Will there be a new Mac Pro in 2015?

[JamesPDX]

Apple has never offered I/O customization such as you're asking for, and there's no workstation I've seen that's offering 32GB of ECC RAM in a sub-$3k price, unless they're using small DIMMs across 12 RAM slots or something (HP sells the "default" 840 with 8 x 1 GB sticks, for instance.)

This sort of list of demands is essentially "I want more for less."

Reread my post. I never set a price. Also, until this year, Apple never offered customized wristwatches, so a higher-level BTO scheme for a new Mac Pro is not far fetched if a company is truly forward thinking and is not just Greenwashing to seem cool and environmentally benevolent. Professionals should know and understand that choice is a good thing when it comes to component specifications. Know your ROI.

Here's an example showing that custom builds are indeed possible when the grunt-of-task is more important than thinness or bling. Imagine being able to run OSX on something here: http://www.boxxtech.com/products/workstations

 

[MacVidCards]

Not going to repost here but posts #2529 & #2426 While Apple may have provided drivers, they don't officially support them. They would definitely not provide tech support if they stopped working. But most are already out of warrantee anyway.

Sorry dude, gotta call you out on this. You are either a liar or incompetent.

Next are the 2 posts you claimed you asked questions that I dodged, #2529 and #2426.

About the upgradeability of Mac Pro. Unfortunately, MP1 is first gen product. Future computers with new generation GPUs that will rely massively on Asynchronous Compute technology will require not upgrade to the hardware, but only expansion through external GPUs.

The problem here is the bandwidth of Thunderbolt port. Gen 3 brings big update to the technology and opens door to new ways of expanding the computers.
IMO, it is way better to have one CPU with dual GPUs inside the computer and connect it to rack made from 50 or even 100 GPUs by Thunderbolt, than have dual CPUs with limited internal space for GPUs. It is one of the possible futures, and it looks like Mac Pro is made for it. Will it be like this? Time will tell, but I can assure you all, that this idea has been already discussed by designers few years ago. Power efficiency is the key here, and biggest factor that impacts the design of computers and the idea itself of the computers, today.

Actually, a good catch. I did not realize they had a 6GB version...but....It does not necessarily use a consumer GPU. AMD states they don't use the same exact GPU as with the consumer version. I won't deny they are not based on consumer cards and I'm not convinced they necessarily use specialized drivers like the windows version. The workstation GPU's probably have slight changes that make it better for professional software then, say for gaming for instance.

http://icrontic.com/article/the-real-difference-between-workstation-and-desktop-gpus


But the conspiracy theorists can't see past the picture even though they do compare the nMP with their other products.

There are the two posts you mentioned, not only does neither one have a "direct question" to me, but one isn't even from you. Are you saying that you are posting under the "koyoot" name as well? That would make you a shill and be in violation of TOS.

Here is what you accused me of:

Talking about ignoring good solid questions...You never seemed to answer my questions on using unsupported graphic cards in the classic Mac Pro's or workstation GPU's are not necessary using the same consumer versions. I noticed you seem to avoid certain questions, even when directed toward you. Oh, and no wikipedia links needed.

I asked you for the exact posts where I dodged questions. There is your answer and it is BS.

I hope for your credibility's sake that you have a real answer. If you are going to say that someone is trying to "avoid certain questions" you should be ready to back it up with REAL links.

 

[wallysb01]

it's humor

Yikes, don't quit your day job...

 

[JamesPDX]

"The highlights of the new Mac Pro are the lowered energy usage, the reclaimed physical space, and the huge reduction of cable mess."

What's really happening is that the energy usage is being moved outside of the new Mac Pro with the needed peripherals and inevitable storage. But I really do appreciate the quietness of the machine.

 

[linuxcooldude]

Sorry dude, gotta call you out on this. You are either a liar or incompetent.

Interesting, you still seem to be ignoring what I've said, instead you try to make it about me. A common bully tactic. Seems you don't like talking about certain topics. While praising the classic Mac Pros ability to use new video cards, you seem to ignore comments on how driver problems make them unreliable. See, I'm not blaming you for not responding. Its a business decision on your part. It does not look good making comments on problems for products your trying to sell. I get that. It just seems you are constantly putting yourself in that position.

 

[filmak]

"The highlights of the new Mac Pro are the lowered energy usage, the reclaimed physical space, and the huge reduction of cable mess."

What's really happening is that the energy usage is being moved outside of the new Mac Pro with the needed peripherals and inevitable storage. But I really do appreciate the quietness of the machine.

You 're so right about this. I can also add that we may have increased energy usage in total because of the inefficiency of the multiple external PSUs we now are forced to use ...

