When will the new Mac Pro be next updated?

[goMac]

Well they don't even ship the current Mac Pros in volume...
I ordered my new Mac Pro 8 cores 3Ghz 32Gb 1Tb SSD dual D700 2 weeks ago today and from what the UPS website tells me I should receive it tomorrow... I guess thats what you get for having a computer made in the US instead of chinaland... which make me think their costs must be much higher than the previous Mac Pros that were made in china...

That's actually pretty good, especially if you had normal ground shipping. Most Mac orders take about a week to get out when they ship in volume, so two weeks on a custom order isn't bad. It took me a few months to get a Mac Pro once because even though they were "shipping in volume" the one component I ordered custom had low stock.

I don't think volume concerns will affect a production line switchover at all. In the past they haven't. Apple seems to like not entirely matching demand any way. Makes it seem like they're shipping a lot of product. But regardless, Haswell-EP and Sandy Bridge are similar enough I don't see switching product over being a huge deal. Same basic components, same source for parts, same shipping schedule, same or extremely similar case, just a different revision.

 

[Vanilla Face]

rofl
They are slowly giving up on everything pro lately... xServe... Aperture... what next?

xServe was discontinued years ago, not lately. It also wasn't 'pro' in the same sense of the word as the Mac Pro. It wasn't for professional users, it was for enterprise. Apple isn't an enterprise company, its a consumer company.

Aperture is being replaced. It was never a serious editor, but rather an organizer with built in tools. Photos will be an organizer with built in tools. Just as with Aperture, if you want to do some serious editing you'll have to look beyond what Apple offers.

I'd think that the redesign on the Mac Pro would show you Apple's commitment to the Pro user.

 

[MacProCard]

Here's the thing I don't get....

Almost no one in this thread is telling you that you can't be happy with your Mac Pro. By all means, I'm still rocking an older Mac Pro and I'm happy with it too. Please, if you like your Mac Pro, please keep liking it.

That doesn't change that conditions are lining up that typically point to a refresh coming. I'd say the very very latest I'd see the refresh happening is first few months of 2015, but I think a refresh could be announced in the August time frame too (possibly shipping a month or two later.)

If that impacts your enjoyment of your machine, that's not my problem, that's your problem. It also doesn't change Apple's production pattern, that Haswell is a significant step, or that Haswell isn't a complicated upgrade for production. It even, IIRC, uses the same socket.

You might not be a pro, but that also doesn't change that you're not the biggest market for the Mac Pro. The problem Apple has with pros right now is that pros are in doubt of the future of the Mac Pro. There are pros who are holding their purchases of the Mac Pro until it's proven Apple does plan to even continue iterating on the Mac Pro at all. And if Apple doesn't upgrade the Mac Pro, pros will start losing confidence in Apple and move to Windows. So upgrading the Mac Pro isn't just going to be a components thing. It's going to be something that builds confidence in the Mac Pro line in general.

Again, you liking your rev a Mac Pro doesn't change any of the facts here. Haswell-EP is on time, new GPUs are ready, and we're getting close to a year in on the Mac Pro, which is a very high profile machine for Apple right now. Those have always in the past been traditional signs of a release coming.

Others on this forum will tell you, typically when Intel releases a new processor, Apple announces a new Mac Pro either a few weeks before up to 3-4 months after. And a new Intel processor is on track to arrive in the next few months. That's not me doing any wishful thinking, those are the facts.

If the Mac Pro is powerful enough for you, or others, by all means, please buy the current model. Again, that does not change the basic facts that things are lining up for a revision. It doesn't matter how much money you have, how much you love your Mac Pro, or how fast you think it is. Facts point to a revision.

I posted I thought manufacturing and economics would play a large part in the next update. I guess the more asinine the responses got about how that wouldn't matter sort of got to me.

I understand your historical analysis, but the one difference I see is the radical change in form factor. It amazes me how so many people over look this key feature. They shrunk technology to 1/10 it's current size. Made it a lot more efficient. That's a big jump. You can sit on that and ride it a bit imo. Same with Thunderbolt 2. I wouldn't be surprised if the options remain the same a year from now. Might not fit your agenda, but it would be the most profitable route.

