Apple claims the new Mac Pro "fosters creativity on an epic scale," so let's take a look at 10 things that make the Mac Pro unique.
1. Planning
Let's start with the design, since it's undoubtedly the first thing you'll notice about the new Mac Pro. The Mac Pro's cylindrical shape looks more like a subwoofer than a computer tower. While the design has drawn mixed reviews, in any case, Apple has tried to combine a new exterior design with a new approach to cooling the high-performance computer.
2. 4K support
Although 4K video is poorly supported due to high recording speed and high storage requirements, that didn't stop Apple from going ahead and designing this beast to handle up to three (yes three!) 4K video monitors. High-end filmmakers should consider pairing Black Magic's 4K camera with the Mac Pro to make their every creative dream come true.
3. PCIe-based Flash Storage
As in the new MacBook Pros, the hard drive in the Mac Pro is upgraded from Serial ATA (with optional 512GB SSDs) to the new PCIe-based flash. PCIe storage is up to 2.4 times faster than the fastest SATA-based SSD drive. Tests give 1200MB/s for PCIe compared to 500MB/s for a SATA drive. The Mac Pro offers up to 1TB of storage.
4. Thunderbolt 2
Thunderbolt 2, Intel's new technology, integrates PCI Express with DisplayPort 1.2. The technology (combined with 6 ports capable of supporting up to 6 daisy-chained devices each) will theoretically allow you to connect up to 36 external devices. Also, Thunderbolt 2 allows up to 20Gbps of bandwidth for each external device.
5. RAM memory
The Mac Pro offers up to 64GB of RAM, while the previous Mac Pro model reaches up to 30GB. Bandwidth has also been doubled, with a quad-channel DDR3 memory controller running at 1866MHz. 64GB is a lot of RAM!
6. Single Thermal Core
Instead of using multiple heatsinks and fans to cool the Mac Pro, Apple uses a single piece of extruded aluminum that maximizes airflow and heat capacity (See photo 1). Heat is directed away from the processor and graphics cards and distributed evenly throughout the core. So extra heat capacity is shared between processors, even among those that are not in use. This is a unique Apple design for the first time in mass production.
7. A fan
Also unique to the Mac Pro is the one and only large fan. The fan draws in fresh air from the bottom of the unit while exhausting the warm core air from the top of the unit. In a sense, the Mac Pro works like a portable air filter that works from the bottom up. The large fan is also quiet for its size. The sound level of the fan in standby mode is estimated at 12dBA.
8. Dual GPU
The Mac Pro features Dual AMD FirePro workstation-class GPUs. Each of the GPUs is available with dedicated vRAM at 2GB, 3GB or 6GB, with up to 2048 stream processors. Apple rates the GPU performance at up to 7 teraflops compared to the latest Mac Pro which delivers up to 2.7 teraflops. The dual GPU also provides enough power to connect up to three 4K displays, as mentioned above.
9. Price
Why is the Mac Pro unique? The starting price of the Mac Pro in Greece is around €2,700 without VAT, if you think about what kind of PC you "build" with this money, you wonder. But the Mac Pro was designed for a niche audience with high demands. For an audience that if they combine it with the purchase of a 27-inch Thunderbolt monitor and a Blackmagic 4K camera they will have an excellent video station for less than €10,000 (without lenses).