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159 Comments
- vtbarrera, on 04/07/2009, -3/+53Dugg for the Spaceballs reference...and the fact that those "Nehalem" processors are freakin' sweet!
- kd420, on 04/07/2009, -2/+49The Mac Pro is probably the only Apple computer design that I really admire. The modular design is absolutely amazing, where you can pull out the whole tray with RAM and CPUs, beautiful sideloading SATA bays, and very good clearance for accessing the video card area/ PCI slots.
Apple has always been about design but I find their other computers try to be small and sleek for aesthetics only (look at the Macbook Air). It always seems like they are sacrificing something to get that form factor (i.e. over heating GPUs or lack of DVD drive or inability to upgrade/replace parts). The Mac Pro really seems to be designed for function first, which I really like. This would be an awesome case for a PC. The one "negative" is that it is designed for workstations, so it would be wasted on gaming. My dream machine would be this case with an i7 and some SLI/Xfire setup. - kitsua, on 04/07/2009, -2/+45They've gone to plaid!
- scooterbaga, on 04/07/2009, -1/+33Is it wrong that I want one of these simply for the mad speed in Handbrake?
- SuperOmegaSlack, on 04/07/2009, -6/+32Prepare for ludicrous price!
- MCA2142, on 04/07/2009, -5/+26Apple's had Dual CPU machines for years.
It seems you're the only one that just found out. - BrendanSheehan, on 04/07/2009, -1/+20I love this movie! "I knew it, I'm surrounded by *****."
- bundwallah, on 04/07/2009, -1/+18Very nice system. But why does Apple always seem to put an underwhelming graphics card into these Pro systems?
- fury420, on 04/07/2009, -4/+19that comparison is a pathetic joke...
the dual 3.2ghz Xeons he chose as the equivalent are Harpertown-based, not Gainstown/Nehalem based, and use a different size socket as well as completely different memory controller architecture
the Asus mobo he picked supports DDR2 only, has only TWO USB ports, no firewire, no sound whatsoever and supports less graphics cards
"32GB of 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM" is a far cry from "DDR2 800 FB-DIMM ECC" - MScrip, on 04/07/2009, -0/+14I don't have the list of available Mac software handy, but I'm sure someone will post it to prove that your comment is stupid.
And for the people who actually need the speed of this machine... they will run Final Cut Pro. - mu0p, on 04/07/2009, -4/+17not with the puny graphics cards that apples insists on putting in their computers.
- zeptobyte, on 04/07/2009, -0/+13There's a reason people buy these machines -- they run all the software they need them to. This is a professional machine, and Macs have no shortage of professional software.
- Scrappy1850, on 04/07/2009, -4/+17not at 60fps
- designerutah, on 04/07/2009, -0/+12kolop: Just because Windows has a1,000 times more software doesn't mean that most people will use or like any of it. Sure, SOME of those titles are only on Windows. Even some categories (like games) are largely only on Windows. But since this machine will run Windows natively... what's your point again?
- inactive, on 04/07/2009, -2/+13dude...
- rnawky, on 04/07/2009, -23/+34I recently bought a server motherboard with dual quad core xeons.
You don't really hear about companies coming out with dual core motherboards because, well, it isn't a ***** big deal. But the second Apple does it, HOLY ***** ITS AMAZING!
Oh, and just so all the Apple fanboys know where their money is going.
http://digg.com/u1RpG - jocknerd, on 04/07/2009, -1/+11Don't know where you are getting your 32GB DDR3 ram for $500 from, but Crucial sells a compatible 12GB (4GBx3) kit for $1620. While its still cheaper than the Apple memory, it ain't cheap.
Are you sure you looked at DDR3 PC3-8500 CL=7 Unbuffered ECC DDR3-1066 1.5V?
I bet you were not looking at ECC memory, just desktop memory. - robdazomba, on 04/07/2009, -1/+9"I know most MAC guys won't understand hyperthreading"
Nice condescension. Oh, and speaking as a network tech, I'm sure most people don't know the difference between MAC and Mac. - BeesKnees21, on 04/07/2009, -1/+9Drop the price $1000, allow me to customize the graphics card to something that is actually current gen and has more than 512MB and don't charge 200% more than it's worth, get rid of the proprietary display crap and allow me to use more than 1 display without having to shell out a hundred bucks for a special device and I might consider it.
