with dual-GPU, this machine is clearly aimed at the video/effects/graphics crowd. Within that segment, no amount of internal storage will ever be enough, so external storage is a given. There are also tons of external equipment like editing boards, capture boxes, sound mixers, drawing tablets, etc. Thunderbolt 2 is a pretty good replacement for PCI Express slots (the current Mac Pro has 4 PCI-E x16 slots). For this purpose, the new Mac Pro is an impressive computer.
The audio professionals are definitely not well-served by the new Mac Pro. What will they do with the dual-FirePro graphics? Once again, I think Apple is missing a mid-level Mac here. A Mac Mini is suitable for some professional use, but painfully lacks internal and external expandability. The iMac solves the expandability issue somewhat, but I don't want to throw out a perfectly good screen after 4 years. A Mac with Core i7, lots of non-ECC RAM, and tons of Thunderbolt ports like the new Mac Pro, without the expensive GPUs will find favor with some groups.
Ok, we got a great description of the new Mac Pro but where is the hands on part? You know where you use it and describe who fast it runs, how fast it launches apps. How Final Cut X works on it.
Otherwise you need to retitle this article to: We regurgitate everything Apple told us about the New Mac Pro but don't actually touch the thing.
^^^ This!
Just to add some meat this thread. here's a video by Michael Cioni. His company, Light Iron, does Post, DI, etc for movies like 42, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Muppets... Michael is a talented creative, engaging speaker and has an amazing mind.
The entire video is a great watch, but at 13:42, Michael talks about the future of FCPX (I'd love to get his take on the Mac Pro).
That's not correct. According to the slides put up by Phil Schiller at the presentation on Tuesday, the flash storage is in fact user replaceable.
We really don't know what exactly that phrase covers, other than the RAM modules.
Well, but that's the point. He first put up the slide about RAM being "User accessible" (which we know for a fact is user-replaceable) and then used the same terminology to refer to the flash storage. There's no other sensible conclusion. You can even see the simple screw that holds the storage in the socket, which is easily removed.
That screenshot from the presentation is ONLY talking about the flash storage so why would they have "User accessible" on that slide to refer to RAM modules?
Maybe it's "user accessible" in the same way this article is "hands-on." You can "access" all the internals you want, but we never said you could replace or upgrade any part ;-)
... Also, conspicuously absent from Apple's latest announcements was a 4K display (several vendors have announced these). Again, I think this is a cool machine just with limited appeal...
Apple doesn't sell UPSs or office furniture either, but I think people manage to muddle through. If Apple can't bring anything new to the table over what Sharp is offering (I think that's what they used in the demo), then why should they bother sticking their name on a commodity piece of hardware?
with dual-GPU, this machine is clearly aimed at the video/effects/graphics crowd. Within that segment, no amount of internal storage will ever be enough, so external storage is a given. There are also tons of external equipment like editing boards, capture boxes, sound mixers, drawing tablets, etc. Thunderbolt 2 is a pretty good replacement for PCI Express slots (the current Mac Pro has 4 PCI-E x16 slots). For this purpose, the new Mac Pro is an impressive computer.
The audio professionals are definitely not well-served by the new Mac Pro. What will they do with the dual-FirePro graphics? Once again, I think Apple is missing a mid-level Mac here. A Mac Mini is suitable for some professional use, but painfully lacks internal and external expandability. The iMac solves the expandability issue somewhat, but I don't want to throw out a perfectly good screen after 4 years. A Mac with Core i7, lots of non-ECC RAM, and tons of Thunderbolt ports like the new Mac Pro, without the expensive GPUs will find favor with some groups.
In re: your 2nd paragraph:
OpenCL and GPGPU:
General-purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU, rarely GPGP or GP²U) is the utilization of a graphics processing unit (GPU), which typically handles computation only for computer graphics, to perform computation in applications traditionally handled by the central processing unit (CPU).[1][2][3] Any GPU providing a functionally complete set of operations performed on arbitrary bits can compute any computable value. Additionally, the use of multiple graphics cards in one computer, or large numbers of graphics chips, further parallelizes the already parallel nature of graphics processing.[4]
OpenCL is the currently dominant open general-purpose GPU computing language. The dominant proprietary framework is Nvidia's CUDA.[5]
After reading several postings I'd like to post my opinion on what this "device" is used for. Previously, Macs contained everything required in one package (including keyboard and monitor). The new Mac Pro is a Lego(tm) piece. Pro users will now need to add everything except for the boot drive, RAM and video cards to complete their system. Some people like this and others don't. If I already had access to a NAS or Xsan or something similar, I'm practically ready to go. A 256GB boot drive might not be enough to handle extra large digital photos but them again, bulking up on internal RAM might be enough for fast processing using something similar to a fusion drive setup. Video professionals will need tons of storage, much more than will easily fit in a single CPU box, so it really shouldn't matter to them. Publishing professionals in large corporations should be using network storage anyway (my background for 30+ years) so they already have storage arrays or some kind. If they don't, they risk losing lots of billable work if the local computer dies (this does happen, especially when serviced by Windows-centric IT staff).
