Apple's highly anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2023 brought exciting news for professional users as the Mac Pro finally received its much-needed upgrade. At the event, Apple unveiled the latest iteration of the Mac Pro, which boasts impressive specifications and features that cater to the needs of power users. One of the standout enhancements is the integration of Apple's M2 Ultra System on a Chip (SoC), along with support for PCIe Gen 4 expansion. However, this cutting-edge technology comes with a price tag of US$6,999.
The previous generation of Mac Pros, powered by Intel processors, provided a range of configurations starting from an 8-core CPU. However, with the introduction of the M2 Ultra SoC, Apple has raised the bar by equipping all Mac Pro models with a formidable 24-core CPU, a 32-core neural engine, and a remarkable 800 GB/s of memory bandwidth. This upgrade ensures that the Mac Pro can handle demanding professional tasks with ease. The base configuration of the M2 Ultra includes a 60-core GPU and 64 GB of unified memory, but users have the option to upgrade the GPU to an impressive 76-core variant and boost the unified memory capacity to a staggering 192 GB.
One significant highlight of the new Mac Pro is its support for PCIe Gen 4 expansion. This marks the first time Apple has incorporated PCIe Gen 4 slots into its Mac lineup, delivering enhanced data transfer speeds and increased bandwidth. The Mac Pro offers a total of six full-length PCIe Gen 4 slots, with two slots operating at x16 and four slots operating at x8. Additionally, there is a half-length PCIe Gen 3 slot that comes pre-installed with the Apple I/O card. To power these expansion slots, the Mac Pro is equipped with two six-pin connectors, each capable of delivering 75 watts, and one 150-watt eight-pin connector.
Apple has also taken connectivity into consideration with the new Mac Pro. It features a total of eight Thunderbolt 4 ports, six located on the back and two conveniently placed on the top (or front for rack enclosures). These Thunderbolt 4 ports provide exceptional versatility for connecting high-performance peripherals and external devices. Furthermore, the Mac Pro offers two USB Type-A ports, two HDMI ports, two 10 GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) ports, a 3.5 mm audio jack, one internal USB-A port, and two SATA ports. Notably, the Mac Pro stands out as one of the first modern Mac machines to support the Wi-Fi 6E standard, enabling high-speed wireless connectivity.
With its impressive specifications and features, the new Mac Pro with M2 Ultra starts at a price of US$6,999 for the tower configuration and US$7,499 for the rack variant. While this price may seem steep, it reflects the Mac Pro's position as a top-of-the-line workstation tailored specifically for professional users who demand uncompromising performance.
The introduction of the M2 Ultra SoC and PCIe Gen 4 expansion in the Mac Pro demonstrates Apple's commitment to catering to the needs of power users in the professional market. By equipping the Mac Pro with a powerful SoC and offering expandability through PCIe Gen 4, Apple has positioned the Mac Pro as a versatile and future-proof workstation capable of handling even the most demanding tasks.
In conclusion, Apple's announcement at WWDC23 regarding the new Mac Pro with M2 Ultra and PCIe Gen 4 expansion has generated significant excitement among professionals. The inclusion of the M2 Ultra SoC, with its impressive CPU and GPU capabilities, ensures that the Mac Pro delivers exceptional performance across various professional applications. The addition of PCIe Gen 4 expansion slots provides flexibility and future-proofing, enabling users to customize their Mac Pro according to their specific needs. While the starting price of US$6,999 may be considered high, it reflects the Mac Pro's position as a top-tier workstation for professionals who require unparalleled power and reliability.