They don't need to rush and get the new processors to out when the current high end options covers a very large percentage of the market.

I do realize some people got upset over the new FCPX and started looking for new options. It happens with change. The flip side is MS lost a lot of customers with the Win 8 debacle. People change, markets change. But the overall opinion I get is that most people are very pleased with the performance gains with the nMP and love it's design.

I spent 7k. Think I want to see "experts" who don't even own one, tell everyone the next revision in Q4 will be a much better deal? You may think so, but that doesn't make it so. Once again, you don't even own one. So how can you enjoy it's current design?

Besides, if the next one is going to be so much more awesome, and such a better deal, so soon, ...sounds like a possible class action suit.

Someone mentioned iPhones earlier, but I remember when all they had were iPods and iTunes. Apple knows all too well how easy it is for a company to go the way of the dinosaurs.

 

[MacVidCards]

In December the GPUs will have their 3rd birthday.

Something has to get updated or it will become a joke.

 

[reco2011]

The standard configs are shipping same day - any BTO configs are slower.

The MP6,1 demand has dropped below supply, standard configs ship same day, BTO configs a bit later.

Micro Center is selling the standard configs for $100.00 off.

----------

I spent 7k. Think I want to see "experts" who don't even own one, tell everyone the next revision in Q4 will be a much better deal? You may think so, but that doesn't make it so. Once again, you don't even own one. So how can you enjoy it's current design?

Why do you feel owning one is a requirement in order to have a valid opinion on this topic? Your opinion on this topic is no more valid than anyone elses merely because you own one.

 

[fuchsdh]

Why the hell is this argument still going on? I can't even tell what people are complaining about.

 

[handsome pete]

Why the hell is this argument still going on? I can't even tell what people are complaining about.

Your comment reminded me of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCVHpnixj88

And you're right, especially considering the second post is probably the best response/answer to the original question. I'm done with my part dragging this out.

 

[AidenShaw]

Micro Center is selling the standard configs for $100.00 off.

Often a sign of an update coming soon.

 

[MacProCard]

Why do you feel owning one is a requirement in order to have a valid opinion on this topic? Your opinion on this topic is no more valid than anyone elses merely because you own one.

A significant part of the nMP is the new form factor. Hard to garner an objective opinion when you don't have one to play with yourself.

Face it, we can pretend a logical debate is taking place but that really isn't the case. How many other product boards have you visited to give an opinion on something you don't own? So why this one?

I'd feel pretty dumb going over to the mac mini forum telling anyone who just bought one that the new mac minis will be even better. And I'm waiting because I'm so much smarter/better consumer than you. Pretty obnoxious if you ask me.

 

[reco2011]

A significant part of the nMP is the new form factor. Hard to garner an objective opinion when you don't have one to play with yourself.

This discussion has almost nothing to do with the form factor. People are referring to the internal components of the nMP. I don't recall having read anything where people are suggesting an update is going to change the current form factor.

Face it, we can pretend a logical debate is taking place but that really isn't the case. How many other product boards have you visited to give an opinion on something you don't own? So why this one?

I'd feel pretty dumb going over to the mac mini forum telling anyone who just bought one that the new mac minis will be even better. And I'm waiting because I'm so much smarter/better consumer than you. Pretty obnoxious if you ask me.

Has this happened? I know people have said they're holding off for an update. And it's likely the update is going to be even better (after all that's what we expect from updates is it not?) But I don't recall having read anyone stating current nMP owners were dumb/inferior to anyone else for having purchased current generation Mac Pro.

You seem to be overly sensitive to any criticism (even though I don't see very much criticism in this thread) of the nMP. When there is criticism you appear to take it very personally...as if the criticism is directed at you.

 

[MacProCard]

This discussion has almost nothing to do with the form factor. People are referring to the internal components of the nMP. I don't recall having read anything where people are suggesting an update is going to change the current form factor.

