Learning About the Apple Mac Pro

The Apple Mac Pro is a family of workstation computers targeted at power users. As with most desktop computers, you'll need a separate computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse to use the Mac Pro.

Mac Pro Features

The Mac Pro desktop is a high-performance computer equipped with a PCIe solid-state drive, dual graphics cards, and fast Thunderbolt ports. The highest configuration offers a 12-core Intel Xeon processor paired with up to 64GB RAM and two AMD FirePro D700 GPUs each with 6GB VRAM. Any configuration of the Mac Pro is powerful enough to edit 4K videos and drive 4K displays. You can configure the workstation with a maximum storage capacity of 1TB. Its PCIe SSD is 10 times faster than the fastest hard disks and 2.4 times faster than SATA SSDs.

Squeezing all that power into a small chassis that's only 9.9 inches tall and 6.6 inches wide requires impressive thermal management. To prevent overheating, the Apple Mac Pro desktop computer uses a novel thermal core than maximizes airflow. The single fan cooling the interior vents heat through the top and remains whisper-quiet even under heavy load.

How Does the Mac Pro Compare to Other Apple Desktops?

Besides the Apple Mac Pro, other desktops offered by the brand include the iMac, iMac Pro, and Mac mini. The iMac and iMac Pro are all-in-one desktop computers. The iMac is available in two screen sizes: 21.5 and 27 inches, while the iMac Pro is only available with a 27-inch display. Furthermore, the regular iMac uses Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, while the iMac Pro comes with a server-class Intel Xeon CPU similar to the one found in the Mac Pro. However, the Mac Pro does pack a faster processor, includes more powerful graphics cards, and has a higher maximum RAM capacity. The Apple Mac mini is a mini desktop computer with less powerful hardware than its bigger stablemates, but its smaller footprint makes it perfect as a home theater PC and an Apple TV alternative.

MacBook Air vs. Mac Pro

The MacBook Air is an ultrathin laptop, while the Mac Pro is a high-end desktop computer. The Air is available in two screen sizes: 11.6 and 13.3 inches. The current generation of the laptop uses Core i5 and i7 processors, and has 8GB RAM and up to 256GB SSD. It's an excellent mobile computer, but if you're running demanding programs, consider an Apple iMac or a Mac Pro.

The Apple Mac Pro is a fast and powerful workstation with a gorgeous industrial design. You can find different configurations of this no-compromise desktop computer at B&H Photo and Video.