Mac Pro Setup Guide: The Bests are All In

One of the most anticipated Mac transitions from Intel to Apple Silicon would be Apple’s ultimate expression of the Mac: the Mac Pro. Since the introduction in WWDC 2019 to its release in late 2019 to today, there are many supporters and detractors of the Mac Pro. Some say that it is unnecessary, expensive and over engineered. Others lauded for its expandability and usefulness.

We are here to support the notion that while the Mac Pro is a niche and expensive product, it is a necessary tool for professionals to do the work. We will also show you that despite that it can go up to $50,000, that price tag is quite a bargain for the tools that actual professionals would use.

How to spec the Mac Pro

At first glance, nothing in the $5,000 entry level Mac Pro gives you something to shout about. That $5,000 entry level Mac Pro is just a stepping stone to where you wanted. Most professionals that bought the Mac Pro would specify it to their needs like adding a fiber-optic network card for SAN or fiber connection, a custom sound card, upgrading the RAM and processor down the road. Usually, if you intend to use a Mac Pro, we recommend upgrading the RAM, then the processor and finally the graphic cards

Additional Items

In your production, the Mac Pro might be the star in the show, but do not discount the supporting cast. Just like in a play, the main star will usually interact with the supporting cast which in the end, elevates the quality of the main character. Things like external storage array, tape backup, a network switch that have power-over-ethernet to helps connect you to other devices in your production.

Also, don’t forget the peripherals like your custom keyboard and mouse. Although the Mac Pro comes with a sleek space gray Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, the custom keyboard game is definitely something next level. Furthermore, getting a good monitor to show what power of that graphic card is also a must. This might not sound obvious, but do consider investing in a very good desk and chair combo. Paying extra for a good chair today will save you thousands of dollars in chiropractor fees in the future. We will not always be in our 20s with a good body, so it’s best to invest in the future now.

Video Production

In making videos, there are a lot of steps to make high quality content. The videos need to be edited to form the story, effects might later add in to add the realism and color might be corrected to put the mood of the video. Each step of the way has slightly different equipment that is specialized for that step.

Now there is also a production that is very taxing and time is literally money: live production. It used to be big game shows and live comedy shows, today everybody with a camera can do a livestream and a podcast. A big live action production which involves several colorful characters will require a good setup in order to capture the moment in a crisp and vibrant manner.

Streaming setup

Editing Setup

A streamer setup guide.

Music Production

With the advent of Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), many people would think having a laptop and punch some numbers, music would come out. In a way that is true, but to get the sound that is as unique as you, you do have to invest in a number of equipment to get the best sound from you. In some studios, the equipment can go from several thousands to tens of millions of dollars, so a $50,000 Mac Pro to manage all the amplifiers, mixers, sound effects generator, synthesizers and equalizers is just a drop of the bucket.

Music Producer

A multi-million dollar setup making the best music in the world. And there’s a Mac Pro somewhere there.

Photography

For most, having a decent laptop like the MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro or M1 Max is enough to do the job right, but for the top tier professionals who demand the best, who’s prop budget per session is equal to a starting Mac Pro, having a Mac Pro is an essential tool for the job. If you are covering a live sports event with streaming multiple photographers to sell to news organizations, then the Mac Pro is simply a tool in an array of tools for the job.

A typical well-equipped studio setup.

Developer

Let’s not forget the developers, the programmers and the architect. The people who are behind the scene build tools and programs for creators. They are they creator’s creators, the one who could make things happen. For this, they need to be in focus, being one with the Mac Pro. The best chair to support the body and a good pair of headphones to seal the world so the mind can focus. Of course, nothing but the best tools to manipulate the computer: the best keyboard, mouse and monitor combo.

Conclusion

There you have it. Mac Pro is the most versatile tool Apple ever made. It is priced so high because i) Mac Pro is a tool; ii) Mac Pro customers has a budget for their tools and willing to spend money to get the best tool; iii) When time is literally money, most customers that bought the Mac Pro can recover financially within months, if not weeks from getting the Mac Pro. iv) it will last: Even when Apple is still selling the trash can 2013 Mac Pro in 2018, people are still getting it for work stuff.

This setup guide will be updated from time to time when we expand with what people do with their Mac Pros, so watch this space regularly.