What if there actually IS a new Mac Pro?

[Craig Seeman]

[Walter Soyka] “Does Thunderbolt let you consider an iMac or even a MacBook Pro instead of a Mac Pro for your work?”

No, Thunderbolt should allow me to move devices from workstation to any other computer. In fact, as Windows (Acer, Asus, Lenovo) adopt Thunderbolt, assuming proper drivers, it would allow me to move between devices or even Bootcamp into Windows if I need to use Windows specific software.

XEON’s and GPU help with rendering/compression when best implemented so there’s going to be a need for that. PCIe 3.0 support would be nice as well.

I think the biggest question is how Apple’s handles internal expansion. I think Apple may be moving towards a business model that pushes users into more frequent system purchases. Of course closely related is how Apple handles user GPU choice or otherwise using higher end GPU cards in BTO option.

[Timothy Auld]

I have an investment in FCP – as it is being called now – legacy. If there is a new MacPro, and it is crystal clear that all FCP 3 software and all its attendant hardware will function properly with Mountain Lion and any new MacPro for the foreseeable future, and said MacPro is even close to competitively priced, then yes I would definitely consider buying it.

The problem I see is that this company has been spoiled by making margins much higher in the recent past than they will be able to make in the immediate future in the workstation market. And my guess is that management will be unwilling to accept that. I’ve had a long, profitable run with Apple and I would like it to continue. But I just don’t see it happening.

I hope I am wrong.

Tim

[Herb Sevush]

[Walter Soyka] ” if Apple actually does release a new Mac Pro? Will you buy one?”

Possibly. See below.

[Walter Soyka] “Will it indicate to you that Apple does care about providing solutions for your needs”

Not at all.

[Walter Soyka] “will you see it as a stay of execution for the Mac Pro line, giving us one more generation “

Yes, but as the saying goes, every day above ground is a good day.

[Walter Soyka] “What features would you want to see on the 2012 Mac Pro?”

Mercury Engine capable GPU choices for work with PPro.
Thunderbolt.
Enough PCIe slots to make it useable (this includes Thunderbolt PCIe expansion boxes if available.)
Obviously new CPUs.

I can live without Thunderbolt, the others are requirements.

[Walter Soyka] “What software would you run on your 2012 Mac Pro?”

Legacy, PPro, possibly Avid.

[Walter Soyka] “Does Thunderbolt let you consider an iMac or even a MacBook Pro instead of a Mac Pro for your work?”

No.

[Walter Soyka] “If the current trends of the Mac Pro’s relatively limited internal expansion, limited processor choice, limited GPU choice (and poor GPU performance) continue, what would make you want to buy a Mac Pro over a PC workstation like the upcoming Z820?”

Nothing.

[Walter Soyka] “what’s the 2012 Mac Pro’s value proposition?”

Since I will need a legacy machine as i transition to either Avid or PPro, I would just as soon have everything I need on 1 machine
instead of having to run both a windows and mac box. If a new mac box will run PPro / Avid to their max, it would be a no brainer. Short of that, it’s off to the PC world I go.

Herb Sevush
Zebra Productions
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nothin’ attached to nothin’
“Deciding the spine is the process of editing” F. Bieberkopf

[Craig Seeman]

I think you’ll be disappointed then.

I think Apple’s new business model is not about limited power but limited expandability of hardware, building in planed obsolescence. You can see that in the increasing need to upgrade older computers to maintain FCPX compatibility.

In other words it’s not simply “per unit” margins but frequency of repeat unit sales. I think the MacPro replacement will be quite powerful and, like much of Apple’s other hardware these days, price competitive. What will change (I think) is the internal expandability pushing one into something closer to a 2 year upgrade cycle. The days of MacPros which have remained in service from for several years (2006, 2007, 2008 and maybe even 2009) will be gone. That I was able to upgrade the GPU from my 2008 MacPro from a Radeon 2600 to a 5770 to maintain FCPX compatibility, will be gone (IMHO). In short, Apple’s change to MacPro (or replacement) will be a design to force a shorter life cycle.

[Steve Connor]

[Walter Soyka] “Will you buy one?”

Yes

[Walter Soyka] “Will you see it as evidence that Apple intends to continue development and production of powerful personal computers in the post-PC era, or will you see it as a stay of execution for the Mac Pro line, giving us one more generation before we wonder about its future with Intel’s next major processor release?”

