The Mac Pro 8-Core Desktop Computer Workstation from Apple is the company's premiere desktop workstation. The system is built with performance in mind, and is an ideal computer for use with demanding applications. The computer is housed in a striking tower form factor, highlighted by a silver front grille which provides easy access to USB 2.0 and FireWire-800 ports, as well as a headphone jack. Sturdy handles are present to aid in transporting the system when necessary.
Designed with expansion in mind, the computer features four 3.5" SATA drive bays, four PCI Express 2.0 expansion slots, and 8x RAM slots which can support a total 32GB memory capacity. The back of the system features a plethora of ports, including USB 2.0, FireWire-800, dual Gigabit Ethernet, and optical and analog audio.
The system is powered by 2 quad-core Intel Xeon 5500 "Nehalem" CPUs running at a clockspeed of 2.93GHz. This "8-Core" configuration gives you up to 8 times the processing power of a single CPU, making it an ideal solution for mission critical applications. The system also boasts 12GB of RAM, 1TB hard drive capacity, Apple's SuperDrive DVD burner with dual-layer disc support, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR for wireless device connectivity, and ATI Radeon HD 4870 graphics with 512MB of memory.
All this hardware runs on Apple's Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system. The 64-bit OS features Time Machine backup, which automatically backs up system data to an external hard drive. It also features intuitive Cover Flow navigation, the powerful Spotlight search tool, and Quick Look document preview. You'll be able to use Boot Camp to run Windows on your Mac, or Front Row to turn your Mac into an impressive media player.
iLife '09, a complete suite of digital creativity applications, is installed on the system. Easy enough for anyone to use, iLife will help you edit your home movies, organize digital photos, and compose original music. The system is also powerful enough to run Apple's professional-level applications, perfect for those who are ready to move up to the next level of creative software.
Processor
The "Nehalem" Advantage
Many quad-core processors are composed of two separate dies, which means some cached data has to travel outside the processor to get from core to core. That's an inefficient way to access information. Enter the Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor. Its single-die, 64-bit architecture makes 8MB of fully shared L3 cache readily available to each of the four processor cores. The result is fast access to cache data and greater application performance. Combine that with the other technological advances and you get a Mac Pro that's up to 1.9x faster than the previous generation
Memory Bottlenecks Begone
System memory is often connected to a processor through a separate I/O controller. But each Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor features an integrated memory controller -- another leap forward for workstation system architecture. By connecting memory directly to the processor, the new Mac Pro processors have faster access to data stored in memory, and memory latency is reduced by up to 40 percent.
The integrated memory controller, along with fast 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM, also gives Mac Pro up to a 2.4x increase in memory bandwidth over previous generations. More bandwidth allows for more data to be fed to the processor faster, helping each core spend its time processing data, not waiting for information to arrive. And Error Correction Code (ECC) corrects single-bit errors and detects multiple-bit errors automatically. That's especially important in mission-critical and compute-intensive environments
The integrated memory controller, along with fast 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM, also gives Mac Pro up to a 2.4x increase in memory bandwidth over previous generations. More bandwidth allows for more data to be fed to the processor faster, helping each core spend its time processing data, not waiting for information to arrive. And Error Correction Code (ECC) corrects single-bit errors and detects multiple-bit errors automatically. That's especially important in mission-critical and compute-intensive environments
Power When (and Where) You Need It
The new Mac Pro introduces Turbo Boost: a dynamic performance technology that automatically boosts the processor clock speed based on workload. If you're using an application that doesn't need every core, Turbo Boost increases the speed of the active ones, up to 3.3GHz on this 8-core Mac Pro
The Virtue of Virtual Cores
The new Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processors support Hyper-Threading, which allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core. So this 8-core Mac Pro presents 16 virtual cores that are recognized by Mac OS X. Performance is enhanced because Hyper-Threading enables the processor to take better advantage of the execution resources available in each core
Path of Least Resistance
A new bidirectional, point-to-point connection -- called QuickPath Interconnect -- gives the Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor quick access to the disk, I/O, and other Mac Pro subsystems. In the new 8-core Mac Pro, there's a QuickPath Interconnect between the two quad-core processors as well. This connection acts as a direct pipeline, so processor-to-processor data doesn't need to travel to the I/O hub first. It's another way the new Mac Pro boosts performance across the board
Powerfully Efficient
Based on an industry-leading 45nm process technology and combined with improved power management capabilities, the new Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processors are more energy efficient than before. So the Mac Pro is faster than ever, while using less energy when idle
Graphics
Don't Keep Those Pixels Waiting
If you're a pro who wants a desktop computer that keeps pace with your imagination, the Mac Pro delivers with faster graphics application performance across the board. Whether you're decoding H.264 content in Final Cut Pro, creating 3D graphics in Motion, processing massive RAW images in Aperture, or playing the latest games, the graphics hardware in the new Mac Pro makes graphics applications faster.
