Just curious... what is the performance difference between the top-of-the-line iMac vs the entry-level new Mac Pro?
I don't think anyone yet knows that, although with the imminent release of the new Mac Pro it seems we will soon.
But in a sense I don't care. For normal graphics work we need a machine that's speedy and responsive, but it doesn't need to be the very fastest thing on the planet. Realistically speaking, the slowest link in the chain is the user. So while I expect the new Mac Pro to be substantially faster than this loaded iMac, that wouldn't add much value for us. Previously we were willing to pay a premium for the Mac Pro tower because of its build quality and internal expandability; the added performance was just a bonus.
With the new Mac Pro we'd be paying a huge premium for that performance bonus, but not getting the internal expandability.
As it happens we also have a fleet of Apple 23" Cinema displays that are getting long in the tooth, so choosing the iMac, with its built-in display, takes care of that problem while offering the user a useful screen upgrade.
As it happens we also have a fleet of Apple 23" Cinema displays that are getting long in the tooth, so choosing the iMac, with its built-in display, takes care of that problem while offering the user a useful screen upgrade.
So you don't mind the difference in quality (and matte versus gloss) between these two display types?
I don't think anyone yet knows that, although with the imminent release of the new Mac Pro it seems we will soon.
But in a sense I don't care. For normal graphics work we need a machine that's speedy and responsive, but it doesn't need to be the very fastest thing on the planet. Realistically speaking, the slowest link in the chain is the user. So while I expect the new Mac Pro to be substantially faster than this loaded iMac, that wouldn't add much value for us. Previously we were willing to pay a premium for the Mac Pro tower because of its build quality and internal expandability; the added performance was just a bonus.
With the new Mac Pro we'd be paying a huge premium for that performance bonus, but not getting the internal expandability.
As it happens we also have a fleet of Apple 23" Cinema displays that are getting long in the tooth, so choosing the iMac, with its built-in display, takes care of that problem while offering the user a useful screen upgrade.
Thanks for the response!
There's even more pros and cons when it comes to iMac vs new Mac Pro. It sounds like you made a great choice.
Looks like something I would enjoy computing with.
At these price points thou, and for this type of computer where it's all soldered together, I would like to see Apple have a warranty extended to 5 years.
So you don't mind the difference in quality (and matte versus gloss) between these two display types?
Apple's 27" display (we already have two freestanding and two iMac versions of it) is very good. You do pay for the glossy screen's sharpness and cleaner colour in reflectivity, but that can be managed.
In our case I specified diffused, indirect overhead lighting in our office when we moved into new quarters a couple of years ago. Our overhead lighting for each individual workspace is also individually controllable by the occupant. Several of our designers prefer to turn off their overhead lighting altogether and use only a small desk lamp. I realize, of course, that not everyone has this kind of flexibility; those standard fluorescent tube troffers used in typical office dropped ceilings are especially bad for screen reflections, and worse, they're often only switched in large zones.
Since I have spare money and put nothing on my Christmas list, perhaps I should pick one of the new nMP to replace my 2011 iMac - which top-notch yet reasonably-priced 27" display could I find?
So you don't mind the difference in quality (and matte versus gloss) between these two display types?
Apple's 27" display (we already have two freestanding and two iMac versions of it) is very good. You do pay for the glossy screen's sharpness and cleaner colour in reflectivity, but that can be managed.
In our case I specified diffused, indirect overhead lighting in our office when we moved into new quarters a couple of years ago. Our overhead lighting for each individual workspace is also individually controllable by the occupant. Several of our designers prefer to turn off their overhead lighting altogether and use only a small desk lamp. I realize, of course, that not everyone has this kind of flexibility; those standard fluorescent tube troffers used in typical office dropped ceilings are especially bad for screen reflections, and worse, they're often only switched in large zones.
That's a good option! I've seen the 27" iMac in an Apple Store, and the reflection is too much for my taste, even though they got better, less glossy, over time.
Yeah, but most people don't need 4K just yet (or Apple would have their own 4K monitor) but it's margin suicide not to have an up-to-date monitor to tempt buyers with, particularly corporate accounts that are probably leasing the equipment anyway.
The current TB Display will work. But it's TB1, not TB2 and still has FW800 instead of a USB 3 port (again, not absolutely essential - but a reason to trade upward.) It would also be a great time to make the thing adjustable, so at least you can line it up correctly with an iMac.
Are you the founder/owner of Apple Centre? The chain that is still around, with many stores in The Netherlands?
Which editors? Never got the impression they have those over here. Sadly.
I was Managing Director and 1/3 share holder of two in the UK. Fun days indeed. Moved on to a software company. I didn't know they were still around, it must be tough competing with Apple Stores and I doubt they get the margins we did in those days.
Yeah, but most people don't need 4K just yet (or Apple would have their own 4K monitor) but it's margin suicide not to have an up-to-date monitor to tempt buyers with, particularly corporate accounts that are probably leasing the equipment anyway.
