Why no update to the Mac Pro? Here are some numbers (and pictures)

[JesterJJZ]

Since they dropped the word Mac from OSX Apple might also drop the word Mac from it's hardware starting with new desktops or what ever is released.

I don't care if they call em Granny Smiths, just release the damn things!

 

[minifridge1138]

An interesting comparison is the Corvette and General Motors. In 2011, GM sold 2,503,820 cars and trucks. Corvettes accounted for 13,164 of those, or .5%. And considering the Corvette itself, I'd bet the margin is much smaller than most of their vehicles. Wouldn't be surprised if they lose money on it. Still, it's a very important part of the Chevrolet brand, and they'd be insane to discontinue it.

I agree, that's an interesting comparison.

GM keeps the corvette because of image: It's great to brag that you make a car that can keep up with / outrun other "super" cars that cost 4 or 5 times as much.

Even if they lose money on each car they sell, they can still brag about how powerful the car is (and therefore how powerful the company is) and get free advertising.

Apple isn't likely to sell the Mac Pro at a loss and hope to make their money back on sales in the App store.

I don't see a lot of computers that perform the same as a Mac Pro but are much more expensive.

The Mac Pro isn't the corvette, it's the other super cars.

If demand for Apple desktops dropped to ZERO tomorrow morning, Apple would lose 3.7% of their revenue (who knows how much profit). That would sting, but the company would continue on mostly unaffected.

If demand for iStuff dropped to ZERO tomorrow morning, Apple would be in a world of hurt. Their would be panic in Cupertino and we would see some very desperate acts while they tried to figure out what to do next.

I love my Mac Pro. It is the best computer I've owned or used in my life. Not a doubt in my mind. And I don't think Apple has turned its back on or abandoned professionals.

I just think we're in line with all of the iStuff users. It's a long line and we're at the very end of it. We'll still get there, but it will take a while.

 

[TallManNY]

These posts and theories act like Apple has some limited amount of resources and can only focus on one thing at a time. That is not true. Yes, maybe John Ivy can only focus on a few projects at once, but that doesn't mean they can't have an entire department handling just the Mac Pro line. It isn't like Cook is responsible for building each device by hand and he has to pick which one he is going to make each day. China hasn't run out of manufacturing workers either.

The reason there hasn't been an update is some technical reason like they can't get the Thunderbolt display to connect to the main board. As you can see, I don't have much in the way of technical knowledge. But I've got enough business knowledge to know that Apple knows they will do lots of sales of Mac Pros if they can get a nice replacement out there. If the current Apple management can't get to it, Apple can hire people to get it done. There is still plenty of profit to be had.

And the profit argument is before you get to the halo effect and soft arguments about having a position with hardcore computer folks and not pushing them off to PCs or some other manufacturer. Apple knows that guys who drop $4,000 for their main system are also buying lots of other computer devices and are probably the resident computer expert for a large number of their friends and family. You want that guy using your machine and your iOS. And we aren't talking about running a loss to get this guy, you can make a profit selling to him as well.

A technical issue that Apple won't compromise on has to be the reason the Mac Pro hasn't been updated. The fact that it isn't as profitable as iPhones is not very relevant because there will be no loss of profits on the iPhone by having a group work on Mac Pros.

 

[jasonvp]

Wouldn't be surprised if they lose money on it. Still, it's a very important part of the Chevrolet brand, and they'd be insane to discontinue it.

Correction: GM will not ever allow a loss-leader like that. In order for any model to be built in any line whatsoever, it has to show profit immediately. It takes a lot less money to build a Corvette than most people think (it's one of the reasons it's so relatively inexpensive).

You're correct about the insanity of discontinuing it, but it almost happened (several times) in the dark ages of the late 80s/early 90s.

jas