That's where you're wrong. It means everything to this product. No one buys this thing if it's package up in a 30lb giant box. Now get this part...The new form factor could keep demand artificially high longer than a regular box, thus extending the period of time between updates. Why do you think they took the time to radically re-design it? Just because?

Another point to think about..there were forecasts done, so it would be awful strange to start out with one socket only to change it 9 months later for a different one. No matter what some people think, the cost to re-tool a production line isn't cheap. It would be a complete waste of money IMO.

If an upgrade is to be had it will come in the form of financial, not technological.

As far as the rest of your response...I'll read into it what I want to read and you're welcome to do the same.

 

[reco2011]

That's where you're wrong. It means everything to this product. No one buys this thing if it's package up in a 30lb giant box. Now get this part...The new form factor could keep demand artificially high longer than a regular box, thus extending the period of time between updates. Why do you think they took the time to radically re-design it? Just because?

The design of the product is almost immaterial to a discussion as to whether Apple will soon do an update. Perhaps your definition of an update includes a package redesign but the discussion everyone else is taking about is an update to the internals. An update to the internals does nor require a change to the design of the device.

Another point to think about..there were forecasts done, so it would be awful strange to start out with one socket only to change it 9 months later for a different one. No matter what some people think, the cost to re-tool a production line isn't cheap. It would be a complete waste of money IMO.

It's your opinion Apple has never made such a change?

If an upgrade is to be had it will come in the form of financial, not technological.

The financial will be driven from the technologial.

As far as the rest of your response...I'll read into it what I want to read and you're welcome to do the same.

Then you should perhaps remove yourself from the discussion as no one is personally attacking you for having bought a nMP.

 

[MacProCard]

Then you should perhaps remove yourself from the discussion as no one is personally attacking you for having bought a nMP.

I do believe I will. Nothing at all to see here.

 

[goMac]

I'd feel pretty dumb going over to the mac mini forum telling anyone who just bought one that the new mac minis will be even better. And I'm waiting because I'm so much smarter/better consumer than you. Pretty obnoxious if you ask me.

That's kind of the whole point of this thread. Are we supposed to pretend a new update doesn't seem likely because people's feelings might be hurt? Are we supposed to pretend that the new Mac Pros aren't going to be better?

I don't get it.

If an upgrade is to be had it will come in the form of financial, not technological.

All the facts are pointing to a technology update. The only thing pointing to a financial update is your gut, which isn't as strong of a consideration as the facts.

Haswell-EP is ready to go. The cost of Apple adopting Haswell-EP isn't large, they've likely had engineering teams with pre-production units since early this year. The Mac Pro engineers don't go into hibernation when the new Mac Pro comes out. It's not like they have cryo tubes they stick them back in. They're probably always working on the next version to a certain extent, whether that is planning or actual prototypes.

You act like Apple releases a Mac Pro, and suddenly the entire pro division comes to a halt. Apple engineers don't sit around playing video games until Tim Cook calls down asking if maybe someone could possibly decide if Apple should do a new Mac Pro. The launch date for the next Mac Pro was probably roughly decided before even the last one shipped.

 

[bxs]

Yes it's a bit early to ask, but my circumstances may warrant waiting until early next year to buy a new Mac Pro. So I'm wondering if anyone can give me an educated guess as to when the next Mac Pro update might be released - even if only a speed bump. Thanks.

No doubt it will be revised with different hardware with processors being the most likely. If you want to wait I suspect next year you will for sure see some form of update. However, if and when is known by Apple and any other source predictions will be pure speculation.

IMO, you will not see any update this year. My guess is early 2015.

 

[goMac]

IMO, you will not see any update this year. My guess is early 2015.

I think early 2015 is possible, but it skews on the late side of likely update times. It really depends on if Haswell-EP gets out before November. Even if Haswell-EP ships in September, I think there is a good chance Apple could announce a new Mac Pro at the rumored August event. Mac Pro is currently a flagship product, so it would make sense they'd want an update to be at a press event, even if it's just a slide.

If Haswell-EP comes later, I could see Apple punting until after the holiday season into the January/February timeframe, but I again think that's pushing towards the end of possible dates.

