BusinessWeek Logo

New Machine, Old Design

Posted by: Arik Hesseldahl on January 08

ref_macpro_hero.jpgPerhaps hinting that it has more products in its pipeline that can comfortably fit into a single Steve Jobs keynote — now a week away — Apple bowed an updated version of its MacPro desktop machine, this one bearing two Intel Quad Core Xeon Processors, making eight cores standard. It’s a powerful machine to be sure, and is aimed mostly at Apple’s creative pro user segment who really needs that power for multimedia production.

Two questions I have. First, when will Blu-Ray disc support finally appear in Macs? As Dan Frommer asks over at Alley Insider why not make a move now? Apple has had a seat on Blu-Ray Disc Association for some time. This of course could be part of the news Steve drops in his keynote next week.

Second: What’s with the unchanging cheese grater-inspired design? If the Mac Pro is indeed Apple’s flagship power machine, I simply can’t believe that that the current design can’t be improved upon. Cosmetically, the high end of the desktop lineup has changed little since the PowerMac G5 was unveiled in June of 2003. Yes, I get the point about air flow and all that. But this version of the design is nearly five years old. I’m just sayin’…..

TrackBack URL for this entry: http://blogs.businessweek.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/

Reader Comments

Javaholic

January 8, 2008 06:56 PM

What Apple need is that mini tower to fill the gap that’s getting bigger between the iMac and today’s updated Mac Pro for we designers out there (the iMac with its glossy display is just a no go). While the new Pros are impressive, people also forget there’s a very limited amount of software that will take advantage of the new specs - plus, you're paying for expansion you don't necessarily need or want. I just want the performance.

Our studio primarily use Adobes CS3 apps and we do a lot of photo retouching, so for us (and a lot of other designers I know) a mid range tower would be perfect. Wether or not Apple have listened I guess we'll find out next week.

As far as the industrial design goes, I agree – the exterior is getting pretty tired and its surprising Apple haven’t updated it already.


Brad

January 8, 2008 11:36 PM

It matches up very well with the iMac, add the new keyboard, and you've still got a damn good looking machine. What is this, the '50s in Detroit? Have to add fins and new chrome every so often to keep people happy?

MBurnett

January 9, 2008 06:41 AM

The Mac Pro is easily the nicest looking computer tower in the market. I'd imagine that most users of the Mac Pro are more concerned with the specifications of the machine than it's overall appearance, though of course they care somewhat.

And what with Apple designing more and more devices it kind of makes sense to assign industrial design resources elsewhere.

I bought an iMac (2006) partly for it's space saving properties. The Mac Pro is the only tower machine I'd ever consider buying again. However, it's price coupled with a cinema display is too much for me.

Anyhow, it's the cinema displays that need an overhaul. How long until they got built-in iSights?!

Dave Barnes

January 9, 2008 11:16 AM

I love the cheese grater design.
The strongest and quietest tower of any brand of personal computer.

Dr Jean-Claude de Shable

January 19, 2008 06:50 AM

I love this Apple MacPro, this workstation has given me a greater vision to be the best in anything I creative and design for the professional multimedia market.

I strongly feel the the Apple MacPro workstation have given me the confidence to be the best in both Graphic Design and composition of high quality digital music.

Thank you kindly Apple - The best machine ever ....

Post a comment

 

About

A blog on the daily doings of Apple and the many companies in its orbit, with insight and analysis by two longtime Apple-watchers BusinessWeek Senior Writer Peter Burrows and BusinessWeek.com Senior Technology Writer Arik Hesseldahl.

RSS Feed: Byte of the Apple

Leave us a voice message. Learn more.

BW Mall - Sponsored Links