Why the major overhaul now? One of the reasons Apple previously felt little need to update the Mac Pro was because it appealed largely to a small but steady professional audience and didn't require a flashy iMac-style revamp to bring in new audiences. Up until now, the Mac Pro has been missing USB 3.0, Thunderbolt, and other features many MacBook users take for granted. The existing tower design is one of the oldest in the Apple catalog, changing little from when it was called the Power Mac G5. While the Cube was a cult favorite more than a commercial success, the new Mac Pro feels like the logical next evolution in maximizing power while minimizing space.Īnd the Mac Pro line was certainly ready for an update. The G4 Cube was a famously minimal gleaming box meant to represent the future of PCs. This is not the first time Apple has done something radically different with a desktop computer. Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
It includes an 8-core Intel Xeon processor, a whopping 64GB of RAM, a full 1TB SSD hard drive, and upgraded D700 AMD FirePro video cards, all of which adds up to a current price of $8,099 (and an availability date of February).ĭual Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.0 That mitigating factor is that the review sample loaned to us by Apple is a very high-end configuration. Our review bridges this gap, interpreting the Mac Pro as a consumer extravagance, while also looking into its ability to handle professional tasks, especially as it relates to the growing field of 4K video.Īn important note: In our consumer-level benchmark testing, the system excelled, but with a giant asterisk.
Still, many will doubtless do just that, mesmerized by the design and high-end configuration options. Can you buy a Mac Pro for home use as your personal PC? Yes, but it may not be the most economical use of your money (and for home users, it's also worth a mention that despite being a desktop computer, the Mac Pro lacks an internal optical drive, even as its cylindrical shape seems perfectly suited for one).