Mac Pro: the replacement for the Power Mac G5?

Now that Apple has rolled out the MacBook, speculation has turned to the sole remaining PowerPC-based computer in the company's lineup: the Power Mac G5. And, as of today, there seems to be at least one thing that can be confirmed about the new computer: it will be called the Mac Pro. At least that's the assumption that can be made based on a recent Apple trademark filing, in which the company claimed the Mac Pro name for, among other things, "computers, computer hardware, computer software, computer peripherals, notebook computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, computer servers, handheld computers and mobile computers." Which means, of course, that this really doesn't confirm anything, except that Apple likes products with the words "Mac" and "Pro" in them -- which we kind of already knew. And this also raises at least one new question: if the Power Mac becomes the Mac Pro, will the iMac become -- a la MacBook/ MacBook Pro -- just the Mac?

Update: Thanks to Jeff for pointing out that there is still one other PowerPC-based computer in Apple's lineup: the Xserve. We'll have to wait a bit to see whether they decide to rename that one.

[sfuller @ May 24th 2006 5:01PM]

Apple, I love my intel imac, I sold a watercooled 4200x2+7800gtx for the switch and couldn't be happier. There are no PC games that appeal to me right now that I can't handle with the x1600.

But...please put a decent videocard(s) in the MacPro. That's all I want so I never have to touch a PC again, Spore is going to make me want a new machine and I want it to be an apple. Thanks.

[Jeremy @ May 24th 2006 5:01PM]

no, it will be called the iMac Pro...that definetly makes the most sense for their product line.

[jeff @ May 24th 2006 5:03PM]

"speculation has turned to the sole remaining PowerPC-based computer in the company's lineup:"

one word: XServe

[Tom @ May 24th 2006 5:04PM]

I bet they keep the "i" in iMac, given the success of their other "i" product.

[Steve Rhodes @ May 24th 2006 5:06PM]

There already is an intel imac.

[wulff @ May 24th 2006 5:11PM]

Since they previously used the processor in the naming.. and have for a while.. i'm gonna go with something like:

PowerMac CD
PowerMac Core
PowerMac C-Duo

just cause i can

[Jacob Varghese @ May 24th 2006 5:15PM]

Mac Mini
ibook => Macbook
Powerbook => Macbook Pro

iMac => Mac One ?
Power Mac => Mac Pro
XServe => MacServe ?

[andazp @ May 24th 2006 5:18PM]

the eMac is also PPC only

[Callum @ May 24th 2006 5:22PM]

i don't remember the Steve-y-one's explination, but it was pretty well presented. The iMac - the i stands for everything consumer based, it is the all in one desktop solution. We've almost had 9 years of that brand, I think it'll keep going. iPod, iMac, iLife... all the simple stuff.

I'm still waiting to see this Mac Tablet. Knowing Apple they won't call it a 'tablet', they've never called the MacBook / iBook a Laptop, "full featured notebook computer" i recall :D

[Richard John @ May 24th 2006 5:24PM]

wulff, no - power=PowerPC

[Silver @ May 24th 2006 5:24PM]

I'm with you, sfuller. Apple has always blown it by including weak graphics cards on their premium machines. With Intel Inside, it's time for true hardware parity with the PC world. Can't wait for some quad processing goodness.

[Ian @ May 24th 2006 5:24PM]

I was all set on saying that you forgot the eMac as well as the Xserve, but before I posted something, I went to the store to make sure it was still there, and lo and behold, there is no more eMac. When did that happen?

Jacob: I don't think they would use Mac One since that would imply a Core Solo processor instead of a Core Duo.

[rex @ May 24th 2006 5:26PM]

they might as well call the the PowerMac a BigMac instead.

