8-Core MacPro released

[Timotheos]

Originally Posted by fryke

It's not about the screen dying, rather it's about the processor becoming too old much faster than the beautiful display. See: In two years, that 24" display (not 24 feet, btw., but rather inches) would still be perfect for most uses, whereas the CPU would be less than perfect. If you could buy a cheaper Mac desktop with a nice display, you could replace parts of it or the whole machine without having to also replace the display.

All-in-ones have the typical problem of "weakest link syndrome". If there's a revolution in CPU, display or harddrive design, you have to replace _all_ of it in order to gain access to that new thing. Even replacing the optical drive is a much bigger - and more expensive - issue.
With a notebook, I accept this. It's the price I'm paying for its mobility. The iMac, however, doesn't give me that. With the iMac, you're paying this for style alone.

Nothing personal obviously but when you say "If you could buy a cheaper mac desktop with a nice display" I think, top of the range Mini Mac. I love the idea of "all in one computers" and equally love the idea of 'small portable computers'

I guess you cant get anything reliable in the way of all in one computing these days but apples the best you can get and unless they start making all their own hardware. I guess you cant expect too much.

I hate arguing with this stuff because I know its the complaints that push apple to create better macs but the iMacs are so damn good its not funny.

[ranasta]

Originally Posted by fryke

I wonder, though... Apple's clearly shown that they can expand the line _upwards_ with this 8-core monster. But the middle-end, if there's such a thing, is left to the iMac completely. I'm still all for a low-end desktop _other_ than the Mac mini, although I sadly believe Apple thinks there's no need for one.

I went through the "heavy metal" stage. Give me "bang for the buck" or better yet, "cheap". My mini does everything I need (albeit, a bit slowly) and takes up very little room. Eight cores?! Good Lord.

[ScottW]

I bought at Intel Mac Mini last year to be able to test out the Intel platform on Mac, before purchasing a new laptop or desktop system to replace my PowerBook G4 17, which was my primary system.

When I started working full-time on my Mac, I started playing around with the Intel Mac Mini more-so than I had prior. I was starting to get feel a little "left behind" on my PowerBook G4, and started using the Mac Mini. I bypassed the internal 5400 RPM drive for an external 7200, and upgraded the ram to 2GB. This machine is fine for my needs.

However, I can't hook 2 displays to it. That is the major downfall. I'd like to have (2) 24" displays, it drives my current 24" display just fine, but I want to add a second, and that is where the down-fall of the Mac Mini is for me. If I want two displays, I must have an iMac, and I am forced into using the display on the iMac.

Dell 24" displays are in the $650 range, which is a lot cheaper. I can buy a new Mac Mini, a 24" display, add a new external HD to it, and the system would be cheaper than buy a new iMac 24". Thats a $400-500 savings. So, to add one additional 24" monitor to my setup, I must pay a $400 surcharge for an extra video connection.

I think if Apple had a iMac configuration w/o a screen. That would be awesome. Even if you toss out the upgrade-ability factor. If your a strong "I don't do upgrades" person, rather just ebay the old system and by a new one... the expandability of a base workstation model would be great. No external FW drive adding clutter and the ability to add a second monitor or card to drive whatever device you want to drive.

[chevy]

My 24" iMac does all I need... the only possible improvement would be a 2 disks RAID to accelerate swap.

[bobw]

Important: Mac Pro memory and hard drive kits designed for quad-core Mac Pro computers only are not qualified for use with a Mac Pro (8-Core) computers

[MacFreak]

I believe that MacBook Pro and iMac will have Quad Core.. Thats why MacPro lifted to 8-cores.

[Lt Major Burns]

Originally Posted by bobw

Important: Mac Pro memory and hard drive kits designed for quad-core Mac Pro computers only are not qualified for use with a Mac Pro (8-Core) computers

broken link here.

[bobw]

Apple must have remove it quickly. If you search Apple's Techs for MacPro Memory you'll see the link.

This is what it said;

Mac Pro (8-Core): Memory and hard drive kit compatibility
With the release of Mac Pro (8-Core) computers, Apple has qualified additional memory and hard drive options. Apple memory and hard drive kits designed for Mac Pro (8-Core) computers are compatible with all Mac Pro computers (quad-core or 8-core).
Important: Mac Pro memory and hard drive kits designed for quad-core Mac Pro computers only are not qualified for use with a Mac Pro (8-Core) computers.

Apple kits compatible with all Mac Pro computers (quad-core and 8-core)
Part Number and description

MA985, 1GB 667MHz DDR2 FB DIMM ECC - 2x512MB
MA986, 2GB 667MHz DDR2 FB DIMM ECC - 2x1GB
MA987, 4GB 667MHz DDR2 FB DIMM ECC - 2x2GB
MA988, 500GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive for Mac pro
MA989, 750GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive for Mac pro
Apple kits compatible only with quad-core Mac Pro computers
Part Number and description

MA684, 1GB 667MHz DDR2 FB DIMM ECC - 2x512MB
MA685, 2GB 667MHz DDR2 FB DIMM ECC - 2x1GB
MA833, 4GB 667MHz DDR2 FB DIMM ECC - 2x2GB
MA690, 500GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive for Mac pro
MA851, 750GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive for Mac pro"