The Mac Pro is currently “unavailable” both at the Apple Store and many physical retail locations around the US. While the news is by no means a confirmation that an update is near, the stars are certainly aligning.
The latest and greatest Nehalem-based Xeon Mac Pros are the fastest Apple computers you can buy. Unfortunately, they seem to have a serious problem when processing audio, a task that sucks 20 per cent of its power while making the processors overheat.
Apple makes some of the most specialised mainstream devices around, but the gear is never very cheap and, let’s face it, it stinks for any one company to own your wallet. So here are the best alternatives for each iProduct:
According to Hardmac, the next Mac Pro (which really needs an architecture refresh) will carry a 32nm, six-core processor with 12MB of L3 cache known as the Core i7-980X – apparently it won’t be i9-branded. But the really nuts news? The high end, double power Mac Pro could have a whopping 12 cores inside. [Hardmac via AppleInsider]
If you’re reading this, there’s at least a 50 percent chance you or someone you know is a complete Mactard. Here’s their wish list (SPOILER: It’s all Apple stuff):
Benchmarking the new Mac Pro’s default Nvidia GeForce GT 120 against the ATI Radeon HD 4870—a $US200 upgrade—Crave finds that the Radeon doesn’t deliver a whole lot of boom, especially in Call of Duty.