[Geoff @ May 24th 2006 5:26PM]

I say the near future lineup looks like this:

Notebooks:
MacBook (formerly iBook)
MacBook Pro (formerly PowerBook)

Desktops:
Mac (formerly iMac, yes, they would rename the Intel version)
Mac Pro (formerly PowerMac)
Mac Mini (capitalize the mini)

Servers:
MacRack or MacServe (formerly Xserve)

Rumored Tablet:
MacPad

[Ryboy @ May 24th 2006 5:27PM]

I'm guessing the mac pro won't be coming out until at least conroe is out and their is a native x86 binary for photoshop in os X, correct? I know I can't wait to see what specs this bad boy has...

[Justin @ May 24th 2006 5:29PM]

#5.

Marc is mentioning the fact that Apple has renovated the naming scheme for it's machines and the last to be renamed after the ProMac will be the imac which might just get the name "Mac".

Personally, i'm hoping this Pro Mac blows every XPS out of the water.

[pixelator @ May 24th 2006 5:32PM]

"There are no PC games that appeal to me right now that I can't handle with the x1600."

Then you play what, Warcraft? And that's it? Because BF2 and other big PC games right now sure as hell aren't going to be running full speed and full option on an x1600. Not that most games are available for the Mac at all...

A gamer who picks a Mac. LOL.

[JPT @ May 24th 2006 5:32PM]

I can't wait until I see some specs on the Mac Pro, it will be the deciding factor of whether or not I get a MacBook Pro... That's if I get a job too :P

[Jeffrey M Foster @ May 24th 2006 5:33PM]

i sure hope the Promac, er Macpro, or bigmac or whatever is something siiiick.... i'm taking bets on "4 processors, dual cores on each."

bring on the 8 core machines!

:P

[bob @ May 24th 2006 5:34PM]

lets hope mac pro gets these conroe / woodcrest or whatever ahead of the competition again, sharing there multicore aim info paid off, ill consider changing my dual 2.7 if photoshop and maya are out by then.

[PK @ May 24th 2006 5:35PM]

#14: I agree that they'll wait for Conroe, but not that they'll wait for a Universal Photoshop binary. With universal binaries of Final Cut, Logic Pro, and (soon) Shake, there's plenty of Intel compatible candy for pro users to sink their teeth into until Adobe releases the next Creative Suite next year.

[Petey Boi @ May 24th 2006 5:36PM]

oooooo! Power.

[anon @ May 24th 2006 5:36PM]

The whole premise of this article is erroneous. They only changed the naming scheme of their notebooks. The Mac Mini remained the Mac Mini, the iMac remained the iMac.

[Chris Saribay @ May 24th 2006 5:40PM]

The iMac namesake isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Given the fact that the product is already on the Intel platform, any name changes would have been long since completed in January.

That aside, "iMac" is one of the most well known consumer product names, and incorporates a very important element that was missing in other replaced product names thus far: "Mac". Obviously, Apple wants to have "Mac" at the very forefront of their computer naming matrix, and "iMac" substantively contributes to this. Apple's not stupid: the name is popular and well known, and includes the important keystone element with minimal disruption.

Further, switching product names is not logical: "Mac One" is too complex and could be interpreted too literally, while "Mac" would confuse consumers to chose a definition between product family and a single product.

The Power Mac name provides a bit more color in terms of what could be done. I'm not so partial to the "Mac Pro" name, but it makes sense: it signals a change in platforms, and more importantly, puts Mac in the front. It's a brilliant marketing shift, to put more brand recognition on the "Mac" family rather than individual products.

[kris aubuchon @ May 24th 2006 5:43PM]

Someone already pointed this out - but there is already an intel based imac, called the imac. If they do change it ever it will be with newer models.

Mac Pro sounds accurate.

[Scott Stover @ May 24th 2006 5:45PM]

Steve said he wanted all of his computers to have the Mac name in it. As for iMac, this is already done. Steve will not change the name anytime soon, period.

Apple will keep the naming similar as in the past. Powerbook ~ PowerMac, MacBook Pro ~ Mac Pro (or MacTower Pro). I think the Tower should be in the name just to clarify "what" it is.

Hey, I have a Mac Pro!
What's that?
A computer, duh!

Hey, I have a MacTower Pro
What's that? A computer?
Yes!