Probably the second thing!

[Walter Soyka] “What features would you want to see on the 2012 Mac Pro?”

The usual, faster graphics cards, Thunderbolt etc

[Walter Soyka] “What software would you run on your 2012 Mac Pro?”

FCPX of course & Adobe CS6

[Walter Soyka] “Does Thunderbolt let you consider an iMac or even a MacBook Pro instead of a Mac Pro for your work?
“

iMac possibly, in the absence of any new Mac Pro

[Walter Soyka] “If the current trends of the Mac Pro’s relatively limited internal expansion, limited processor choice, limited GPU choice (and poor GPU performance) continue, what would make you want to buy a Mac Pro over a PC workstation like the upcoming Z820? FCPX? Mac OS X? Fear or loathing of Windows?”

The last one

[Walter Soyka] “In short, what’s the 2012 Mac Pro’s value proposition?
“

Hopefully reliability, my 2008 machine has been absolutely rock solid for years

Steve Connor
“FCPX Agitator”
Adrenalin Television

[Frank Gothmann]

Thanks but no thanks, I am done. My direction is clear. We replaced two old MacPros with HPs a few month ago and the next Mac on the chopping block will be another 4-core MacPro in May or June. A z820 will take its place. So it’s one machine at a time. New software or upgrades will either be cross platform or win only. Our shared storage is Linux based so no issues there as well.
Even if there was a new MacPro with decent specs, the whole story would repeat itself one or two years from now. I rather watch the carnage as a bystander next time when the s**t hits the fan again.

[Richard Herd]

[Walter Soyka] “What features would you want to see on the 2012 Mac Pro?”

A coffee maker would be nice.

[Bill Davis]

[Walter Soyka] “What features would you want to see on the 2012 Mac Pro?
“

I want Apple to surprise me. Every other manufacturer on the planet starts from what the new “generation” of components (busses, processors, drives, etc) do – then simply boxes them up with different name badges, case designs, and maybe an eye to the failure rating of the particular batch of parts they pick out to use.

That’s efficient but vastly boring. It’s a nearly total “component assembly” design process. It’s how dishwashers, stereos, and burgers are all produced today – largely built on the old-fashioned chinese restaurant model of business (pick one from column A, one from column B, etc.)

Apple does this at some level as well – but at least they put some creative energy into looking at the places where they might be able to specify better tolerances and apply more exacting problem solving skills around the board level similarities.

Apple is unique since they, more than most, invent, spec, and manufacturer MORE of their own solutions in more areas than most companies. So they have a chance to innovate rather than exclusively increment their machines.

So that’s what I want them to do. Go big. Go bold. Take chances.

Piss people off if you must. But lead by bold example. Just never “go small” -there’s a zillion other companies ready willing and able to do that.

[Walter Soyka] “Does Thunderbolt let you consider an iMac or even a MacBook Pro instead of a Mac Pro for your work?
“

Thunderbolt has the promise to change everything. If we ever get to TB level 3 (all optical) – with 100 times the throughput of current buss speeds – then everything changes. Anything hung on the TB chain acts as if it’s bolted directly to the processor. So the requirement for one box to hold everything disappears.

The computer becomes the LAN – and vice versa.

Till then, we struggle along watching the incremental changes that lead the way to the big disruptive ones.

My view, anyway.

“Before speaking out ask yourself whether your words are true, whether they are respectful and whether they are needed in our civil discussions.”-Justice O’Connor

[Paul Jay]

I think Apple this. I think Apple that….

[Helmut Kobler]

First of all, my gut tells me that we’ll get a new Mac Pro announcement between tomorrow (Wednesday) and Wed, March 28. That’s my guess. If things go much beyond that, I think the machine is dead. But I tend to doubt Apple will kill it now…1-2 years from now, yes, but not now.

I’m expecting the following:

1) Two Thunderbolt ports
2) Same case and same number of expansion ports, because Apple appears to want to do as little new work as possible with its Pro products.
3) Upgraded ATI GPUs, maybe an nVidea as well.
4) I would love to see USB3 ports but Apple is just stubborn and arrogant enough to leave those out, even though they would be relatively easy to implement and would greatly benefit the customer. We’ll see.

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Documentary Camera in Los Angeles
http://www.lacameraman.com