Apple just released a new Mac Pro, their fastest machine ever, a couple of hours ago. The desktop can run up to dual quad-core (8 cores) Intel Xeon 3.2GHz with 32GB of RAM. Guess how much that would set you back?
If you guessed $20,000, you wouldn’t believe it’s actually more than that. I configured a new Mac Pro and got this total (see screen shot on the right).
Ok, I bumped up the RAM, HDD, Graphics Card and the Displays just to see how much the final rig would actually cost. The base price (barebones) is $2,799.
Here’s the breakdown of the custom rig:
Dual Qud Core Intel Xeon 3.2Ghz : + $2,100
32GB RAM : + $9,100
Mac Pro Raid card: + $800
NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 1.5GB : + $2,850
Dual Apple Cinema Display 30″ : + $3,598
One 16x SuperDrive
AirPort Extreme card (Wi-Fi) : + $50
Apple wireless Mighty Mouse : + $20
Apple Wireless Keyboard: + $30
iWork ’08 preinstalled : + $79
AppleCare Protection Plan : + $250
Actually, you can still add 3 more HDD bays and plug each one of them with 1TB disks. That should up your storage to a whooping 4TB.
Now that explains why a lot of people who owns a Mac has the laptop instead of the desktop. These things are only for those who can really afford. I wonder how much an HP Blackbird 002 (souped-up and fully-rigged) would cost?
cripes! $20k? uhmmm… try Alienware. XD LOL!
Oh yeah video editing. But the Quadro would go to waste.
Video editing. Back in the late 90s, I was doing freelance basic video editing for dormers. The fastest PC I could use was something like a Pentium 3 450MHz with 512MB of RAM. 128MB memory was the norm that time.
Compiling/exporting a 10 minute video took 8 hours! I’m sure with 32GB RAM and 8-core CPU, that should have been cut down to mere minutes by now.
Cool! I’m gonna buy one and open 5,000,000 websites, all at the same time!
I agree with @Miguel. Who’s going to need 32GB of RAM and 8 CPU cores if you’re just going to watch movies and play games on it? Well, games might consume a lot of CPU power, but I’ve never seen any computer game OR consumer program maximizing the use of 8 CPU cores. Dual core is okay, Quad core… could be, but 8 cores?
Well, as Miguel said, if you’re not into 3D modeling, “luho lang ang 8 cores at 32 GB ng RAM”, at least for now.
For anyone who’s old enough to remember…
that’s how much SGI workstations cost back when they were all the rage. What would you do with 32 GB memory if you’re not doing 3D modeling, anyway?
Indeed, Mac PCs are expensive, hehe…I guess i will have to wait for overly sensitive Apple fanboys/girls response here…
Pretty cool specs… but not pretty cool price….
I think that would fit in more of a personal server than a workstation but 20K in USD? Wow