The current TB Display will work. But it's TB1, not TB2 and still has FW800 instead of a USB 3 port (again, not absolutely essential - but a reason to trade upward.) It would also be a great time to make the thing adjustable, so at least you can line it up correctly with an iMac.
With the new design I'm failing to see any use of ports on the monitor; this new MP is desktop, to be put on a desk. Heck, I think many will turn the machine and put the ports in plain view.
As for 4k, they might just stop making monitors altogether. I too was expecting a model from them, but with the Sharp one in the Store the other day, they just might stop making them and rely on 3rd party. Just like printers.
"Its theoretical performance was thus 160 MIPS (80 MHz x 2 instructions), although there were a few limitations that made floating pointperformance generally about 136 MFLOPS. However, by using vector instructions carefully and building useful chains, the system could peak at 250 MFLOPS."
So really the iPhone 5 is the proper comparison clocking in at around 365 MFlops on linpack. CPU only I think…the GPU numbers are of course much higher and perhaps more in line with the peak numbers for the Cray 1 using vector instructions.
With the new design I'm failing to see any use of ports on the monitor; this new MP is desktop, to be put on a desk. Heck, I think many will turn the machine and put the ports in plain view.
As for 4k, they might just stop making monitors altogether. I too was expecting a model from them, but with the Sharp one in the Store the other day, they just might stop making them and rely on 3rd party. Just like printers.
Any chance of having new Apple displays announced tomorrow as well?
"The Mac Pro is also a landmark achievement for Apple, as it will be the company's first machine entirely assembled in the U.S."
Funny; but I don't recall Wozniac going outside of the U.S.A. to build & assemble the Apple I. The Apple ][ had its motherboard printed in Ireland & Singapore (per Wikipedia); but was fully assembled first in Silicon Valley and later in Texas.
Regardless; I'm looking forward to getting my hands one one of these units (assembled approx. 80 miles NE of me) to replace my aging 8-core MacPro Early 2008. The only real downside is that instead of a large internal RAID; I now need to purchase an External storage solution. I can't imagine anyone needing the power of one of these who could make due with the maximum internal storage of 1TB (let alone with the stock configurations of 256 GB). The system will boot and applications will load super-fast; but you have to invest plenty of extra $$ on a Thunderbolt 2 RAID in order to utilize the speed potential for Photoshop, Premiere / Final Cut Pro, CAD design, etc. On the upside, I found the receipt for my almost 6-year old system and even with a large external TB2 RAID; a 6-core unit will still cost me less than I originally paid on the MacPro 3,1. (On the downside; the new model will not serve double-duty by heating my office in the Winter.)
Are you the founder/owner of Apple Centre? The chain that is still around, with many stores in The Netherlands?
Which editors? Never got the impression they have those over here. Sadly.
I was Managing Director and 1/3 share holder of two in the UK. Fun days indeed. Moved on to a software company. I didn't know they were still around, it must be tough competing with Apple Stores and I doubt they get the margins we did in those days.
Wow, all these MD's and resellers here at AI. Info straight from the horses mouth, together with ex-Apple/NeXT employees.
Yeah, still around these stores. Supposedly they rake in a mere 3% commission. We also have another one, Amac, less then 100 meters away from where Apple will open their Store. I wonder what they will do. Or what Apple will do; they might 'ask them to leave'.
Comments
Just curious... what is the performance difference between the top-of-the-line iMac vs the entry-level new Mac Pro?
I don't think anyone yet knows that, although with the imminent release of the new Mac Pro it seems we will soon.
But in a sense I don't care. For normal graphics work we need a machine that's speedy and responsive, but it doesn't need to be the very fastest thing on the planet. Realistically speaking, the slowest link in the chain is the user. So while I expect the new Mac Pro to be substantially faster than this loaded iMac, that wouldn't add much value for us. Previously we were willing to pay a premium for the Mac Pro tower because of its build quality and internal expandability; the added performance was just a bonus.
With the new Mac Pro we'd be paying a huge premium for that performance bonus, but not getting the internal expandability.
As it happens we also have a fleet of Apple 23" Cinema displays that are getting long in the tooth, so choosing the iMac, with its built-in display, takes care of that problem while offering the user a useful screen upgrade.
So you don't mind the difference in quality (and matte versus gloss) between these two display types?
"it will be the company's first machine entirely assembled in the U.S."
Wrong. I have several pre-iMac Macintoshes in my house that were made in the USA.
(I also have a rev. B Bondi Blue iMac that was made in Ireland).
Nothing sucks a like Hoover!
Or like Electrolux - This was an advertising campaign in the UK around 2000, that was quickly pulled...
Thanks for the response!
There's even more pros and cons when it comes to iMac vs new Mac Pro. It sounds like you made a great choice.
If Dyson manufactured computers this would be what they'd make; a compliment.
When I first saw the pic on this thread the first thing that did pop into my head was that I have to remember to get that vacuum before Xmas.
At these price points thou, and for this type of computer where it's all soldered together, I would like to see Apple have a warranty extended to 5 years.
