We've been poised to get a Mac Pro for some time now, but knowing that the octo-core Mac was coming out soonish, we were hesitating. Add that the uncertainty whether Apple would match the 3.0 GHz clock speed of their existing quad-core machine and we were pondering whether to just jump on what was out and move on. In fact, on Sunday we were standing in the Apple Store in Boulder, ready to buy right there.
Imagine the heartache we would have felt to see the 8-core Mac Pro announced right around the time we would have just completed installing and configuring all the video and compositing software and peripherals.
Needless to say, I am way way excited. While this configuration won't make much of a difference for many, if not most, software apps today, with Leopard coming in June and a new 8-core-optimized Final Cut Pro rumored to be announced at NAB, plus the claims that Creative Suite 3 is poised to take advantage of the multithreading potential, this could just be the killer machine for video and multimedia for 2007. We have a meeting with an Apple business rep this week. Maybe we'll take our NAB expenses and just put them into a machine right now.
Bummer that Apple is apparently not the most environmental-friendly company. It's a wonder how a company that can get so much so right can get such a big thing so so wrong.
Stay tuned.
Posted by: Laura Scott on Apr 4, 2007 at 8:37:10 am
One of the best things I've ever done in my office was taking the time to run long enough cables to put my computer in a cooler (and quieter) spot. I can see where this would be a pain for somebody who did a lot of DVD burning or something, but for installing or burning the occasional disk, no problem at all.
Note that if your USB run is longer than 10 ft. for keyboard/mouse, or 16 ft. for powered devices, you'll need USB active repeater cables. I've never seen them in a store, but they're easy and cheap to find online.
They come in 3M and 5M lengths, and you can string up to 5 of them. A max of 81+ feet is going to be fine for most folks -- long enough to get another room if you have a drill.
Long monitor cables (mine is a 25-ft DVI) are easy enough to find online too. Check Froogle for the best price. They'll usually send you to eBay, but I've found enough exceptions that Froogle is definitely the way to go.
Even if you just move your computer to another part of the same room so you don't hear the fans as much, you'll be glad you did it.
I understand that a major focus has been on reducing the heat generated. That's why octo-core laptops are not anticipated until next year.
Currently my office tends to be the coldest in the suite, but when we move later this year, we'll be sure to look at good a/c.
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You may have a far different office set-up than we do and may be in a more pleasant climate, so maybe this won't be a problem. But my experience with a Quad-Core has been difficulty in dealing with the heat it produces.
My workstation area consists of a built-in desk, anchored into the corner of the room with equipment racks running to the floor. When I upgraded to a Quad-Core machine last year I had not thought about the fact that four processors produce considerably more heat than my previous Mac. So much heat in the summer months that I soon had to add a bathroom exhaust fan, which vents directly to the outside, installed under the desk. And on really hot days, that's not enough. As we approach this summer I'm considering adding a bigger fan and/or ductwork directly to the back of the computer.
So as exciting as the Octo-Core sounds be prepared for the heat.
-Nick Griffin
"Some people say that I'm superficial. But that's just on the surface."
I'm president of an interactive media design company involved in web development using the Drupal Open Source Content Management System. Our clients include PopSci.com, Scripps and Stanford University.
I've been doing web design since 1995, but until a few years ago most of my professional work was in video editing and compositing.
My personal blog is rare pattern, where I write more about the web, computers and cool things like Battlestar Galactica. I also have a photoblog, scattered sunshine.
I also blog occasionally at BlogHer.
