Apple has just as expected closed the circle for its transition to Intel’s processor platform. This has been performed by announcing a new series of workstations called Mac Pro and a new Xserve series. Mac Pro is the successor to PowerMac G5 and just as its predecessor the specifications are impressive, at best the Mac Pro comes with four processor cores, through dual dual-core Xeon processors based on Intel’s new Core architecture (Woodcrest). With frequencies up to 3.0GHz there is plenty of performance with these machines and Apple claims that Mac Pro will offer up to twice the performance as its older sibling PowerMac G5.
For this beefy processor power you get three different graphics card alternatives; NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500, ATI Radeon X1900 XTX or NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT. Other interesting specifications are up to 16GB DDR2 ECC FB-DIMM RAM and harddrive storage at up to 2TB. You can simply make your Mac Pro a real monster, but already the standard model with its 2 Xeon processorer working at 2.66GHz, 1GB RAM memory, 250GB harddrive etc. costs $2,499 and for a fully fitted system the price tag can rise up to $18,000, and further.
Apple Mac Pro
Apple has also launched a new Xserve series to replace Xserve G5. Sporting quad-core, dual Xeon processors at up to 3.0GHz and 64-bit support the new Xserve will offer up to 5 times the performance of its predecessor, which is hardly something to frown upon. Other interesting specifications are 2.25TB of storage, dual integrated Gigabit Ethernet ports and a combo unit. It is definitely worth mentioning that this is all included in a convenient 1U format which allows for space-saving rack mounting for those with great ambitions. You can also get it with considerably more shy specifications and the prices then start at $2,999.
Apple Xserve
