Apple Mac Pro MC560LL/A Desktop (NEWEST VERSION)
by admin on Friday, November 11th, 2011 | 3 Comments
Apple Mac Pro MC560LL/A Desktop (NEWEST VERSION)
- One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Nehalem” processor
- 3GB (three 1GB) memory
- 1TB hard drive
- 18x double-layer SuperDrive
- ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB GDDR5
Thanks to the next-generation Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Nehalem” processors and new system architecture, the Mac Pro now delivers performance that?s nearly twice as fast as before.(1) Each processor features an integrated memory controller and 8MB of fully shared L3 cache. With blazing-fast 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM, high-performance graphics, a redesigned interior for easier expansion, it?s the most advanced Mac Pro ever. (1)Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using preproduction Mac Pr
List Price: $ 2,499.00
Price: $ 2,499.00
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Another triumph for Apple,
I just replaced my five-year-old Dual 2.7 GHz PowerMac G5 with the Apple 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Mac Pro and what an improvement! The new Mac is at least three times faster doing processing tasks (exporting a movie from QuickTime, for example) than the old unit, and it’s SILENT. Photoshop is a lot speedier and so is Quark (although the lengthy delay in startup hasn’t changed–dang you Quark!). I’ve pushed it hard (transferring files from the old Mac while exporting a movie from QT, listening to iTunes, and working in Photoshop) without hearing the fans speed up even once! I have three 1-TB drives installed in the enclosure with one bay free, plus six 2-TB external drives hooked up via a Kensington USB Hub and file transfers happen reliably and quickly.
Tasks such as installing hard disks can be tedious on less well designed computers, but not on the Mac Pro! Fit and finish are perfect and the hardware shows the usual attention to detail for which Apple is renowned. For instance, to install a new disk drive in one of the four drive bays: simply lift the locking lever on the rear of the case and take the cover off, thereby exposing the bays. Remove one, attach it to the new drive and tighten the four captive fasteners, then slide it back into the Mac Pro enclosure–elapsed time less than a minute! Installing RAM and PCI Express cards is equally simple.
I’m not much for gaming but I do like playing Unreal Tournament 2003 online. There’s not a native Intel version of UT2003, so it runs using the Rosetta translator, but the ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics processor and Nahalem processors handle the load with barely a hiccup–there is a slight reduction in frame rates (noticeable but not annoyingly so).
In retrospect, I’d have bumped the RAM up from 3 GB, but that’s the closest I can come to a regret with this computer.
There’s been some little controversy over the last year as to whether the Mac Pro is worth the price premium over iMacs because they’ve been closing the performance gap. For me it was no contest: I needed as much internal disk storage as I could get, plus the flexibility to add RAM and monitors as needed was a crucial factor. The iMac is a great computer, but I’m happy with my Mac Pro.
I highly recommend this machine!
[edit] Removed link to 4GB RAM upgrade because it was incorrect.
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|Top Quality Workstation,
I stepped up from an 2010 iMac i7 to the 2.8 Quad Core Mac Pro after realizing that I wanted a system that can grow with me as new tech comes down the pipeline. You can easily upgrade RAM, videocard, drives, and even the CPU if you are careful. The base 2.8 model gives you the best bang for the buck. I bought from Amazon and got 12 GB of RAM with the money I saved vs. Apple and no tax. And now the machine flys with all the extra memory. I still can’t believe Apple only includes 3 GB standard. Most of the apps I run including Photoshop, Aperture, FinalCut Express really don’t take advantage of multiple cores and getting the dual core 2.4 would have been an unwise choice unless you really need to upgrade your RAM up to 64 GB. Plus the 2010 model can be upgraded to the Hex Core chip to future proof my investment once the chips come down in price. Overall, I feel that I made the right purchase even though the cost is higher upfront. The ability to customize and upgrade makes the Mac Pro an easy choice to make.
