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Product Information
| Processor | 3.2 GHz Intel Xeon |
| RAM | 6 GB SDRAM DDR3 |
| Hard Drive | 1024 GB |
| Graphics Coprocessor | ATI Radeon HD 5770 |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 1 GB |
| Brand Name | Apple |
| Series | Mac Pro |
| Item model number | MD770LL/A |
| Hardware Platform | Mac |
| Operating System | Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 23.20 x 12.60 x 28.20 inches |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Processor Count | 4 |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR3 SDRAM |
| Hard Drive Interface | Serial ATA |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 7200 RPM |
| Optical Drive Type | 18x double-layer SuperDrive |
| ASIN | B00747WW9E |
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,996 in Computers & Accessories (See top 100) |
| Shipping Weight | 50.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) |
| Shipping | Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. |
| Date First Available | June 11, 2012 |
Available Warranties for This Item
Product Description
Amazon.com
The Apple Mac Pro is the fastest, most powerful Mac ever. It features an Intel Xeon quad-core processor, and powerful ATI Radeon HD graphics that are perfect for advanced 3D modeling and rendering. You can add up to 64 GB of memory, four PCI Express expansion cards, and up to 8 TB of hard drive storage. And Mac Pro comes standard with OS X Lion--the world's most advanced desktop operating system.
This Mac Pro (model MD770LL/A) is powered by a single hyper-threaded 3.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon series processor with a Turbo Boost feature that automatically boosts the processor clock speed based on workload. It also features the ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics processor with 1 GB of GDDR5 memory.
It's outfitted with 1 TB of hard drive storage and 6 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM. The interior provides easy access to all components within the Mac Pro for hassle-free expansion and upgrade capability--up to 32 GB of RAM and four hard drive bays for up to 8 TB of storage under the hood. And while it comes standard with a 18x SuperDrive (compatible with burning DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW discs), you can also add a second writing SuperDrive.
Key Features
Easy Expansion
With the easy-to-access interior of the Mac Pro, all you need to do is simply remove the side panel in order to add hard drives and memory. And adding a new hard drive to take advantage of the 8 TB maximum capacity of the Mac Pro is a cinch--just slide out one of the four direct-attach, cable-free drive bays to add a Serial ATA hard drive or solid-state drive. Lock the drives with the side door latch, and you're done.
Maximize your system memory up to 32 GB from the four memory slots of this single-processor Mac Pro model (using 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB DIMMs). And just like adding storage, the easy access interior makes it a snap to re-configure your memory--slide out the processor tray, then simply snap new memory into place.
Multiple Video Output Options
The Mac Pro features two Mini DisplayPorts and one dual-link DVI port. The additional Mini DisplayPort output allows you to connect two displays without an additional graphics card or adapter, and the dual-link DVI port supports legacy DVI-based displays up to a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.
Accelerated Architecture
The Intel Xeon processor supports Hyper-Threading, which allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core. So, for example, this 4-core Mac Pro presents 8 virtual cores that are recognized by OS X. Performance is enhanced because Hyper-Threading enables the processor to take better advantage of the execution resources available in each core.
System memory is often connected to a processor through a separate I/O controller. But Intel Xeon processors feature an integrated memory controller. By connecting memory directly to the processor, the Mac Pro processors have faster access to data stored in memory, and memory latency is reduced.
Key Specifications
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What's in the Box
Mac Pro, Apple Keyboard with numeric keypad, Magic Mouse, USB extension cable, power cord, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation
Limited Warranty And Service
The Mac Pro comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a 1-year limited warranty, which can be extended to 3 years with the AppleCare Protection Plan.
Installed Software
At the heart of every Mac Pro--and every Mac--is OS X Mountain Lion, the world's most advanced desktop operating system. Since the software built into every Mac is created by the same company that makes the Mac, you get a fully integrated system in which everything works together perfectly. OS X works with the processor in your Mac to deliver the best possible performance. Power Nap even takes advantage of the Mac hardware to keep the entire system up to date while it sleeps.
- OS X Mountain Lion (includes Mac App Store, Safari, Mail, Messages, Calendar, Contacts, Reminders, Notes, Time Machine, FaceTime, Photo Booth, Game Center, iTunes, and more)
iLife helps you do more with photos, movies, and music than you ever thought possible. In iPhoto, you can browse, edit, and share your photos in stunning new full-screen views. Create epic Hollywood-style movie trailers from your home video in iMovie. And GarageBand gives you everything you need to make a great-sounding song--including tools for keeping your song in perfect rhythm and guitar and piano lessons.
