New Mac Pro rumors

[Scott Crawley]

Heard any new ones? I recently saw one blog suggest April 23 as a potential release date, but I recall no history to base it on. Apple used to release new machines in February or June, right? Is there any reason to believe that They would release in April?

[Brian Merlen]

only rumor i hear is its EOL, but i really doubt that is true...until its off the site i refuse to believe its dead! i hope apple releases something soon, i am looking to upgrade

[Scott Crawley]

only rumor i hear is its EOL, but i really doubt that is true...until its off the site i refuse to believe its dead! i hope apple releases something soon, i am looking to upgrade

I'm with you. I can't dive in to my new Scarlet footage until I get an Intel Mac Pro. Our only Intel machine right now is our media server Mini. :-(

[Ivan G]

Expect the unexpected...

[Scott Crawley]

After reading so many users' laments of being unable to use their Reds because they were waiting for Red parts to complete their kits, I feel a little silly sitting here with a kit that was fully operational on delivery and still being unable to function. I'm shooting and all but I have yet to experience the goodness that is RAW.

Expect the unexpected...

Trying to remain hopeful...

[Justin Kirchhoff]

After reading so many users' laments of being unable to use their Reds because they were waiting for Red parts to complete their kits, I feel a little silly sitting here with a kit that was fully operational on delivery and still being unable to function. I'm shooting and all but I have yet to experience the goodness that is RAW.



Trying to remain hopeful...

Scott, you can always go into an Apple Store and just use the computers. Just download RCX-Pro and dump your footage. Have fun.

[Scott Crawley]

Scott, you can always go into an Apple Store and just use the computers. Just download RCX-Pro and dump your footage. Have fun.

But then they'll have to call security to get me out. =-) Can you see me in there, with my kid, coffee, hotplate and slippers?

[Jeff Kilgroe]

All the EOL rumors are just FUD. Apple just released a new developer seed of Mountain Lion and there's plenty of stuff in there to support newer hardware that could only be found in upcoming or prototype Mac Pro systems. So based on that, I would say it's safe to assume a new Mac Pro is coming. That and Apple has a good track record of announcing a product's EOL before actually pulling the plug.

Keep this in mind, I and others have said it here numerous times already, Apple is dependent on Intel for their CPUs and chipsets, just like all other Intel-based system makers. Intel has only just released the new Xeon E5 CPUs and C6xx series chipsets. These are the first new Xeon CPUs in this class for two years and the first new Xeon workstation/server chipset release in 3 years. To use HP as a comparison, since they're pretty much the number one Xeon workstation vendor out there, they have been selling the Z600 and Z800 workstations with the same configurations for the past 2 years as well. The Z620 and Z820 now replace them and literally started shipping YESTERDAY.

Apple could indeed release a new Mac Pro any day now as the new hardware to build them with is finally here. Unfortunately, Apple does not telegraph their intentions at all, so it's anyones' guess as to when the new systems may come. I would also not be surprised if Apple skips this generation of Xeon CPUs. While they are indeed faster and more powerful than the prior generation, the chipsets were nearly a year late to the party. Ivy Bridge based Xeon CPUs look to still be on track for end of Q3 this year and offer an even more substantial upgrade. Personally, I think the only reason Apple may release before Ivy Bridge is because those new CPUs will still drop into the the same sockets as the new E5 Sandy Bridge Xeons that were just released. Combine the close proximity of the Ivy Bridge release with the current shortages of proper RAM to support the new chipset/CPU combos and a few other factors with rapid shifting happening right now in the SSD and HDD markets, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple waits. Makes a lot of sense for them to wait from a production point of view. OTOH, they have a largely skeptical user base at this point, which is largely unaware of the status of components and the surrounding markets. For Apple to stall off could potentially lose them a significant share of the market when HP and others have new systems now.... Even though stalling may be the most logical thing to do from a hardware perspective. Another thing to consider is pricing. The new E5 CPUs and hardware are very expensive -- much more so than the prior generation. My HP Z820 as configured from HP was nearly $9K with no graphics card and only one HDD after the 20% discount special.

If you need a system now, you may as well buy one. Yes it's a gamble to some extent, as the new ones could release any day now. At least there are options like buying a used or refurbished Mac tower.

I would also say that if Apple does not release a new Mac Pro here within the next 30 days, then it's a safe bet they are waiting for Ivy Bridge Xeons. Of course, that would be speculation and could turn out to be wrong, but it just seems like that would be the case. Even if Apple does release one off sync with the industry in two months, at that point I would wait because it would be only another 2 or 3 months before they would bump to the Ivy Bridge CPUs, which should just drop right in.

[Scott Crawley]

The Z620 and Z820 now replace them and literally started shipping YESTERDAY.
...
I wouldn't be surprised if Apple waits. Makes a lot of sense for them to wait from a production point of view. OTOH, they have a largely skeptical user base at this point, which is largely unaware of the status of components and the surrounding markets. For Apple to stall off could potentially lose them a significant share of the market when HP and others have new systems now.... Even though stalling may be the most logical thing to do from a hardware perspective. Another thing to consider is pricing. The new E5 CPUs and hardware are very expensive -- much more so than the prior generation. My HP Z820 as configured from HP was nearly $9K with no graphics card and only one HDD after the 20% discount special.

If you need a system now, you may as well buy one. Yes it's a gamble to some extent, as the new ones could release any day now. At least there are options like buying a used or refurbished Mac tower.

Ahh, I thought I had read that the MFG's had access to the new chips a week ago, but what's a week?

I see what you mean about Ivy Bridge. Once or twice Apple has released an updated machine six months after the new model came out. I wouldn't be at all suprised to see that again, given the long dry spell.

[Uli Plank]

They can always make new machines with current CPUs without it being a MacPro.
I'd expect a whole line of Thunderbolt-capable machines and Apple telling you: "If you need add-ons, get an external box."
Or even making it themselves and giving it a headline like: "The new MacPro. Look mom, no computer!"