PROs:
1)Industrial designed Chassis with good looks and ease of access for upgrades
2)Decently fast components (scores almost 9000 on 32bit version of Geekbench)
3)Quiet operation but not as quiet as an iMac
4)Ability to use whatever monitor you may want
5)Holds value well should you decide to resell later on
CONs:
1)Expensive for the what you get vs. PCs of the same build
2)Performance already being matched by highest level iMac (i7 model)
3)USB 2.0 only
4)No built in eSATA port
5)Western Digital Black drive is a bit noisey
6)Apple upgrade videocards much more expensive vs. PC version
7)Not a cost effective option for someone who might want to do any gaming in Bootcamp
8)Only 3 GB of RAM with base model
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|DIY Notes,
This is a great computer — no question about it. And if you need lots of monitor real estate, you have to go with this machine. It will handle three 30″ monitors out of the box and will support three more with an additional graphics card. For those of you who miss the Apple 30″ monitor, I recommend the Dell U3011. It’s a better monitor and costs less than what Apple charged for theirs.
The MacPro graphics card has two Mini DisplayPort interfaces and one dual link DVI. The Dell monitor has Dual Link DVI and DisplayPort outputs. This means you’ll need a Display Port to Mini Display Port adapter. I recommend the Accell B112B-001B UltraAV Mini DisplayPort/DisplayPort Adapter. It’s inexpensive and works flawlessly.
If you have a Mac and intend to use the Apple Upgrade Assistant to transfer your files, I expect that you can do so without a problem. If you’re a genius and are planning to sneak in some DIY action, here are some helpful hints:
Situation: You are a genius and have decided to purchase a high quality Solid State Drive from a third party rather than pay Apple’s premium.
Problem: The four drive bays in the MacPro only support 3.5″ drives. This is a problem since all SSDs are 2.5″. Rail and sled conversions kits will not work.
Solution: Buy the IcyDock converter, which you can purchase at Amazon. It’s not too expensive ($14.99 — keep in mind how much you already paid for that uber fast SSD), is easy to setup and works like a charm.
Situation: You are a genius and have decided to purchase a high quality Solid State Drive from a third party rather than pay Apple’s premium.
Problem: You’ve now blown your budget.
Solution: You can, from time to time, purchase refurbished MacPros from Apple. These are usually sold at a 15% discount (this varies by model and age)
Situation: You’re a genius and decided to clone your existing drive using a utility like Carbon Copy Cloner. This means you can just stick the cloned SSD into your brand new IcyDock, slap that into your MacPro and will be up and running in no time.
Problem: You’ve just booted your MacPro for the first time and are staring triumphantly at the login screen when you realize that your old wireless mouse (or the wireless mouse that came with your MacPro) doesn’t work.
Solution: You can use the tab key to select a user and login.
Situation: You’re a genius and have just successfully logged into your MacPro without using a mouse. You’re feeling a bit like MacGyver (there’s a pun there), and feel that there is no problem that you cannot solve because, well, you’re a genius.
Problem: You need to have a mouse to setup your wireless mouse.
Solution: You’re a genius who has never thrown away any piece of computer hardware you’re ever owned, so you have a spare USB mouse with which you can setup the wireless mouse.
Situation: You’re pairing an existing wireless mouse with your MacPro.
Problem: You’re not a genius. You forgot to unpair your old mouse.
Solution: If you’re too lazy to boot up your old machine and unpair the mouse, you can try taking out the batteries and then putting them back in. For some unknown reason this works for mice but not for wireless keyboards. But hey, you’re no longer a genius and can’t be expected to know everything.
Situation: Your old computer was a MacBook(Pro) and you do a lot of voice chatting on Skype/IChat.
Problem: Your shiny, brand new, 33 pound MacPro doesn’t have a built in microphone, so you can listen to your friends talk but you can’t respond to them.
Solution: buy a headset, preferably before you click on the Voice Chat icon
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