- iLife (includes iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand)
AppleCare Protection Plan
Because Apple makes the hardware, the operating system, and many applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. And only the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you one-stop service and support from Apple experts, so most issues can be resolved in a single call. Extend the complimentary service and support on your Mac to 3 years from the original Mac purchase date with the AppleCare Protection Plan. You get direct telephone access to Apple experts for technical questions, and you get global repair coverage--including both parts and labor--for your Mac and select Apple peripherals.
Optional Accessories and Related Products
 | 27-inch Apple LED Cinema Display |
 | Time Capsule |
 | AirPort Extreme Base Station |
 | Apple Magic Trackpad |
 | Apple Wireless Keyboard |
 | Apple Battery Charger |
Product Description
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Customer Reviews
My old 24" Cinema Display was still working, but since it is about 8 years old and uses the old ADC connector, I didn't think it was worth purchasing the $300+ adapter for it. There are several 3rd party monitors that looked good and were cheaper or close to $1K, but I decided to go with Mac again, and bought the 27" Cinema Display. While its glossiness can be distracting, I keep my office dark so that isn't really an issue. I've read other's thoughts on the pros and cons of glossy displays, and if a user is not on a laptop that is exposed to a variety of environments, then it actually is the better display for clarity, color depth and reading text. So far I have to concur. At 2560x1440 pixel resolution, details are a bit smaller than what I've been used to, but I'm adjusting and really like the extra screen real-estate. Its brightness is highly adjustable from 'almost can't see' to 'nearly blown-out', so glare can be compensated for in that way as well. In any event, it plays very nicely with the Mac Pro, though I wish the connection cords were longer.
Getting back to the Mac Pro. Initial boot-up was easy and the set-up process simple. The interior design of this computer is even more impressive than that of the G5, and I thought that one had the best configuration I'd ever seen in a desktop. Opening the Mac Pro is just as easy as before and they did away with the clear air flow shield and removable fan. Components are laid out more intuitively and EVERYTHING is modular. The 4 hard drive bays are very accessible and RAM was very easy to install. I installed a 4 card 16GB Kingston kit and am pleased with it's performance. It is also ECC so I don't have to worry about cosmic rays corrupting my memory. ;'] I also purchased a second WD Caviar Black 1 TB HD as a back-up, and installed the 2 hard drives from my old Power Mac as well. I've encounter no problems with any of them and the installations were easy. It runs quieter than the G5 Power Mac and has extra ports on the front. If I wanted to install a second optical drive, there is a bay for that. SDDs and a second graphics cards are also an option, though I don't personally require them, yet.
I'm still feeling things out, but so far I'm VERY impressed with the Mac Pro. It is FAST -- I'd say a good 3-4x more responsive than my G5 from everything from startup to browser speed and everything else. It came with OSX 10.7 (Lion) installed, but offered a free upgrade to OSX 10.8 (Mountain Lion), which I took advantage of. I installed all of the updates and after more than a week's use, everything appears to be very responsive and stable. OSX is one of the primary reasons people buy Apple Macs, and Mountain Lion is pretty slick. I've yet to encounter a application or system crash. On my old 10.4.1.1 system, that happened *at least* once a week. I'm now using Adobe Creative Suite CS6, QuarkXPress 9.2.1.1 and Office for Mac 2011. No complaints thus far. Browser speeds are excellent too. I had been primarily using Firefox on my old system, but Safari is great on this one so I may stick with it. I did download Firefox and Chrome, and both are speedy on this computer as well. The Apple Magic Mouse is a revelation. I don't think I can ever go back to using a regular mouse again.
All-in-all, I would recommend the Mac Pro to a graphics professional who is comfortable using OSX. There is a price premium for the hardware, but I think it's worth it if you want to use OSX and desire a very solid, efficient workstation. It is missing some features like Blu-Ray, USB 3, Thunderbolt and card readers, but for me that is mostly a non-issue. If you NEED to upgrade before the next generation of Mac Pros are available, then I would say don't hesitate. If you can wait, then wait. If you don't want or need OSX, then consider the many fine Windows workstation alternatives. Otherwise, the Mac Pro is hard to beat!
~ Kort
The reason I wanted to post a review already is to explain why I chose the Mac Pro over the iMac.
This new Mac Pro is my fifth Apple computer. My current Mac is an iMac 24inches Intel Core 2 Duo. Before that, I had a G4 tower, with a Motorola chip.
I bought the G4 in 1999 and believe it or not, this Mac is still running as of today. All my Macs are turned on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for almost all year long. I only shut them down when I go away from home for more than 3 days, which means around 3-4 times a year. They are both set up to go to sleep after 1 hour of idle time. So my G4 is now close to 14 years old (the cost is well written off by now!) and I never had one issue with it. Not a single glitch either with the RAM, the hard disk, the mother board or anything else.
