Mac Pro Quad Xeon first generation problems?

[Walter Biscardi]

[Frank Cervarich] “I was told by a friend in the industry that the company he works for is holding off buying the Intel chip Mac Pro until the second generation is released around the new of the year. Is it true that a second generation is coming out then?”

probably not, but nobody knows. Machines generally run at least 6 months before a new version is released, though sometimes longer. Apple is notoriously secretive and even the third party vendors like ATTO, AJA, and ATI get their new machines the same time we get ours.

Nothing wrong with the Mac Pro we’re running right now. The only issue is all the third party folks trying to get their products working correctly with the new Intel architecture.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Frank Cervarich]

So, Walter, you would recommend that it is not necessary to wait to find out if a second generation of Mac Pro with the Xeon chip is coming on to the market? The first generation, as soon as third party vendors catch up, is more than adequate?

[Walter Biscardi]

[Frank Cervarich] “So, Walter, you would recommend that it is not necessary to wait to find out if a second generation of Mac Pro with the Xeon chip is coming on to the market? The first generation, as soon as third party vendors catch up, is more than adequate?”

All of the machines Apple has out right now are more than adequate. The ONLY time you should wait on purchasing a new desktop is if the WWDC is within a 2 month timeframe and you can wait. A new desktop is usually debuted at that event.

I always purchase the machines I need for work today. If the Quad 3.0 is the fastest machine out there today and I need a new machine today, I purchase it. If I don’t absolutely need a new machine, I put it off until I do. We still have two Dual G5 2.0’s running every day and they work great.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Frank Cervarich]

Walter, thanks. Good advice. One dumb question and one sad but true admission.

What is WWDC?

I still have a G4 500Mg dual coprocessor running FCP 4.5 which, after a shake out period, has been performing well. It’s the firewire external hard drives that I have purchased which have brought minor problems. No major meltdowns though.

I guess I have no excuses now not to buy a new rig. Also, I will pass along your advice to my friend. Maybe they will break down and buy their systems too.

Thanks again.

[Walter Biscardi]

[Frank Cervarich] “One dumb question and one sad but true admission.

What is WWDC?”

Ah, the WWDC. There’s a lot of things I could think of, but in reality it’s the WorldWide Developers Conference, formerly known as “MacWorld San Francisco.” A few years back they decided that MacWorld would only be held in Boston and it focus on the consumer and the WWDC would only be held in San Francisco and would focus on the Developers and pro users. So if the WWDC is coming up and you can wait, it’s always best to wait because Steve usually shows off the new pro hardware at that event.

[Frank Cervarich] “I still have a G4 500Mg dual coprocessor running FCP 4.5 which, after a shake out period, has been performing well. It’s the firewire external hard drives that I have purchased which have brought minor problems. No major meltdowns though.”

Ok, ANY of the desktops currently available will propel you to Ludicrous Speed! Honestly what I tell people is if you have the money, pick up the fastest machine available today because that will serve you well for at least two years. I have found that our PowerPC Quad 2.5 and the Mac Pro Quad 3.0 run at almost identical speeds, but one is the newest technology and one is last year’s technology. But the Mac Pro is Intel based which is where the company is going and all updates are geared towards Intel from here on out. The Mac Pro should still be well into production two to three years down the road just like our Dual 2.0’s are today.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Jim Martin]

but the rumor mill is cranking…..

https://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2176

Jim

[Walter Biscardi]

[Jim_M_] “but the rumor mill is cranking…..”

The rumor mill is ALWAYS cranking and quite frankly they’re wrong so much more than they are right that it’s pretty useless to speculate on anything. We’ll see the new machines / software when Apple is ready to show them to us.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Jim Martin]

agreed, but if you take it all this stuff with a grain of salt it’s fun reading.

Jim

[Nick B]

Frank if you can wait the optimum time to buy a new system maybe a few months away, with new MAC Pros (with new Intel chips), a new operating system and ‘maybe’ FCP 6 all released as a bet within 6 months so thats one very big upgrade.

If you cannot wait then the latest MAC Pro’s will be fine for Apple software applications

[Don Wilson]

I needed two new computers quick, jumped in as Walter said with the attitude to make it all work and it does, and better than ever. There are issues to work around, but 30 years at this and there’s ALWAYS things to work around, always! The Mac Pros are much more refined than the G5 duals were in the early days and the software is just starting to trickle in. Plus, you gotta believe in the 18 month rule with technology, maybe even less for editorial.

Best of luck!

Don Wilson
AmericanaMediaInc.com