The foundation of this new graphics architecture is the latest generation of GPUs connected to the system via a fast and wide PCI Express 2.0 16-lane bus. Couple that with Core Animation, Core Image, and Core Video technologies in Mac OS X Snow Leopard. The result is a graphics platform for applications to seamlessly tap into a teraflop of graphics power
The foundation of this new graphics architecture is the latest generation of GPUs connected to the system via a fast and wide PCI Express 2.0 16-lane bus. Couple that with Core Animation, Core Image, and Core Video technologies in Mac OS X Snow Leopard. The result is a graphics platform for applications to seamlessly tap into a teraflop of graphics power
Performance. It's in the Cards
An all-new high-performance graphics card from AMD makes the Mac Pro graphics technology faster than before. Perfect for motion graphics, 3D modeling, rendering, or animation, the ATI Radeon HD 4870 with 512MB of GDDR5 memory. An ideal choice for the most demanding applications, this card features a wider memory bus and higher-performance GPU, resulting in up to 2x faster performance compared with the Mac Pro's base-level graphics card, the nVIDIA GeForce GT 120
Graphics on Display
Every new Mac Pro graphics card features two display ports for maximum workspace flexibility. A Mini DisplayPort connects the new 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display with ease. A dual-link DVI port connects a 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display or any other DVI display. And with support for up to four nVIDIA GeForce GT 120 cards, you can connect more displays -- up to eight total
Storage and RAID
Massive storage
The Mac Pro comes with four 3.5-inch internal hard drive bays for an enormous amount of internal storage -- up to 8TB when you install four 2TB Serial ATA 3Gbps drives. Each bay provides its own independent 3Gbps channel for fast access to data. And thanks to the cable-free, direct-attach installation system, adding (or replacing) hard drives is a surprisingly simple process
Ready to RAID -- with a New Card
For the ultimate in data protection and enhanced performance, add the new Mac Pro RAID Card with 512MB of RAID cache, a 72-hour cache-protecting battery, and hardware RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 0+1. A new cableless connection and intuitive Apple software make it a snap to install this optional card. Once installed, high-performance 15,000rpm SAS drives may be used. It's the perfect solution for workgroup servers, video pros working with high-bit-rate assets, or anyone who wants to protect critical data.
