There can be little doubt that the Mac Pro is DOA. The only question is whether there is a new product coming to satisfy the needs of professionals, former Xserve users etc - a new form factor, maybe rack-mountable?
Who knows? One thing that's for sure, the software and hardware vendors at NAB will have NO CLUE it's coming, if it is. In the meantime, the iMacs are simply the best products to demonstrate on (they have thunderbolt which the Mac Pros don't) and are now powerful enough for a lot of pro use. Whether or not there are new 'power' machines coming, I'll certainly be using iMacs as edit stations in 2012.
My point is that it's easy to read too much into the prevalence of iMacs at NAB - and I'm firmly in the 'not sure I believe a replacement' is coming camp. All I cling onto now is Apple's continued march into the enterprise space - and maybe that they have a point to prove to pro users to stick with the platform. Hell - maybe the furore around FCPX makes the iMacRack Pro more likely....*
Ben
*wild and hopeful conjecture
Edit Out Ltd
----------------------------
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/community/communitydetails/?UserStoryId=87...
