In a perfect world, the next Mac Pro would be better, smarter, faster… and also bigger.
At least that’s how Mac fan and brilliant graphic designer Pascal Eggert envisions the long-ignored high-end Apple desktop. Check out his concept designs below.
“At it’s core this is really just a very quick asset I made to try out new render software, but I also wanted to find out just how big or ugly a Mac Pro would have to be to fit standard components,” Eggert told Cult of Mac. “So I just threw it all together in 3D software and the smallest reasonable fit was 150 x 2 70x 330 mm. Obviously this isn’t entirely thought through — for example, I forgot to turn the video cards the right way for the airflow — but in a way this shows that the Mac Pro could still look decent while also being a product pro users would actually consider buying.”
The main improvement Eggert made is adding two standard-size NVIDIA video cards. His Mac Pro concept also includes space for four “old-school” 2.5-inch drive bays, to give users the option to add ample storage space at the lowest possible price.
“I also tried to bring back some of that G5 case charm with the quick-release buttons for everything, because whats the point of being able to quickly access the internals if you still need a screwdriver to remove anything besides the RAM?” he continued. “Since I’ve been an Apple fan for a long time, I think every desktop Mac should have a friendly handle.”
Overdue an upgrade
Apple’s current ambivalence about the Mac, and particularly its pro-level users, means that we haven’t had an upgrade to the Mac Pro since 2013.
While the 2013 model is still a nice piece of kit, the Mac Pro was arguably outdated from the day it arrived, since Apple made the decision to use mobile GPUs, rather than proper desktop GPUs. In addition, the company employed its regular philosophy of not making them upgradeable — which is an issue for a computer that starts at $3,000.
So will any of his suggested changes likely come to pass in the next generation model when (and, possibly, if) it arrives? It would be nice to think so, but Eggert isn’t optimistic.
“Based on my experience, the next Mac Pro will be available in rose gold, the case will be glued on and it will feature 4 TB3 ports and nothing else,” he joked.
Would you buy this upgraded Mac Pro? Leave your comments below.
Source: iPeg
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
40 responses to “Mac Pro concept is the perfect desktop Apple won’t make”
I’m a long term Apple MacPro user (old skool graphic designer) and I currently use a MacPro (Mid 2010) and I would love the new design… it caters for all my needs on so so many levels. I really hope APPLE do release an update this year… as I really want a new machine that uses all the latest tech and will future proof my business for the next 5-7 years.
They are waiting for new CPUs and GPUs to get released, that’s what the hold up is. You have to look to see when Intel is going to release new Xeons that are the direct replacement to the Xeon’s Apple uses.
The Xeons that Intel has that Apple is using for the MacPro are the older Broadwell Xeons. So, until Intel releases replacement CPUs from the older Broadwell lineup, that’s probably the main reason why Apple hasn’t released any new MacPro.
So, please don’t rip on Apple for not releasing anything new, it’s Intel’s fault, plain and simple.
Intel has released two Xeons since the Mac Pro was introduced. Apple could have updated the Mac Pro at any time during the past three years. They obviously aren’t waiting for Intel CPUs.
The Mac Pro is dead. Time to move on.
If the current Mac Pro is a trash can, would this be a paper shredder?
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your a shit head
Does Apple really care about the Pros anymore or know what they want? In short the answer would seem to be an emphatic “no”. The Trash Can Mac Pro was introduced in 2013 and has not been updated once since the that time in fact the only change they made has been to increase the price at the end of last year – a four year old computer being sold for more than the original asking price, only at Apple! Then there is the massively disappointing MacBook Pro 2016 that is Pro only in name.
As for Nvidia, if only! Unfortunately there’s no chance whatsoever until the exclusive long term contract with AMD is over and not renewed.
Sadly Apple seem to be focussed on producing fashion accessories which are shiny and as thin as possible with added emoji rather than the decent, well designed, reliable and functional computers that they were so good at previously.
Do you realize that the 2013 Mac Pro is still the fastest multi-core Mac available? You complain about it because it doesn’t look and weigh as much as a truck with everything you want INSIDE it. What you’re not understanding is computing is no longer done on totally self-sufficient boxes, it’s done on a variety of specialized hardware connected together locally and remotely to produce the capabilities each individual “professional” needs to do their work. Yes, the 2013 MP needs TB3 and the fastest PCIe upgrades but everything else really can be done by adding externally-connected specialized hardware, including GPU expanders and TB3-connected SSD RAIDs. The benefit of not having everything glued into one box is that each of the external devices can be updated on their own. Think about how the MP would work for a variety of people instead of just yourself and you’ll see why a bare minimum CPU/management cabinet might fit the variety of people who feel they need to use it.
