Intel Xeon to power new Mac Pros?
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Jul 12th 2006 8:02AM
posted Jul 12th 2006 8:02AM
Most of you didn't bite on the last Mac Pro rumor from Think Secret. New Power Mac case design, sure, but the idea of them sporting Intel's Core 2 Duo (aka, Conroe) procs just didn't fly what with Intel's more flexible 64-bit Xeon (Woodcrest) chip already loosed. No sweat, enter AppleInsider whose sources claim that Intel's dual-core Xeon series processors will power those new Mac Pro desktops (and Xserves, too) which would finally give Mr. Jobs access to that elusive 3.0GHz marker, the current top-o-the-line Xeon clock speed. See, Xeon chips feature the Land Grid Array (LGA) 771 socket which allows for the multiple processor configs we've come to expect from Apple's professional desktops. According to AI, we can expect a dual-processor Xeon Mac Pro at the top-end when launched. Of course, both rumor sites could be right -- a single, high-end Core 2 Duo offered in the entry level Mac Pro with a quad-core Xeon config topping things off. Either way, they agree it's all going down at Apple's WWDC, so we'll know soon enough.
I agree that an Core Duo isn't required with a Desktop. I'm surprised they included it in the iMacs.
Power, not power consumption, is the most important factor for Apple's new Pro desktop.
I think these would be a bit hot to stick in an Xserve in it's current config... These things are going to be drawing close to 100Watts I would imagine they would use the Kentsfield chip instead.
It would be the best chips for the system. Since the chips themselves are not only servers, but work in high-end workstation applications. I think most of us can agree that a Mac Pro will be a high-end workstation.
Not only that, but I think Apple would love the satisfaction of having their top desktop/workstation, be separated from all the other PCs out there.
Not to mention that it would provide well more than enough power for the power users the Mac Pro is designed for.
Gee, that was a shot in the dark. Good investigative work fellas!
Dropping in August?
Outstanding.
If the Chips Are 64-bit Xeon - That Mean's this Baby is going to be Able to Run WINDOWS VISTA. & MacOS .. Probly at the Sametime..
I agree. The probability of a 2 socket Xeon Woodcrest at the top end of the Mac Pro line is very good. It would allow Apple to get such differentiating features such as the 4 core design, quad channel FB-DIMM with 16+ GB of ram, and etc...
Plus it would allow Apple to keep their high premiums and high prices for the top end. As for the mid range and low end Mac Pros, it seems to me that a 2 socket, 4 core system is still a bit high for a mid range workstation. Apple might choose to only use a 1 socket config of Woodcrest to simplify the board config, or drop down to the Conroe.
It'll be the ONLY reason they could justify the current Powermac pricing for the new Mac Pros.
NNTPgrip: whatever. They're called PRO macs for a reason. In the hands of a professional, a top-of-the-line Mac will pay for itself pretty quickly.
Why put a server chip in a consumer machine? The Core 2 Duo would be a better choice...
MacRumors had this pretty much nailed down a month ago
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/06/20060609094241.shtml
Why would this "be separated from all the other PCs out there"? There are plenty of Xeon PC- Linux/XP Workstations out there. Though (usually) they are a lot more more expensive than Opteron workstations... and (often) slower... and (always) hotter.
Cause it's a Mac. A Mac Pro at that.
D.J.J.S.,
Well, yes, since even the Mac mini can run Windows Vista.
Like this really helps us any. Apple is giving us a faster machine that still runs everything in emulation mode.
When Adobe releases CS for Mac Pro computers and other software companies follow... then i'll be happy.
I wonder if we will see Mac Pro and (just plain) Mac marketing for the desktop. The iMac and Mac mini lack expandability, so I think there is room for a mid-range Mac Desktop as well. It would be good if they used separate marketing names as well. Call the Core 2 Duo (Conroe) desktop Mac (it has been a long time, right?), and a full blown multi processor Xeon (Woodcrest) systems Mac Pro. I think the cases could be significantly different too since the cooling requirements for these chips is also different. I think then it would be really easy for consumers to understand the differences.
"Why would this "be separated from all the other PCs out there"? There are plenty of Xeon PC- Linux/XP Workstations out there. Though (usually) they are a lot more more expensive than Opteron workstations... and (often) slower... and (always) hotter."
You obviously haven't been reading the latest chip benchmarks. The Woodcrest makes the Opteron roll over and beg. It also draws less power and is cooler.
If you ask me, it's seeing this chip that convinced Jobs to go with Intel. It's great, and you can easily predict that it will be in the Mac Pro, because that's how Jobs work. He's not going to put a chip in his flagship desktop that's been out for 2-3 months. They pushed WWDC back a month -- and the Woodcrest just happens to be being released in volume in the same time period? Pretty obvious if you ask me.
I think the Core Duo for their underpowered/overly hot G4 replacement mights have had a little something to do with it as well...
The line up that would make the most sense to me is having a three tier market, one with a dual quad, a single quad, and a regular dual core desktop. That covers your market segments, and you can seriously jack up the 8 core pricing for graphics professionals that want to at edit 2K-4K film resolutions from their desktops.
I agree that it would (possibly) make sense to have a Mac desktop and a MacPro desktop... Core Duo and Xeon...
Many people still want the expandability and freedom of upgrading that comes with a tower, but don't necessarily need a workstation powerhouse. (or at least cant afford it) ...i mean take a look at what G4 towers are still going for (for being like 3 years old or older, they're keeping value pretty well. ( http://www.the-ish.com/g4value )
A low(er) cost tower is something that Apple hasn't really touched since the MDD G4s.
I'm also really excited to se the new designs... the G5 tower is DAMN pretty, and i cant yet imagine a better looking desktop powerhouse. :)
I doubt these will be dropping in August - they will be announced in August. But for the most part there are no Pro apps (with the Final Cut Suite being the exception). I suspect a January launch date - with Adobe following soon after with the Universal Binary Creative Suite that we're all lusting for.
Considering that PowerMacs aren't exactly flying off the shelves and that there more pro apps than just CS, an August launch can't come fast enough. Don't forget that most CS pros looking o upgrade are probably working on late G4s or first gen G5s. I wouldn't expect CS to be slow even under Rosetta. When CS3 does ship it will be another speed bump.
David,
I don't remember Apple ever announcing a computer 5 months before shipping it. At most 1 or 2 months. I expect we'll see a Universal Binary Creative Suite announcement at WWDC.
Pancake.
"Everything" = Adobe Creative Suite? Sigh.
I want a Photoshop killer like most of you want an iPod killer. So bad.
Doesn't LGA stand for Large Grid Array?
The article's use of "Land" just doesn't make any sense.
Terry Thomas
PC Tech Support
Atlanta, Georgia
There's plenty of room in the Mac market for an expandable Core Duo desktop machine. Ask anyone who never got around to shelling out $2k for a G5, but wants a serious video card.
But honestly, without a dual-dual woodcrest in the lineup, there's really no party. Even if it's $4k+, it's a must-have. And it should really support SLI.
I think the announcement will happen at the WWDC, but Adobe has already confirmed that they won't be recoding CS2 as it is too much work when CS3 is due in first quarter 07.
"Not only that, but I think Apple would love the satisfaction of having their top desktop/workstation, be separated from all the other PCs out there."
What makes you think that these will only be available in Mac Pros? Some of you people are just delusional.
I have had a Dell Precision 670 with 2 2.8 Ghz Dual Core Xeons for several months now.