Written by: Adam Christianson
Categories: Cool Stuff, Random Thoughts
OK. So the new MacPros are awesome of course and I really want one (no I won’t get one, but I still WANT one). Of course like all good Mac geeks I quickly hit the store and started playing with configurations. You can get a pretty nice new set-up, without an Apple display of course (display prices are lower though), for around USD$2,500.00. One bit of good news is that Apple is now including 1GB of RAM standard (all Macs should ship this way), but why and the heck do they think it is still OK to make AirPort and Bluetooth add ons. These are Pro systems, right? All the other models have AirPort and Bluetooth standard. Yes, the “upgrade” is only USD$79.00, but what is Apples cost? USD$20.00 in parts? Come on.
Just for fun I played with maxing out options (see graphic on the right). I opted not to get the Fibre channel card or the modem, but still checkout the price? Wow, at least I don’t have to fill it with gas to make it run. ;)
LOL, the price is hilarious. I’d be tempted to buy one just so that I could tell everyone that my computer has 16GB of RAM.
Great coverage, thanks. How was the iChat demo?
I’m sure it will come standard with the upgrade in 6 months. They just leaving room to move and make more $$$
Oh Yeah. Get the Mac Pro Adam. Not the car. Gas prices man…looks like the Mac Pro could power a car.
wau waht can I say well I have some oppenions.
why Time machine. it sounds to me it is something with windoes users comming to mac. it sounds to much windows that feaure.
I am wandering about the Mac pro it is stil the same cool design but why haven’t there ben made a cool keayboard to it in alumenium or something like the same colour. it is teh same with mouse why only only white.
I am wandering about the cinema displays I was hoping for a build camera, like the imac and the notebooks.
everying else super cool.
since the Oil prices are so high at the moment I think I go for a new computer around new year.
“why and the heck do they think it is still OK to make AirPort and Bluetooth add ons. These are Pro systems, right?”
Not only is it OK, but I think it is almost essential that the Pro systems have an option with no wireless radios. Many business enviornemnts restrict wireless devices (mobile phones, pagers, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.) since it is a business machine, the lack or wireless seems like a good choice.
Perhaps the sans wireless configuration could be done as an option as appossed to the default configuration not including it. Also given the delays in the 802.11n specification, anytime now, i think not including what will soon be a dated adapter is a good idea.
Awesome…Free Shipping! Where do I sign? :)
Is it just me, or does any one else see some gaps in the desktop product line? I think the Mac Pros are simply fantastic. But personally I don’t need THAT much horsepower. But I do not want a Mac Mini or iMac either. The MacMini lacks dedicated video, and on the iMac front I don’t want a built in monitor because I have a large monitor and more importantly I use a KVM switch. Also, both only support up to 2 GB of RAM.
What I think is missing in the desktop product mix is something in the middle between the Mac Mini and Mac Pro.
I’m thinking of a desktop, physically in size something along the lines of the MacMini, but a bit larger; built-in dedicated video like in the iMac (hopefully with an option to upgrade to 512 MB); dual video heads, main memory upgradeable to 4 GB (8 GB would be a home run); and a few more USB 2.0 and Firewire 800 ports; everything else standard fare from the non-pro Mac desktops (e.g. Core-Duo processor, Gigabit Ethernet, etc.). Have models priced in the $1,299 – $1,599 range.
Having said all that, I think the iMac line should grow by one more model as well. I think Apple could easily sell a 23″ iMac at a $1,999 price point. It’s not something for me, but for the general market I think it would have wide acceptance.
Remind me not to buy a Mac Pro in Australia. In Australia, it costs nearly AU$27,000 (US$20,500) That’s a AU$5250 difference!!!!! Outrageous.
If you go big and buy the most expensive of every option, it totals to about, oh US$18,418! 8(__)
“Specifications
* Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
* 16GB (8 x 2GB)
* 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
* 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
* 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
* 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
* NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 512MB, Stereo 3D (2 x dual-link DVI)
* Apple Cinema HD Display (30″ flat panel)
* Apple Cinema HD Display (30″ flat panel)
* Two 16x SuperDrives
* Both Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and AirPort Extreme
* Fibre Channel Card
* Apple USB Modem
* Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple wireless Mighty Mouse – U.S. English
* Mac OS X – U.S. English
* Mac OS X Server (Unlimited-Client)
* Final Cut Express HD preinstalled
* AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac Pro/Power Mac (w/or w/o Display) – Auto-enroll”
That’s expensive!