Apple Mac Pro MC561LL/A Desktop (OLD VERSION)

by Apple

• Two 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Westmere" processors
• 6GB (six 1GB) memory
• 1TB hard drive
• 18x double-layer SuperDrive
• ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB GDDR5

Product Description

Amazon.com

The new Mac Pro is the fastest, most powerful Mac ever. Its new Intel Xeon processors increase performance up to 1.5x, and advanced graphics processors deliver high-performance graphics. It can even be configured with up to 12 processor cores. You can add up to 32 GB of memory, four PCI Express expansion cards, and up to 8 TB of hard drive storage. And the Mac Pro includes built-in Wi-Fi and the Magic Mouse.

The Apple Mac Pro (see larger image).

This Mac Pro (model MC561LL/A) is powered by dual, hyper-threaded 2.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Westmere" series processors 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 16 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.

It also comes with the Mac OS X Lion operating system as well as the iLife software suite, which includes the latest versions of iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand.

Free Upgrade to OS X Lion

If this Mac comes pre-installed with OS X Snow Leopard, but you can order a free upgrade to OS X Lion via Apple's OS X Lion Up-To-Date program for a limited time (depending on the date of your purchase).

Purchased Between June 6 and July 20, 2011 If you purchased a new Mac with OS X Snow Leopard from Amazon between these dates, you must enter your order from the Apple Online Store by August 19, 2011.	Purchased After July 21, 2011 If you purchased a new Mac with OS X Snow Leopard from Amazon after the official OS X Lion release date (on or after July 21, 2011), you must enter your order within 30 days of the date of your purchase.
Learn more about the OS X Lion Up-To-Date Program and enter your order at Apple.com.

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.

The easy-to-access interior (see larger image).

Maximize your system memory up to 32 GB from the four memory slots of this dual-processor Mac Pro model. 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.

Apple Magic Mouse

You'll be able to cut the cord with the included Magic Mouse, which connects to the Mac Pro using Bluetooth wireless technology. The Magic Mouse features a seamless Multi-Touch surface that enables you to use the same intuitive gestures used on the MacBook trackpad to easily scroll through long documents or swipe to move forward or backward through a collection of web pages or photos. And it can be configured as either a single- or two-button mouse.

Rear ports (see larger image).

Key Specifications

• Two 2.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon E5620 "Westmere" processors with 12 MB of fully shared L3 cache per processor, Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 2.66 GHz, and Hyper-Threading technology for up to 16 virtual cores.
• ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics with 1 GB of GDDR5 memory, PCI Express 2.0, and option to install two ATI Radeon HD 5770 cards (which provides support for up to six displays).
• 1 TB Serial ATA hard drive (3Gb/s; 7200 rpm) with up to 8 TB of internal storage (hard drives or solid-state drives) in bays four 3.5-inch cable-free, direct-attach drive bays.
• 6 GB of 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM (six 1 GB DIMMs) with eight memory slots (four per processor) supporting up to 32 GB of main memory
• 18x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW): 18x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 32x CD-R/RW (one open optical drive bay for optional second SuperDrive)
• AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)
• Networking: Two independent 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet (RJ-45) interfaces with support for jumbo frames
• Expansion: Three open full-length PCI Express expansion slots (one PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot; two PCI Express 2.0 x4 slots); all slots provide mechanical support for 16-lane cards
• Four FireWire 800 ports (two on front panel, two on back panel)
• Five USB 2.0 ports (two on front panel, three on back panel) plus two additional USB 2.0 ports on included keyboard
• Video output: Two Mini DisplayPort outputs, and one dual-link DVI port
• Audio I/O: Front-panel headphone minijack and internal speaker; optical digital audio input and output TOSLINK ports; analog stereo line-level input and output minijacks
• Dimensions: 8.1 x 20.1 x 18.7 inches (WxHxD)
• Weight: 41.2 pounds

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

Mac OS X Lion is an even more powerful and refined version of the world's most advanced operating system. In ways big and small, it gets faster, more reliable, and easier to use. New core technologies unleash the power of today's advanced hardware technology and prepare Mac OS X for future innovation.

• Mac OS X v10.7 Lion (includes iTunes, Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools, 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, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD)

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

	Time Capsule Back up a lifetime's worth of memories with Time Capsule, a wireless hard drive that works seamlessly with Time Machine in Mac OS X. It's also a full-featured 802.11n Wi-Fi base station with simultaneous dual-band support. Choose from 1 TB and 2 TB models.
	AirPort Extreme Base Station Speed, range, and easy setup make AirPort Extreme the perfect wireless solution for home, school, and small business. It offers simultaneous dual-band support and lets up to 50 people share Internet access, a wireless network, a hard drive, and a printer.
	27-inch Apple LED Cinema Display The stunning 2560-by-1440 resolution, built-in camera and speakers, and easy connectivity of the 27-inch Apple LED Cinema Display add up to a viewing experience unlike any other.
	Apple Magic Trackpad Magic Trackpad is the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer, and it supports a full set of gestures. Click, scroll, swipe, and rotate to control what's onscreen. Use it along with your mouse or as an alternative to one.
	Apple Wireless Keyboard The sleek aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard lets you type in front of your computer, on your lap, or anywhere within range. It's also incredibly thin and streamlined, so it sits on your desk surrounded by nothing but glorious space.
	Apple Battery Charger The Apple Battery Charger comes with a high-performance, power-efficient charger and six ready-to-use AA NiMH batteries that are exceptional at holding a charge and can last for up to 10 years.