3 years from Apple and an extended 2 Apple Care.
I wouldn't hesitate with a warranty like that.
I'm really glad to see it out before Christmas, but I still don't understand.
Without a new monitor, Apple's essentially selling half a system.
And where's the Haswell Mini?
When you can configure a $10,000 desktop tomorrow, isn't everybody going to be talking about how expensive Macs are?
So you don't mind the difference in quality (and matte versus gloss) between these two display types?
Apple's 27" display (we already have two freestanding and two iMac versions of it) is very good. You do pay for the glossy screen's sharpness and cleaner colour in reflectivity, but that can be managed.
In our case I specified diffused, indirect overhead lighting in our office when we moved into new quarters a couple of years ago. Our overhead lighting for each individual workspace is also individually controllable by the occupant. Several of our designers prefer to turn off their overhead lighting altogether and use only a small desk lamp. I realize, of course, that not everyone has this kind of flexibility; those standard fluorescent tube troffers used in typical office dropped ceilings are especially bad for screen reflections, and worse, they're often only switched in large zones.
I'm sure these will come back:
http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/12/06/in-lieu-of-a-retina-thunderbolt-display-apple-now-selling-4k-igzo-sharp-led-monitor
Since I have spare money and put nothing on my Christmas list, perhaps I should pick one of the new nMP to replace my 2011 iMac - which top-notch yet reasonably-priced 27" display could I find?
That's a good option! I've seen the 27" iMac in an Apple Store, and the reflection is too much for my taste, even though they got better, less glossy, over time.
I'm sure these will come back:
http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/12/06/in-lieu-of-a-retina-thunderbolt-display-apple-now-selling-4k-igzo-sharp-led-monitor
Yeah, but most people don't need 4K just yet (or Apple would have their own 4K monitor) but it's margin suicide not to have an up-to-date monitor to tempt buyers with, particularly corporate accounts that are probably leasing the equipment anyway.
The current TB Display will work. But it's TB1, not TB2 and still has FW800 instead of a USB 3 port (again, not absolutely essential - but a reason to trade upward.) It would also be a great time to make the thing adjustable, so at least you can line it up correctly with an iMac.
I was Managing Director and 1/3 share holder of two in the UK. Fun days indeed. Moved on to a software company. I didn't know they were still around, it must be tough competing with Apple Stores and I doubt they get the margins we did in those days.
With the new design I'm failing to see any use of ports on the monitor; this new MP is desktop, to be put on a desk. Heck, I think many will turn the machine and put the ports in plain view.
As for 4k, they might just stop making monitors altogether. I too was expecting a model from them, but with the Sharp one in the Store the other day, they just might stop making them and rely on 3rd party. Just like printers.
Heh! A cray 1 was just over 1 Gigaflops.
Quoting Wikipedia:
"Its theoretical performance was thus 160 MIPS (80 MHz x 2 instructions), although there were a few limitations that made floating pointperformance generally about 136 MFLOPS. However, by using vector instructions carefully and building useful chains, the system could peak at 250 MFLOPS."
So really the iPhone 5 is the proper comparison clocking in at around 365 MFlops on linpack. CPU only I think…the GPU numbers are of course much higher and perhaps more in line with the peak numbers for the Cray 1 using vector instructions.
With the new design I'm failing to see any use of ports on the monitor; this new MP is desktop, to be put on a desk. Heck, I think many will turn the machine and put the ports in plain view.
As for 4k, they might just stop making monitors altogether. I too was expecting a model from them, but with the Sharp one in the Store the other day, they just might stop making them and rely on 3rd party. Just like printers.
Any chance of having new Apple displays announced tomorrow as well?
Funny; but I don't recall Wozniac going outside of the U.S.A. to build & assemble the Apple I. The Apple ][ had its motherboard printed in Ireland & Singapore (per Wikipedia); but was fully assembled first in Silicon Valley and later in Texas.
Regardless; I'm looking forward to getting my hands one one of these units (assembled approx. 80 miles NE of me) to replace my aging 8-core MacPro Early 2008. The only real downside is that instead of a large internal RAID; I now need to purchase an External storage solution. I can't imagine anyone needing the power of one of these who could make due with the maximum internal storage of 1TB (let alone with the stock configurations of 256 GB). The system will boot and applications will load super-fast; but you have to invest plenty of extra $$ on a Thunderbolt 2 RAID in order to utilize the speed potential for Photoshop, Premiere / Final Cut Pro, CAD design, etc. On the upside, I found the receipt for my almost 6-year old system and even with a large external TB2 RAID; a 6-core unit will still cost me less than I originally paid on the MacPro 3,1. (On the downside; the new model will not serve double-duty by heating my office in the Winter.)
Wow, all these MD's and resellers here at AI. Info straight from the horses mouth, together with ex-Apple/NeXT employees.
Yeah, still around these stores. Supposedly they rake in a mere 3% commission. We also have another one, Amac, less then 100 meters away from where Apple will open their Store. I wonder what they will do. Or what Apple will do; they might 'ask them to leave'.