Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing

Apple Mac Pros Sport Up to 12 Processor Cores

Geoff Duncan
By

Apple‘s high-end Mac Pro line of desktop towers have always been aimed at the high-end content-creation and media-editing community, eschewing everyday consumer processors and going straight for the Intel Xeon hardware that normally run powerful servers. However, despite the Mac Pro’s power, Apple neglected the line for over a year and a half as it focussed on its consumer offerings; however, the company today announced new Mac Pros that push out to as many as 12 processor cores—using Intel’s 32nm Westmere EP versions of the Xeon—and offer a huge variety of graphics, storage, and configuration options sure to keep the deep-walleted happy.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

“The new Mac Pro is the most powerful and configurable Mac we’ve ever made,” said Apple’s senior VP for worldwide product marketing Philip Schiller, in a statement. “With up to 12 cores, the new Mac Pro outperforms our previous top-of-the-line system by up to 50 percent, and with over a billion possible configurations, our customers can create exactly the system they want.”

Recommended Videos

Unless, of course, they want that system to be inexpensive.

Related

The Mac Pros are built around Intel’s quad-core and six-core INtel Xeon processors, running at speeds up to 3.33 GHz. The Mac Pros come standard with AT Radeon HD 5770 graphics with 1 GB of video memory, and can upgrade to ATI Radeon HD 5870 with 1GB of video memory. For the first time Apple is making Mac Pros available with SSD drives: 512 GB drives will be available, and with four drive bays users can pack in a ton of SSD storage. The Mac Pros also feature two Mini DisplayPort outputs (which can be converted to DVI or VGA as needed) along with a dual-link DVI ports. The systems offer four PCI Express 2.0 slots (these are Apple’s only systems with available PCI slots), 18×DVD±RW Super Multi drives), five USB 2.0 ports, four FireWire 800 ports, along with 802.11n and Bluetooth wireless networking.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The starter Mac Pro configuration for $2,499 will includes a 2.8GHz quad-core Intel Xeon W3530 processor, 1 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SATA hard drive, and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics. Stepping up to $3,499 puts in two 2.4 GHz quad-core Xeon E5620 processors and 6 GB of RAM. Of course, the built-to-order customization options are the heart of the Mac Pro line: options scale all the way up to two 6-core Xeon X5670 processors, 32 GB of RAM, up to four 2 TB SATA drives, RAID capabilities, Fibre Channel cards, and two of those 18× DVD±RW drives.

The new Mac Pros will be available in August.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apple also took the wraps off a new 27-inch LED Cinema Display boasting a 2,560 by 1,440-pixel resolution, integrated iSight camera, three USB parts, and an integrated MagSafe charger to keep Apple notebook computers charged. The display also includes an ambient light sensor to adjust brightness dynamically depending on the surrounding conditions, and uses mercury-free LED backlighting along with arsenic-free glass to chalk up some eco-friendly credentials. It should ship in September for $999.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Geoff Duncan
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
The biggest threat to the MacBook this year might come from Apple itself
The MacBook Air on a white table.

MacBooks have held a dominant position in the laptop world for the past few years. Though there have been meaningful rivals from the Windows side of the aisle, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro still feel like they hold an unshakeable lead at the moment.

But according to the latest reports, the most serious challenger to the MacBook's reign won't come from Windows -- it'll come from within Apple in the form of some very advanced new iPads.
What's a computer?

Read more
How to keep your MacBook from sleeping
The M3 MacBook Air in front of a window.

Your MacBook is your go-to powerhouse for all things computing. Web browsing, graphic design, video editing, music production, you name it, the MacBook can do it. But like any good laptop, your MacBook has a number of battery-saving features built in and enabled by default. One of these functions is the computer’s sleep mode, which optimizes battery life by decreasing power usage.

Read more
Best MacBook deals: Get an Air for $605 and save on M3 MacBook Pro
A MacBook Pro M2 sits on a wooden table with a nice bokeh background.

Apple has long been known to turn out some of the best laptops, with models like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro regularly being among the most sought-after laptops. It can actually be difficult to land some decent Apple deals, as the brand's popularity keeps many of its products from seeing the bargain bin. Right now, however, Apple has a lot of options among the best laptop deals. The original Apple Silicon MacBook Air is seeing some of its lowest prices ever, and there’s even some newer MacBook Pros discounted right now. Whether you’re in search of a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro, reading onward you’ll find the best MacBook deals currently available.
Best MacBook Air (M1) deals

The Apple MacBook Air (M1) started a seismic shift for Apple being the first of its Airs to have an Apple-based processor. We took a look at the differences between the M2 and M1 and the M1 is still looking pretty great. It's also a touch nearer to affordable than anything else here. Fast yet fanless so it's silent to use, you gain an 18-hour battery life, a gorgeous looking 13.3-inch Retina display along with all the effortless style you'd expect from an Apple device. These laptops are best for students or those who want something stylish yet reasonably powerful to use on the move. Nowadays, deals are becoming a little harder to come by unless you're willing to consider a refurbished/renewed model.

Read more