Product Description

Thanks to the next-generation Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Nehalem” processors and new system architecture, the Mac Pro now delivers performance thatʼs 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, itʼs the most advanced Mac Pro ever. (1)Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using preproduction Mac Pro 8-core 2.93GHz units and shipping Mac Pro 8-core 3.2GHz units. SPEC® is a registered trademark of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC); see www.spec.org for more information. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Mac Pro.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I Saved a Few Hundred Dollars Buying Through Amazon. January 25, 2011

By Game Overall Director

Amazon Verified Purchase

Remember to always purchase an Apple Care Plan with your Mac computer products when spending big bucks. The only downside to this product is its not sold with the 1333MHz DDR3 Memory it comes with 1066MHz. The 8 core Westmere chips are burnt with a guideline to only accept a speed up to 1066MHz. You also can not customize your Mac when buying with your Amazon Prime membership. I recommend that you purchase your additional memory from a third party qualified seller. As far as bang for your buck and years of not having to worry about replacing your tower because of technology moving forward. A Mac tower should give you a minimum of close from seven to ten years. There's an upside and a downside. Apple still manufactures the parts here in the United States, but has gone to having these towers assembled overseas. That's where you can run into problems. Apple use to build everything here in the USA. Getting back to the topic on hand. The first one I had purchased though Amazon had a bad optical disc drive, plus I learn from Apple that the computer had been registered back in September. I bought mine in December 2010. If the computer hadn't been preregistered I would have had an Apple tech come to my house and replace the drive or Apple could have sent me the part and I would have done it myself. I have an "Amazon Prime" membership, it helps if you have a problem with your purchase. Since I had spent over $3,000 for a product the only thing to keep in mind is you want to talk to a call center in the USA and not in the Philippine's. Plus you have to deal with a supervisor qualified to authorize an exchange or refund over a $2000.00 purchase. Unless you're fortunate to get someone on the phone that knows exactly how to do their job. This was my first time ever with Amazon I had a major headache in taking care of getting an item replaced. The second one sent to me by Amazon wasn't Apple's, or Amazon's fault. FedEx trashed the package during transportation and I had to refuse delivery. The box was torn and crushed while in transit. This is an important side note for anyone buying a new Mac Tower. At the top of the box is where your re-Installation discs and keyboard are packaged. So if you received a box that is damaged in any way "REFUSE IT" and call Amazon right away. My third one arrived the following day and the box had no damage (It was shipped via FedEx) and it worked just fine. Since I already had my Apple Care Plan, I had a direct number of a supervisor to contact at Apple to check and make sure that the computer hadn't been previously registered before I opened the box. For more details on that you'd have to speak with an Apple supervisor on how some products you purchase have gotten previously registered. I unpacked my Mac Pro hooked everything up and she purred like a kitten. When this computer was released it said the Ram was 1333MHz. It turns out that unless you purchase a six core or 12 core the speed is only 1066MHz (so I repeat). I can always down the road get a better grade video card if I want. The graphic card it comes with is fine for the average person. I'm just glad that Apple went back to using "ATI" graphic cards and the standard is now 1GB GDDR5 HD 5770 video card without an additional upgrade fee. You'll get up to 8TB SATA worth hard drive space and you are set to go when the solid state drives have been out for a little while. Currently the specs show 2TB SSD (Solid State Drive) worth of drive space. The machine is extremely user friendly for upgrading. If you aren't comfortable doing it yourself you can always take it to an Apple Store and have it done there. You never go wrong when it comes to Mac's! If you don't need a Mac Pro like myself then you can get an excellent deal on an iMac here on Amazon. Just check your online Apple Store to check your specs against the Amazon product description. A quality product always in a Mac. Plus haven't you people out in computer world noticed that Apple is always ahead of the curve when it comes to computer technology. Don't forget you can turn your Mac Pro into an expensive PC if you really wanted to, at least it will last longer than your plastic machine. Serious though, I'm sure "Murphy's Law" won't apply to the majority of you out there. You can save money buying an Apple product through Amazon. Mac's are user friendly and you don't have to worry about constantly looking for drivers. Take it from me, I'm a former IBM'er!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner for Mac December 28, 2010

By sparkercats

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this for my husband and all he could say was , WOW:). Easy access for drive upgrades, RAM. Very fast. Photoshop changes are rapid. He is a photographer and restores old photographs. This machine is perfect for this application.
Can't go wrong with a MAC.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great computer as expected November 29, 2010

By sepu

Amazon Verified Purchase

SO far so good ... this is an excellent computer, my main used is for 3D and Visual Effects.
Amazon price unbeatable. I change the I few thing from the original setup, I added 16 GB of Ram and I might update to 24 or 32 in a near future, I also put one SSD for Boot and apps... 5 second to shutdown and around 10 to 15 sec to boot up to open any application its fast.

Im thinking in getting a Quadro 4000 but I will wait and see how the reviews goes ...

I will update this review in the future if something change ....