Why is the MP so expensive?

[Hellhammer]

BIOS is for Overclocking, CPU, RAM, FSB, and many more

and for a multi billion dollar company they should make a gaming machine in addition of working machine

You don't need BIOS for that. The same can be done under EFI (which is what Macs use) but Apple hasn't allowed user accessible EFI, thus the limitations. Cindori also said that the value to OC the CPU is locked but he said he will take a look at Mac Pro OCing in the future when he has time.

 

[minifridge1138]

they should make a gaming machine in addition of working machine

It's called in iPad

 

[Mobius 1]

It's called in iPad

it's not a computer D:

 

[Inconsequential]

BIOS is for Overclocking, CPU, RAM, FSB, and many more

and for a multi billion dollar company they should make a gaming machine in addition of working machine

No, BIOS is the predecessor to EFI.

EFI (or UEFI) has the same abilities as BIOS and *more*.

The Mac Pro is the *wrong* machine if you want to game.

You build a PC for that.

 

[LarryC]

Hello,

I don't want to start a Mac/PC/Hackintosh debate. Yet what those hackintosh prove is that Apple is charging a "Mac Pro tax" of around 1000$, +/- a few hundreds depending on configuration. Even if that tax was only 500$ +/- a few hundreds, the question remains: why?

Now don't answer that it's the general Apple tax. How can Apple sell the iMac, which offers very good power (some even rivalling the MP), very good graphics on everything but the base model, an incredible display, more RAM than the base MP model, for a very very good price? Add to that the fact that iMac are rumored to be upgraded in the next few days/weeks with Sandy Bridge.

So again, why does Apple charge that MP tax?

Loa

It is simple. Because people are willing to pay it.

 

[minifridge1138]

it's not a computer D:

Yes it is.

Mirriam Webster Definition of COMPUTER
: one that computes; specifically : a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data

Ipad:
electric device - check
store data - check
retrieve data - check
process data - check

Yes it is.

 

[derbothaus]

The iPad is a computer once you jailbreak it. Until then it is nothing more than a media digester.

 

[leekohler]

It is simple. Because people are willing to pay it.

No- we're not, not all of us, as I just explained.

I will buy third party used Apple desktops from now on. I will however, continue to buy new Apple laptops because they are reasonable. The last new desktop I bought from Apple is my last generation PM G5.

Apple has lost me as a desktop customer. It simply makes no sense to buy new MPs from them anymore. There is quite simply no reason to do so.

 

[Mobius 1]

Yes it is.

Mirriam Webster Definition of COMPUTER
: one that computes; specifically : a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data

Ipad:
electric device - check
store data - check
retrieve data - check
process data - check

Yes it is.

but it still does not run windows or a full os x

 

[Tucom]

but it still does not run windows or a full os x

Doesn't make it any less of a computer though as even a Ti-82 is a computer (calculator), it computes - processes data. And thought it doesn't run OS X or Windows (or Linux), it certainly could, and it's amazing to think that it could run it better than a 2,100 PowerMac G4 MDD that originally was so loud for it's cooling because of heat, yet the iPad is probably more powerful.


So it's not a "Personal Computer" in the way Macs and Windows Boxes are, but it's still *a* computer, and even literally, personal, just not a laptop or desktop, yeah, make sense?

 

[philipma1957]

No- we're not, not all of us, as I just explained.

I will buy third party used Apple desktops from now on. I will however, continue to buy new Apple laptops because they are reasonable. The last new desktop I bought from Apple is my last generation PM G5.

Apple has lost me as a desktop customer. It simply makes no sense to buy new MPs from them anymore. There is quite simply no reason to do so.

well if you need a powerful mac the mac pro is the one. buying it used or refurbished is the way to go. A 2010 quad 2.8 can be found for under 2k it can be modded into a hex 3.2 for under 500. so a mac pro hex 3.2 can be built for under 2400. while the mac pro hex 3.33 is over 3500 list.

At 2400 to 2600 a hex 3.2 is not that high priced.

 

[Bubba Satori]

The Mac Pro is the *wrong* machine if you want a full range of
hardware options that even $500 PCs have access to.

You build or buy a PC for that.

fxt.

 

[Infrared]

There is a whole thread on this actually. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1097291/

It even includes an opinion from the head of Corsair case design about the Mac Pro case:

Yeah, but he is talking about reproducing the design. That is not
to say it costs Apple "well north of $500" per case. It's probable
that Apple have economies of scale and access to manufacturing
facilities the Corsair don't have.

And I just can't see Apple spending $500 on a case for a $1499
machine (the old Power Macs). Can you?

Finally, would a unibody Macbook case be any cheaper? Don't say
"yes" just because it's smaller

Bear in mind that the Macbooks can be bought for less than a
thousand dollars.

 

[leekohler]

well if you need a powerful mac the mac pro is the one. buying it used or refurbished is the way to go. A 2010 quad 2.8 can be found for under 2k it can be modded into a hex 3.2 for under 500. so a mac pro hex 3.2 can be built for under 2400. while the mac pro hex 3.33 is over 3500 list.

At 2400 to 2600 a hex 3.2 is not that high priced.