 

[fuchsdh]

I think early 2015 is possible, but it skews on the late side of likely update times. It really depends on if Haswell-EP gets out before November. Even if Haswell-EP ships in September, I think there is a good chance Apple could announce a new Mac Pro at the rumored August event. Mac Pro is currently a flagship product, so it would make sense they'd want an update to be at a press event, even if it's just a slide.

If Haswell-EP comes later, I could see Apple punting until after the holiday season into the January/February timeframe, but I again think that's pushing towards the end of possible dates.

They're not going to spend time taking a break from iPhones and iPads to talk about Pros, and unless they've got some big new revision (retina Air, et al) I can't see them doing a hardware-only event. Sure it's a "flagship" product but it's also something only a small percentage of people buy, so given that from the kerfluffle above everyone does agree it's going to be almost entirely identical in form, I can't see it getting much more than five slides at an event focused on something else, or a trumpeted press release.

A big gap in my Apple knowledge is how often, historically, has Apple announced hardware that isn't going to ship immediately or within, say, a month? The iMac redesign slipped but that wasn't intentional. Feels unlikely they would announce it months before the final processors hit, and I'm wary of Intel actually delivering stuff on time.

I'm going to throw out November/December as likely, and December if pushed. We should quit all the negativity and just have a bingo card for the forum on hardware releases

 

[MMcCraryNJ]

Haswell-EP is going to be available in Q3. We don't know when in Q3, but we are as of today technically in Q3. I've been following the desktop Haswell Core refresh earlier in the year (Devil's Canyon chips, as at first I was going to build my own system), and you start to get indication on a hard date about two to three weeks before. OEMs were releasing Series 9 motherboards that were the same socket, but also supported Devil's Canyon, before the chips were out, followed by Newegg and another retailers doing pre-orders for the new chips.

I'm going say that it'll depend on the specific timing of the chips to market, but I can definitely see Apple announcing it in August/September the earliest, October/November the latest. I don't think they'll wait over a full calendar year and go into early 2015 without a word. If Haswell-EP had been delayed further, then yeah, sure, March 2015 or something along those lines. I would say to start looking for news blurbs about it, and when other companies start shipping it inside of their workstations. Apple won't be too far behind them.

That's my educated opinion, anyway.

 

[goMac]

They're not going to spend time taking a break from iPhones and iPads to talk about Pros, and unless they've got some big new revision (retina Air, et al) I can't see them doing a hardware-only event. Sure it's a "flagship" product but it's also something only a small percentage of people buy, so given that from the kerfluffle above everyone does agree it's going to be almost entirely identical in form, I can't see it getting much more than five slides at an event focused on something else, or a trumpeted press release.

There's OS X Yosemite, and Apple always announces new Macs to go with the new OS on release. Haswell-EP lines up very nicely with OS X Yosemite's release date.

With OS X Yosemite it's going to be hard for Apple to entirely ignore Macs.

A big gap in my Apple knowledge is how often, historically, has Apple announced hardware that isn't going to ship immediately or within, say, a month? The iMac redesign slipped but that wasn't intentional. Feels unlikely they would announce it months before the final processors hit, and I'm wary of Intel actually delivering stuff on time.

Pretty often. A few Mac Pro revisions got announced a few weeks before the new CPUs were announced. The nMP was announced several months before the Sandy Bridge Xeons it uses shipped.

The thing with Intel is typically OEMs get their processor orders before the chips are shipping. Shipping just means the public can buy the processor usually. OEMs fall under a different schedule. It's why a lot of OEMs have actual units on the market on Intel's "release day."

 

[Neodym]

Apple purchasing power? [...] The Mac Pro must not even be 1% of the sales they have with their computer division and the computers are not their dairy cow...

Imagine you are a vendor/producer and someone is buying 100.000 x product A from you at regular intervals. Now this someone asks you for a good price on 100 x product B - would you insist on the standard price for product B, referring to the small number requested?