[Michael @ May 24th 2006 5:49PM]

Actaully, there is one more...the cousin of the Apple line: the eMac. Originally made for education only customers, the eMac represents the unwilingness of education customers to move forward...It looks like the pre-lamp iMac and the only CRT mac around. It's low price tag made other customers interested in the product and thus it was open to any customer, no longer education only.

[bobg @ May 24th 2006 5:50PM]

How about Tower Mac?

[DC @ May 24th 2006 5:53PM]

Other then the Mac Pro, I agree with Anon, there is no point in renaming anything but the notebooks. Why would they rename the iMac if they already released it Intel update and it continued with its previous name? The eMac was pulled over 7 months ago, sadly too, as mine has worked flawlessly. MacPad? Come on now I think Apple can do better than that!

DC

[Neo Anderson @ May 24th 2006 5:58PM]

I've been wondering why the eMac have been getting no love or intel chip hotness?

Meh...

[Marc B. @ May 24th 2006 6:02PM]

I heard Intel was going to release the Mac Pro with the Clovertown/Whitefield Quad-Core chips so they could use it to make a big Jan. 07' launch of the chip. Intel was doing this to get maximum exposure for the chip, and let the world know they are back in the game vs. Opterons.

[mazola @ May 24th 2006 6:08PM]

How about the 'MacTiplex Workstation'?

[dthawkley @ May 24th 2006 6:08PM]

How 'bout Power Pro? Big Mac Pro? MacDaddy Pro?
Apple takes all my money.
It's the "command" key, not the "apple" key, word.

[Chris @ May 24th 2006 6:28PM]

I hope it's beautiful. I know that's lame but I have put off upgrading my dual G4 powermac because I can't stand the look of the G5 cheese grater. I want something that I can put on my desk that carries the same aesthetic appeal as the other apple hardware. I guess the powermac g5 was aimed at the industrial design crowd but I think that there are an awful lot of home computer users that want a new powermac that just don't want to have a giant industrial machine on their desk.

[Geoffrey Sperl @ May 24th 2006 6:28PM]

Michael: The eMac is only available for education institutional purchases any longer. Apple killed it off in the consumer sector last year. I suspect the eMac will never see an Intel chip inside.

As for the name of the tower, I have two thoughts:

1) Macintosh (the desktop line becoming the Mac mini, iMac, and Macintosh). It's been 22 years since Apple made the only other model to be called jusst "Macintosh," and I think people could avoid confusing the two.

2) Macintosh Pro (the desktop line becoming the Mac mini, Macintosh (once iMac), and Macintosh Pro). The iMac's name could easily be laid to rest (and, think about it, there is nothing calling the Intel iMacs "iMac" on the front of the computer at least), having the iMac call back to the original all-in-one line, while the Macintosh Pro could call back to the Macintosh II, which was Apple's first high-powered professional box.

[wulff @ May 24th 2006 6:36PM]

Richard john.... point taken *bows and steps back*

[Chris Coleman @ May 24th 2006 7:21PM]

Anybody who thinks the iMac will become just the Mac or Mac One is a god damn idiot. It's the iMac -- it has "Mac" in it's name, and that's what Apple's going for with their whole line. Why would they change the name only to make it less meaningful?

[Frank @ May 24th 2006 7:36PM]

The eMac is still there, too, but only for us Education customers. In fact, I'm anxiously hoping they'll replace it. I know, everyone hates it, but when you have to buy dozens at a time for a computer lab, and you know that the 9-year-old kids aren't going to be too kind to the iMac's LCD, a sturdy, CRT-based, $700 eMac is actually the perfect computer.

If I have to outfit my labs with $1200 iMacs it's really going to hurt. Could I do Mac minis instead? Sure. But when you factor in the cost of keyboards, mice, displays, plus all those extra cables for the kids to mess with... oy.

[Isaiah @ May 24th 2006 7:40PM]

Though I see the logic in the naming scheme, and though I don't really have a problem with saying "MacBook", I miss the iBook name.

