In the ever-evolving landscape of personal computing, few machines stand the test of time like the Original Mac Pro also known as “Mac Pro Mid 2006”. Introduced by Apple in 2006, the Mac Pro quickly became synonymous with power, innovation, and performance. Fast forward to today, and while the original Mac Pro may be 17 years old, its legacy remains deeply ingrained in Apple’s storied history.
On August 7, 2006, Apple unveiled the first Mac Pro, marking a significant milestone in the company’s transition to Intel processors. Priced at $2,199, the Mac Pro set a new standard for desktop workstations, boasting advanced performance, expandability, and customization options that catered to the most demanding users.
Powered by dual-core Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 3.0 GHz, the Mac Pro delivered breakthrough performance and power efficiency. With a 256-bit wide memory architecture and support for up to 2 TB of internal storage, users had unprecedented customization options, with over 4.9 million possible configurations to suit their specific needs.
The Mac Pro wasn’t just about raw processing power—it also excelled in graphics and connectivity. Equipped with NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT as standard, users could opt for ATI Radeon X1900 XT or NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 for enhanced graphics performance, ideal for demanding tasks like animation and scientific visualization. Connectivity options were plentiful, with multiple USB, FireWire, and Ethernet ports, as well as support for AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.
Every Mac Pro came bundled with Mac OS X 10.4.7 Tiger, Apple’s advanced operating system that seamlessly integrated with the hardware. With built-in support for Universal applications, users had access to a vast ecosystem of software, including Apple’s own consumer and professional applications, making the Mac Pro an indispensable tool for creative professionals.
Despite its groundbreaking features and enduring popularity, the Mac Pro was discontinued on January 8, 2008, marking the end of an era. However, its legacy lives on, with many enthusiasts considering it a classic computer that still holds its own in today’s tech landscape.
While the original Mac Pro may have paved the way for future innovations, Apple continues to push the boundaries of desktop computing with newer models. From the sleek design of the latest Mac Pro to the unparalleled performance of the M-series chips, each iteration builds upon the legacy of its predecessors while charting new territory in the world of personal computing.
The Mac Pro may have been retired from Apple’s product lineup, but its impact on the world of computing is undeniable. From its revolutionary design to its unparalleled performance, the Mac Pro set a new standard for desktop workstations and left an indelible mark on Apple’s history.
Original Mac Pro Details
| Introduced | August 7, 2006 – 17 years ago |
| Discontinued | January 8, 2008 – 16 years ago |
| Time on the Market | 17 months (1 year) |
| Model Identifier | MacPro1,1 |
| Model Number | A1186 |
| EMC | 2113 |
| Order Number | MA356LL/A |
| Original Price | $2,199 $2,499 $3,299 |
| Colors | Aluminum |
| Weight | 42.4 Ibs. 19.232 KG |
| Dimensions | 20.1” H x 8.1” W x 18.7” D 51.05 cm H x 20.57 cm W x 47.49 cm D |
Mac Pro Mid 2006 Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | Intel Xeon 5130 (2 GHz) Intel Xeon 5150 (2.66 GHz) Intel Xeon 5160 (3 GHz) |
| Processor Speed | Quad 2 GHz (2x Dual-Core) Quad 2.66 GHz (2x Dual-Core) Quad 3 GHz (2x Dual-Core) |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Number of Cores | 4 (2x Dual-Core) |
| System Bus | Dual 1.33 GHz |
| Cache | 4 MB shared L2 per processor (8 MB in total) |
Storage & Media
| Storage | 160 GB 7200 rpm 250 GB 7200 rpm 500 GB 7200 rpm 750 GB 7200 rpm |
| Media | 1 – 16x DVD-R/CD-RW “SuperDrive” |
Memory
| Built-in Memory | 1 GB |
| Maximum Memory | 16 GB (Apple) 32 GB (Actual) |
| Memory Slots | 8 – PC2-5300 240-pin DDR2 ECC or NECC SDRAM 667 MHz |
| Interleaving Support | Yes |
Display
| Built-in Display | None |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 ATI Radeon X1900 XT |
| Graphics Memory | 256 MB (NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT) 512 MB (NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500, ATI Radeon X1900 XT) |
| Display Connection | 1 – DVI and 1 – dual-link DVI (NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT) 1 – dual-link DVI and 1 – Stereo 3D port (NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500) 2 – dual-link DVI (ATI Radeon X1900 XT) |
| Display Modes | Dual display extended and video mirroring |
Expansion
| Expansion Slots | 4 – PCI Express |
| Bays | 4 – Internal 3.5″ Serial ATA drive bays 2 – Optical drive bay |
| Hard Drive Interface | 4 – 3 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) controllers |
| Optical Drive Interface | 2 – Ultra ATA/100 |
| Internal RAID | Mac Pro RAID Card with 256 MB cache and 72-hour cache battery backup (Optional) |
Connections
| Ethernet | 2 – 10/100/1000BASE-T ports (support for jumbo frames) |
| Modem | Apple USB Modem MA03AZ/A (optional) |
| Wi-Fi | AirPort Extreme Card 802.11b/g (optional) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (optional) |
| USB | 5 – 480 Mbps (USB 2.0) |
| FireWire | 2 – 400 Mbps 2 – 800 Mbps |
| Audio In | 1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack 1 – optical S/PDIF (Toslink) input |
| Audio Out | 2 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 1 – optical S/PDIF (Toslink) output 1 – Built-in speaker |
| Display | 1 – DVI and 1 – dual-link DVI (NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT) 1 – dual-link DVI and 1 – Stereo 3D port (NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500) 2 – dual-link DVI (ATI Radeon X1900 XT) |
Keyboard and Mouse
| Peripherals | Apple Keyboard Apple Mighty Mouse |
Software
| Original OS | Mac OS X 10.4.7 |
| Later OS | Mac OS X 10.4.8 Mac OS X 10.4.9 Mac OS X 10.4.10 Mac OS X 10.5 |
| Maximum OS | Mac OS X 10.7.5 |
| Firmware | Intel Extensible Firmware Interface |
| Bundled Software | Mac OS X 10.4 iLife ’06 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand) Comic Life Omni Outliner Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive iWork ’06 (30-day trial) FileMaker Pro 8.5 trial |
Power
| Backup Battery | 3 V CR2032 Lithium (922-6476) |
| Maximum Continuous Power | Unknown |
| Line Voltage | 100 – 125 V AC or 200 – 240 V AC |
Original Mac Pro Introduction Video
Further Reading and References
- Mac Pro: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Apple Unveils New Mac Pro Featuring Quad 64-bit Xeon Processors – Apple Newsroom
- Mac Pro – Wikipedia
- Mac Pro (Mid 2006) – Low End Mac
- Mac Pro – Apple History
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
