2019 Mac Pro vs. 2023 Mac Pro: Should You Upgrade?
Apple’s Mac Pro has long been the go-to choice for professionals in need of serious computing power. From video editors and music producers to software developers and scientists, the Mac Pro’s high-performance hardware and sleek design have made it a favorite in the professional world. But how does the 2019 model compare to the latest 2023 version? Let’s take a closer look.
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2019 Mac Pro vs 2023 Mac Pro: Design and Build
The 2019 Mac Pro introduced a completely new design compared to its predecessor. It featured a stainless steel frame with an aluminum housing that could be easily removed for access to the internals. The design was both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with a lattice pattern that acted as a heat sink to keep the machine cool.
The 2023 Mac Pro retains the same overall design as the 2019 model but with a few key improvements. The aluminum housing is now made from a single piece of metal, resulting in a more seamless and sturdy build. The lattice pattern has also been refined for even better heat dissipation.
2019 Mac Pro vs 2023 Mac Pro: Performance
The 2019 Mac Pro was a powerhouse in its time, offering up to a 28-core Intel Xeon W processor, up to 1.5TB of ECC memory, and up to two AMD Radeon Pro Vega II Duo GPUs. This made it capable of handling even the most demanding tasks with ease.
The 2023 Mac Pro, however, takes performance to a whole new level. It features Apple’s latest M2 Ultra chip, which includes a 12-core CPU and a 40-core GPU. It also supports up to 128GB of unified memory, which can be accessed by the CPU and GPU simultaneously for faster performance. This makes the 2023 Mac Pro even more capable of handling resource-intensive tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and machine learning.
2019 Mac Pro vs 2023 Mac Pro: Future Upgrade Possibilities
The 2019 Mac Pro offered a high degree of expandability, with eight PCIe slots for adding additional storage, GPUs, and other expansion cards. It supported up to 8TB of SSD storage, which was impressive for its time.
The 2023 Mac Pro continues this tradition of expandability but with even more options. It now supports up to 16TB of SSD storage, and the number of PCIe slots has been increased to ten. This allows for even more customization and flexibility to meet the needs of different professionals.
2019 Mac Pro vs. 2023 Mac Pro: Graphics Capabilities
The 2019 Mac Pro was a beast when it came to graphics, offering up to two AMD Radeon Pro Vega II Duo graphics cards, each with two GPUs. This meant that the 2019 Mac Pro could have up to four GPUs, providing a massive amount of graphics power for tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and gaming.
The 2023 Mac Pro, however, takes graphics to a whole new level. It features a 40-core GPU as part of the M2 Ultra chip, which delivers even more graphics power than the 2019 model. This makes the 2023 Mac Pro an excellent choice for professionals who need top-tier graphics performance.
2019 Mac Pro vs 2023 Mac Pro: Cooling and Noise
The 2019 Mac Pro featured a unique lattice pattern on its aluminum housing, which acted as a heat sink to help keep the machine cool. It also had three large fans and a blower to move air through the system.
The 2023 Mac Pro continues to use the lattice pattern for cooling, but it has been refined for even better heat dissipation. The fans have also been redesigned to be quieter, making the 2023 Mac Pro a more pleasant machine to work with in quiet environments.
2019 Mac Pro vs 2023 Mac Pro: Software Ecosystem
Both the 2019 and 2023 Mac Pro benefit from Apple’s robust software ecosystem. This includes not only the macOS operating system, but also a wide range of professional-grade software for tasks like video editing, music production, 3D modeling, and more.
However, the 2023 Mac Pro has the added advantage of being able to run iOS and iPadOS apps natively, thanks to the M2 Ultra chip. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities, from mobile games to productivity apps, further enhancing the versatility of the Mac Pro.
2019 Mac Pro vs 2023 Mac Pro: Ports and Connectivity
The 2019 Mac Pro offered a wide range of ports, including two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, two HDMI ports, and an audio jack. It also had two 10Gb Ethernet ports for fast wired network connections.
The 2023 Mac Pro expands on this with even more connectivity options. It adds two more USB-C ports for a total of four, and it also includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 for faster and more reliable wireless connections.
2019 Mac Pro vs 2023 Mac Pro: Which is Better?
While the 2019 Mac Pro was a formidable machine in its time, the 2023 model represents a significant leap forward in terms of performance, storage, and software compatibility. Whether you’re a professional in need of serious computing power, or a creative looking for a machine that can keep up with your imagination, the 2023 Mac Pro is a worthy upgrade.
Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.
He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.