Until then I'll be happy paying a fraction of the cost and using Windows where I can play games at higher fps and have all kinds of software for my work that doesn't exist on OSX and would be too slow to virtualize. OS X is great and everything but I can't justify the higher cost, limited upgradability, crappy choice of graphics cards, and limited scientific software options. - MScrip, on 04/07/2009, -0/+8>> "If only Windows had about 1,000 times more."
I use 6 major Windows programs and about a dozen minor programs.
Why are there 300 different FTP clients for Windows? You only need one. - Travelsonic, on 04/07/2009, -1/+9No software? Are you on crack, or just retarded?
- slightlyoffbeat, on 04/07/2009, -0/+8CS4, After Effects, Final Cut Pro.
The list is WAAAAY longer than that, but that is all I care to post.
You are very ignorant sir. - scoot2006, on 04/07/2009, -0/+7Nah, rip away.
- inactive, on 04/08/2009, -0/+7We didn't need this list to be posted. When a twit makes a straw-man argument, you don't have to jump to and respond, because people already know there's nothing to it.
As for the question of software... 95% of people only use a dozen or so programs, and the Mac has those bases amply covered. For more niche software, the Mac has a lot there was as well... but if you find you need something special that's Windows-only, just restart the Mac in Windows. Simple as that.
Don't let fools bait you. - fury420, on 04/07/2009, -2/+9umm.... did you look at his link?
he's linking to a build with pre-Nehalem Xeon processors & corresponding architecture and then trying to compare against the brand new Mac Pros with Xeon 5500's, triple channel DDR3, etc...
i seriously doubt any amount of overclocking will make the year or so outdated parts on that link perform anywhere near close to the latest bleeding-edge Gainstown processors - geodebug, on 04/07/2009, -4/+10Hey, you wouldn't have walked into this shop if some part of you didn't weren't interested.
Of course you could assemble the similar config, price it, and post a link to it to prove you weren't just being a troll. That actually would add some value and would be digg worthy. - heartoftofu, on 04/07/2009, -0/+6I'm not personally a fan of Macs, but this is a bit of a silly argument. There's plenty of software for Macs. Apple's continued success and growth is a clear indication that its users have no problems in terms of doing what they need to do on Macs. You have to keep in mind that while Windows does have many more programs, many of those programs are redundant. If one computer has 6 programs that do the same exact thing available to it and the other computer has 1 program, what difference is there in the end? Either way you arrive at the same result.
Another thing to keep in mind is WHY people buy a computer and for what purpose that computer is used. Not everyone is interested in playing Call of Duty or having an all-purpose computer. From my experiences and observations, higher end Macs tend to be used as workstations in more professional environments where they often serve a single function. So long as they serve that function well, I don't see why one should be critical of them.
I would personally never own a Mac mainly because I am quite comfortable where I am with my Windows system and I also enjoy customizing the appearance and components of my computer. But the fact is that the once clear lines between Macs and "PC's" has become quite blurry lately, especially with Macs that can run Windows... There really isn't any serious proprietary hardware separating Macs from Windows or Linux-based systems anymore so the difference pretty much comes down to the OS.
In the end, it's really not so much a matter of "better" or "worse", but a matter of which OS matches your preferences. I think the computer in the article is pretty nice, although it would be far too expensive to be practical for my purposes... LOL - singebkdrft, on 04/07/2009, -1/+7Mac Pros and their similar Powermac siblings are a dream to work on.
This is in stark contrast to say a 2001 iBook (icebook), which is a nightmare to repair.
Unfortunately Apple had only 2 modes for repairability and servicing: "Awesome" and "Sucks Ass". - inactive, on 04/07/2009, -1/+7Cause you can't do it for half the price.
- fury420, on 04/07/2009, -0/+6thankfully, this is 2009, and every mac released in the past 3 years or so will run Microsoft operating systems if you really want to...
