Apple Mac Pro MA356LL/A Desktop (Two 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processors, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) | 
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| Brand: Apple
Category: Personal Computer
Buy New: $2,329.00
New (2) from $2,329.00
Rating:  42 reviews
Sales Rank: 557
Media: Personal Computers
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
CPU Manufacturer: Intel
CPU Speed: 2.66
CPU Type: Intel Pentium II Xeon
Processors: 2
System Memory: 1000
Memory Type: DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive Size: 250
Shipping Weight (lbs): 42.4
Dimensions (in): 23.2 x 12.6 x 28.2
MPN: MA356LL/A
Model: MA356LL/A
UPC: 885909091843
EAN: 0885909091843
ASIN: B000AO5OMA
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Two dual-core 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors, 1.33 GHz per processor bus | | • | 1 GB RAM expandable up to 16 GB, 250 GB hard drive, 16x Double-Layer SuperDrive | | • | NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT with 256 MB of GDDR2 SDRAM graphics | | • | Two FireWire 800 ports, two FireWire 400 ports, five USB 2.0 ports, and two USB 1.1 (on keyboard) | | • | Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, iLife '08, Comic Life, Omni Outliner, Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive, iWork 08 (30-day trial), FileMaker Pro 3.5 trial |
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Product Description
Meet Mac Pro, Apple's new desktop computer geared for the business and graphics professional. Mac Pro not only completes the Mac transition to Intel processors but delivers advanced performance, workstation graphics, and up to 4.9 million possible configurations. Ushering in a new era of outstanding performance ? and completing the Mac transition to Intel processors at the same time ? the new Mac Pro introduces the 64-bit Dual-Core Intel Xeon ?Woodcrest? processor to the Mac lineup. At 2.66GHz, it's a state-of-the-art processor that ? from day one ? makes the Mac Pro one of the faster desktop computers on the planet.
No matter what the format ? DV, SD, HDV, HD, or even film ? the Mac Pro gives film and video professionals the freedom and power to create studio-quality and award-winning projects. Innovative tools for the Mac platform ? such as Logic Pro, Logic Express, Soundtrack Pro, Digidesign Pro Tools, MOTU Digital Performer, and Steinberg Cubase SX and Nuendo ? provide composers and sound designers with a wealth of software for capturing every inspiration.
Amazon.com Product Description
Boost your productivity with the first Apple Mac Pro (model MA356LL/A) desktop PC, which is the first Apple desktop to be powered by the 64-bit dual-core Intel Xeon processor. But the Mac Pro offers even more power by combining two dual-core 2.66 GHz Xeon processors, creating an unbelievably powerful quad-core workstation that can handle even the more intensive graphics rendering. Its redesigned industrial-style enclosure offers improved functionality with a cable-free installation process and massive upgrade ability--up to 16 GB of 667 MHz RAM and four hard drive bays for up to 2 TB (that's terabytes) of storage under the hood. And while it comes standard with a 16x SuperDrive (compatible with burning DVD R/RW and CD-R/RW discs), you can also add a second writing SuperDrive. Additionally, the Mac Pro MA356LL/A features a 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM, and the NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT graphics card with 256 MB of video RAM, both FireWire 400 and 800 slots, and optical digital audio input and output. The Mac Pro also includes a DVI to VGA adapter and an Apple keyboard and Mighty Mouse. 
Preloaded with Leopard, you'll enjoy enhanced productivity and a clutter-free desktop (thanks to the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks). | Preloaded with Leopard and iLife '08
The biggest Mac OS X upgrade ever, the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system features over 300 new features, including: - Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac
- A redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs
- Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application
- Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them
- A brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock
- Major enhancements to Mail and iChat
Leopard's new desktop includes the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks, a new way to organize files for quick and easy access with just one click. Leopard automatically places web, email and other downloads in a Downloads stack to maintain a clutter-free desktop, and you can instantly fan the contents of this and other Stacks into an elegant arc right from the Dock. The updated Finder includes Cover Flow and a new sidebar with a dramatically simplified way to search for, browse and copy content from any PC or Mac on a local network. Time Machine lets you easily back up all of the data on your Mac, find lost files and even restore all of the software on their Mac. With just a one-click setup, Time Machine automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of everything on the Mac. In the event a file is lost, you can search back through time to find deleted files, applications, photos and other digital media and then instantly restore the file. The MacBook Air also comes with the iLife '08 suite of applications that make it easy to live the digital life. Use iPhoto to share entire high-res photo albums with anyone who's got an email address. Record your own songs and podcasts with GarageBand. Break into indie filmmaking with iMovie and iDVD. Then take all the stuff you made on your Mac and share it on the Web in one click with iWeb. Processor