 

[linuxcooldude]

You 're so right about this. I can also add that we may have increased energy usage in total because of the inefficiency of the multiple external PSUs we now are forced to use ...

Some external drives are obviously going to need external power. Some, however,can be powered by Thunderbolt or even USB 3.0 itself.

 

[filmak]

One positive thing with the TB devices is that you can, anytime you want, unplug a TB cable from a nMP and use the whole chain with another Macbook (Air, Pro or even another nMP or iMac) immediately.
Imho this is very useful and of course something that it wasn't possible with the cMP. (Perhaps it was possible up to a point with firewire, but TB is a lot faster and useful, you can have in a single chain HDs or RAID arrays - SSDs, ext PCIe boxes, monitors, audio devices, tb docks etc).

I find it also useful not only for occasional uses but for flexibility and availability, if something breaks in your main system you can be up and running in seconds...

 

[filmak]

Some external drives are obviously going to need external power. Some, however,can be powered by Thunderbolt or even USB 3.0 itself.

Of course.

 

[filmak]

Some external drives are obviously going to need external power. Some, however,can be powered by Thunderbolt or even USB 3.0 itself.

I think that most of the devices that can be powered from TB or USB are already low powered ones, like single ext2.5" drives, usb sticks, card readers etc.

This is not true for single/multiple 3.5 HDs - Raid arrays, SSD arrays, tb Docks, audio devices, PCIe ext cases, scanners etc

 

[JamesPDX]

I think that most of the devices that can be powered from TB or USB are already low powered ones, like single ext2.5" drives, usb sticks, card readers etc.

This is not true for single/multiple 3.5 HDs - Raid arrays, SSD arrays, tb Docks, audio devices, PCIe ext cases, scanners etc

"Why use RAID for video editing and compositing when you can put it on the Cloud?"

 

[flat five]

"Why use RAID for video editing and compositing when you can put it on the Cloud?"

i think the connection being missed by some people in how to make video editing/compositing viable via cloud is that you don't have to bring all the data in to a local level in order to process it using your individual cpu/system.

the data sits offsite.. so does the application.. the computer you're sitting at just links you up to that data/apps..

it doesn't matter if you're editing with an iPad or a mac pro wrt how fast you can render a frame.

 

[filmak]

"Why use RAID for video editing and compositing when you can put it on the Cloud?"

 

[Xteec]

i think the connection being missed by some people in how to make video editing/compositing viable via cloud is that you don't have to bring all the data in to a local level in order to process it using your individual cpu/system.

the data sits offsite.. so does the application.. the computer you're sitting at just links you up to that data/apps..

it doesn't matter if you're editing with an iPad or a mac pro wrt how fast you can render a frame.

You may not need to process the data, but you will still need to see the output. And given the state of internet infrastructure (the ISPs), I'm not sure they will ever catch up especially given the speed at which resolutions are moving forward. I am not sure the lag will be minimised enough to ever provide a good user experience.

Personally, I have a very low tolerance for lag. Using email and word processing at home via a "virtual computer" is already pushing the boundaries of my internet and my patience (and I live in a big city with a good cable connection). I can't imagine what editing 1080p video or 4K would be like...

 

[flat five]

'household' plans available through twc in nyc:




i understand nyc is better than everywhere else in the world but i'm sure this will trickle down to the rest of you eventually..
300Mbps will theoretically allow you to get 37MB data per second which should be fine for editing hi_res..


---
there are also soontobe available solutions by software such as Avid:

http://www.avid.com/US/products/media-composer-cloud
Coming soon...
Collaborate remotely on high-res projects, with support for low bandwidth proxies of high-res media coming to Interplay | Production soon.

 

[displayator]

'household' plans available through twc in nyc:

View attachment 591062


i understand nyc is better than everywhere else in the world but i'm sure this will trickle down to the rest of you eventually..
300Mbps will theoretically allow you to get 37MB data per second which should be fine for editing hi_res..

hahahahahaha

Switzerland: 1Gb/1Gb for $66/month - Fiber7.ch
France: 500M/100M for $45/month orange.fr
Hong Kong: 500M/? for $30/month
You should look at Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

 

[Xteec]

'household' plans available through twc in nyc:

View attachment 591062


i understand nyc is better than everywhere else in the world but i'm sure this will trickle down to the rest of you eventually..
300Mbps will theoretically allow you to get 37MB data per second which should be fine for editing hi_res..


---
there are also soontobe available solutions by software such as Avid:

http://www.avid.com/US/products/media-composer-cloud
Coming soon...
Collaborate remotely on high-res projects, with support for low bandwidth proxies of high-res media coming to Interplay | Production soon.

