Mac Pro - page 3

How is Mac Studio with M1 Ultra so darn expensive?!

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Apple blew our minds this week with its all-new and somewhat unexpected Mac Studio. The diminutive desktop, which has the same footprint as Mac mini but is almost three times as tall, is by far Cupertino’s most powerful machine to date when you buy it with the incredible new M1 Ultra chip.

There’s just one problem with that. The impressive M1 Ultra model, which is significantly more powerful than even the fastest Mac Pro, starts at a whopping $3,999 — a considerable jump from the M1 Max model, which starts at $1,999. And I can’t work out how it’s so darn expensive!

Here are the Macs we didn’t get at Apple’s spring event, but still might

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Here are the Macs we didn’t get at Apple’s spring event
The MacBooks, iMacs and Mac mini that were rumored for the “Peek Performance” event didn’t appear.
Photo: Apple

When CEO Tim Cook left the stage at the end of Apple’s “Peek Performance” event, he took the hopes of many MacBook and iMac users with him. Because there was just one Mac introduced Tuesday, the Mac Studio.

But some of the computers not announced are still expected to launch. Just not now.  Here are the Macs we didn’t get, and which ones to look for from Apple in the coming months.

Apple ditches the 27-inch iMac (for now)

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Apple iMac 2019
A larger iMac with Apple silicon is expected later this year.
Photo: Apple

After gracing us with its jaw-dropping Mac Studio and 27-inch Studio Display on Tuesday, Apple finally discontinued the aging 27-inch iMac. The machine is no longer available to purchase through official Apple retail channels.

It’s probably not gone for good, however. Cupertino is rumored to be working on a larger iMac model that could appear alongside other new Mac models — including a new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro — later this year.

Apple could keep us waiting until 2023 for new Mac Pro and iMac Pro

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Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR orders start Tuesday
Apple's high-end desktops won't come this year, one analyst says.
Image: Apple

Apple has a whole bunch of exciting Mac upgrades planned for 2022, according to recent rumors. But if it’s a new Mac Pro or iMac Pro powered by Apple silicon you’re after, you could be waiting until next year.

One analyst, who has proven reliable in the past, doesn’t expect to see refreshes to Apple’s high-end desktops until 2023. But he does believe a more powerful Mac mini and a new 27-inch Apple display are coming this year.

Apple registers 3 new Mac models ahead of rumored spring event

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M2 MacBook Pro
Is a new M2 chip right around the corner?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Regulatory filings for three new Mac models have been spotted ahead of Apple’s rumored spring event next month. Recent reports suggest Cupertino could be planning a new MacBook Pro with a next-generation “M2” chipset. Rumors also indicate Apple continues to work on a bigger iMac, a new MacBook Air and a new Mac mini.

The filings come after Apple last month registered a new iPhone and a new iPad — believed to be an upgraded iPhone SE with 5G support and a refreshed iPad Air likely to pack the newest A15 Bionic processor.

Apple readies its ‘widest array’ of new products ever for this fall

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Tim Cook is keeping quiet about Apple TV+ subscriber numbers for now.
Credit cards at the ready!
Photo: Apple

Apple is preparing to launch the “widest array” of new products in its history, according to a new report. This fall is expected to bring new iPhone models, a more affordable MacBook Pro, and big refreshes for iMac and Mac Pro.

That’s in addition to a “revamped” MacBook Air, new AirPods Pro, and lots more. Apple is also said to be preparing an iPhone SE refresh for this spring.

‘Frankenchip’ and other big changes coming to pro Macs this year [The CultCast]

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The CultCast: The next Mac Pro might get a monstrous chip.
A "monstrous" chip might power the next Mac Pro.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Leaks, rumors and government filings give us an even clearer look at what Apple’s product pipeline looks like for 2022. We’re expecting big changes to the pro Mac lineups this year — including a hybrid Apple “Frankenchip” based on the M1 series.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Bye-bye, 13-inch MacBook Pro!
  • See you soon, new iPhone SE and iPad!
  • We’ll miss you, Apple discount “loophole” for teachers and students! (Post-show update: It’s back.)

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

Mac Pro with faster M1 chip to complete Apple silicon transition in 2022

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Amazing Mac Pro concept shrinks the casing but keeps the cheese grater
Apple may not wait for next-generation "M2."
Concept: Róbert Hallon/svetapple.sk

Apple will introduce a new Mac Pro with an upgraded M1 chipset by the end of the year to complete its Apple silicon transition, according to a tipster.