What's next? iPod ----> MacPod?

[Reg @ May 24th 2006 7:57PM]

No need to rename the iMac - it has huge brand recognition.

The Mac Pro should be very interesting. Finally Apple will have a desktop that when stood side by side with a PC will both look kick ass with its solid industrial design aluminum case AND kick ass with its specs.

I can see them get some Windows users as I think they'll be going for some serious specs on this one now that they have to compete on Intel benchmark performance with a mass of PCs. If they pull it off, it will probably make the best Vista machine on the planet.

[Big Ed @ May 24th 2006 8:08PM]

How many times must I go over this?, you are an idiot if you spend $1500+ on a computer, just to play games.

[sfuller @ May 24th 2006 8:52PM]

pixelator, I specified that I was talking about games that interest me, not you.

I like what I have. Do you know what I do now that I can't seriously game? I use OSX. The possibilities are endless. I discover something new and cool every day. Plus, it's a cinch to organize my 80+ gigs of music and photos with iLife.

I stated that I'd like to play some games on decent hardware. Bootcamp, which you might of heard of, is great. I can boot into windows and play HL2, Oblivion, Zen Bondage, and Galactic Civilzations 2. It's not as pretty but I get my fix. I wish apple would see that the market that I occupy is viable, especially if they could land exclusive, mac only kickass hardware (but leave it PCIe expandable, of course for next year's crop). I think they'd see even more cross over users.

Finally, I'd like to say that there is an opportunity for apple to overcome the "LOL PC GAMERZ!!1!@2!" attitude and gain some streed cred.

[AriX @ May 24th 2006 9:08PM]

There are THREE computers still with PPC chips.

eMac
PowerMac
XServe

[Chris McDowell @ May 24th 2006 9:22PM]

Emac is dead. http://store.apple.com/ Not there. Only schools can buy them now I believe and you can get an 8 pack for $5000 if your purchasing for a school. Gaming on a mac has never been too bad. Call of Duty, Halo, Warcraft, Doom 3, Unreal, Command and Conquer. You dont get all the new games like F.E.A.R or Half life 2 but most of that stuff comes to Xbox or the 360.

[Andrew @ May 24th 2006 9:33PM]

They seem to be dropping the "i" in some of their product names.

Coming soon "The Pod"!

[Tim @ May 24th 2006 9:46PM]

Man... what makes a Apple product (or any product with "Pro" in it for that matter)a pro besides the way it rolls off the tounge? When are products from Apple designed for us amateurs? Coming soon: Mac Amateur and the MacBook Amateur. :)

[PacketMonkee @ May 24th 2006 10:31PM]

"And, as of today, there seems to be at least one thing that can be confirmed about the new computer: it will be called the Mac Pro. At least that's the assumption that can be made based on a recent Apple trademark filing..."

I'm sorry? Which one is it? Perhaps it's both. A confirmed assumption perhaps?

[jakel @ May 24th 2006 11:36PM]

If Apple goes Core Duo in the "Mac Pro" then I'll just boycott Apple forever.

Core Duo = not that good. What's all the hype about? The PowerPC G5's are statistically, compared to Core Duos, supreme.

(hint: Go AMD X2 4000 or higher)

[Andreas @ May 25th 2006 5:31AM]

About the iMac. It's widely adopted and successful as a term meaning an all in one Mac. It's iconic. It defines what made Apple rocket to the sky again. And all other all in one PC's are compared to the iMac. I don't think they'll change the iMac name.
PowerBook, iBook and PowerMac is just names for notebook, cheap notebook and desktop mac. They don't have the same strong iconic value and are all more likely to change. Xserve is a boring name anyway, so I hope they change it into something better.

[mungler @ May 25th 2006 7:47AM]

why would the iMac change? the intel iMac is already out there, they're not going to change it now, surely?

the lineup, imho:

Desktop:

Mac Mini
iMac
Mac Pro

Notebook:

MacBook
MacBook Pro

Server:

MacServe (or possibly X86Serve? ;) )