Apple Mac Pro (2006 / 2007)

New Nehalem microprocessor ; Easier to upgrade internal components ; Lower price

Most routine apps perform better with fewer, faster processors

Strong storage options ; Dual enhanced quad-core processors ; Faster memory and frontside bus ; Doubled PCI Express specifications ; Faster video cards

Limited storage and RAM on default model

Highly configurable and expandable ; Excellent performance in 3-D rendering

Little to no improvement in many tests ; Expensive

Awesomely powerful and beautifully designed, limited gaming ability is the Mac Pro’s only shortcoming

It’s probably best not to think about the price when looking at a maxed-out system such as this. Clearly, with a price approaching the £5k mark, the 8-Core Mac Pro with a 2.93GHz CPU is a specialist system that’s beyond both the budget and means of...

The fastest option for running applications that take advantage of all 12-cores (or 24 virtual cores)

Hefty price; most users really won’t need all that power and a big hole in their pocket; there’s a faster 6-core option if it’s speed you want

At four grand the 12-core Mac Pro is no impulse buy. Nor is it the fastest Mac you can buy, that accolade goes to the BTO 6-core 3.33GHz Mac Pro; it beats the standard 12-core model by just two points, but costs £1,040 less. However, if you’re using...

Pros: Breathtaking speed that’s only going to get faster when Snow Leopard arrives, tower case provides upgrade path, stunning build quality

Just look at the price

It’s probably best not to think about the price when looking at a maxed-out system such as this. Clearly, with a price approaching the £5k mark, the 8-Core Mac Pro with a 2.93GHz CPU is a specialist system that’s beyond both the budget and means of...