Nobody has said anything about using the Mac Pro as a server. It's overkill with the base graphics cards but maybe Apple will release a stripped server version with a simple graphics card, an integrated graphics card, or three CPU cards instead of the graphics cards for a very interesting server. Stack these cans in a specialized rack at an angle for access and proper airflow and you have the rebirth of an all-Mac computer center.
... Also, conspicuously absent from Apple's latest announcements was a 4K display (several vendors have announced these). Again, I think this is a cool machine just with limited appeal...
Apple doesn't sell UPSs or office furniture either, but I think people manage to muddle through. If Apple can't bring anything new to the table over what Sharp is offering (I think that's what they used in the demo), then why should they bother sticking their name on a commodity piece of hardware?
Is the Sharp Thunderbolt or HDMI? Traditionally computer monitors have higher resolution than TVs. Apple already makes monitors, so there is a natural expectation that they will eventually make a retina version, perhaps even more than 4k. Personally I think around 30" is a good size display for computing. I certainly don't want a 50" screen on my desk.
It might be possible, but no mention was made of it being possible. We all expect RAM to be upgradable, but in Apple's latest computers, the drive is extremely difficult to upgrade. I would hope it's possible.
It's hard to know which Pro market this is aimed at, since it's really a steroid-enhanced Mac Mini. It's useless until you spend thousands of dollars on external storage, or new devices, like an Atto Thunderlink and a bunch of adapters, to connect to storage you already own. Add a video IO device like an Ultrastudio or IO XT, a non-matching keyboard and mousy thing and the designer desktop is crawling with plugs, wires, humming power bricks and multi boards, and the bank account is drained of dosh, with barely half heading for Apple. Whereas the bulky, cumbersome old school tower needed one plug, contained an SSD and 12TB on board, and sat under, not on, the desk.
So if you're running tiny apps on small jobs,fine, FCP X using AVCHD or 5D or something. At that level it's a bit prosumer, like cutting on an iMac . Let's hope it's insanely faster than anything else in a box, and runs Resolve using 5K RED media at full debayer quality via some Sonnet box, and that its pair of FirePros beats a Cubix stuffed with GTX680s. Who knows, it might beat a 12-core. Or next year's version might. If it can, I'll be its biggest fan.
FWIW, I am going to buy a Mac Pro with the money I save by [not buying] ObamaChaos!
I thought it was called the Affordable Care Act. Not sure why Obama's name is attached to it considering what was passed was actually the Republican plan. Obama ran on everybody getting the same insurance that Congress has and a public option. Republicans wanted all their rich insurance buddies to make more money, so they objected to Obama's plan, and pushed what we have. Nearly every aspect of the plan was supported by Republicans in previous years.
This is testing my Apple love. I can't see it as anything other than a waste paper bin designed for an office on the Death Star.
Sorry.
I'm sure that as form follows function this is excellent design, but I don't want a round shiny black thing on my desk or next to it.
You have a serious oerception problem. This is a machine. It really hardly matters what it looks like, particularly if you're really a professional for whom this machine might be what perfect. After all, workstations are a one the ugliest computers out there. The Mac Pro was an exception. This does have a certain beauty to it though, even if you don't appreciate it.
Its 1.3Gb wifi, not 1.2MB. That's what the AC standard is. And if you don't want a round tower on your desktop then put it under your desk. Problem solved.
Comments
The audio professionals are definitely not well-served by the new Mac Pro. What will they do with the dual-FirePro graphics? Once again, I think Apple is missing a mid-level Mac here. A Mac Mini is suitable for some professional use, but painfully lacks internal and external expandability. The iMac solves the expandability issue somewhat, but I don't want to throw out a perfectly good screen after 4 years. A Mac with Core i7, lots of non-ECC RAM, and tons of Thunderbolt ports like the new Mac Pro, without the expensive GPUs will find favor with some groups.
^^^ This!
Just to add some meat this thread. here's a video by Michael Cioni. His company, Light Iron, does Post, DI, etc for movies like 42, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Muppets... Michael is a talented creative, engaging speaker and has an amazing mind.
The entire video is a great watch, but at 13:42, Michael talks about the future of FCPX (I'd love to get his take on the Mac Pro).
FWIW, I am going to buy a Mac Pro!
That's not correct. According to the slides put up by Phil Schiller at the presentation on Tuesday, the flash storage is in fact user replaceable.
We really don't know what exactly that phrase covers, other than the RAM modules.
Well, but that's the point. He first put up the slide about RAM being "User accessible" (which we know for a fact is user-replaceable) and then used the same terminology to refer to the flash storage. There's no other sensible conclusion. You can even see the simple screw that holds the storage in the socket, which is easily removed.
