Apple’s new Mac Pro offers “an incredible level of power in the default configuration. What was considered the ultimate high end only a generation ago is now standard across the line. Apple’s decision to offer 8 core as standard on its pro machines was certainly an interesting move,” Thomas Fitzgerald blogs.
Fitzgerald writes, “The decision to go all 8 core across the line (apart from a build to order option to ”downgrade’ to a quad core”) leaves a significant gap between Apple’s consumer and semipro iMacs. Previously there was a pretty consistent ramp up in terms of power across Apple’s product line, starting with the mac mini all the way up to the top end mac pro, but now there is a huge performance jump from the top end iMac to the entry level Mac Pro. The reason I think this is significant, is because it now leaves room in Apple’s line up for the much sought after mythical mid range tower.”
“A smaller, Mac Pro like enclosure with a core 2 duo chip, or even a dual core xeon, would slot in nicely between the high end iMac and the entry level Mac Pro, and I think this may well just happen, perhaps not at next weeks Expo, but maybe at some stage this year,” Fitzgerald writes.
Full article here.
A MacProMini? I like the iMac set up too much. I hate towers but I love my MacMini.
One can hope. And there is truth and logic in the author’s premise.
nope, never, if anything apple are moving towards single purpose consumer devises and pro machines seperate. macpro is always as powerful as apple can make it, why is it anything different this time?
There already was a “significant gap” before this Mac Pro upgrade. I think Apple wants customers looking “mid-range” to buy a Mac with a built-in display. I don’t think anything has changed which makes it more likely Apple will introduce a “mid-range Mac tower.”
The thing that may motivate Apple to introduce such a model are the so-called “enterprise” customers, if Apple decides it’s time to actively pursue that market.
Apple seems to like having a small, simple number of offerings. I doubt they’ll offer a computer in a box other than the iMac, Mac Mini or Mac Pro. But…maybe they’ll stuff a quad into the Mac mini…and of course offer a frying pan accessory so you can cook your breakfast while you make a Final Cut Pro movie.
MacBook = 2 core
MacBook Pro = 4 core
Thant is my prediction/hope.
As soon as I saw the new towers, I thought the same thing. Sure, there was a gap before between the iMac and the Mac Pro, but now that gap is HUGE. This new machine is really overkill for anyone but high-end professionals running enormous hardware and software setups.
A Mac Pro Demi would be really nice—two PCI slots, two hard drive bays, four memory slots, one optical drive bay.
It would also be nice have one or two more hi-end video card options with the iMac. Can’t they squeeze that NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT in the iMac—they’ve already developed the drivers!
MacDailyNews should know better than to fuel useless, and done-to-death, speculation regarding a midrange Mac. Apparently this unoriginal article which brings nothing new to the table earns enough credibility just by mentioning the word Apple.
Come on, MDN. Will you link EVERY rumor? Especially one as oft-appearing as the mythical midrange Mac. Most of us are sick of it and would rather read about every possible business deal involving iTunes and some record company/movie studio/network.
What about a Mac Business that can run Word and co. without parallels or boot camp?
What about a Mac Home with a nice graphic card for games?
The obvoius name for such a mac would be ” Mac “, wouldn´t it ?
This should be a nice lineup :
iPhone
iPhone mini
Mac mini
iMac
Macbook
Macbook Pro
*Mac*
Mac Pro
I´d sure want one. My budget simply can´t handle a Mac Pro…
My trusty iMac handles most things I chuck at it including Photoshop files of 100mb-plus without too much strain.
Video-editing’s OK too, though uptake from the HD-cam can be a bit on the slow side. I guess if I had cgi renders and the like to worry about, I’d go for a new Pro model.
The above meaning that I’m not at all sure whether there’s any point in a mid-range model.
Aint gonna happen.
This is what I thought as soon as I got news of the MacPro early release announcement, ahead of Macworld’s keynote.
PLEASE Apple! PLEASE!
A Half MacPro.
Same processor and graphics as the full-tilt MacPro.