- inactive, on 04/07/2009, -1/+7Buried for the 1998 anti-Mac argument.
- jasmus, on 04/08/2009, -1/+7This isn't a gaming machine.
This machine isn't for you, move on. - jonahan52, on 04/08/2009, -0/+6Are you from the future?! Cause I didn't know Nehlam Xeons have been out for years.
- fury420, on 04/07/2009, -1/+6oh, and btw... mawky's link is full of *****, and compares the latest bleeding edge apple/intel hardware against parts that are over a year old
- digitalpencil, on 04/07/2009, -2/+72x X5570 (2.93) $2,938
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ... (x2)
1x Server mobo - $529
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
32GB DDR3, 1066 (8x4GB) $4,316
http://crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=7 ... (x4)
ATI Radeon HD4870(x1) $259
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
Other junk $1500
Total = $9,542
And what do you end up with? A bunch of separates, all waiting to be screwed together by a designer, who most probably has no idea what they're doing and will probably break something in the process. Only to find that everything they've charged to the company account has a) no tech support, and b) a separate warranty for everything from the mouse to the power-supply.
Not exactly an 'enterprise-ready' solution is it..
On a side note, where in ***** do you think you can find 32GB DDR3 for $500?! o_0 - inactive, on 04/08/2009, -0/+5Leave him alone, he needs something to do between scanning for spyware and beating his kids.
- inactive, on 04/07/2009, -2/+7Prepare for a ludicrous wallet raping.
- fugazied, on 04/07/2009, -0/+5At least you can upgrade the graphics card yourself pretty easily. Just throw in the high end card that mac has drivers for.
- LonelyTylenoL, on 04/07/2009, -0/+5Oh I get your name, It's supposed to really mean "ChuckBorris"....
wait... - rnawky, on 04/07/2009, -0/+5You're not gettin' a Dell.
- rnawky, on 04/07/2009, -9/+14It's a Mac; it doesn't run games.
- inactive, on 04/08/2009, -1/+5It's all the anti-Apple fanboys who quote Apple vs. Newegg prices, while failing to realize that the HP equivalent is probably more expensive.
Debating cost isn't their point, being against Apple is the only thing they care about. - Me1000, on 04/07/2009, -2/+6Some people actually do use their Mac Pros to their full potential! :)
- jonahan52, on 04/08/2009, -1/+5Pssst.. Apple has this secret new OS coming out called "Snow Leopard". It will allow devs to easily take advantage of these new beasts with "Grand Central".
- Me1000, on 04/07/2009, -1/+5Which is why the product isn't marketed at you!
- digitalpencil, on 04/07/2009, -0/+4^ single 2gb and single 4gb are two very different things.. hence the dramatic difference in price.
- MtheoryX, on 04/07/2009, -0/+4@kolop1: You're missing the ***** point.
The fact that Windows may, in fact, have 1000 times more software DOES NOT discount that this list PROVES that there is, in fact, software for the Mac available.
lrn2logic, dick head - LonelyTylenoL, on 04/07/2009, -4/+8Here's a list (brace yourself):
"
Audio
* Ableton Live - music production
* Adobe Soundbooth - music and soundtrack editing
* Ardour - a hard disk recorder and digital audio workstation application
* Audacity - Digital audio editor
* Audion - (development ceased)
* Audio Hijack - Audio captor (also comes in Pro)
* BIAS Peak Mastering
* Cog - open source audio player that supports multiple formats
* Cubase - A professional music production program
* djay - a digital music mixing software
* Digital Performer - MIDI sequencer with audio tracking
* Finale - A scorewriter program
* GarageBand - Music/Podcast Production
* HandBrake - DVD to MPEG-4 and other formats converter
* iTunes - Audio/Video Jukebox
* Kontakt - Sampler, sample editor
* Lilypond - A scorewriter program
* Logic Express - Prosumer music production
* Logic Studio - A music writing studio package produced and sold by Apple Inc..