That screenshot from the presentation is ONLY talking about the flash storage so why would they have "User accessible" on that slide to refer to RAM modules?
Maybe it's "user accessible" in the same way this article is "hands-on." You can "access" all the internals you want, but we never said you could replace or upgrade any part ;-)
I've told you before, this is why I moved to the USA
Aren't you on Medicare?
... Also, conspicuously absent from Apple's latest announcements was a 4K display (several vendors have announced these). Again, I think this is a cool machine just with limited appeal...
Apple doesn't sell UPSs or office furniture either, but I think people manage to muddle through. If Apple can't bring anything new to the table over what Sharp is offering (I think that's what they used in the demo), then why should they bother sticking their name on a commodity piece of hardware?
Sorry.
I'm sure that as form follows function this is excellent design, but I don't want a round shiny black thing on my desk or next to it.
In re: your 2nd paragraph:
OpenCL and GPGPU:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General-purpose_computing_on_graphics_processing_units
I suspect that makers of audio gear and audio software will exploit the internal capabilities and external expandability of the Mac Pro.
After reading several postings I'd like to post my opinion on what this "device" is used for. Previously, Macs contained everything required in one package (including keyboard and monitor). The new Mac Pro is a Lego(tm) piece. Pro users will now need to add everything except for the boot drive, RAM and video cards to complete their system. Some people like this and others don't. If I already had access to a NAS or Xsan or something similar, I'm practically ready to go. A 256GB boot drive might not be enough to handle extra large digital photos but them again, bulking up on internal RAM might be enough for fast processing using something similar to a fusion drive setup. Video professionals will need tons of storage, much more than will easily fit in a single CPU box, so it really shouldn't matter to them. Publishing professionals in large corporations should be using network storage anyway (my background for 30+ years) so they already have storage arrays or some kind. If they don't, they risk losing lots of billable work if the local computer dies (this does happen, especially when serviced by Windows-centric IT staff).
Nobody has said anything about using the Mac Pro as a server. It's overkill with the base graphics cards but maybe Apple will release a stripped server version with a simple graphics card, an integrated graphics card, or three CPU cards instead of the graphics cards for a very interesting server. Stack these cans in a specialized rack at an angle for access and proper airflow and you have the rebirth of an all-Mac computer center.
... Also, conspicuously absent from Apple's latest announcements was a 4K display (several vendors have announced these). Again, I think this is a cool machine just with limited appeal...
Apple doesn't sell UPSs or office furniture either, but I think people manage to muddle through. If Apple can't bring anything new to the table over what Sharp is offering (I think that's what they used in the demo), then why should they bother sticking their name on a commodity piece of hardware?
Is the Sharp Thunderbolt or HDMI? Traditionally computer monitors have higher resolution than TVs. Apple already makes monitors, so there is a natural expectation that they will eventually make a retina version, perhaps even more than 4k. Personally I think around 30" is a good size display for computing. I certainly don't want a 50" screen on my desk.
It might be possible, but no mention was made of it being possible. We all expect RAM to be upgradable, but in Apple's latest computers, the drive is extremely difficult to upgrade. I would hope it's possible.
So if you're running tiny apps on small jobs,fine, FCP X using AVCHD or 5D or something. At that level it's a bit prosumer, like cutting on an iMac . Let's hope it's insanely faster than anything else in a box, and runs Resolve using 5K RED media at full debayer quality via some Sonnet box, and that its pair of FirePros beats a Cubix stuffed with GTX680s. Who knows, it might beat a 12-core. Or next year's version might. If it can, I'll be its biggest fan.
BTW, do you plan to buy any Mac Pros for personal or company use?
The audio professionals are definitely not well-served by the new Mac Pro. What will they do with the dual-FirePro graphics?
One is dedicated to CPU tasks via opencl
That screen from the keynote is talking only about the PCIe SSD storage. The stick is user-replaceable.
Also,
“That’s no desktop… that’s a workstation.”
“It’s too small to be a workstation…”
FWIW, I am going to buy a Mac Pro with the money I save by [not buying] ObamaChaos!
I thought it was called the Affordable Care Act. Not sure why Obama's name is attached to it considering what was passed was actually the Republican plan. Obama ran on everybody getting the same insurance that Congress has and a public option. Republicans wanted all their rich insurance buddies to make more money, so they objected to Obama's plan, and pushed what we have. Nearly every aspect of the plan was supported by Republicans in previous years.
You have a serious oerception problem. This is a machine. It really hardly matters what it looks like, particularly if you're really a professional for whom this machine might be what perfect. After all, workstations are a one the ugliest computers out there. The Mac Pro was an exception. This does have a certain beauty to it though, even if you don't appreciate it.
And if you don't want a round tower on your desktop then put it under your desk. Problem solved.