Oh- they can be found very cheaply from third party vendors:

http://www.macs4u.com/categories/Mac-Pro/?gclid=CNmxia2n8qkCFYk3pAodckjLaA

Best part is that I get what I need and spend little. Point is that Apple is losing customers in this market due to the pricing of new Mac Pros.

 

[ActionableMango]

So?

If I were to make a point, which I didn't originally, because this whole thread is tired and old, it would be that the Mac Pro case is nicer and people tend to only compare CPU/GPU/Price. If you were to truly find a comparable case made of high-quality, anodized, thick aluminum, with custom boards and hard drive mounting systems such that you didn't need a rat's nest of cables, it would be freakishly expensive.

Sure you don't need a nice case and any $50 case will do, but heck, I saw on a modding forum where someone went completely caseless. He mounted all the PC components directly to the drywall along side his desk. That's a $0 case. The price/performance ratio on a $0 case is essentially infinitely good, but that doesn't mean it's better and it's certainly not comparable.

The closest PC case I can think of having uniqueness, high quality anodized aluminum, beautiful architecture, and high attention to detail is the Thermaltake Level 10... and that puppy retails for $800. If *I* were to build a PC today, it would be in that case, no question. I like nice cases, nice materials, nice finishes, unique and thoughtful design, etc. These are things worth paying extra to me.

It's like when someone hops into a new Kia and says it's a luxury car. Sure modern Kias have incredibly good interiors for the price. The interior might even photograph the same. But hop into a real luxury can and you'll notice the difference. The stuff that looks like wood actually IS wood. The stuff that looks like polished metal really IS polished metal. Everything is nicer, thicker, stronger, better, and real. It's not necessary, but if it's in your budget, it's nice to have.

 

[Infrared]

It's like when someone hops into a new Kia and says it's a luxury car. Sure modern Kias have incredibly good interiors for the price. The interior might even photograph the same. But hop into a real luxury can and you'll notice the difference. The stuff that looks like wood actually IS wood. The stuff that looks like polished metal really IS polished metal. Everything is nicer, thicker, stronger, better, and real. It's not necessary, but if it's in your budget, it's nice to have.

Macs are nowhere near comparable to luxury cars, in my opinion.
They don't even approach the same level of engineering quality,
exclusivity, and cost as many luxury cars.

Which is not to say they're terrible. They're pretty good for computers.

 

[Avro]

Macs are nowhere near comparable to luxury cars, in my opinion.
They don't even approach the same level of engineering quality,
exclusivity, and cost as many luxury cars.

Which is not to say they're terrible. They're pretty good for computers.

Exclusivity? With luxury cars comes down mainly to cost, other than some that are produced in small runs.

Engineering quality? Toyotas, Hondas and Skodas are often better engineered.

Costs? Well they do cost more.

 

[MythicFrost]

The question isn't why is the Mac Pro so expensive but why is the single processor Mac Pro so expensive? If you compare the dual processor Mac Pro's to offerings from Dell, etc., they are very similar (the last time I checked). Whilst the single processor Mac Pro's sit around $1k more than Dell's offerings, and I imagine this is purely because they don't want it to affect iMac sales, and it would.

 

[Avro]

The question isn't why is the Mac Pro so expensive but why is the single processor Mac Pro so expensive? If you compare the dual processor Mac Pro's to offerings from Dell, etc., they are very similar (the last time I checked). Whilst the single processor Mac Pro's sit around $1k more than Dell's offerings, and I imagine this is purely because they don't want it to affect iMac sales, and it would.

I think you have hit the nail on the head.

 

[Umbongo]

The question isn't why is the Mac Pro so expensive but why is the single processor Mac Pro so expensive? If you compare the dual processor Mac Pro's to offerings from Dell, etc., they are very similar (the last time I checked). Whilst the single processor Mac Pro's sit around $1k more than Dell's offerings, and I imagine this is purely because they don't want it to affect iMac sales, and it would.

It also allows them to maintain the same sort of margin across both Mac Pro models. Dell's margin on a T3500 is much less than that of a T5500 or T7500.

 

[Avro]

It also allows them to maintain the same sort of margin across both Mac Pro models. Dell's margin on a T3500 is much less than that of a T5500 or T7500.

Interesting to note that when the DP Mac Pro was introduced it put the frighteners on Dell and HP and they had a great deal of problems matching the Mac Pro price point.

Mac Pro Beats HP and Dell at Their Own Game: Price

 

[Hellhammer]

Interesting to note that when the DP Mac Pro was introduced it put the frighteners on Dell and HP and they had a great deal of problems matching the Mac Pro price point.

Mac Pro Beats HP and Dell at Their Own Game: Price

Those were the good days. Since the 2009 update, things have just gotten worse, especially when talking about the SP Mac Pro. What makes this even more ridiculous is that Apple switched from Intel to Foxconn at the same time.

 

[Umbongo]

Interesting to note that when the DP Mac Pro was introduced it put the frighteners on Dell and HP and they had a great deal of problems matching the Mac Pro price point.

Mac Pro Beats HP and Dell at Their Own Game: Price

Yeah I would think this was due to pricing deals related to the switch over from Power PC. To me them switching to Foxconn, as Hellhammer mentioned, and the value changing massively 3 years after the first Intel mac isn't a coincidence. I certainly can't imagine Apple were happy to sell the Mac Pro for tiny margins to secure market share or ease transition for 2 and a half years.