Rumor: Mac Pro to Utilize Woodcrest Chip
Posted by MonkeyClaw on 12 July 2006 - 20:26 · 22 comments & 10193 views
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(8 replies)
#1 Posted by sub999 on 12 Jul 2006 - 20:35
- so it is like pc now. Mac addicted fans would be disappointed because their machines is not much different from PC. The "special" & "unique" senses have been destroyed by Apple.
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#1.1 Posted by Tiburon on 12 Jul 2006 - 20:39
- Last i knew apple switched to intel about 6 months ago ;p
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#1.2 Posted by dduardo on 12 Jul 2006 - 20:41
- Find me a case that looks as clean and nice as the Power Mac G5.
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#1.3 Posted by McG on 12 Jul 2006 - 21:01
- Quote - sub999 said @ #1so it is like pc now. Mac addicted fans would be disappointed because their machines is not much different from PC. The "special" & "unique" senses have been destroyed by Apple.
I remember the audience's reaction when Steve first announced the Intel switch at WWDC 2005. It was almost totally silent.
I think it's a great move though. LOTS of performance increases and lots more coming. -
#1.4 Posted by LTD on 12 Jul 2006 - 23:46
- It's still a Mac, people. It's still very special and very different.
It runs OS X and has distinctive design, and internal design that is still unique to mac, regardless of what the cpu is.
Mac-hating only results in more publicity for Apple. Which results in more converts. -
#1.5 Posted by ANova on 13 Jul 2006 - 01:47
- I honestly don't get this reasoning. The woodcrest is just about the fastest and most efficient thing available. I think switching to Intel might actually make the Mac worth its price now.
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#1.6 Posted by Neomac v6 on 13 Jul 2006 - 04:00
- Those who only think of computers in terms of raw hardware specs think Macs are now PCs. Those who value the user experience and unique Mac-only apps realize there is still a world of difference between the two.
As Apple says, "Different heart, same soul" -
#1.7 Posted by chimera963 on 13 Jul 2006 - 06:34
- Quote - sub999 said @ #1so it is like pc now. Mac addicted fans would be disappointed because their machines is not much different from PC. The "special" & "unique" senses have been destroyed by Apple.
Yeah.....right.... :s In my view, with the macs, now the intel ones are out, I am dissappointed in PPC processors. Doesn't make them more like PCs coz it isn't running the same OS. Just uses the same architecture that many PCs use. -
#1.8 Posted by dangel on 13 Jul 2006 - 09:53
- Quote - Neomac v6 said @ #1.6Those who only think of computers in terms of raw hardware specs think Macs are now PCs. Those who value the user experience and unique Mac-only apps realize there is still a world of difference between the two.
As Apple says, "Different heart, same soul"
They really sucked you in with their marketing didn't they? Sorry, but no - the Mac isn't all different anymore - it's just a bunch of standard PC hardware running a different OS. You might as well run linux - it's just as 'different'.
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(6 replies)
#2 Posted by Syphonic on 12 Jul 2006 - 20:45
- Quote -The "special" & "unique" senses have been destroyed by Apple.
As long as it still runs OS X. That's why I use a Mac. I couldn't care less what the chip inside the computer is, as long as it gets my work done fast enough. -
#2.1 Posted by dragon2611 on 12 Jul 2006 - 20:49
- The intel macs are certianly quick
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#2.2 Posted by sub999 on 13 Jul 2006 - 03:16
- but, the effect of "uniqueness" is now just a half. Before it is MAC body, MAC software, now it is PC body, MAC software.
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#2.3 Posted by LTD on 13 Jul 2006 - 05:00
- I wonder how many people who claim that Macs have lost their "uniqueness" have actually *used* a Mac for any siginificant period of time. I went from a Windows platform (long-time user) to a Mac platform. The experience is completely different, and even better.
Macs are unique, period. Look at the design, the attention to quality, the OS (which by default makes it unique), the made-for-mac hardware - yes it all actually matches, the iLife suite, etc. The list goes on.
It is not a "PC body", folks. It is Intel that is designed for Apple. For one thing, my iMac is *completely* silent. And we're talking about dual-core here. I have to put my ears up to the back vent, and all I feel is a slight breeze.
sub999, I think what you enjoy here is throwing barbs at Apple and its products by engaging in a childish game of semantics. I challenge you to visit your local Apple Store, spend an hour or so with a Mac and a sales rep who can demonstrate it's capabilities for you, and *not* be impressed.
Folks, before you render an opinion about current Macs, try actually *using* them. Piggybacking on other people's opinions and reviews doesn't count.
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#2.4 Posted by sub999 on 13 Jul 2006 - 08:23
- Quote - LTD said @ #2.3I wonder how many people who claim that Macs have lost their "uniqueness" have actually *used* a Mac for any siginificant period of time. I went from a Windows platform (long-time user) to a Mac platform. The experience is completely different, and even better.
Macs are unique, period. Look at the design, the attention to quality, the OS (which by default makes it unique), the made-for-mac hardware - yes it all actually matches, the iLife suite, etc. The list goes on.
It is not a "PC body", folks. It is Intel that is designed for Apple. For one thing, my iMac is *completely* silent. And we're talking about dual-core here. I have to put my ears up to the back vent, and all I feel is a slight breeze.
sub999, I think what you enjoy here is throwing barbs at Apple and its products by engaging in a childish game of semantics. I challenge you to visit your local Apple Store, spend an hour or so with a Mac and a sales rep who can demonstrate it's capabilities for you, and *not* be impressed.