Even without a RAID card, Mac OS X lets you stripe two, three, or all four hard drives in a RAID 0 array to increase performance and create a massive volume for tasks such as video editing; or create a RAID 1 mirror to protect digital media assets from a drive failure
Even without a RAID card, Mac OS X lets you stripe two, three, or all four hard drives in a RAID 0 array to increase performance and create a massive volume for tasks such as video editing; or create a RAID 1 mirror to protect digital media assets from a drive failure
Note:
RAID Card not included
Double-Layer Burner Times Two
The Mac Pro features an open optical drive bay, which can be used to add a second SuperDrive. Adding a second DVD burner allows you to back up data to two double-layer DVDs at once. Or burn an Aperture project to one DVD, while importing music from a CD into your iTunes library. The open optical drive bay allows you to add a SuperDrive to do exactly that
Mac OS X
UNIX Compliant
What makes Mac OS X a powerful operating system is the technology behind it: a fully certified UNIX foundation. With a rock-solid UNIX infrastructure, it's one of the most secure and stable operating systems on any platform. As a developer, you'll appreciate Mac OS X even more because it's fully UNIX compliant. That means it compiles and runs all your existing UNIX code, so you can deploy it in environments that demand full conformance. The result: Software performs exactly as it's meant to. And because the powerful tools built into Mac OS X improve application performance on multicore processors, the new Mac Pro is the ideal workstation
64-bit Power
Mac OS X is to the new Mac Pro what a skilled driver is to a car with a powerful engine — a perfect match. Since the entire operating system is 64-bit ready, you can take full advantage of the 64-bit architecture of the Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processors inside the new Mac Pro. Add to that the 32GB of memory available for the Mac Pro, and the performance of Mac OS X is even better than before. Mac OS X also enables developers to build complete 64-bit applications using the Cocoa, Quartz, OpenGL, and X11 GUI frameworks. And because Mac OS X supports 64-bit and 32-bit applications, you don't need a new set of devices or drivers
Multicore. Multitask
At the heart of the new Mac Pro are two Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processors with an incredible amount of processing power. Optimized for multicore technology, Mac OS X provides powerful tools that make it easy to reap the benefits of the Mac Pro. The scheduler in Mac OS X, for instance, is very efficient at allocating tasks across multiple cores and processors. So Mac OS X spends less time managing tasks and more time performing computations. As a developer, you can build applications that execute the same efficiency, thanks to NSOperation, a breakthrough API that optimizes applications for multicore processing
Core Animation
From the cascading windows of Time Machine to the smooth animation of the reflective 3D Dock, stunning visual effects truly set Mac OS X apart. Behind all that beauty is a technology built into Mac OS X called Core Animation. The performance of Core Animation benefits from the multicore processors and advanced graphics hardware in the new Mac Pro. For developers, Core Animation easily opens up the power of Apple's graphics technologies. You can create animated user interfaces and visualizations that simultaneously layer different media types, such as text, 2D graphics, OpenGL rendering, and QuickTime video, all in real time
Xcode Developer Tools
Xcode is the graphical development environment that comes with every Mac. It's the same software used by Apple to produce Mac OS X, and it's packed with tools and features, including a powerful graphical debugger, a code editor supporting dozens of languages, and the amazing Instruments tool to visualize your application's performance. Xcode is optimized to take advantage of the multicore Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processors and system memory in the Mac Pro. It performs 20 percent faster than before, supports multiple languages (both computer and human), and offers programmers everything they need to make stunning Mac OS X applications
Voilà. Instant Server
The multitalented Mac Pro can also act as a powerful small-workgroup server. Just add Mac OS X Server. The resulting solution combines Mac ease of use with flexible configuration options and server-class hardware. With 8-core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processing power, up to 32GB of ECC memory, a new optional RAID card, and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, a Mac Pro workgroup server has everything you need — and then some
The Mac Experience
Every Day Use
Every Mac is designed to make your life easier, not more difficult. The system ships with Mac OS X "Snow Leopard," which gives you all the tools you need for e-mail, personal organization, Internet browsing, watching movies, and more. Its software and hardware are designed work to together seamlessly, eliminating the compatibility nightmares that often plague PC users. What's more, the iMac can run Windows via Boot Camp, perfect for users who have a Windows-only application that they absolutely need to use
iLife '09
The included iLife '09 suite is a suite of applications that help you organize your digital life. It includes iPhoto for photo management and editing, iMovie for HD video editing, iDVD to burn your movies to disc, GarageBand for music production, and iWeb for web publishing
Secure and Reliable
Worried about viruses and malware? Don't be. The iMac isn't plagued by constant attacks from the outside world. It is designed to be secure out of the box, eliminating the need for additional software to protect your system from danger. OS X will warn you if a downloaded file is potentially dangerous, ensuring that you don't accidentally open a malicious application. Apple responds quickly to any security threats, prompting you to download updates that keep your Mac up to date and safe
Tech Support
Have a problem with your Mac? Get support and advice at the Genius Bar, located at every Apple Retail Store. Apple also provides online tutorials, troubleshooting forums, and 90 days of phone support for users who aren't able to make it to an Apple store
Optional AppleCare
Apple provides 90 days of free phone support and a 1-year limited hardware warranty on the computer. You can opt to add an AppleCare Protection Plan, at additional cost, which covers support and repairs for 3 years from the date of purchase. AppleCare can be purchased at any time within the first year of ownership of the computer