The base-model iMac Pro also comes with 32GB of RAM (configurable up to 128GB) and 1TB of SSD storage (configurable up to 4TB). (Apple’s also offering 10-, 14-, and 18- core versions.) The base Xeon W supports Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz, which is useful when you’re stuck with particular programs that aren’t written to spread the processor load out across multiple processor cores. I bought and tested the $4,999 base model, which is powered by an 8-core 3.2GHz Xeon W processor. (And yes, the peripherals supplied by Apple-a wireless keyboard with number pad, mouse, and optional trackpad-are available in the same Space Gray shade, for now only with this computer.) Inside, though, this is not like any iMac ever before made. At a glance the iMac Pro is just an iMac (with a 27-inch 5K display with support for the full P3 color gamut) in a slightly darker shade of silver. When I swapped my 2014 5K iMac for an iMac Pro, my workspace didn’t change much. And I have to admit, lately I’ve realized that I don’t fit comfortably in that category either: The more video editing and audio work I do, using software that maxes out my iMac’s processor cores and still takes excruciatingly long to finish doing its work, the more I come to desire faster processors, more cores, and faster storage.

Still, there are a bunch of tasks that require pushing the edges of performance beyond what the 5K iMac can provide. There are plenty of mainstream professional users with the need for decent computing power who don’t need to buy anything beyond a 5K iMac.

As a result, a “pro Mac desktop” doesn’t mean what it did.

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