BUT…
Half the slots, half the drive bays. Half the RAM slots.
Most importantly… HALF the SIZE! The MacPro is a BEAST.
These would SELL. graphics, CAD, 3D. And a reasonable machine for the switcher market. Don’t underestimate the appeal of a machine like that for them!
It’s an embarrassment to have to recommend a Mac mini as the only headless Mac that won’t break the bank or take up every cubic inch under a desk.
C’mon Apple, we’re waiting….
I think they’re making room for a PowerBook G5
A mid range box is a brilliant idea. I don’t recommend purchasing all in one designs that include an LCD display because the display will way outlast the useful life of the CPU. That leaves only the small mini or huge tower to choose from. A mid range (size) unit with space for two HD’s and a swappable graphics card would be awesome!
I can see the heat ratio of the new chips being low enough,
to obviously appear in the iMac line.
But I am thinking that PERHAPS iMac will QUAD proc.
If not, then I agree – a mid range computer is a possibility.
Yet, Apples computer line becomes complicated. Something that was re-organized when Steve returned to Apple. To have it simply put. One to have a CLEAR consumer level. And two a CLEAR pro level. BESIDES, both sectors of business have PLENTY of options to play and order within.
A mid-range could end-up eating into the others sector of earnings. Not a good idea. A Better idea is to IMPROVE the existing ranges with options. Like the built to options, as this is a wonderful option which may come to the consumer level products.
The other thing that makes me believe MID-RANGE is bad is simply Apple has the post-pc device line to also manage. Which is the future of Apple Inc. Intel already is manufacturing most of Apples iMACs so maybe Intel will eventually own the rights to all consumer level computers once know as MACs. No need to have all these clone houses.
It could just mean that in the future the iMac will gain in processing power to close the gap.
The Mac Book Nano is around the corner .. and the Mac Nano will replace the Mac Mini.
According to Intel the 1st mobile quad-core (a cpu that can ne used by the iMac – or at least the 24″ iMac) will be available in Q3 2008. This will be an Extreme Edition quad-core cpu with a TDP of 45W and priced at $999 (in 1,000 quantities). Both the MacBooks (and the iMacs) are going the thinner/lighter way, so I suspect only the 24″+ iMacs could receive this cpu. Early information about the nehalem mobile chips (2009) indicates that the TDP for mobile quads is not about to change, but there will be more models and at lower prices ($530 and up). IMO, that means that still only the bigger iMacs will be able to receive those chips. Or bigger mini-like desktops, yet the prices will be high compred to what Apple could acheive if using desktop quad-core cpus, in desktop sizes enclosures… in the PC “world” quad-core desktops are becoming “mainstream” (under $1,000 models), Apple’s “answer” to that in the following year or two will be either a $2000+ iMac or a $2000+ Mac Pro ???
The Macintosh LC II ‘pizza box’ was the dominant Mac form factor when Apple had its highest sales percentage (12% of all US PC sales) under Sculley. Either this or the Macintosh IIci form factor in Aluminium would fill the gap nicely.
There may be a larger more expandable Mac Mini and a new Mac Nano.
I have always thought that Apple could never get to10% market share without a midrange tower that could be upgraded. It is a huge cap in their lineup, but Steve hates wires, so even though I would love one, I doubt they will ever release it.
I certainly hope I’m wrong.
@ devsingh : i agree. a model named just “Mac” seems logical.
The need a great for a Mac “Semi-Pro” if for no other purpose then to be a poor man’s server.
If you want a small business server or a home server, then you need 2 ethernet ports and the ability to add a 2nd and 3rd hard disk. Your only choices now are an XServe ($3000), Mac Pro ($2800), or an old used Mac tower with an 867 MHz processor or better.
I’m thinking (actually) hoping that this week’s announcement of the new and very expensive Mac Pro was done to set the stage for announcing a Mac SemiPro at MacWorld. If so, it will really help Apple make inroads into the small business market where the SemiPro will be the small business server of choice.