Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1152338
42 this new computer should be more than capable of integrating with just about any workflow currently on the market. What's most exciting to enthusiasts of the first-generation cheese graters is the potential for these devices to develop over time. Regardless of configuration, the device comes with two full MPX mod- ules and three full-length PCIe 3.0 slots, allowing for hardware such as additional GPUs, PCIe-based hard drives, Apple's Af- terburner ProRes and ProRes RAW accel- erator cards, Avid's Pro Tools HDX cards, Red's Red Rocket Pro cards, and many others to be seamlessly installed and in- tegrated without the need for sprawling cables and expansion chassis around the primary computer. This versatility re- stores the ability for users to incorporate devices manufactured after the Mac Pro's launch into their system—a feature that has been lacking since the 2013 revamp. Despite all of the positives this new line of computers has to offer, it is not with- out its criticisms. Apple's lack of support for Nvidia products means that users will likely be restricted to AMD's line of GPUs for the foreseeable future. It is also worth noting that certain components are still locked into the Logic Board, meaning that performing maintenance on those components will likely be no easier than it was with the trashcan units. There is also no support for SATA connectivity, meaning that storage expansion may be limited. Most hard disk drives and solid- state drives still utilize SATA III inter- faces, meaning that the only way to in- stall these devices into the new Mac Pro would be via a PCIe adapter. In cases where internal storage is a priority, this can be a definite drawback. It is also much heavier than the trashcan generation. Having reverted back to the old cheese grater design, the new units weigh in at just under forty lbs. This will be a bit of an adjustment for those who have grown accustomed to taking their eleven-lb trashcan Mac Pro on the go. The biggest problem for many prospec- tive users, however, is the price point. While Apple has not yet released the ex- act cost of each component option in a comprehensive breakdown, the base con- figuration machine—which comes with a 256gb SSD, 32gb of RAM, an 8-core 3.5ghz processor, and an AMD Radeon Pro 580X GPU—will set you back $5,999 plus applicable tax. This is unfortunate because a similarly configured Windows machine costs substantially less. In their review of the new Mac Pro, the Linus Me- dia Group assembled an itemized list of components needed to build a Windows- based equivalent to Apple's introductory machine. Their shopping cart ran up a much more manageable total of $3,160. Assuming comparable components are indeed fairly matched up in their assess- ment, that is almost a one hundred per- cent markup per unit. This has left many excited customers concerned that the highest end configuration Cheese Grater 2.0 may cost anywhere between $35,000 and $45,000. For individual users, that is a substantial investment and will need to be considered carefully before making any purchasing decisions. All of that being said, the new Mac Pro will not release until fall of this year. Until then, it is impossible to know for certain what the exact price point will be and whether or not this computing powerhouse will perform as expected. When the new Mac Pro is released, Pro- duction Sound & Video will provide a comprehensive review featuring bench- marks, technical comparisons with older Mac Pros and contemporary Windows machines, and more. In the mean time, prospective buyers ought to start saving their pennies or apply for an extended line of credit if they are hoping to bring home one of these monster machines. This versatility restores the ability for users to incorporate devices manufactured after the Mac Pro's launch into their system—a feature that has been lacking since the 2013 revamp. Trashcans