their Fiscal year and FYQ4 results ( which ends in September. )

Apple's fiscal calendar year is lined up with the USA government and a several other companies. Not the calendar year. It depends upon how when start the corporation timeline.


P.S. A contributing factor to Apple pushing out major upgrades at the end of the September is to drop that upgrade accounting revenue into the FY. If they delay they won't get that bump. It can't fix a quarter but it can help smooth out the fiscal edges.

 

[bsbeamer]

would just be nice to see the prices for actual configs to figure out financing options

These details would make a lot of professional lives much easier...

 

[deconstruct60]

I think shipping in December and calling that Fall would be beneath even Apple.

More than a few folks have said Apple should stick to their 2013 'script' ( have to dog and pony at WWDC , etc. ). It really isn't beneath them since they have done it before.

I'm sure some people will have their shipments slip in December depending on when they order and what configuration they have. And there will be endless hand wringing. But I think most configurations will ship reliably in November.

If Apple has been running a rigid "just in time" set up then that may not happen. if they have been inventorying ( or making/paying suppliers ) to inventory for a couple of months parts then maybe.

Even at this highly price there is quite likely going to be a demand bubble that Apple supply can't hit for the first several weeks. If there is only 1-2 standard configurations there is a pretty good chance with this market demographic that there will be a big gap between what Apple could have completely pre-built and what is ordered.


P.S. In the 2013 script the "old" Mac Pro had been turned off by this time. The counter on the "just around the corner" is the 'buy' button still being active on the 2013 Mac Pros.

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/mac-pro

if it was super close Apple could just turn that off. It is boggling why they would even want it on at this point.

 

[bsbeamer]

It is boggling why they would even want it on at this point.

As long as there is stock available, they'll continue to sell them. I'd expect to see resellers like B&H put them on Deal Zone sales very soon to help clear additional inventory, probably well before Black Friday.

 

[goMac]

More than a few folks have said Apple should stick to their 2013 'script' ( have to dog and pony at WWDC , etc. ). It really isn't beneath them since they have done it before.

I think if Apple was really going to release in December they wouldn't have said fall. They would have just said end of 2019.

I've heard stories about the 2013 Mac Pro launch and why it dragged out so late. I'd be really surprised if the same factors were in play here (it had to do with the custom design, of course.)

My guess is next week they'll start taking orders and this speculation is going to look really silly.

P.S. In the 2013 script the "old" Mac Pro had been turned off by this time. The counter on the "just around the corner" is the 'buy' button still being active on the 2013 Mac Pros.

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/mac-pro

if it was super close Apple could just turn that off. It is boggling why they would even want it on at this point.

I've heard more than a few major orders have been placed for 2013s. Customers who have custom rack systems, or dependencies on things that T2 is incompatible with have been doing last minute ordering and stocking up. Plus Apple probably has inventory to clear anyway.