{
  "id": 270770,
  "title": "Apple revealed the first Mac Pro 20 years ago today — its Intel Xeon-powered flagship desktop took the reins from the Power Mac G5",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/apple-revealed-the-first-mac-pro-20-years-ago-today-its-intel-xeon",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-07T11:58:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Hardware",
    "slug": "tom-s-hardware",
    "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/desktops/apple-revealed-the-first-mac-pro-20-years-ago-today-its-intel-xeon-powered-flagship-desktop-took-the-reins-from-the-power-mac-g5"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Twenty years ago, on the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) stage, Steve Jobs introduced the first Mac Pro desktop computer. This marked a significant shift as it was the first workstation desktop to transition from PowerPC to Intel x86 architecture. Apple had previously offered Intel-powered versions of its iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook starting in 2006, but now replaced the powerful PowerMac G5 tower.\n\nThough users may fondly recall Intel-era Mac Pro models, such as the 'trash can' and 'cheese grater', the initial x86-chip Mac Pro resembled its predecessor closely. The unveiling focused on the new processors and the machine's performance, which Apple claimed to be \"up to twice the performance of the Power Mac G5 Quad.\" The top configuration featured two dual-core Intel Xeon processors running at up to 3.0 GHz, each equipped with 4MB of shared L2 cache and separate 1.33 GHz front-side buses. Nvidia GeForce 7300 GT and ATI Radeon X1900 XT, or Nvidia Quadro FX 4500 video cards with 512MB of memory, were available. Storage options ranged from a 250GB HDD expandable to 2TB to four bays, while the 16x SuperDrive provided double-layer DVD support.\n\nThe first Mac Pro came with 1GB of DDR2-667 fully buffered memory, expandable to 16GB, and included a 500W power supply. Connectivity options comprised 2x Gigabit Ethernet, optional Wi-Fi, and a 56k V.92 USB modem. Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and four USB 2.0 ports were also available along with FireWire 400 and 800 ports. Up to four PCIe 1.0 slots and a dual-wide slot accommodated high-end graphics cards. The Mac Pro was compatible with Mac OS X Tiger and supported up to 10.6 Snow Leopard.\n\nAt launch, three processor choices were available, including the most powerful with a pair of dual-core Core Xeon 5160 CPUs running at 3.0 GHz. Prices ranged from $2,499, including a Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard, for the base model featuring a Core Xeon 5150 x2 (2.66 GHz) and standard specifications. The last Mac Pro, equipped with an M2 Ultra chip, was released in 2023, and Apple confirmed there would be no further revisions of this desktop workstation flagship.",
  "summary": "20 years ago today Steve Jobs took to the Apple WWDC stage to unveil the first-ever Mac Pro desktop computer. This is when Mac workstations transitioned from PowerPC to Intel Xeon chips.",
  "key_points": [
    "Apple introduced first Mac Pro on WWDC stage 20 years ago",
    "Transitioned from PowerPC to Intel x86 architecture",
    "Top configuration boasted up to twice Power Mac G5 Quad's performance"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}