Based on Intel's next-generation Core micro-architecture, the two 2.66 GHz 64-bit dual-core Intel Xeon processors combine both high performance and power efficiency. Augmenting the speed delivered by the processors, the system architecture features 1.33 GHz dual independent front-side buses that maximize the performance of the dual-core, dual-processor system and deliver maximum processor bandwidth of up to 21.3 GB/s. It also offers an enhanced SSE3 vector engine. Capable of delivering 128-bit vector computations in a single cycle, the SSE3 vector engine accelerates data manipulation by simultaneously applying a single instruction to multiple data--ideal for transforming large sets of data, such as applying a filter to an image or rendering a video effect. Because Intel designed this dual-core Xeon to be more efficient, it consumes less power than similar workstation-level processors, so your system fans don't have to work as hard to keep them cool. Working with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, it also continues the tradition of enabling 64-bit computation. Ideal for scientific applications, the 64-bit Intel Xeon processors can express the extreme precision needed for floating-point mathematics and to express integers up to 18 billion billion. Hard Drive
The 250 GB Serial-ATA hard drive is plenty big and fast (with a transfer rate of 3 GB per second) for most home users, but the Mac Pro provides four SATA hard drive bays, each on its own independent channel. This enables you to load it up with four 500 GB hard drives for up to 2 TB of data storage. Using Mac OS X, you can stripe two, three, or all four of those drives in a RAID 0 array to increase performance and create a massive volume for video editing; or create a RAID 1 array for instant backups--as you work--of photos or other digital media. Memory
While this Mac Pro comes loaded with just 1 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 RAM--which is satisfactory--you can easily add up to a total of 16 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 fully-buffered Error-Correcting Code (ECC) memory. And with its 256-bit-wide memory architecture, the Mac Pro offers 2x the width of the memory architecture in the Power Mac G5. It comes with two memory riser cards, each with four fully-buffered DIMM slots--for a total of eight DIMM slots. Optical Drive
If you enjoy having one 16x SuperDrive at your disposal, think how much more productive you could be with two. Imagine backing up your data to two dual-layer DVDs at once. Or exporting Aperture projects to one DVD, while importing music from a CD into your iTunes library. The installed SuperDrive is compatible with writing to DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD+R DL (dual layer), and CD-R/RW media. It will burn DVD-R discs at up to 16x, DVD+R DL at 6x, and CD-R/RWs at up to 24x. Graphics
The NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT graphics card provides excellent all-around performance for creative applications. It comes with one dual-link DVI and one single-link DVI port, allowing you to connect one 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display to the dual-link DVI port and one 20-inch or 23-inch Cinema Display to the single-link DVI port. And thanks to the new double-wide PCI Express graphics slot, the Mac Pro provides room for three additional PCI Express expansion cards--and up to eight simultaneous displays (with compatible optional video card). 
Mac Pro Connections | Expansion and Connectivity
Install PCI Express cards such as video capture, audio DSP, fibre channel, or additional graphics cards into the three full-length PCI Express expansion slots. A newly designed PCI bracket with captive thumb screws allows tool-less installation and removal of cards. It includes the following connectivity and audio options: - Two FireWire 800 ports (one on front panel, one on back panel)
- Two FireWire 400 ports (one on front panel, one on back panel)
- Five USB 2.0 ports (two on front panel, three on back panel)
- Two USB 1.1 ports on included keyboard
- Front-panel headphone minijack and speaker
- Optical digital audio input and output Toslink ports
- Analog stereo line-level input and output minijacks
Dimensions
It measures 20.1 x 8.1 x 18.7 inches, and weighs 42.4 pounds. Dimensions
Mac Pro MA356LL/A, Apple keyboard, Apple Mighty Mouse, USB keyboard extension cable, DVI-to-VGA adapter, power cord, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 37 more reviews...
The best keeps getting better October 11, 2008
R. Baker (Duluth, GA)
I've been using Macs since 1987, with my first Mac being a Mac SE. Apple has come a long way since then and has led the way in innovation and pushing the envelope in product development. I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but for me, it's obvious that Apple's dedication to engineering and creating highly functional and elegant product design continues to improve.
As a graphic designer, I have purchased "desktop" or daily use "workhorse" Macs about one every 4 years, and I have worked with printing companies and web development teams on a wide range of projects, so I have hands-on experience with a number of Macs over the years. I make a living doing high-end graphics and pre-press work, so I am a demanding computer user.
I purchased the Mac Pro as a replacement for my 4+ year old Mac G5. This review is primarily a comparison of the two Macs, and if you are currently using a G4 or G5 Mac, this review should be useful.
With both machines side by side, the cases look the same, but on closer examination there are many differences.
The biggest difference is how quiet and how much cooler the Mac Pro is in comparison to the Mac G5.
I purchased additional RAM for the Mac Pro and when I opened the case, as with the G5, it's very easy to get to the RAM slots and to add cards to the computer if needed.