Previous rumors indicated the high-end desktop would stick with Intel chips until Apple’s next-generation “M2 Pro” chipset became available. However, a new rumor suggests it will initially get an even more powerful M1 chip instead.

‘Death Star’ Mac Pro and ‘worst’ MacBook power global IT ops [Setups]

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Another trash can Mac Pro is still doing its thing.
Another trash can Mac Pro is still doing its thing. Here you see it elevated to help with cooling.
Photo: Andrew-UK

Reader and technologist Andrew (last name redacted, so to speak) runs a “boutique AV, IT [and] cyber systems integration company from a home office” in London — though he supports sites worldwide. Clearly, he has a lot to do.

And he does it using a late-2013 Mac Pro he fondly said should be on the Death Star from Star Wars, plus a 2017 MacBook Pro he described to Cult of Mac as “perhaps the worst-constructed laptop I have ever owned.”

Apple’s next-gen ‘M2’ chipset could land in 2022 before even faster ‘M2 Pro’

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Apple M2 chipset
Does this mean Apple won't hit its two-year target for ditching Intel?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple will introduce its next-generation “M2” chipset for Mac next year, followed by an even more powerful “M2 Pro” in 2023, according to a new report. Both are expected to use TSMC’s new 4-nanometer manufacturing process.

The report somewhat contradicts Apple’s plan to do away with Intel and transition all Mac models to custom chipsets within two years. That’s if Apple waits for the “M2 Pro” before updating high-end machines like the Mac Pro.

Apple has big plans for 2022, including iPad Pro and MacBook Air overhauls

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Apple in 2022
It could be another great year.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly plans ambitious upgrades for a number of its hottest products in 2022, including major revamps for iPad Pro and MacBook Air — as well as an Apple silicon boost for the Mac Pro. Mac mini is also expected to see a refresh.

What’s more, the next-generation Apple Watch will come in a “ruggedized version aimed at extreme sports athletes.”

New iMac Pro could pack insane ‘M1 Max Duo’ chip with up to 20 CPU cores

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iMac concept inspired by iPad Pro.
It could be twice as fast as an M1 Max MacBook Pro.
Concept: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple’s next-generation iMac Pro could feature an “M1 Max Duo” chip with 20 cores for processing and up to 64 for graphics, according to a new report.

As its name suggests, the chipset is expected to consist of two M1 Max chips combined together for double the performance. It could also feature up to 128GB of RAM — twice that currently available from Apple’s latest machines.

Smackdown: M1 MacBook Pro vs. $15,000 Mac Pro [The CultCast]

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The CultCast: M1 MacBook Pro vs. Mac Pro: The results will shock you!
The results will shock you!
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Just how well does a new $3,500 M1 Max MacBook Pro perform against a $15,000 Mac Pro that’s only two years old? The results from the latest tests and benchmarks are simply insane.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple plans to make a totally autonomous car — with no steering wheel or pedals! And it might show up by 2025.
  • Leander’s Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition coffee table book is on sale for just $9.99.
  • And our favorite TV shows in an all-new “What We’re Into” segment.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

‘Safari feels snappier with two Mac Pros’ [Setups]

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Cool wash: Note the two Mac Pro machines at lower left.
Cool wash: Note the two Mac Pro machines at lower left.
Photo: typealias@Reddit.com

You see a lot of people busting on each other for “flexing,” or bragging, about their computer setups shown in social media posts. We came across a doozy today with a dual-display setup bathed in a cool wash of color. But it’s not really about the double luxe displays; lots of people have that. It’s about the two expensive Mac Pros tucked under the desk.

Change is good … if you end up with a Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR [Setups]

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A Mac Pro and a Pro Display XDR seem like a wonderful recipe for change.
A Mac Pro and a Pro Display XDR seem like a wonderful recipe for change.
Photo: Robert_Cutty@Reddit.com

“Needed a change for 2021” reads the title of Redditor Robert_Cutty’s recent post. It shows off a heck of a nice computer setup. With a late-model Mac Pro Tower and a magnificent Pro Display XDR taking center stage, what’s not to like?

Mac Pro gets even faster graphics with AMD’s new Radeon Pro GPUs

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Mac Pro gets even faster graphics with AMD's new Radeon Pro GPUs
The AMD Radeon PRO W6000X series graphics cards are engineered to a wide variety of demanding professional graphics applications.
Photo: AMD

AMD launched new Radeon Pro W6000X series GPUs for Mac Pro on Tuesday. These add-on graphics processing units for Apple’s most powerful macOS desktop are designed for demanding professional applications, including 3D rendering, 8K video compositing, color correction and more.

