Normally I try to refrain from doing this sort of thing. In fact I think this is the first time I have started a thread just to post a link, but I feel that it must be said anyway.
*ahem*
Are your grandparents harassing you about needing a computer so they can use the internet to look up information about knitting, new card games and porn?
Well, look no further! Apple was listening to the elderly everywhere and has come to the rescue by updating their MacPro!
Apple - Mac Pro - Tech Specs
Not only will grandma's socks be knocked off and fly through the wall(and any people they encounter) but the speed alone will cause her to have a heart attack leaving you to inherit her computer. :P
Of course I am sure most of you are already familiar with the components in the MacPro and they are not all the highest of high end. However, it looks like a "reasonable" computer so I thought I would mention it. ;)
Quote:
Processing
8-core: Two 2.8GHz, 3.0GHz, or 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5400 series processors
Quad-core: One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5400 series processor
Enhanced Intel Core microarchitecture
12MB of L2 cache per processor (each pair of cores shares 6MB)
128-bit SSE4 SIMD engine
64-bit data paths and registers
Energy efficiency optimization
1600MHz, 64-bit dual independent frontside buses
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Apple has also
finally given us some newer graphics cards as well. Granted, they are not the best but then this is workstation class.
Quote:
Graphics and displays
Double-wide, 16-lane PCI Express 2.0 graphics slot with one of the following graphics cards installed:
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT with 256MB of GDDR3 memory and two dual-link DVI ports
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT with 512MB of GDDR3 memory and two dual-link DVI ports
NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 with 1.5GB of GDDR3 memory, two dual-link DVI ports, and one stereo 3D port
Multiple graphics card configurations including two, three, or four ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT cards
300W for up to four PCI Express graphics cards
Support for up to eight 30-inch displays
Support for digital resolutions up to 2560 by 1600 pixels
Support for analog resolutions up to 2048 by 1536 pixels
DVI to VGA adapter included
Dual-display support for extended desktop and video mirroring modes
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The good thing about more cards is that now the Mac graphics card flashing community has more to work with and could potentially provide more options for people With MacPros looking for a better or just extra cards so that they they might well be able to get much cheaper ones on sale at NCIX or someplace.
It is somewhat annoying that the only quad core option is a BTO 2.8Ghz. But I guess "meh" would be appropriate here. Aside from that it is extremely annoying that one cannot order a MacPro without HD, RAM and GFX.
Link to the MacPro's customization thingy on the Canadian Apple store
here.
To be honest I am still hoping for Apple to whip up a tower based desktop with the rough specs of the iMac and expandability close to that of the MacPro.(not using Xenons of course)
I must say, I do have a slight concern though. They say the four core model has one CPU, does this mean it uses a different mobo or do they have a way to only use one CPU on the same board that the eight core uses? The reason I am slightly concerned about this is that it could make upping to eight cores from four impossible unless the board could handle an eight core CPU. Also, replacement parts in the future might be somewhat harder to come by for the eight core model if it's board is specific to it.
Oh and by the way, if anyone is going to go all "Macz r suuu expensulamative!!!11!one!" on us and simply must post specs and links to PCs they claim are cheaper please ensure that you match the specs as close as possible. This includes CPU number and type, RAM amount and type(including number of slots) and other ports/connectors on the mobo(preferably including the internal wireless a/b/g/(draft)n and bluetooth 2.0 connectors on the mobo)