The Apple Mac Pro launched with an emphasis on modulation, giving owners a variety of methods to customize a tower to their needs, but it has a rolling problem. The desktop computer possesses a steel space frame to enable access to the tower’s interiors and is advertised with several exterior additions. Some add-ons, like the $400 stainless steel frame with wheels, emphasize mobility, but the frame doesn’t have a locking mechanism.
On the Apple store, you can see a breakdown of what goes into the total cost. A Mac Pro with the bare essential costs $6,000, but the price quickly inflates as you increase the specs. Going from a 3.5GH 8-core Intel Xeon W processor to a 3.3Gz 12-core one will boost add another $1,000, while adding wheels to the frame adds an additional $400. Though, it’s hard to justify this when its lack of a locking mechanism makes it liable to roll on desks or smooth floors.
YouTuber, Marques Brownlee recently published a review of the Mac Pro to the MKBHD YouTube channel praising the machine’s power, speed, and customizability, but noted some unnecessary additions. Apple’s 52-thousand-dollar machine sports a cheese grater like design in place of liquid or internal fans. To cut back on sound, Apple made several additional structural choices to ensure that the machine makes as little noise as possible, contributing to the excessive price. Along with the review, Brownlee also took to Twitter to demonstrate the rolling issue.
Apple’s Excessive Design Strikes Again
Apple has a history of extravagantly designed towers; the previous Mac Pro was a small cylinder entirely cooled by a fan at the top, leaving little room for modification. In addition, Apple’s desktop computers are difficult to modify, something that they sacrifice in favor of accessibility. The 2020 Mac Pro offers both customization and the accessibility that comes with an Apple computer. Still, its upscale design makes it hard to adopt when there are cheaper alternatives to a product with a starting price in excess of $5,000.
The Mac Pro allowing customization inspires hope that Apple might make more, cheaper customizable models in the future. Previously, the main advantage of owning an Apple tower was access to power that is hard to find in a MacBook. If Apple’s future towers continue to be customizable, users will be able to replace old parts and prolong the life of the machine. Historically, Apple has favored offering its users deals to upgrade and replace their old devices entirely, but until Apple makes its customizable units cheaper, it’s hard to see a reason for why you should buy a Mac Pro over a MacBook, or a PC.
Next: Why Apple Still Hasn’t Announced a 5G iPhone
Source: Marques Brownlee/Twitter