I especially like the four drive bays (which are now filled) and how simple it is now to slide in an internal drive into it's slot without having to deal with connection cables inside the computer (in the G5 there were only two drive slots and short cables made it hard to change out the drives easily). The simplicity and ease of adding drives with the Mac Pro is huge plus when compared to the G5.
There are also more Firewire connectors on the Mac Pro than the G5, and an extra ethernet connection for connecting a hub, a network device or another Mac.
There is an extra CD/DVD drive bay. This will be of use when Blue Ray drives come down in price and if I need to add it to the computer.
Also, as with the G5, there are expansion slots for adding internal PCI cards. Though we live in a wireless world, I have a lot of USB and Firewire cables running behind my computers and a card or two will help cut down on the clutter.
As with previous desktop computers from Apple, there are plenty of RAM slots inside and room to add more RAM as your needs increase. Personally, I have never maxed out the RAM on any of the "work horse" Mac desktops. But I am sure there are other applications or uses which are more demanding than pre-press.
Like the G5, you can support dual monitors right out of the box. I run a Samsung 22" and a Sony 19" monitor.
As a rule of thumb, I work with about 4x the ram that comes with the computer, and if RAM is cheap at the time, I may add more.
No company is perfect, but I must say that for me, I continue to see Apple's care and attention to detail in every product.
Lastly, I have NEVER purchased any sort of extended warranty or the Apple Care and I have never had any sort of catastrophic failure with any of the Macs I have owned.
Hard drives can and do fail, which are made by various manufacturers, but having a good backup strategy will help you to deal with that, if it should happen.
I am not saying that the Apple Care is not necessary or needed--for some customers, it may be worthwhile.
Mac Pro MA356LL - Still Astounding! June 17, 2008
KeriJane (Chicago IL USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
After using this Mac Pro for a few months now having come over from the PC world, here's my initial impressions:
First and foremost, it's a BARGAIN! There's no way I could build a PC to these specs for the price I paid for this last-years model Quad-core Xeon. Please don't think about comparing it to a Core2Quad system.... it isn't one. This is a professional-class heavy duty Workstation, and if you don't know the difference, you probably won't buy one.
To keep the price low, Apple gives us only 1GB memory, a smaller Hard Drive and a relatively weak Video Card. These are easily upgraded when convenient. I've got 8GB iRAM, 4 HDDs and a hand-me-down ATI HD2600 from a 2008 8-core in mine.
Leopard has been easy to learn and very stable for me. It's not as pretty as Vista, but is far more useful and secure. Fortunately, my video editing software has a Mac version that runs well on Leopard.
Boot Camp works well for me with one exception: Windows only seems to work with the front-panel Audio Port, completely ignoring any speakers plugged into the rear port.. Windows itself runs flawlessly and very fast.
Physically, the Mac Pro is a work of ART! The case is well-finished, the internal cabling is extremely tidy and well-thought out, the Hard Drive Caddies are flawless, everything runs cool and extremely quiet. The system is virtually SILENT in any normal room.
On the technical side, the Mac Pro uses the newer EFI system instead of the antiquated (mid 80's) BIOS that most PCs use. The end result is more stability, faster boot up, shut down and sleep operations.
If you are looking for a powerful, well made, silent and well thought-out system that should last a long time, buy one of these or one of the new 8-core Mac Pros. If you absolutely must have Windows, this system runs it extremely well, though I use it less and less as I learn Leopard.
I just finished my first 2-hour video project on this machine. The Mac Pro is ALL ABOUT RENDER SPEED! I cannot believe how fast this thing rendered 2 hours of source DV to DVD (under Leopard). It's roughly 4 times faster than my previous dual core PC workstation running XP. It makes no sense to me.... I must have done something wrong. Or maybe right?
Have Fun,
Keri
Mac Pro 266 GHz March 27, 2008
Swissko Kid
I love it, very fast easy to up-grade hard drives and ram and is fairly priced!
Switching from PC to Mac was my best move EVER in computing March 19, 2008
Teri Soares (Fairfield, CA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
No more CTRL>ALT>DELETE! Far less worry over rampant viruses. Power, power, power! Plus, no complaining that all applications don't work on a MAC. With the inexpensive Parallels software, you can run both Windows and Mac applications AT THE SAME TIME.
Do I need to say I love my MAC?
A must of professional digital photographers February 9, 2008
Bakari (Sacramento, CA)
The Mac Pro has been an essential work horse computer for me as a digital photographer. I've been getting great speed and efficiency from this computer with only a small amount of upgrades. It has increased my workflow and production by at least 40+ percent. I've had it for over a year now and everything smoothly. It's pretty quiet, seriously easy to upgrade in terms of memory, hard drives, graphic cards, and has plenty of ports for various USB and FireWire devices. The beauty of being able to add up to four additional hard drives is just awesome. This computer will definitely spoil you. Apple has really outdone itself with the MacPro.
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