Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 3, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Apple today introduced the new Mac Pro with Intel “Nehalem” Xeon processors and a next-generation system architecture, delivering up to twice the performance of the previous model. The new Mac Pro is available from EUR 2,299 including VAT and features the latest graphics technology and a redesigned interior that makes expansion easier than ever.
The new Mac Pro features Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 2.93 GHz. Each processor has an integrated three-channel memory controller with 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory, delivering up to 2.4 times the memory bandwidth and reducing memory latency by up to 40 percent. Every Mac Pro comes as standard with an NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512 MB of GDDR3 memory, a powerful graphics card delivering almost three times the performance of the previous system. An ATI Radeon HD 4870 is available as an option for even faster performance. With both a Mini DisplayPort and a DVI port, the new Mac Pro supports the 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display, the 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display and other DVI-based displays as standard.
For straightforward expansion, a redesigned interior provides easy access to every component in the Mac Pro. It has four internal drive bays for cable-free installation of up to 4 TB of internal storage using 1 TB 7200 rpm Serial ATA drives. The optional cable-free Mac Pro RAID card delivers speeds up to 550 MB/s. It allows the four internal drive bays to be configured as RAID 0, 1, 5 or 0+1, providing higher drive speeds and redundant data protection.
Apple’s environmental commitment continues with the new Mac Pro, which exceeds Energy Star 4.0 guidelines and already meets the stricter Energy Star 5.0 requirements due to be introduced later in the year. The Mac Pro enclosure is made from highly recyclable aluminium, and its interior was designed for greater material efficiency. The Mac Pro uses PVC-free internal cables and components exclusively and contains no brominated flame retardants. The new Mac Pro has EPEAT Gold status.*****
Every Mac also comes with Leopard, Apple’s operating system. Leopard includes Time Machine for automatic backup of all data on the Mac; a redesigned Finder for fast browsing and exchanging data across multiple Macs; Quick Look for viewing documents without launching the associated application; Spaces for grouping applications and switching quickly between them; Mail with simple setup and individual templates; and iChat for video chat.
Every Mac ships with Apple’s iLife ’09 suite of digital-lifestyle applications, allowing users to organise and manage photos, create films, learn musical instruments and compose music. iPhoto ’09, included in iLife ’09, provides two new options, Faces and Places, that make managing photos easier. iMovie ’09 adds new features including the Precision Editor, a video stabiliser, extended drag and drop, and animated travel maps. GarageBand ’09 gives users a new way to learn guitar or piano. Apple’s optional professional applications include Aperture, Final Cut Express, Final Cut Studio, Logic Express, Logic Studio and Shake.
Prices & availability
The new Mac Pro will ship from next week and will be available through the Apple Store (www.applestore.de), Apple Retail Stores and authorised Apple resellers.
The new quad-core Mac Pro for EUR 2,299 including VAT features:
- one 2.66 GHz quad-core Intel Xeon 3500-series processor with 8 MB L3 cache;
- 3 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM, expandable to 8 GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 512 MB of GDDR3 memory;
- one 640 GB Serial ATA 3 Gb/s hard drive (7200 rpm);
- one 18x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- one Mini DisplayPort and one DVI dual-link video-output port (adapters sold separately);
- four PCI Express 2.0 slots;
- five USB 2.0 and four FireWire 800 ports;
- Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; and
- Apple Keyboard with numeric keypad and Mighty Mouse.
The new eight-core Mac Pro for EUR 2,999 including VAT features:
- two 2.26 GHz quad-core Intel Xeon 5500-series processors with 8 MB shared L3 cache;
- 6 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM, expandable to 32 GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 512 MB of GDDR3 memory;
- one 640 GB Serial ATA 3 Gb/s hard drive (7200 rpm);
- one 18x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- one Mini DisplayPort and one DVI dual-link video-output port (adapters sold separately);
- four PCI Express 2.0 slots;
- five USB 2.0 and four FireWire 800 ports;
- Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; and
- Apple Keyboard with numeric keypad and Mighty Mouse.
Configuration options for the Mac Pro include:
a 2.93 GHz quad-core Intel Xeon processor for the quad-core Mac Pro; two
2.66 GHz or two 2.93 GHz quad-core Intel Xeon processors for the eight-core Mac Pro; up to 8 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM for the quad-core Mac Pro and up to 32 GB for the eight-core Mac Pro; up to four 1 TB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drives; Mac Pro RAID card; up to two 18x double-layer SuperDrives; an ATI Radeon HD 4870 graphics card with 512 MB of
GDDR5 memory; AirPort Extreme 802.11n; Apple Keyboard; Apple Wireless Keyboard; Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse; and Mac OS X Server Leopard.
A complete overview of optional Mac Pro configurations and prices can be found at http://www.apple.com/de/macpro.