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> So the Apple II+ were $4000+ in today's money. Still doesn't make the new Mac Pro look reasonable. :) A rich hierarchy of professional-grade desktop-ish-size
by brandonmenc 7y ago
> So the Apple II+ were $4000+ in today's money. Still doesn't make the new Mac Pro look reasonable. :)
A rich hierarchy of professional-grade desktop-ish-sized computers no longer exists because the PC architecture replaced everything.
The Mac Pro is the modern equivalent of an SGI workstation or - if we're talking late 1970s, when the Apple II was introduced - maybe a DEC VAX - both of which could cost up to a quarter million dollars.
It's actually unbelievable how cheap the Mac Pro is if you think in those terms.
- stan_rogers 7y agoIn terms of what it's used for, a more fitting comparison would likely be a Scitex and Hell prepress suite. You could pour a couple of million into that and feel there were things you'd left out.
- PostOnce 7y agoSGI workstations had software that only ran on SGI workstations, they had hardware that did things that consumer PCs just didn't (like 3D hardware before that became a consumer item) The Mac Pro isn't different enough to categorize it along the lines of SGI. It doesn't run software that regular Macs don't, it doesn't have any particularly special hardware, it's "prosumer" equipment, not "professional" in the sense that SGI and similar were. In other words, it's a PC. That's not a bad thing, by the way; we all have amazing computers now, and we should be glad.
- mixmastamyk 7y agoIt has access to local cpu, cooling resources and ecc ram amounts that aren’t available to the masses. Agreed, not as deep a moat but there still is one.
- brandonmenc 7y ago> it's "prosumer" equipment, not "professional" in the sense that SGI and similar were Does the average consumer purchase a Mac Pro? No. Is the Mac Pro being used in every professional setting previously dominated by SGI? Yes. > The Mac Pro isn't different enough to categorize it along the lines of SGI. Uniqueness of architecture is orthogonal to the argument - which is that the cost of handling professional-grade workloads on the desktop is lower than ever.
- mixmastamyk 7y agoA desktop Onyx was about 60k in the late 90s if memory serves. Felt special logging in.
- reaperducer 7y agoAll these years later, that finally explains why only one person in my company was authorized to use that machine. Keith, you lucky bastard.
- mixmastamyk 7y agoOops, it was a teal Octane actually. If it helps any a new iPhone has more oomph in most categories.
- reaperducer 7y agoThat's OK, we had one of those, too. And again... Keith was the only one who was allowed to use it.
- mixmastamyk 7y agoI think it's safe now to answer "lol" without downvotes.