Apple to Discontinue Mac Pro in EU Due to New Regulations
So long, old friend.
Apple is reportedly preparing to discontinue the Mac Pro in Europe following a change in regulatory standards. MacRumors reports that Apple on Thursday informed European distributors that it would be stopping sales of the Mac Pro in Europe and several other countries as of March 1. The reason for the discontinuation of the Mac Pro is said to be new regulatory requirements.
"As of March 1, 2013, Apple will no longer sell Mac Pro in EU, EU candidate and EFTA countries because these systems are not compliant with Amendment 1 of regulation IEC 60950-1, Second Edition which becomes effective on this date. Apple resellers can continue to sell any remaining inventory of Mac Pro after March 1," Apple said in a statement obtained by MacRumors.
Though Apple says it will no longer sell the machine in Europe as of March 1, the company is actually only taking online orders for another few weeks. The company says it will accept online orders until February 18. MacWorld writes that the new regulation applies to the power provided to the Mac Pro's I/O ports and the placement of its fan guards. No other Apple computer is affected by the new regulations.
While the Mac Pro certainly isn't the most popular Apple machine (the iMacs and MacBook lines are updated far more regularly), it's still rather surprising to learn Apple would rather discontinue the Mac Pro than come up with a version that complies with the new regulations. Then again, with a new Mac Pro due later this year, perhaps there's not much point tweaking the old model for new regulations.

Not when you could throw together a seriously powerful workstation for the same price and have money left over for software.
I just don't get it. Where does it even belong? $4600 buys you something like 3-4 generation old technology.
It's like buying a 1986 Porsche, it has a great name to it but can't really do much compared to a closely priced Ford XR6T 2008 (Australian full-sized 1.6t Sedan by the way, stock 360HP for $20,000)
Looks like bullcrap reason to me.
"The new requirements necessitate fan guards and some increased protection on the ports on the electrical system," explained Apple.
Not when you could throw together a seriously powerful workstation for the same price and have money left over for software.
I just don't get it. Where does it even belong? $4600 buys you something like 3-4 generation old technology.
It's like buying a 1986 Porsche, it has a great name to it but can't really do much compared to a closely priced Ford XR6T 2008 (Australian full-sized 1.6t Sedan by the way, stock 360HP for $20,000)
Looks like bullcrap reason to me.
"The new requirements necessitate fan guards and some increased protection on the ports on the electrical system," explained Apple.
...but I've moved on. Windows 7 & 8 do the trick just fine and I'm good to go with my little MacPro wanna-be Dell XPS and my AMD Phenom X4 965BE.
No, that would be the US. (Remember we need everything telling us it's hot, and dangerous)
Although my cat loves chewing on electrical cables, so maybe it's there to protect the cat from sticking it's paw into the fan trying to get that wild cable inside? Who knows hehe^^
I do think it's funny Apple is discontinuing it though, but considering the system itself is worth maybe 300$ and they charge like 15x that, I can kinda see a value in it, even if it is a pointless regulation.
But I thought all computer cases came with built in fan grills? Not only for user protection, but system protection from dust, and to keep random objects from entering the system?
What do you think I chose? (I did not want apple cider).....lol
It's because apple is so cool and fresh and innovating and(insert other words that apple and their fans use to describe them which aren't true).
Awww did Fox News tell you to call the EU that?
I think therein lies the crux of the truth for the PC crowd mentality where you think some piece of crap American car equals a Porsche just because it has more horsepower. I suppose bud "beer" is the best beer too cause its always on sale and has the same amount or more alcohol.
By the way, it's funny to see that they are blocked by this, but still get away with the fact that they are the one and only smartphones manufacturers in the world who doesn't respect the EU rules regarding the micro-USB chargers...
Wait, so you don't think that status-symbol car brands are overpriced? Not that there's anything wrong with an overpriced Mercedes or a BMW or a Porsche -- but it's assumed at those dealerships that you're paying a high premium in return for the ability to show off to your friends and/or potential clients. At least a car works as a status symbol.
A phone or a tablet or a computer? If you have to retreat to those items to show off your status, then that's pretty sad. Comparing Porsche to Apple? Even sadder.
While I am not exactly the world's biggest fan of Mac, I do have to stick up for them here. The mac pros are actually some really really good machines. They have great cases, great cooling (except of that line of duel G5s with the water coolers that would rust out... that was bad), tons of throughput, all server grade hardware, and they have gotten some really impressive exclusive Intel CPUs in them on a few occasions. And on top of all of that, Apple treats it's Pro users VERY well.
I work with a nonprofit that uses all mac pros and I was really scratching my head as to why on earth they would waste that kind of money. But I have to admit, for a company that has absolutely 0 technical skills they work very well for them. No viruses, no maintenance to speak of, when things break the store has often replaced defective units with newer models, and even some of the 10 year old Mac Pros that they have are still used for what they were purchased for. Considering what they have saved on tech support and replacement costs, the high entry price has been more than justifyable for them.
That being said: Anyone smart enough to know how to use, protect, and upgrade a PC should absolutely get a PC. It is way cheaper if you have even a basic working knowledge to get a PC and do your own maintenance. You can easily purchase 2 high end PCs for the price of a single high end Mac, and if you can build your own then it often goes up to 3:1. But if you are just going to throw all of your money at maintenance costs anyways, then Mac Pros are a good investment.
Dude, you bought a dell... you still lost.
Looks like bullcrap reason to me.
"The new requirements necessitate fan guards and some increased protection on the ports on the electrical system," explained Apple.
Seriously. I kept waiting for the article to summarize the regulation in question -- and it never did. Thanks for looking out.