Apple may show modular Mac Pro, new external 6K Pro display at WWDC 2019

Beyond new software, Apple may reportedly use this June's WWDC 2019 to showcase a promised modular Mac Pro and a new standalone monitor.

The monitor is codenamed "J290," and will support high dynamic range (HDR), Bloomberg said on Monday. Connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed that the display could measure 31.6 inches, and incorporate mini LED backlighting.

Apple has only been "considering " premiering the new Mac Pro, said the report, the same one pointing to revamped Messages, Books, Health, and Reminders features in iOS 13.

A WWDC reveal was rumored earlier this year. The computer itself may only ship in 2020, and use a stacking system based on proprietary connectors. This would let people buy a "brain" module and only add what they need, such as GPUs or extra storage.

That would solve a common complaint about the Mac ecosystem, which is that Apple sometimes forces buyers into getting more than they need through its insistence on streamlined, all-in-one designs. It's often possible to build a speedier Windows machine for the same price, primarily because Apple often lets "pro" specifications trail behind — the last major Mac Pro refresh was in 2013. Most Windows desktops can be upgraded at will, but how many "professional" users actually do so isn't clear.

100 Comments

bobolicious 1177 comments · 10 Years

About 5 years ago

Like the HP Slice? www8.hp.com/us/en/elite-family/elite-slice-desktop.html ...and again we have those words "based on proprietary connectors"...

bsbeamer 77 comments · 16 Years

bobolicious said:

Like the HP Slice? www8.hp.com/us/en/elite-family/elite-slice-desktop.html ...and again we have those words "based on proprietary connectors"...

That is the design AppleInsider has been focusing on. Other Apple rumor sites have different theories. Either way, they need to say SOMETHING about the MP7,1 soon.

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

I personally predict that whatever the new Mac Pro turns out to be it will be trashed viciously by the self-agrandized techie crowd. These types want to be able to saunter into a Fry’s or Micro Center, pick out some weird peripheral, stick it into their “Mac Pro” and have it work. That doesn’t even happen with self-assembled PCs but it will be a requirement for any new Mac Pro. You just watch and see.

deminsd 143 comments · 7 Years

lkrupp said:

I personally predict that whatever the new Mac Pro turns out to be it will be trashed viciously by the self-agrandized techie crowd. These types want to be able to saunter into a Fry’s or Micro Center, pick out some weird peripheral, stick it into their “Mac Pro” and have it work. That doesn’t even happen with self-assembled PCs but it will be a requirement for any new Mac Pro. You just watch and see.

"Some weird peripheral" like an industry standard NVMe m.2 SSD or an off-the-shelf GPU or, memory modules? Who in their right mind would WANT to saunter into a local parts store and upgrade their storage or graphics without having to take out a 2nd mortgage? That's just crazy thinking! /s

But, no doubt, Apple will rely on "proprietary connectors" and glued shut modules to ensure that whatever you want to do with your new "modular Mac", you'll have to get it at the Apple Store at 3-4X the cost of a standard part.

danvm 1477 comments · 9 Years

lkrupp said:

I personally predict that whatever the new Mac Pro turns out to be it will be trashed viciously by the self-agrandized techie crowd. These types want to be able to saunter into a Fry’s or Micro Center, pick out some weird peripheral, stick it into their “Mac Pro” and have it work. That doesn’t even happen with self-assembled PCs but it will be a requirement for any new Mac Pro. You just watch and see.

I don't think that Mac Pro customers want what you describe. They just want an excellent, expandable and well design device, as HP Z-Workstations or Lenovo Thinkstations. Apple could be a lot better than they did with the latest Mac Pro.