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Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest
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alaTest.com
Editors' rating: 82
Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 10 reviews of Apple Mac Pro (Intel Xeon Quad Nehalem, 2009) from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 80/100 and users 100/100. Comparing these reviews to 68359 other Desktops reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 82/100 = Very Good.
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digitalartsonline.co.uk
Editors' rating: 90
Summary: Quad-core chips aside, the only other new addition to the Mac Pro is the option of up to four 750GB hard drives, for a total of 3TB of 3Gbps Serial ATA storage -- up from 2TB (four 500GB drives) on older models
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pcmag.com
Editors' rating: 70
Summary: The Apple Mac Pro (8-Core) is the performance dream PC of the creative professional. If you get one, just make sure you have programs that will take advantage of the extra power.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Desktops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of desktop.
General purpose desktop computer
These days, $500 to $1,500 will net you a desktop with a dual-core CPU and enough power to run productivity apps, view and edit vacation photos, manage MP3s and videos, and even play many of today's games--the core activities most common to families, students, and the general purpose PC user. At $1,000 and up, you should easily be able to perform those tasks. Spend around $500, and in most cases you'll still be able to run common tasks without delay, although 3D gaming becomes a stretch. You will definitely find a dual-core chip in a $500 desktop (you should insist on a dual-core chip these days, unless your budget keeps you under the $500 mark), but Vista could still give you trouble. Be sure the PC is equipped with at least 1GB of memory, and it's a good bet that you'll be able to smoothly run Vista. Add in a 128MB graphics card, and you'll get the Aero effects with little to no performance loss.
Read more in the Desktop Buying Guide
See more General purpose desktop computer products
Home office desktop computer
Graphics are less of a concern for most businesses, unless you run a design shop. At minimum, you'll want a desktop computer with enough power (read: dual-core CPU) for multitasking your daily office chores. The money you save on the graphics you can put toward a larger flat-panel display and a better warranty. Vista complicates matters a little. Microsoft recommends at least 512MB of system memory and a DirectX 9-capable graphics card, and it ups the specs to 1GB of RAM and at least 128MB of independent video memory for Vista Home Premium with Aero. Of course, an iMac will get the job done, too, though at a higher price than your typical business PC.
Read more in the Desktop Buying Guide
Desktop computer memory size
One GB of memory is the recommended minimum to run Windows 7 and additional memory will make multitasking and graphics run smoother. Business workstations are apt to have a lot more memory to run industrial strength software. Choosing a lower memory configuration may save you money; however, most of the highest-rated desktop computers on CNET have 2GB.
See more Desktop computer memory size products
Desktops computer processors
The central processor (CPU) is the heart of any computer system and the best test as to whether a desktop computer or notebook fits your needs. The trouble is, processor names like Athlon and Celeron are as undescriptive as system names like Latitude and Pavilion. Here's a quick guide to see which chip is a fit:
| Manufacturer | Processor name | Processing power | Designed use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel | Core i7 | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| AMD | Phenom | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| Intel | Core 2 Quad | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| AMD | Athlon | High | Mainstream |
| Intel | Core 2 Duo | High | Mainstream |
| AMD | Sempron | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Celeron | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Pentium Dual Core | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Atom | Low | Small form factor desktop |
| Via | C7-M | Low | Small form factor desktop |
| Intel | Pentium | Low | Budget |
| AMD | Opteron | Very high | Server |
| Intel | Xeon | Very high | Server |
See more Desktops processor products
Microsoft Windows 7 system requirements
Ready for Windows 7?
If you want to run Windows 7 on your PC, here's what it takes:
- -1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- -1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- -16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
- -DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Additional requirements to use certain features:
- -Internet access (fees may apply)
- -Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware
- -For some Windows Media Center functionality a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required
- -Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware
- -HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7
- -DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive
- -BitLocker requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2
- -BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive
- -Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on
- -Music and sound require audio output
from windows.microsoft.com
See more Microsoft Windows 7 system requirements products
CNET product brief
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.
Apple Mac Pro (8-Core):
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