Thanks to the next-generation Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Nehalem” processors and new system architecture, the Mac Pro now delivers performance thatʼs nearly twice as fast as before.(1) Each processor features an integrated memory controller and 8MB of fully shared L3 cache. With blazing-fast 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM, high-performance graphics, a redesigned interior for easier expansion, itʼs
Thanks to the next-generation Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Nehalem” processors and new system architecture, the Mac Pro now delivers performance thatʼs nearly twice as fast as before.(1) Each processor features an integrated memory controller and 8MB of fully shared L3 cache. With blazing-fast 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM, high-performance graphics, a redesigned interior for easier expansion, itʼs the most advanced Mac Pro ever. (1)Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using preproduction Mac Pro 8-core 2.93GHz units and shipping Mac Pro 8-core 3.2GHz units. SPEC® is a registered trademark of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC); see www.spec.org for more information. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Mac Pro.
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“Entry Level” for the “Top of the Line” At first you may think $2999 is a lot of money for a computer, but this model is actually about the same price as a typical iMac or high end MacBook Pro.Like the MacBook Pro or iMac, you get a quad core CPU and a decent amount of RAM (12GB), but the Quad core in this model is a workstation class Intel Xeon CPU. The main difference is that the MacBook and iMac CPUs were designed for mobile use, so they emphasize power savings and heat control. The Xeon on the other hand was designed for raw and sustained computation. This translates into more consistent performance. Whereas a CPU hungry program in a MacBook or iMac can Turbo Boost it’s clockrate when needed, it drops back when it sustains that speed for too long and it gets hot. Most users can easily hear the fans kick into high gear when that happens… not so with the Mac Pro… it just keeps cranking along without breaking a sweat.The other thing to know is that a good chunk of the price of this computer…
Lightening in a trash can. Every once in a while Apple has to come out with a form factor for a computer that no one ever thought of before. This one looks like a 1960′s desktop ashtray or possibly Darth Vader’s lightsaber charger. Doesn’t matter. It is extremely fast, stable, quiet. I had the 2008 Mac Pro tower which was bogging down and freezing with my work. I bought this one with the 6 core processor, 512k of internal SSA storage, and 32 gigs of RAM. I run Parallels all the time running Windows 7. I give that 8 gigs of RAM and reserve the rest for the Mac side. Windows runs just fine. Opening programs just screams because they are all stored in the RAM drive. I keep lots of programs open at once… Word, Excel, Mail, TodoPro, Safari, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Endnote, and sometimes PhotoShop Elements. I run Quickbooks Pro on the Windows side. The computer yawns and asks me whether I don’t have something else for it to do. It’s bored.A caution and a couple of nits. When I first brought it…
We’ll have to see.. So I just received my machine and it started off great! Did the updates as normal and all of a sudden…BAM! locked up screen! I was getting a “Your system has run out of application memory” message…I’ve never seen that before…not off to a good start Apple.At this point I’ve spent about an hour with the kind people at Apple trying to figure this out. They logged in remotely and took a look around. With only running Safari they found that my memory pressure was at almost 5gb…which was shocking for even them to see. Did a few more things and they suggested I re-install OSX and go from there. SO, new machine with a glitch somewhere within and new to the folks at apple…I’ll update as soon as I get back up and running.So, 3 stars for now because I have faith in these products and I’m sure we’ll get it figured out.Oh, and if you’re a Mac hater….save your fingers and do something better with them. Have a great day!4/16/2014…