Firstly, "I understand nyc is better than everywhere else in the world" is no small problem to solve. But yes, talking speed, the world will get there. 5, 10, 20, 40 years. That's probably a solvable problem.

But what about latency? How close does everyone have to be to a super computer data centre? and is that cost of putting powerful data centres every x square miles ultimately economical? Perhaps yes for heavy "artist" dense areas like NYC or LA, but for the rest of us? Probably cheaper to buy a nMP .

The latency and distance problem is what I believe to be the key problem. And I think the current solution, of the computing power all being distributed (everyone with their private computer) will be the superior economics for the foreseeable future.

 

[Xteec]

hahahahahaha

Switzerland: 1Gb/1Gb for $66/month - Fiber7.ch
France: 500M/100M for $45/month orange.fr
Hong Kong: 500M/? for $30/month
You should look at Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

Australia 100/2.5 - $80/month (yes, that's 2.5, not 25 - our current infrastructure is utterly cr@p)

 

[Kpjoslee]

'household' plans available through twc in nyc:

View attachment 591062


i understand nyc is better than everywhere else in the world but i'm sure this will trickle down to the rest of you eventually..

LMAO. Thanks for the good laugh. I hope you were being sarcastic.

 

[flat five]

Firstly, "I understand nyc is better than everywhere else in the world" is no small problem to solve.

haha
: )

But what about latency? How close does everyone have to be to a super computer data centre? and is that cost of putting powerful data centres every x square miles ultimately economical? Perhaps yes for heavy "artist" dense areas like NYC or LA, but for the rest of us? Probably cheaper to buy a nMP .

The latency and distance problem is what I believe to be the key problem. And I think the current solution, of the computing power all being distributed (everyone with their private computer) will be the superior economics for the foreseeable future.

backing up a bit.. this cloud for video subtopic started a few pages back when i said

---------------
"(though just an alternate idea re:storage that may or may not be of use in your case.. instead of strictly thinking thunderbolt enclosures, maybe look into 802.11ac wifi drives.. you get a few advantages.. it's network storage that you can access from multiple computers/devices.. it can double as a fast router.. probably cheaper than thunderbolt storage.. no wires going to the computer..
in addition, maybe consider spending additional $20/month for the 200/20Mbps &up internet.. store off site. similar advantages are to be had as with the wifi storage.

idk.. i don't only see data storage moving from inside the box into another box next to the computer.. storage is moving other places as well.)"
---------------


..which has somehow turned into me 'defending the nmp storage theme' and claiming people should be using the cloud for video editing.

it's an attempt to ridicule me by claiming i've said things that i haven't.. what's funny is even when taking to the extreme of video production via cloud, there are actually viable options currently available for some situations with more to come on the horizon.

personally, i don't care if someone needs to edit via a local drive or cloud drive.

 

[h9826790]

hahahahahaha

Switzerland: 1Gb/1Gb for $66/month - Fiber7.ch
France: 500M/100M for $45/month orange.fr
Hong Kong: 500M/? for $30/month
You should look at Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

I can tell you that in Hong Kong 1Gb/1Gb only cost $20/month. And that's with some internet video service + free access to the Wi-Fi hotspots already.

 

[zephonic]

Yeah, US internet speeds are nothing to brag about, and we pay through the nose for it.

But it's not as bad as our cellular speeds and prices. Those are truly extortionist.

 

[Demigod Mac]

A lot of ISPs have data usage caps. That would eat through it very quickly.

 

[Kpjoslee]

A lot of ISPs have data usage caps. That would eat through it very quickly.

Comcast has near monopoly in Nashville area and has lovely 300GB data cap lol. Good thing we are getting google fiber soon.

 

[wallysb01]

Comcast has near monopoly in Nashville area and has lovely 300GB data cap lol. Good thing we are getting google fiber soon.

Here in the bay area, supposedly the world’s tech capital, internet speeds and prices are just numbing. I’ve been on Xfinity for a while and its awful. I even payed more to get the 150Mps option and speed checked it (with the hardware the should support that speed) and it was no faster than the 25Mps plan. Normal usage seem the same two. And we pay about $50/month for this crap. I can’t stream a TV show and browse the internet at the same time. Its absurd. There are few other options in some areas (i.e., Astound), but none available in my neighborhood. Many times my phone’s LTE connection is faster than our freking internet.... At my place of work, a large public research institute, we just got 10MB/s connections in the building a few years ago. The building itself is only about 7-8 years old, the hell wasn’t this stuff put in then?

That’s great that flat five can actually get 300Mbs for ~$60/month, but that is certainly the exception, not the rule in the US and it doesn’t seem to be changing very quickly, not even in techie bay.