Heres How We Feel about the Apple Rumors

It's been over two and a half years since Apple released a new Mac Pro. The current Mac Pro was first unveiled just over two and a half years ago at WWDC in June 2013. With the rumors of a potentially new Mac Pro releasing this year, Apple hasn't announced a launch date for the next generation of Mac Pro systems, so we did our investigation.

First up, code in OS X El Capitan is hinting that a new Mac Pro may be on its way soon. There is a reference to a new Mac that is code named "AAPLJ951" within El Capitan. The current Mac Pro is codenamed AAPLJ90 so there is some logic to this new reference being a new version of the professional-level workstation.

Another clue that this is the Mac Pro is the fact that the code hints that there are 10 USB 3.0 ports. Currently there are 4 USB ports and 6 Thunderbolt 2 ports on the Mac Pro. We think Apple is trying to phase out the Mac Pro in favor of a more powerful iMac line-up. It's more likely that it's just spending a long time getting the new Mac Pro just right before it launches after the issues it experiences with the previous launch. 

We think that it would make more sense if Apple adapt's Thunderbolt 3 on the Mac Pro - this standard of Thunderbolt supports USB Type-C and offers 40Gbps transfer speeds. Improving Intel's Xeon E5 V2/V3 processors and creating a faster graphics platform will make so Mac Pro users get the best of both worlds.

Since there's no guarantee on the 'New' Mac Pro being released. We think it's best to stick to the latest Mac Pro until then. The VFX team is happy to announce that we are now offering hourly and weekly rates for Mac Pros/iMac Rentals, located in the Los Angeles and Playa location.

Avid ISIS trying to gain ground by adding support for Apple, Adobe and Autodesk

As of the latest Avid ISIS software update 4.74 (released Feb 2015)

With Avid beginning to feel the pressure from Adobe, Avid releases its new software update for their ISIS systems. Software update 4.7 allows Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut X, Autodesk Smoke and Blackmagic Design Davinci Resolve users to access and work with high res media from the Avid ISIS 7000, 5000 or 2000. The update also includes all the features introduced with its 4.6 update.

Also with this update you can expand the ISIS 5000 or 5500 to house up to 12 storage engines doubling your storage from what used to be only 6 engines.

Avid's latest big change to their policy

In a similar move to Autodesk with their Flame products, Avid owners must now be on support before the end of 2014 otherwise they will not be able to upgrade later on. Customers will only be able to upgrade if they are current on support or subcription.  Subscription is the answer for the software economy it seems. Here's some details about the new changes:

- All new software licenses include a support contract and costs a bit more

- Licenses can now be purchased on a monthly or annual subscription program

- The subscription program costs considerably more than buying support for an existing license

- You can no longer purchase software upgrades, you will only get upgrades while on support or if you are on a subscription program

- To avoid costly upgrade issues, clients must be active on support before December 31st, 2014!