Funnily enough nobody in the PC world has to endure the trouble us Mac users do when Apple tries to be different for Phil Schiller’s ass’ sake. The beauty of a simple PC-like box is that one can choose to inexpensively fill it with third party storage, GPUs and the like or not, and as a stationary box its size when empty isn’t any troublesome.
(Weren’t the last iMacs even faster than the Mac Pro?)
No, and neither are your bland rectangular PC boxen.
Still, I have several MacPros myself, and they are all of the older aluminum variety.
We don’t need a super stylish looking Mac Pro. We need a super capable and upgradeable one.
The Xeon’s that Intel has available that would be suitable are the older gen Broadwell Xeons, Intel hasn’t done any refreshes of the Xeons that Apple would use for the MacPro. The ONLY Xeons Intel has released since Broadwell are mobile Xeons which isn’t a big deal. So, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, STOP BAGGING ON APPLE. It’s not Apple’s fault. It’s Intel’s, just like it was Intel’s fault for the last MacPro. Remember, Apple doesn’t design their own X86 processors so they are at the mercy of Intel.
So you’re ok with buying an outdated 4 year old computer for more than it originally cost? If so, well Apple loves customers like this.
Besides the Mac Pros used Xeon E5 version 2 chips but the Xeon E5 are now at version 4.
If Apple would’ve come out with something even remotely close to this I wouldn’t have switched to Windows – I waited years for this with my 2010 Mac Pro but just couldn’t wait any longer.
I have 8 MacPro Towers that I have been patching together since Apple made the Darth Cylinder. I will NEVER buy that piece of crap. Need a real computer, not Jony Ives wet dream of a design. In fact, FIRE JONY IVE and TIM COOK already !
Sorry about your faulty conclusion. Ive and Cook are doing a great job, it just isn’t really focused on you. Good Luck.
Well, I don’t think he’s the only one asking for such things, I mean more powerful and upgradeable “real pro” computers…
Ive has no counterpoint. Cook is better in Logistics.
MacPro and MacMini are abandoned.
The MacBookPro lacks common-sense USB3 ports.
The iPhone has no headphone jack
The “pencil” lol.
The “watch”
Apple is caught in groupthink. Ive is a great designer, but is not able to separate Function from Form. And Cook cannot stand up to him because he is not the right guy to lead Apple.
BTW, it is focussed on ME. The goddamn customer. Not some designer who has wet-dreams about design.
I disagree regarding the “sensible” USB 3 ports. This is small minded. the USBC port handles USB3. Big deal you need a new cable. Also with regards to iPhone ditching headphone port. This means nothing to me, and the phone COMES WITH an adapter AND a set of wired headphones, so it’s not a problem. Also, consumers ARE adopting wireless headphones in droves (not me).
With regards to the Pro and the Mini, sadly, I have to agree that Apple’s lack of updates is disappointing. Further, The most recent Mac Pro, doesn’t work for me, as it’s too expensive and lacks adequate storage. My older MacPro’s are a much better bang for my buck.
Yes, it’s about the customer, but that doesn’t mean you or I are typical.
macOS Sierra, on the other hand seems to be extremely stable and works very well, which is the BIGGEST single piece of the Mac ecosystem. For all of the obsession about hardware this business is really about the software.
Listen, I had enough with the dongles when I owned a Powerbook Duo. I don’t want some designers wet-dream, i want functionality. I am the typical customer, and have been since Apples inception.
Steve Jobs understood this. Cook doesn’t.
Steve Jobs offered counterpoint to Ive. Now, no one does. Hence a long list of shit products, dropping sales and stock prices.
I agree about Sierra, pretty stable so far. Wish they would virtualize it for the Pro-Server market.
Does anybody who needs a powerful MacPro really care about the size or style of the case as long as it has the power, latest tech and upgradeability like we were used to? #bringbackthecheesegrater
I agree completely.
It is not so much about size as it is noise. I will say that it is disappointing that the 2 pci-e slots are not more universal or third party supported.
You should have heard the xServe, it was like an F16 taking off. Seriously I think that thing damaged my hearing…
Apple needs to license MacOS X to third parties because they aren’t serious about building great hardware.
Also, why would you propose a design today that doesn’t include USB-C?
We all know how successful licensing MacOS was in the past.
The MacOS Apple licensed in the 90s was very different than MacOS X. It required very specific hardware. But it wasn’t a failure. I had a Power Computing machine and it was great. I’d happily buy a Mac made by someone other than Apple again. And Apple is flush with money – no chance of killing the company. They could concentrate all their efforts into making the iPhone smaller or bigger as the case may be and let Mac users actually get a good deal on modern hardware instead of being stuck with the options apple deigns to release every few years. The new MacBook Pro is nice – but its not really a pro laptop; no expansion and not even a full keyboard.