o Apple Loops Utility - Production and organisation of Apple Loops
o Apple Qmaster and Qadministrator
o Logic Pro - Digital audio workstation
o QuickTime Pro - The pro version of QuickTime
o Soundtrack Pro - Post production audio editor
o WaveBurner - CD Mastering and production software
* Max - free software CD ripper and audio transcoder
* Nuendo - Audio Editing
* Pro Tools - Audio Editor and Multitrack recorder
* ReBirth - Virtual Synth program simulates Roland TR-808, and TB-303
* Reason - Digital audio workstation
* Recycle - Sample editor
* RiffWorks - Guitar recording and online song collaboration software
* Senuti Transfers music from iPod to Computer
* Sibelius - A scorewriter program
More at Digital audio workstation products
CAD
See CAD, 3D graphics
CD and DVD authoring
* Disco
* DVD Studio Pro, for professionals
* iDVD, a basic DVD-authoring application
* Toast
Chat (text, voice, video)
* Adium - multi-protocol IM client
* aMSN - Alternative MSN Client with built in iSight support
* AOL Instant Messenger
* ChitChat
* Coccinella - instant messaging, whiteboard and voice chat
* Colloquy - freeware Advanced IRC and SILC client
* Fire - open source, multi-protocol IM client
* iChat AV - instant messaging and video conferencing
* Ircle
* Irssi
* Kopete
* Microsoft Messenger for Mac
* Proteus
* Psi
* Skype
* Snak
* Ventrilo - Audio Chatroom Application
* X-Chat Aqua
* Yahoo! Messenger
Children's software
* Kid Pix Deluxe 3X - bitmap drawing program
* Cocoa - internet authoring for kids
Developer tools and IDEs
* Apache Web Server
* Aptana - an open source integrated development environment (IDE) for building Ajax web applications
* CodeWarrior - development environment & framework
* Coldstone game engine
* Dylan programming language
* Eclipse - an open source Java-based IDE for developing rich-client applications. Includes SWT library (replacing Swing by using underlying OS' native windowing capabilities)
* Fink - Debian package manager for ported Unix software.
* Free Pascal - A Borland Pascal and Delphi compatible development system. XCode plugin available.
* GNU Compiler Collection
* Glasgow Haskell Compiler
* HotSpot - Sun's Java Virtual Machine
* MacApp - application development framework Pascal and C++
* Macintosh Programmer's Workshop (MPW)
* Macromedia Authorware - Application (CBT, eLearning) development. No Mac development environment since version 4, though can still package applications with the 'Mac Packager' for OS 8 through 10 playback.
* MacZoop - C++ application framework
* Mono - An open source implementation of Microsoft's .NET Framework featuring a C# compiler.
* NetBeans - modular, open source, multi-language platform and IDE for Java written 100% in Java.
* Omnis Studio - cross-platform development environment for creating enterprise and web applications for Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, and Solaris.
* Panorama (database engine)
* Perl
* PHP
* Python
* Qt Designer - an IDE for C++ GUI applications, by Trolltech
* REALbasic - Cross-platform BASIC programming language IDE
* ResEdit - resource editor
* Revolution - High-level cross-platform IDE
* Script Debugger - an AppleScript and Open Scripting Architecture IDE
* SuperCard - High-level IDE
* TextMate - Very type-efficient multi-propose text editor supporting ruby, php, python and many more
* WebKit - Open-source application framework for the Safari web browser
* WebObjects
* wxPython - IDE merging Python and wxWidgets
* Xcode - An IDE made by Apple, which comes as a part of Mac OS X and is also available as a download. It is previously known as Project Builder.
