The Mac Pro, Apple's flagship desktop Mac model, is getting a major overhaul — but it won't arrive anytime soon. To show its commitment to the line, however, the company has upgraded current Mac Pro specs with faster Intel Xeon chips, updated GPUs, and promised that it's "completely rethinking" what the Mac Pro is, or what it should be.
The newly redesigned Mac Pro won't be coming until next year, Apple confirmed Tuesday, April 4. But for those who simply can't wait that long for the supposed refresh, Apple's bump-up of the current-gen Mac Pro should fare well at present.
Mac Pro Bumped Specs
The spec update introduces a six-core Intel Xeon processor, dual AMD FirePro D500 GPUs, and 16 GB of memory, all for $2,999. Shell out a thousand dollars more than that, and users can bump it up to an eight-core processor and dual D700 GPUs.
According to Phil Schiller, Apple's senior VP for worldwide marketing, the spec update is a way for Apple to be more transparent toward Apple's Pro consumers, especially since they may have felt that the company was lessening its focus on the Pro line in favor of working on the iPhone or iPad.
"We want them to understand the importance they have for us, we want them to understand that we're investing in new Macs — not only new MacBook Pros and iMacs but Mac Pros for them, we want them to know we are going to work on a display for a modular system," says Schiller, as TechCrunch reports.
Newly Redesigned Mac Pro
As for the newly redesigned Mac Pro model, such a release would mark the first major overhaul in three years for the line, which most recent update was noted for its cylindrical form factor and the fact that it was manufactured in the United States. In recent times, Apple has visibly routed much of its focus trying to beef up its iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch line. Only last year was it able to show that it's also focusing elsewhere, releasing the latest MacBook Pro models with a brand-new Touch Bar.
The Mac Pro, though less touted among Apple's products, sports a loyal fanbase, as CNET notes. These people typically have professions that require vast amounts of computing power — animators, graphic designers, video editors, and whatnot. Many of them have felt Apple's cold shoulder for the past few years, what with the lack of updates. Thankfully, they can curtail their disappointments soon.
A Modular Mac Pro
There's no official time frame for the new Mac Pro, but many should find the phrase "completely rethinking" promising enough. Schiller intimated that it will feature a modular system, meaning it can be easily upgraded, and he added that a brand-new display will also arrive when the new Mac Pro does. A modular component is crucial — Craig Federighi, Apple's head of software, admitted that the lack of such is a limitation of the Mac Pro.
Thoughts about the recent Mac specs bump? How about the newly redesigned Mac Pro model due soon? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