Apple is building great hardware, just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t so.
Yeah, a MacBook “Pro” on which you can’t expand the RAM and its missing the top row of keys. That’s pretty great.
And a Mac Pro that hasn’t been updated for ages and comes in a weird form factor. That’s pretty great.
And a Mac Mini that hasn’t been updated for ages. That’s pretty great.
Want a rack server? Too bad, Apple canceled the XServe and replaced it with nothing. Because it didn’t sell – because it had high end components for everything despite the fact that most people want to optimize their servers for specific purposes. Some jobs require a big processor. Some jobs require very fast networking. No reason to pay for both – you tailor your server to the specific job. Except if you want to use MacOS X.
Yes, I owned and enjoyed Xserves. I use older Mac pros these days.
They have been slack in updating mac hardware, that is true. Yet most of your complaints are really kind of whiny. The MacBook Pro isn’t upgradeable. True, but it is the fastest Laptop computer you can buy. Also, it’s Battery life is pretty awesome considering the power and size of it.
You don’t like it? That’s fair. Don’t try to be little it, It’s super fast (especially to storage), has crazy fast I/O and support for lots of UHD displays (Simultaneously).
I disagree! They make some great hardware but not in the variety that you are looking for. They are missing a midrange tower which a plastic version of the mac pro with Core i series CPU’s and more standard PCIe graphics cards would be perfect for.
hackintosh is always the way to go if you like MacOS and hate Apple hardware.
I am from the “hop up an old mac” side of the fence in this regard. A different type of Hackintosh, but blood brothers. MacPro from 2008-2012 can accommodate update processors, SSD Video Card, ETC. They run MacOS Sierra too.
yeah I always wondered why more people didnt do that? Aren’t the old Mac Pro parts easily user-replaceable?
The flaws in having a lot of internal storage with multiple drives is that when you switch computers, you have to either remove the internal drives from one computer to the other, which is time consuming OR, you have to do a lengthy data transfer. It’s MUCH easier to just get a large external RAID storage that will handle all of your current and future needs and just simply pug and unplug when you move from one computer to another.
Other than that, I think having a box that still has upgradeable PCI slots for standard GPUs and PCI cards should done. The biggest issue is dealing with cooling so they don’t have to have more than 1 fan. People in the audio recording industry don’t want ambient fan noise, and the more fans, equals more noise. That’s the biggest issue that Apple has to deal with, that’s why the Trash Can design worked.
With the cheese grater MacPro, the drives are super easy to remove.
I’m sorry but I disagree with the design he came up with. The point of the round design is to maximize air flow through the case and minimize sound. Even the current case can accept 2 substantial video cards, but not “standard” cards that include their own fan and heat sync. Apple is large enough that companies would conform and make cards that matched Apple’s spec to take advantage of an integrated cooling system. The idea that the internal video cards should not be incorporated into the overall thermal design seems silly.
So I would argue that a slightly larger cylinder that included space for 2.5″ internal storage and larger (if that is really necessary) video cards sounds like a reasonable solution, but truly nobody was all that upset at the performance of this box when it shipped. Simply updating the hardware to current specs would probably be enough.
The big win would be an entry level version that used standard core i5 or i7 chip and some consumer grade gaming video cards (single or SLI) and put it in those throw back candy colored iMac plastic cases to keep cost down. This could have similar ports to an iMac and start around $1299 depending on configuration.
So the aluminum Xeon CPU’s with FirePro for Professionals and Plastic, Core i7 + gaming cards for consumers.
You’re not wrong.
I’d sure like to own that twin-NVIDIA GPU design. With that GPU-combo available I’d happily tolerate not having onboard hard disk storage. Apple would never build such a computer because they want to control what components are put into it. Where is the power supply going to be to drive those twin GPUs? There doesn’t seem to be enough room in that design. Apple certainly won’t support NVIDIA because Apple prefers AMD’s open platform.
I don’t have a clue who makes decisions at Apple but whoever these people are they think so much differently from the rest of the computer industry. I’m rather certain Apple is going to again build some whimp MacPro that very few pro users will want to purchase. Apple is always leaving money on the table for other companies to steal. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I can’t imagine how Apple will ever build a decent VR/AR computer that’s “green” unless some new low-power GPU technology comes along.
Looks like they can bring back the name Winchester, like the old hard drives. Looks like a double barreled 30/30 shotgun cross section.
Yes, way better.