E-mail clients
* Apple Mail
* Claris Emailer
* Correo - Open source, based on Mozilla and Firebird
* Entourage - e-mail client by Microsoft; analogous to Microsoft Outlook
* Eudora
* Lotus Notes
* Mailplane for Gmail
* Microsoft Outlook (released only to allow users of OS 8.5-9.2 to access Exchange servers)
* Mozilla Thunderbird
* Mulberry
* Outlook Express
* Spamfire
* Opera Mail
* Gmail Notifier
FTP clients
* Captain FTP
* Cyberduck
* Fetch
* Fugu
* FileZilla
* Interarchy
* Transmit
Games
See List of Macintosh games
Graphics, layout, and desktop publishing
CAD, 3D graphics
* ArchiCAD
* Argon: History-free precision modeling.™
* Blender
* Cinema 4D
* Cobalt: The ultimate product design and development tool.™
* Graphite: Computer-aided drafting the way it should be.™
* HighDesign
* Lightwave
* Maya
* Modo
* PowerCADD
* SketchUp
* VectorWorks
* Vellum: Drafting software that works the way you think!™
* Xenon: 3D Power and finesse without constraints.™
* ZBrush
Distributed document authoring
* Adobe Acrobat
* Adobe Version Cue
* Preview
File conversion and management
* Adobe Bridge
* Font Book - font management tool
* GraphicConverter
* iPhoto, a photo management application
Layout and desktop publishing
* Adobe InDesign - page layout
* Pages - part of iWork
* QuarkXPress - page layout
* Scribus - page layout
* TeX - publishing
* The Print Shop - page layout
Raster and vector graphics
* Adobe Fireworks - supports GIF animation et al.
* Adobe Illustrator - vector graphics editor
* Adobe Photoshop - also offers some vector graphics features
* Adobe Photoshop Elements
* Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
* Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2
* Alias SketchBook Pro
* Aperture
* Corel Painter
* Fontographer
* GIMP - free bitmap graphics editor
* GIMPShop - a free, open source, cross-platform bitmap graphics editor
* Inkscape - a free vector graphics editor
* Macromedia FreeHand - vector graphics editor
* Photo Booth - Photo Camera & Video Recorder
* Pixelmator - Hardware-accelerated integrated photo editor
Integrated software technologies
* Macintosh Finder
* MultiFinder
* Path Finder
* QuickTime
* Terminal (software)
* X11.app
Internet software suites
* SeaMonkey
* Opera
* Mozilla Firefox
Language software
* Rosetta Stone (software) - a language learning software
Mathematics software
* Maple (software)
* Mathematica
* MATLAB
* Sysquake
Media Center
* Front Row
* iTheater
* XBMC now Plex
* Centerstage
* MythTV
* SageTV
* Mira
Multimedia authoring
* Adobe Flash - vector animation
* iLife, a creative media suite by Apple
* Adobe Director - animation/application development
* Unity - 3D authoring
Networking and telecommunications
* Apple Remote Desktop
* Google Earth
* iStumbler - find wireless networks and devices
* Karelia Watson (defunct)
* KisMAC
* Timbuktu - Remote control
News aggregators
* AmphetaDesk
* NetNewsWire
* NewsFire
* RSSOwl
* Vienna
* Safari_(web_browser), which features built-in RSS support.
Office and productivity
* AbiWord
* Adobe Acrobat
* Address Book- bundled with OS X
* Celtx
* Circus Ponies NoteBook
* ConceptDraw
* Contactizer - a Personal Information Manager previously called "OD4Contact".
* Delicious Library
* FileMaker
* iCal - calendar management - bundled with OS X
* iWork, consisting of
o Keynote
o Pages
o Numbers
* iSync- bundled with OS X
* KOffice
* MarinerPak for Mac, consisting of
o Mariner Write
o Mariner Calc
* Mellel
* Microsoft Office for Mac, consisting of
o Microsoft Word
o Microsoft Excel
o Microsoft PowerPoint
o Entourage
* Montage - Screenwriting software
* NeoOffice
* Nisus Writer
* OpenOffice.org
* SyncMate
* Taste - word processor (defunct)
Operating systems
* Darwin, the BSD-licensed core of Mac OS X
* Mac OS X
* Mac OS X Server
Peer-to-peer file sharing
* Acquisition
* aMule
* BitTorrent client
* BitTyrant
* Blog Torrent
* Cabos
* FrostWire
* LimeWire
* Poisoned
* rTorrent
* Tomato Torrent
* Transmission (BitTorrent)
* uTorrent Mac Client is in beta
* Vuze - Bittorrent client, formerly Azureus
* Xfactor
* XNap
Reference Tools
* Dictionary (software)
* World Book - Multimedia Encyclopedia
* Encyclopaedia Britannica
Text editors
* ACE
* Aquamacs
* BBEdit
* BBEdit Lite
* Coda
* Emacs
* jEdit
* Nano
* SimpleText
* Smultron
* SubEthaEdit
* TeachText
* TextEdit
* TextMate
* TextWrangler
* vim
* XEmacs
Outliners and MindMapping
* Inspiration
* OmniOutliner
* ConceptDraw
Typing Tutors
* Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
Utilities
* Activity Monitor - monitor system hardware and software
* AppZapper - uninstaller
* Automator
* Backup
* BitDefender Antivirus 2009 for Mac OS - antivirus program
* Boot Camp
* Butler
* CandyBar
* CDFinder - disk cataloging software
* CrossOver- commercial implementation of Wine
* Dashboard
* DOSBox
* Grab (software)
* Growl - global notifications system
* iArchiver - handles archives
* LaunchBar - provides instant access to your data, search engines and more by entering abbreviations of the searched item's name.