As opposed to my iMac (bought in june 2006) that is a bit over 6 years old now, costed me less than the G4 but is already showing signs of malfunction. As an example, five days ago, I was using HandBrake to convert a movie and all of a sudden, it froze and gave me a blue screen... First time ever I see this on a Mac. I had to kill it by holding down the power button, but when I restarted, everything was fine. All kinds of strange bugs like that happen over the last few months.
So I decided that if the iMac dies, I will not have it fixed and based on my experience with the G4, I decided to go for the Mac Pro, hoping that it will be as reliable. You may say what's the point of keeping a computer for so long, since the technology evolves so fast. Well, based on my needs, upgrading at the pace of the technology isn't a requirement. For example, I use a flat bed Agfa scanner on my G4 to scan printed photos from many sources (newspapers, magazines, old photos, etc). It came with a software to scan photos that has so many options and gives so good results, I never found anything better since. So as long as my G4 lasts, this scanner will be my main tool to scan photos, because I cannot plug it in newer computers and it runs only on old system 9.1.
I chose the new Mac Pro with the quad-core chip, because I use Photoshop a lot to edit photos and it does not manage more than four cores anyway.
In short, I prefer to buy a computer that is a bit more expensive at the date of purchase, but which lasts and becomes cheaper with time, than one that needs to be changed after 3 years and has erratic functionning in that period of time. In that sense, I don't trust the iMac for the long run.
DEC 17, 2012
This is a first impression report, as promised in the previous section of this review.
The first thing that surprised me when I got the Mac Pro is the size of the computer. It is huge! Much bigger than the 1999 G4. Even though I knew it was going to be bigger when I looked at the dimensions, it is quite impressive when you see it for real. So be aware that it is going to take space on your desk.
Nevertheless, it was easy to get it out of the box, thanks to the two handles at each end of the computer. It is heavy, though, but that heaviness gives a feel of a computer very strongly built.
I ordered the Mac Pro with only one hard drive, because I found internal hard disks much cheaper at another store. I had to install them by myself and even though I had never done this before, the Mac Pro is so well designed inside, it is so easy to figure out how to do it that in 15 minutes, the job was done, without the need to look inside the user's guide.
Another surprise when I started the computer : none of the three hard disks were visible on the desktop. And yet, the computer started. Using Disk Utility, I realised that Mac OS was seeing them. So, what was going on?
After a lot of reading on the Internet, I learned that Mac OS 10.8 comes by default with the "Show hard disks on desktop" checkbox unchecked. You have to go to Finder/Preferences and check that box. Be aware.
Third surprise are the scroll bars in any window. By default, they show only when the mouse roll over. I found that setting quite annoying. But how do you change it? I read on the Internet that I would need to install a third party tiny application, but that is not true if you have OS X 10.8.2. Go to System Preferences/General icon and there you have a radio button to have the scroll bars always on.
First time also that I ordered a Mac with a wireless keyboard and mouse. The keyboard is so slim, so tiny, it is a joy to use. Even though it comes without a keypad and requires to get used to a new key layout, for those used to an extended keyboard, the joy of using it cancel the pain of learning a new key layout (I don't mean here the QWERTY layout, but rather the other keys. For example, on an extended keyboard, you have two separate delete keys, one for backward deleting and one for forward deleting. On this smaller wireless keyboard, there's only one delete key, which is a backward delete key, and for forward deleting, you have to press the function and backward delete keys at the same time).
Be also aware that any new Mac now comes without a system backup on DVD. Go to Apple support Web pages and look for « Reinstall OS X » and « Recovery Disk Assistant » for details.
Finally, the speed is there. Applications open almost instantly (Photoshop CS5, InDesign CS5, Word, Excel 2011). I have not made yet an extensive testing of the performance, but it is already obvious that this Mac has power.
So far, I am quite pleased with this new Mac Pro.
2013-02-26
Something weird happened today. Trying to install a Windows OS with Bootcamp, something went wrong and I needed to reboot. But the Mac Pro wouldn't restart on MacOS but rather ask for the Windows install DVD. I couldn't do that because none of the keys of the wireless keyboard would work. Nothing. So I could not open the door of the DVD drive. After several attempts, I plugged my old USB wired keyboard from the iMac, and then holding the ALT key worked just fine and I could choose the boot drive. None of the wireless devices of the Mac Pro (keyboard and mouse) worked on restart. So wireless devices don't seem very safe for emergency restart...
