Kasper Jade
Contrary to published reports, Apple Computer does not plan to introduce new enclosures alongside its first Intel-based Mac Pro desktops and will instead employ only slightly modified Power Mac G5 casings, AppleInsider has learned.
People familiar with plans for the next-generation Apple desktops say there appear to be only a couple of cosmetic differences between the Mac Pro and Power Mac G5 casings, specifically the addition of a second optical disc drive slot on the face of the Mac Pro.
In a move that is somewhat reminiscent of recent Windows PC designs, Apple also appears to have relocated the computer's power supply from the base of the unit up towards the top, those same people say.
The additional optical disc drive slot and bay are likely to ship empty in the first Mac Pros, which will allow users to adopt emerging but pricey high-definition DVD drive standards, such as Blu-ray and HD-DVD, at their discretion.
Artist rendition of Apple's forthcoming Mac Pro desktops, click for larger image.
Sources previously reported that Apple has chosen Intel's relatively new dual-core Xeon 5100 (Woodcrest) series of processors to power the next-generation desktops, and that models will be available in both single and dual processor configurations.
Since AppleInsider's report on the subject, an unauthenticated Mac Pro product specifications sheet has been making the rounds, indicating that Apple may forgo inclusion of Intel's 3.0GHz Xeon 5160 chip in its three Mac Pro standard configurations.
Rumored but unconfirmed Mac Pro specs, click for larger image.
The spec sheet, which was sent to several other Mac news sites, is being posted by AppleInsider purely for speculative purposes. Of interest, it suggests that Apple will return to using graphics chips from ATI Technologies within its professional Mac desktops, similar to a move the company made with the Intel-based iMac and MacBook Pro.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
300 Comments
Dual Optical drives are nice. Especially considering the dueling blue laser formats.
I wonder if they were able to squeeze in another drive bay. I'd love to see at least 3 (minimum for RAID-5)
So there will there be a second eject key on the keyboard or summin? Or maybe you need to press different keyboard combinations to open the different drives, say 'Eject' for the factory installed drive and 'Eject' and 'Down' for the second drive.
Well, to start with, I really don't trust that spec chart. For starters, when the MBP gets Merom, it'll be faster than the 'Good' Mac Pro. Also, what's the point in differentiating between a 250 and 320 Gb HDs?
Finally, Apple will lose a huge amount of respect from me if they decide to have WiFi and BT as BTO. - The parts are really, really cheap now, and standard on all other models. This, for me, totally discredits these specs.
David
I like the idea of the second optical drive bay for future upgrading. I wish / hope that they can find a way to increase the internal HD bays to at least 3 instead of just 2. Also I wish / hope that there are 2 FW400 ports on the back + the one on the front.
jbcaro
For starters, when the MBP gets Merom, it'll be faster than the 'Good' Mac Pro.
Comparing clock rates has been a good idea since when, exactly?