Mac Pro: Apple reveals new details about expensive, professional computer and display

New documents reveal specs, performance and other details about powerful new computer

Apple's new Mac Pro sits on display in the showroom during Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California on June 3, 2019 (BRITTANY HOSEA-SMALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Apple has revealed new details about the Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR, the most expensive and powerful equipment it sells.

The previously unknown information has been made available in white papers published for each of the products.

It explains how the two costly products actually work, including information about compatibility and the situations in which they might not work as normal. It also gives detail on the design choices Apple made for the computers.

In many cases, it is the first time Apple is addressing questions about the new computer publicly, despite it having been first revealed last summer and released in December.

On the Mac Pro, for instance, it claims that the new computer is 6.5 times faster than the old, "trashcan" Mac Pro, though the exact performance will depend on what the computer is being asked to do.

It also says that the Mac Pro can draw so much power that it could cause problems for any electricity circuit it is on, especially if it is using used with numerous accessories or displays, or is being used in conjunction with other Mac Pros.

The Pro Display XDR also has its own warnings about its performance in certain conditions. It says that the screen can sustain 1000-nits of brightness indefinitely, if the temperature is 25 degrees Celsius or less – but if it is turned up brighter, or the temperature is warmer,

The documents also includes less high-tech, but potentially important, details about the computer. Those include the fact that the Mac Pro's wheels – which cost $400 and currently must be added to the computer when it is bought – will eventually come as a standalone kit to allow people to add them after purchase.

The Mac Pro starts at $5,999, but can be configured to cost as much as $52,748. The Pro Display XDR costs $4,999 or $5,999 with an anti-reflective coating, and Apple charges an extra $999 for a stand.

Both of the white papers – for the Mac Pro and the Pro Display XDR – are available as PDFs on the Apple website.