Folks, before you render an opinion about current Macs, try actually *using* them. Piggybacking on other people's opinions and reviews doesn't count.
dang! I own a Mac and a PC. Plus iPOD Video 60 GB. Just telling the truth dude. I use MAC since first OS X, Panther ... with PowerPC chip. I bought one because my friend said it is good like dock bar, expose', switching user box, iPhoto,... Something that not in Windows. I am impressed the most at the iPod.
Now, it is really just simply a PC body and MAC OS at ridiculous price. Check HP dv2000t, you will see.
I can get new top of the line HP dv2000t for 1300 usd while the MAC top of the line is more than 2000 usd. Both have the same hardware.
Last edited by sub999 on 13 Jul 2006 - 08:31 -
#2.5 Posted by Syphonic on 13 Jul 2006 - 09:38
- sub999 you own a Mac. Yet you still repeatedly refer to it as MAC?
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#2.6 Posted by dangel on 13 Jul 2006 - 09:59
- Quote - LTD said @ #2.3I wonder how many people who claim that Macs have lost their "uniqueness" have actually *used* a Mac for any siginificant period of time. I went from a Windows platform (long-time user) to a Mac platform. The experience is completely different, and even better.
Macs are unique, period. Look at the design, the attention to quality, the OS (which by default makes it unique), the made-for-mac hardware - yes it all actually matches, the iLife suite, etc. The list goes on.
It is not a "PC body", folks. It is Intel that is designed for Apple. For one thing, my iMac is *completely* silent. And we're talking about dual-core here. I have to put my ears up to the back vent, and all I feel is a slight breeze.
sub999, I think what you enjoy here is throwing barbs at Apple and its products by engaging in a childish game of semantics. I challenge you to visit your local Apple Store, spend an hour or so with a Mac and a sales rep who can demonstrate it's capabilities for you, and *not* be impressed.
Folks, before you render an opinion about current Macs, try actually *using* them. Piggybacking on other people's opinions and reviews doesn't count.
Use macs a lot - yup, got one at home.. Design? Well it's a nice case no doubt and I'm sure we've Apple to thanks for driving PC manus to move away from dull beige boxes but other than asthetics it's not really revolutionary. Quality? Apple seem to have just as many problems as PC manus on that front - there's been plenty of press recently about them 'forgetting' those nice touches like thermal paste for your CPU or removing plastic from vents at the factory. I think there's a perception of quality that isn't really there anymore - it's a bit like how Mercedes used to over-engineer everything and so had amazing quality and yet right now, they suck (sadly). Apple are building to cost like everyone else..
It's just a block of PC hardware in a nice box running an different OS - what's so awful about that anyway?
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#3 Posted by Fr@nKy on 12 Jul 2006 - 20:59
- Yeahh! I'll get a Conroe too but on PC LooOL I'll wait till late summer 2007 to get one probably a revised one
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(2 replies)
#4 Posted by Foo Fighter on 13 Jul 2006 - 00:57
- With an all-Woodcrest line, these Mac Pros ain't gonna be cheap. I hope the report is true that Apple plans to deploy one model featuring a single-processor. Still, it will be a miracle if that model comes to market for as low as $2,000.
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#4.1 Posted by WiZzArD on 13 Jul 2006 - 01:52
- Quote - Foo Fighter said @ #1With an all-Woodcrest line, these Mac Pros ain't gonna be cheap. I hope the report is true that Apple plans to deploy one model featuring a single-processor. Still, it will be a miracle if that model comes to market for as low as $2,000.
With a single Woodcrest processor running at 2.33Ghz or so they could release a Mac Pro for $1999 easily. A cheaper tower, using Conroe processors, would be nice to see as well - for those who don't need the full power of a Mac Pro. -
#4.2 Posted by Foo Fighter on 13 Jul 2006 - 12:58
- Quote - WiZzArD said @ #4.1With a single Woodcrest processor running at 2.33Ghz or so they could release a Mac Pro for $1999 easily. A cheaper tower, using Conroe processors, would be nice to see as well - for those who don't need the full power of a Mac Pro.
Frankly I would prefer a less expensive model featuring Conroe for around $1,699 or less, but that seems unlikely if this insider info is correct. Woodcrest is without doubt an amazing line of workstation/server processors, but if Apple wants the Mac Pro line to grow beyond the niche carved out my PowerMacs, they need to introduce a modestly priced mainstream model. Mac Pros are targeted towards creative pros, but the fact is there is a huge, as yet untapped, market for Windows "switchers" who want a standalone tower.
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(1 reply)
#5 Posted by James123 on 13 Jul 2006 - 00:57
- I'm glad there not based on the older Xeons... you know the ones that run hot enough to heat your entire house, and the stock fans so noisy you can hear it outside.
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#5.1 Posted by xMorpheousx416 on 13 Jul 2006 - 14:39
- I hear ya there...(no pun intended)
But, using Xeon's is still a smack in the face with your own pocket book. It's consistant with Apple's use of extremely high priced hardware, but I don't necessarily think it's needed. Unless the OSX platform will be executing functions that are fine tuned by the Xeon core like in the olden days of doing 3D CAD work which was easier on the Xeon then it was teh P3.
Woodcrest was officially unveiled last month by Intel as the Xeon 5100. These processors carry a 4MB L2 cache and reach speeds of up to 3.0GHz on a 1333MHz front side bus. The chips are otherwise pretty much identical to the recently revealed Core 2 Duo Extreme desktop processor called 'Conroe'.
The chip architecture is highly advanced, allowing one of the two built-in processors to use all available system memory if the other processor is idle. The report speculates that Apple will offer a high-end dual processor Mac Pro, alongside a lower-priced single processor entry-level machine.