Apple recently felt compelled to let the world know that the new Mac Pro was going to be made in the USA – Austin, Texas to be specific – and the social chatter on MacSales’ Twitter and Facebook feeds has been entertaining, to say the least…
– Nick D
“An excellent start!”
– Bill W
– Thomas H
“And you can use it to shred cheese.”
– Scott G
Excellent observation, Scott.
And then there are the expected flaming political comments about tariff exemptions, and the president giving Apple special treatment, and the president not giving Apple special treatment, and back and forth, and on and on. I’ll spare you the agony by not reposting any vitriol here, as I find the acrimony wholly unnecessary and unproductive.
So, what do I think about this announcement? Well, I have to admit that my initial response to hearing the news was something akin to, “Ummm… Okay…” complete with a thorough chin-rubbing sentiment. 🤔
For some reason, Apple felt it was necessary to issue a press release on the subject. But why? After all, the new Mac Pro’s predecessor (the 2013 Trash Can model) was built in Austin. So why wouldn’t they build the next generation Mac Pro in the same facility?
Did I miss something so big that this should be a mind-blowing revelation to the public?
In June, the Wall Street Journal did report that Apple was likely to move Mac Pro production to China, and others speculated how the China trade war with its 30% import tariff was going to impact manufacturing and cost – but the jury certainly wasn’t out. Though fairly silent on the subject, we do know that Apple’s higher-ups were “talking” with the Trump administration during this time. But who wasn’t?
Considering that Apple’s statement was chock full of pictures of happy American workers and statistical rhetoric such as “Apple’s domestic investment supports 450,000 jobs at US suppliers” and “Apple’s investment in innovation supports 2.4 million jobs in all 50 states, including 90,000 direct employees” – the post seems to simply be a pat on the back. From Apple to Apple.
Interestingly enough, Apple doesn’t even call the post a “Press Release” rather an “Update.” So maybe it was more of an “FYI, it’s business as usual for the Mac Pro. Thankyouverymuch.”
I reached out to Larry O’Connor, CEO
“Apple has a substantial presence in Austin, TX – it’s where they have been manufacturing and performing the final integration of the 2013 Mac Pro that this 2019 model is replacing. They already have a supply chain and integration capabilities in the US, and it makes sense that this localized integration would substantially reduce costs in terms of which individual components (from China) – versus the entire system – are subject to the 30% import tariff.”
“I believe it’s a win for sustainability as well since this will reduce the impact that doing Built-to-Order air shipments from China would have. This is a high-end, high-cost flagship system. All politics aside, it’s the right system to be building in the USA and I hope that soon it will not be limited to just the Mac Pro models as we move forward.”
There you have it, building the new Mac Pro in Texas does seem to make perfect sense. But regardless of where the new machine is manufactured, OWC is ready! As a company committed to helping users get the most out of their technology, OWC has put together a Mac Pro 2019 page that will stay up-to-date with any available upgrades and showcase other great gear to compliment the new system.
And if the Mac Pro 2019 is not in the cards for you, but you still want pro-level performance, don’t forget about the current Mac Pro – there is still a lot of life left in these workhorses, and you can get a great deal at MacSales.com!
Will it be MADE here? Or, will it be six people with screwdrivers putting Chinese components into a Chinese-made case, then packed in a box and shipped?
It certainly is all semantics – made, built, assembled, manufactured, etc. They will source parts from all over the world and “build” it in Texas.
Maybe there was – or still is – a concern over intellectual property theft. By building in the US, Apple may be guiding against losing proprietary stuff relating to the new MacPro. Glad they are building here for the same reason they built that last one here.
My first Intel Mac Pro, the first model, was assembled in the US. It is still working great for the person I sold it t. I replaced it with the 2012 model. That one was assembled in China. This build was the poorest built Mac I’ve ever owned. The motherboard & I/O daughter board were both changed early on. Before the the hard drive was replaced. Audio still requires an USB adaptor to work. We have a 3 year old iMac that only runs a few hours at most before it crashes. More of that Chinese manufactured junk. Hopefully the new Mac Pro assembled in Texas will be like my US assembled Intel Mac Pro & not like the Chinese assembled one that I have.
I’m waiting to hear the announcement of the average consumer MacPro more in th e trash can model range and believe it will happen.
AMEN Anon !
AND there were quotas for the import of clothing too.
Love love love it! Still the best place in the world to live and love. Let’s keep making America Great again. As Tony the Tiger would say…” It’s GREAT!”
Before the Clinton Administration, we had export control laws to prohibit the export of technology like computers to Communist countries.
Now, most computers in the world are built in Communist China.
It is about time that we started rebuilding our own industries.
With Trumps’ China teriffs Apple is no doubt considering moving more manufacturing to the US—or Mexico. Or maybe they will just wait him out. If Trump loses in 2020, most of his policies will be repudiated by his Democratic successor. We can only hope. While this is not a political forum, government policies obviously affect industrial policies. Apple will not be unscathed.
Though I noticed a reference to tariff waivers for Apple in your article. I am unfamiliar with such waivers. Are they real?
Looks like it. Both the NYT and WSJ have recently reported that waivers have been granted for 10 parts including logic boards and power supplies.
You just made you whole post political from the start, and then really went for it by saying and stating your political opinion, then added your disclaimer at the end: “If Trump loses in 2020, most of his policies will be repudiated by his Democratic successor. We can only hope.” While this is not a political forum, government policies obviously affect industrial policies.
Hmm. So now we know how you feel, and that actually was not really necessary.
Very happy and pleased that Apple is building the Mac Pro in Texas. Kudos to Apple !!!
The price it won’t be a big seller
The new Mac Pro is truly for “Pro” users. And there is a big enough market of industry professionals who can afford it and can’t wait to get their hands on it. But for the average consumer and even “Prosumer,” it is definitely overkill!
Actually, it will be a big seller.
Not to consumers, but to business.
It is a direct competitor to a max’ed out Lenovo P9xx series workstations.