Zoom has released a new Thunderbolt interface for audio I/O geared toward Macs – more specifically, the new Mac Pro. The Zoom TAC-2 features a single, large knob that is used to control all parameters of audio connections. [Read more…]
Mac Pro Available for Pre-Order
The new Mac Pro is finally available for pre-order, starting at $2994 for the base model and going up to $9599 (for a 12-core model with 64GB RAM, 1TB PCI-e flash storage and Dual AMD 6GB FirePro D700 graphics cards) with an expected shipping date of February 2014. B&H has several configurations available and, of course, you can create your own custom configuration on Apple’s website.
New Mac Pro Available Tomorrow
Apple has just announced that the new Mac Pro will be available for the first time tomorrow, December 19. Recall that Apple announced the new Mac Pro back in June 2013 with a radical departure from the Mac Pro form factor we have known since 2003. [Read more…]
Apple’s New Mac Pro Starts at $2999
Apple launched its new Mac Pro today after teasing it earlier this year. The Mac Pro packs a powerful punch into a cylinder chassis that’s often been compared to a coffee maker.
The base model features an Intel Xeon E5 Quad-Core processor at 3.7GHz, 12GB DDR3 ECC RAM, 256GB PCIe-based flash storage and dual AMD FirePro D300 GPUs (at 2GB VRAM each). The Mac Pro offers six Thunderbolt 2 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, dual Gigabit ethernet ports and an HDMI 1.4 UltraHD port. All models will power up to three 4K displays simultaneously. [Read more…]
Apple 5K Retina Display Coming?
With the new Mac Pro packed with enough power to run three 4K displays at once, it’s reasonable to question where those 4K displays are coming from. While there are a few 4K monitors available now, there are none from Apple. The 27″ LED Cinema Display offers 2560 x 1440 resolution; however, that’s still a far cry from full 4K resolution at 4096 x 2160, or UHD 4K at 3840 x2160.
With the upcoming release of OS X Mavericks, Apple has released a new desktop background available at a resolution 5120 x 2880 – or 4x the resolution of the current 27″ LED Cinema Display. [Read more…]
Apple Announces New Mac Pro with Radical Departure from Current Design
At WWDC today, Apple announced the upcoming Mac Pro, which will be available later this year. The new Mac Pro is clearly a massive change from the Mac Pro form factor we have grown accustomed to really since the aluminum Power Mac G5’s introduction in 2003, which was somewhat refreshed with the first Mac Pro in 2006. [Read more…]
Supply Constraints Signal Possible Mac Pro Update at WWDC on June 10, Rumors Say No Internal Expandability
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off next week with the keynote on June 10. Historically, the keynote has been a place to show off new Apple products and get the developers excited with the latest iOS and OS X news.
Tight supplies of Apple computers often signals that they have a replacement in the pipeline very soon. And that just happens to be the case with the Mac Pro, which is backordered at numerous retailers that normally have a healthy stock and quick shipments. [Read more…]
Mac Pro Gets Subtle Upgrade; Real Upgrades Coming in 2013
After Apple’s online store showed some mild upgrades for the Mac Pro yesterday, there was quite the outburst of fury amongst pro users online. Basically, Apple just changed some processor specs and hit the refresh button on the Mac Pro listing on its website.
All hope is not quite yet lost for the flagship pro box though….
NYT’s David Pogue said that he spoke with an Apple exec and was assured that the Mac Pro and iMac would be getting redesigns for 2013.
That’s quite a ways off for pro users who have been hanging onto their towers for a couple of years now. Watching Thunderbolt, USB 3.0 and 6Gb/s SATA channels pass them by is a tough pill to swallow.
[Update: The 2013 Mac Pro upgrade has been confirmed by Apple CEO Tim Cook.]
Mac Pro Refresh Due Next Week w/ Thunderbolt & USB 3.0
Mac users have been waiting nearly two years for a refresh of the Mac Pro. Many have speculated over the last several months that Apple had quietly decided to axe the Mac Pro line altogether.
Recent leaks of product numbers and specifications all but confirm that Apple will, in fact, unveil a refreshed Mac Pro lineup next week at WWDC.
The new Mac Pros are rumored to feature 8-core Xeon E5 CPUs, Thunderbolt & USB 3.0. According to Apple Insider, the new Mac Pros are also rumored to “feature 1600MHz memory with 8 channels, SATA III/SAS 6-gigabyte-per-second drive connectivity, and PCI-Express 3 native support for video cards.”
I’ll have more info next week when/if the new Mac Pros are officially unveiled.
Apple Refreshes iMac and Mac Pro Lines
Apple has updated its iMac and Mac Pro line to include the latest Intel processors, adding Core i7 as an iMac option and a dual processor 12-core Mac Pro option.
Additional product releases include a Magic Trackpad for adding MacBook trackpad functionality to desktops, and a new 27″ LED Cinema Display.
Full details at Tech Tilt: Apple Updates iMac and Mac Pro, Introduces Magic Trackpad and New 27-inch LED Cinema Display.
Also, working pros who demand serious horsepower should checkout this insightful post from digital imaging technician, Brook Willard: The State of Apple’s Professional Line. I’m not trying to pile on by any means; however, I think Brook makes some important points about the lack of USB 3.0 and limited PCI slots, among others. Your thoughts?