Think Apple Silicon is exciting now? Just wait and see what’s to come

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Amazing Mac Pro concept shrinks the casing but keeps the cheese grater
A smaller, more powerful Mac Pro is expected in 2022.
Concept: Róbert Hallon.svetapple.sk

Apple just reported a hugely successful quarter for the Mac — one of its best ever — and it looks like it’s only going to get better. A new report detailing the company’s Apple Silicon roadmap says the best is yet to come.

In addition to new MacBook Pro models powered by faster Apple Silicon chips, which are still on track for this year, Apple is expected to roll out a high-end Mac mini before the year is out. Then, in 2022, we could see a “revamped, smaller Mac Pro” featuring custom Apple chips — and more.

If you can’t afford Apple’s Pro Display XDR, then what? [Setups]

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The custom-made redwood desk is nice, but the Pro Display XDR is stunning.
The custom-made redwood desk is nice, but the Pro Display XDR is stunning.
Photo: Caliform@Reddit.com

Gorgeous, high-definition monitors hold a place of honor in many a computer setup. And sometimes it’s several displays, actually. But we rarely come across one of the most amazing monitors out there: the Apple Pro Display XDR. Why? Well, it costs $6,000, for one thing. Or, if you’re lucky, not quite that much.

So if you’re not a wealthy or financially irresponsible person, what’s a reasonable alternative to the Pro Display XDR?

Amazing Mac Pro concept shrinks the casing but keeps the cheese grater

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Amazing Mac Pro concept shrinks the casing but keeps the cheese grater
If the Mac Pro and the Mac mini had a baby, it might look like this concept.
Concept: Róbert Hallon.svetapple.sk

A concept artist took the rumors about an Mac Pro desktop with Apple Silicon and created a design that might really be what’s on the drawing board.

The concept combines the look of the current Mac Pro tower with the Mac mini to create a unique device.

Two ‘trash can’ Macs form core of nerdy workstation built to last [Setups]

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Those two
Those two "trash cans" at upper left prove core to this setup.
Photo: XTJ7@Reddit

Redditor XTJ7, a programmer and photographer based in Germany, knows how to make a setup last and do just what he needs it to do. As his recent post declared, his setup’s core is two “trash can” Mac Pro towers from 2013 plus a racy gaming PC.

Yeah, you heard right: That’s two computers running from 2013 to now. Eight years might as well be a few decades as far as computer performance goes. But he has his reasons to wait on the upgrade.

Mac shipments skyrocket as pandemic drags on

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Mac shipments skyrocket as pandemic drags on
Mac demand was extremely strong in the first three months of 2021. The M-series processor almost certainly played a big role.
Photo: Apple

The pandemic continues to drive up demand for notebooks and desktops, and Mac shipments saw a triple-digit annual increase in Q1 2021 according to a market research firm. Apple also almost certainly also benefitted from the release of the first M-series computers near the end of 2020.

Want an M1 MacBook Air? Sell your old Mac for upgrade cash today

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Your old MacBook Air might be worth a pretty penny.
Your old MacBook Air might be worth a pretty penny.
Photo: Markus Spiske/Unsplash CC

Apple’s newest MacBook Air is its fastest, most impressive to date. And now is a great time to buy one, with some retailers offering the biggest discounts we’ve seen so far. What’s more, we can help make your upgrade even more affordable.

Sell your old Mac to Cult of Mac today and you’ll get a nice stack of cash to put toward a new model. We typically pay more than anyone else, and we’re fast!

Beefed-up Mac Pro and modded PC crush IT work and gaming [Setups]

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Best of all worlds? A powerful Mac and PC combo crushes work, gaming and podcasting.
Best of all worlds? A powerful Mac and PC combo crushes work, gaming and podcasting.
Photo: Liquidsama@Reddit

Redditor Liquidsama’s setup is popular on the social media app not just for the adorable Pac-Man Ghost Light in the corner (see photos), but for its awesome computing power for work and play.

The LED ghost light phases through nine colors and reacts to music, by the way — which is neat — but the real draw here is a bulked-up Mac Pro for IT work and a heavily modded PC for gaming. Not to mention a great audio rig for podcasting.