 

[Umbongo]

Haswell-EP is going to be available in Q3. We don't know when in Q3, but we are as of today technically in Q3. I've been following the desktop Haswell Core refresh earlier in the year (Devil's Canyon chips, as at first I was going to build my own system), and you start to get indication on a hard date about two to three weeks before. OEMs were releasing Series 9 motherboards that were the same socket, but also supported Devil's Canyon, before the chips were out, followed by Newegg and another retailers doing pre-orders for the new chips.

I'm going say that it'll depend on the specific timing of the chips to market, but I can definitely see Apple announcing it in August/September the earliest, October/November the latest. I don't think they'll wait over a full calendar year and go into early 2015 without a word. If Haswell-EP had been delayed further, then yeah, sure, March 2015 or something along those lines. I would say to start looking for news blurbs about it, and when other companies start shipping it inside of their workstations. Apple won't be too far behind them.

That's my educated opinion, anyway.

Woodcrest to Nehalem was 16 months, in supply 18 months after (Clovertown came along the way, but that was just how Intel decided to stagger that release, even then Nehalem was released 12 months later)

Nehalem to Westmere was a year, and both were in supply at their release date.

Sandy Bridge followed on 24 months after, and wasn't in good supply until June.

Ivy Bridge 16 months later and again wasn't available everywhere right away.

Apple only jumped on board early once with Nehalem, the releases before that in the 6-8 week range, Westmere 5 months and well we know the issues with the last one and maybe they weren't Ivy bridge related, either way it is almost unheard of for workstations, their CPUs or graphics cards to get updated with in 12 months.

I don't think they will wait past Q1, but I certainly wouldn't expect it this year.

 

[Riwam]

A truly important question!

Yes it's a bit early to ask, but my circumstances may warrant waiting until early next year to buy a new Mac Pro. So I'm wondering if anyone can give me an educated guess as to when the next Mac Pro update might be released - even if only a speed bump. Thanks.

.............
I suggest to start several (as many as possible) new threads like this... with slightly different words like for instance:

"When will Apple update the new MP"
"When will be an update to the present new MP"
"When do you think the MP late 2013 will be updated"
"Will Apple update soon the new MP"
"What are the chances we see in the next update of the nMP"
"Does Apple intend to update soon their nMP"
"Chances that we see soon a new nMP"
"When will be outdated the nMP"
"A redesigned nMP coming soon or not"
"The new updated nMP we are expecting"
and so on... (I rely on the imagination of the Forum members)

This kind of threads are TOO VALUABLE, IMPORTANT AND USEFUL TO HAVE ONLY ONE RUNNING

 

[244620]

K

 

[reco2011]

While the cocksure, informed, and enlightened Apple-tech geniuses in this forum are pondering the second coming of the nMP [Haswell/Broadwell, DDR4, and Nvidia Unicorn GPUs [hopefully with 64GB each!!], I'll settle on enjoying and working with my lowly Ivy Bridge FirePro Mac Pro until Cannonlake.

The again, I suppose Apple will be making their own workstation chips by then.

Enjoy you botched-chip-Haswell iterations, *if* they appear. The CPU, GPUs, and DDR4 will be SOOOOO much faster in my Cannonlake 2017 Mac Pro. :roll eyes:

You all are too much.

Your post leaves me with the conclusion people are unwelcome to discuss the future direction of the Mac Pro...even if it is only speculation. Why do you find such discussion objectionable and something to ridicule?

 

[Riwam]

Your post leaves me with the conclusion people are unwelcome to discuss the future direction of the Mac Pro...even if it is only speculation. Why do you find such discussion objectionable and something to ridicule?

You can continue to discuss this question forever if you feel it enjoyable.
This forum is (thanks God) not situated in North Korea and you are free to do what you like, but IMHO it is a total waste of time and thoughts which could be used for much more productive uses.
Other threads bring readers often true advantages, solution to problems they have, tips for places where to buy things, price information about components, experience positive and negative with hardware and software, etc.
This kind of hypothetical questions nobody can answer is exactly the opposite.
Nobody has any benefit at all from it.
As far as I am concerned I leave this thread for those enjoying it...