* MarcoPolo - context-aware computing
* Norton Antivirus for Mac - an antivirus program specially made for Mac
* pcAnywhere - VNC-style Remote control
* Parallels Workstation - virtualization software letting you run other operating systems, including Windows and GNU/Linux on your Intel Mac.
* Q - emulates an IBM-compatible PC on a Mac, letting you run PC operating systems
* Quicksilver - A framework for accessing and manipulating many forms of data
* Screen Sharing
* SheepShaver - PowerPC emulator, allows, among other things, running Mac OS 9 on Intel Macs
* Sherlock - file searching (version 2), web services (version 3)
* Stuffit - data compression
* Stickies - put Post-It Note-like notes on the desktop
* System Preferences
* Time Machine (Apple software)
* VMware - virtualisation software
* VirusScan for Mac
* Wget
* Wine - Windows API reimplementation
* Virtual PC, virtualization software letting you run other operating systems, including Windows and GNU/Linux on your Intel Mac.
* Xsan
* Yahoo! Widget Engine - JavaScript-based widget system
Video
* Adobe After Effects
* Avid
* DivX
* DivX Player
* DVD Player (Apple) - a DVD player software built into Mac OS X
* ffmpegX - Heavy-Duty Video and Audio Converter
* Final Cut Express
* Final Cut Studio, a professional audio-video editing suite, consisting of
o DVD Studio Pro
o Final Cut Pro
o Motion 2
o Soundtrack Pro
o LiveType
o Compressor
o Cinema Tools
o Apple Qmaster
* iMovie, a basic video editing application
* Miro Media Player
* MPlayer
* Perian
* QuickTime, including its Player and QuickTime Pro
* Real Player
* Shake
* SWF & FLV Player
* Windows media player
* VLC media player
Web browsers
* Amaya
* Camino
* Flock - Mozilla Firefox based
* iCab
* Konqueror
* Lynx
* Mozilla
* Mozilla Firefox
* Netscape Navigator
* OmniWeb
* Opera
* Safari
* WebKit - Safari application framework, also in the form of an application
* SeaMonkey
* Shiira
* Sunrise
Web design and content management
* Adobe Contribute
* Adobe Dreamweaver
* Adobe GoLive
* Coda
* Freeway
* iWeb
* NVu
* Rapidweaver
Weblog clients
* ecto
* MarsEdit
Misc applications
* Breve - Artificial life simulator
* Celestia - 3D astronomy program
"
NOTE: This is jsut a list from wikipedia of the most popular software that a guy could quickly find on the internet. Most application's I've added to my Mac aren't even on this list. - damack, on 04/07/2009, -0/+4Keep in mind iMacs and Mac Pros are designed for two completely different markets.
The Mac Pro is a beautiful machine but it's certainly not designed for normal use their real workstation horses and coupled with a very efficient operating system they have amazing workflow with little downtime or problems.
I've always used Mac Pros at work and for their purposes their simply priceless but I prefer a PC at home for non-work usage. -
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