● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
Apple Mac Pro Celebrates 20th Anniversary, Marking Transition to Intel Processors
Key points
- First Mac Pro unveiled 20 years ago at WWDC.
- Marked Apple's full transition to Intel x86 processors.
- Featured dual-core Intel Xeon processors up to 3.0 GHz.
- Replaced the Power Mac G5 tower.
Two Decades Since Mac Pro Debut
Twenty years ago, Apple introduced the first Mac Pro desktop computer at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This launch was significant as it not only established a new product line for Apple but also completed the company's shift from PowerPC to Intel x86 architecture across its entire desktop range. The Mac Pro took over from the Power Mac G5 tower as Apple's flagship workstation.
Transition to Intel Processors
The introduction of the Mac Pro finalized Apple's move to Intel processors, a transition that began earlier in 2006 with Intel-powered iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook models. The new Mac Pro featured two dual-core Intel Xeon processors running at up to 3.0 GHz, with Apple claiming it delivered up to twice the performance of the Power Mac G5 Quad.
Key Specifications of the Original Mac Pro
The inaugural Mac Pro included two dual-core Intel Xeon processors, each with 4MB of shared L2 cache and 1.33 GHz front-side buses. Graphics options ranged from an Nvidia GeForce 7300 GT to an ATI Radeon X1900 XT or Nvidia Quadro FX 4500. It came with 1GB of DDR2-667 memory, expandable to 16GB, and a 250GB hard drive with four bays for expansion up to 2TB. Connectivity included Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, FireWire 800/400, and optional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It also featured four PCIe 1.0 slots and was compatible with Mac OS X Tiger.
Configuration Options
At its release in early 2007, the Mac Pro offered three processor configurations: a top-end model with two 3.0 GHz Core Xeon 5160 CPUs, a 2.66 GHz Core Xeon 5150 x2 model, and a 2.0 GHz Core Xeon 5130 x2 model. Apple highlighted the extensive customization available through its online configurator, which allowed for over 4.9 million possible configurations.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
Reporting from
Apple's first Mac Pro desktop computer was unveiled 20 years ago, completing the company's transition from PowerPC to Intel x86 processors for its workstation line. This event established a new Mac product line and introduced Intel Xeon-powered performance to Apple's high-end desktops.