More cores = more power: Surprising no one except those who thought it would wait until the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in mid-April, Apple today announced the immediate availablility of an 8-core Mac Pro. Mac Pro buyers can now choose between the new 8-core model, featuring dual quad-core Intel Xeon "Cloverton" processors running at 3GHz, or a quad-core configuration running two dual-core Intel Xeon "Woodcrest" processors at 2GHz, 2.66GHz, or 3GHz.
Expansion possibilities abound - Apple says that its build-to-order scheme offers "more than 33 million possible configurations." Some stand-out upgrades include up to 3 terabytes of storage and up to 16GB of RAM. Prices are stratosperic, as well. In its base configuration with 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and an NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT graphics card, the 8-core Mac Pro runs a cool $3,997. Load it up with 3TB of storage, 16GB of RAM, Bluetooth and AirPort, an NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500, and a second SuperDrive, and you're talking $12,119.
Though, come to think of it, that's not bad for what's the equivalent of one of the fastest, most powerful workstations on the planet. Exactly how fast and how powerful? As soon as we get one into our lab and put it through its paces, we'll let you know. Stay tuned...
In related news, Apple also announced deep price cuts in its Cinema Display line: the 20-incher is now $599; the 23, $899, and the big ol' 30 is $1,799. Maybe that $3,997 isn't so bad, after all.
Apple declared least-green computer maker: Greepeace announced its quarterly "Green Ranking" of the world s major computer companies, and Apple - again - huddled lonely at the bottom of the list. The Chinese company that took over IBM's computer division, Lenovo, ranked first. If you'd like to download a PDF of the full 37-page report, click here. We agree with Greepeace when they say, "We love our Macs. We just wish they came in green." Want to drop Steve a note about this? Click here.
Google Desktop Mac goes beta: Want to try a Spotlight replacement? Download a beta copy of Google Desktop for Mac. Before you do, you might want to check out the screenshots on MacNN and read ArsTechnica's hands-on report. It looks pretty slick at first blush - but we're still fans of Quicksilver (which, of course, it still in beta, as well).
In other news: Apple's market share slipped a bit as prospective buyers wait for Leopard. Best Buy is quadrupling its in-store Mac sales to 200 stores nationwide. German researches have figured out how to crack WEP encyption in three seconds. And finally, in the Dog Bites Man news category, Steve Jobs is a tough interview.
Anonymous
April 04, 2007 at 3:17pm
Wow...some of you really missed the boat. Instead of listening to the Greenpeace arguements and either accepting them or rejecting them on fact, you only make emotional attacks on the organization itself. I like Greenpeace and Apple. Greenpeace puts pressure on all computer companies to become more "environmentally friendly." If you missed that, you need to look again. What makes the pressure on Apple unique is that Apple is, compared to others, so much more enlightened as a company. Thus, the obvious dilemma. Even Greenpeace says "We like our Apple." Did you miss everything?
And, if you're defending the Canadian seal hunt, you really missed the boat.
Anonymous
April 04, 2007 at 3:03pm
Greenpeace...means your date needs a bath, in the worst way.
Anonymous
April 04, 2007 at 2:03pm
BB might be adding more Macs to their stores, but that doesn't mean their idiot sales people will know anything about them. It's bad enough going in there and getting LIED to all the time about the simplest of things, much less a computer system they decide to hate and put down arbitrarily..
Anonymous
April 04, 2007 at 12:20pm
Greenpeace will stir up anything to get attention. As Apple is newsworthy they try to accuse and get at Apple. I am not saying that Apple is the most "green" organization. Others are just as bad. This is only a means to get press. Where were Greenpeace when there was NO ENERGY SAVER in PC's. Press and Media and Attention is what they want. Also before you listen to them read up a little on the net on their more extremist activites. Yes we need to save the planet, but starving people come first according to me but not Greenpeace, if you read betwen the lines. Bunch of rich retarded i wanna be cools led by some real head cases.
Anonymous
April 04, 2007 at 11:21am
They're a thoroughly dishonest organization that I have zero respect for. They came to prominence (and a lot of money) by a dishonest publicity campaign about the Candian seal hunt, and they've scarcely done any better since then. When a reputable organziaton like the NRDC presents objective research, then I'll believe them. Otherwise, they're just a bunch of crazy zealots who bend the truth to raise money. Narcissism is bad for the planet.
Anonymous
April 04, 2007 at 6:16pm
I agree with the posting about Greenpeace and would go further to lump Sierra Club in with them. These organizations exist for themselves and are self perpetuating. Some of their causes are great but I don't trust them anymore than I trust the government.
Local action is the only action where you can be sure of the results and reasonably sure of the agenda.
No matter how "bad" Apple's green status in manufacturing is, the simple fact that Mac's last and don't go into the landfill every four years would seem to make Mac a more "eco friendly choice".
Tony
April 04, 2007 at 7:18pm
"These organizations exist for themselves and are self perpetuating."
Are you out of your freaking mind? Do you realize how difficult it is to make a living doing anti-corporate non-profit work? These guys aren't making big bucks, and if you think they are, you've been watching too much Fox News or listening to Señor Oxycontin.
Believe it or not, there are people in the world -- lots of people -- who actually care about what's happening to the environment, and who are dedicated to doing something about it.
As bizarre as it may sound and as hard to believe as it might seem, there still is nobility in the world.
Anonymous
April 04, 2007 at 9:51pm
Yeah, but these noble people often have no idea what the truth really is. All they know is what the guy with an agenda told them.
The seal hunt has also been attacked for years with no word said about why it exists. If baby seals weren't cute, no one would give a damn.
Anonymous
April 10, 2007 at 11:50am
It's well known why the seal hunt exists. The commercial fishing industry has fished the seas to death and wishes to eliminate the competition for an already depleted fishing industry. Computers should be greener, hungry people should be fed, and without a habitable planet to live on none of it really matters. It is a shame to see such polarization and negativity. The political agenda of the average computer consumer does more damage to the world and its inhabitants (be they humans or merely lowly animals) than Greenpeace. Wake the heck up!
