Apple Mac Pro (8-Core)

Description: This configuration of the Apple Mac Pro is a Xeon-based, high-end personal computer.Compared to other high-end desktops on the market, it is expensive at around $2,685.This desktop comes with 2 GB RAM, and a 320 GB hard disk.

Pros: Has a 1600 MHz data bus speeds, which is considerably more favorable than some similarly priced desktops.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: A performance desktop, suited for image editing, digital video, and 3-D gaming, beyond basic computing tasks.The Xeon based processor installed on this machine is a real workhorse, for use in a workstation class computer.The ATi Radeon HD 2600 series based graphics on this computer will be fine for web-browsing and general purpose computing.

Value: In general, this desktop's price seems hard to justify, with respect to its features.For example, when it comes to CPU speed, the price of a high-end desktops with similar speed is about 30% lower.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: Apple
• Part Number: MA970LL/A

• General

• Type Personal computer
• Product Form Factor Tower
• Width 8.1 in
• Depth 18.7 in
• Height 20.1 in
• Weight 42.3 lbs
• Desktop type Work station system

• Processor

• Type Intel Xeon 2.8 GHz
• Multi-Core processor technology 8-core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Installed Qty 2
• Max processors supported 2
• Upgradability Upgradable
• Processor main features Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Installed Size 24 MB
• Cache Per Processor 12 MB ( 2 x 6MB (6MB per core pair) )

• Mainboard

• Data bus speed 1600 MHz

• RAM

• Installed Size 2 GB / 4 GB (max)
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM - ECC
• Memory speed 800 MHz
• RAM form factor FB-DIMM 240-pin
• RAM features Fully buffered
• RAM configuration features 2 x 1 GB

• Environmental Parameters

• Environmental standards EPA Energy Star
• Min operating temperature 50 °F
• Max operating temperature 95 °F
• Operating humidity range 5 - 95%

• Storage Controller

• Type 1 x Serial Attached SCSI - Integrated
• Controller interface type Serial ATA-300 / SAS
• Storage controller interface channel qty 4

• Storage

• Floppy drive type None
• Hard Drive 1 x 320 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-300 - 7200 rpm
• Hard Drive (2nd) None
• Hard Drive (3rd) None

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD±RW (±R DL)
• CD / DVD read speed 32x (CD) / 16x (DVD)
• CD / DVD write speed 32x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL)
• CD / DVD rewrite speed 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• Type None

• Storage Removable

• Type None

• Monitor

• Monitor Type None

• Graphics Controller

• Type PCI Express 2.0 x16 - Plug-in card
• Graphics Processor / Vendor ATI Radeon HD 2600XT
• Video Memory 256 MB GDDR3 SDRAM
• Digital Video Standard Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
• Max Monitors Supported 2

• Audio Output

• Type Sound card - Integrated

• Keyboard

• Keyboard interface USB
• Keyboard features Built-in two USB 2.0 ports

• Input Device

• Type Mouse, Keyboard

• Mouse

• Mouse technology Optical
• Mouse interface USB

• Telecom

• Modem None

• Audio Input

• Type None

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter - Integrated
• Ethernet Ports 2 x Gigabit Ethernet
• Data Link Protocol Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
• Compliant Standards Bluetooth 2.0

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Bays Total (Free) 4 ( 3 ) x Internal - 3.5" x 1/3H, 2 ( 1 ) x Front accessible
• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 8 ( 6 ) x Memory - FB-DIMM 240-pin, 2 ( 1 ) x PCI Express 2.0 x16 - Full-length, 2 ( 0 ) x Processor, 2 ( 2 ) x PCI Express x4 - Full-length
• Interfaces 2 x Display / video - DVI-Analog/Digital (dual link) - 29 pin combined DVI, 2 x IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) - 9 pin FireWire 800 ( 1 in front ), 2 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 6 pin FireWire ( 1 in front ), 5 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A ( 2 in front ), 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio - SPDIF input - TOSLINK, 1 x Audio - SPDIF output - TOSLINK, 1 x Audio - Line-in - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio - Line-out - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 2 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45

• Printer

• Type None

• Miscellaneous

• Cables Included DVI-VGA adapter, USB extension cable

• Power

• Power device type Power supply
• Voltage Required AC 120/230 V

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Apple MacOS X 10.5
• Software Front Row, Apple iCal, Apple iChat, Photo Booth, Apple Safari, Apple Spaces, Apple Dashboard, Apple QuickTime, Apple Spotlight, Apple iLife '09, Apple DVD Player, Apple Quick Look, Apple Address Book, Apple Time Machine, Apple Mac OS X Mail, Apple XCode Developer Tools

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year, Technical support - Phone consulting - 90 days

• Sustainability

• EPA Energy Star Compliant Yes
• Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 4.9

Apple

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.apple.com
• Address: 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA. 95014
• Phone: 1-408-996-1010