Intel Launches Dual-Core and Ultra-Low Voltage Ivy Bridge Processors

In what way does the announcement of Ivy Bridge processors have anything to do with the Mac Pro either coming out or not coming out?

It's entirely unrelated.

As for me, I'm putting faith in this. (http://www.marco.org/2012/05/30/amplified-9)

Apple: Just release your updated computers already!

Wow.
Dual Core in 2012 in Apple laptops when other manufactures are going quad or higher on their laptops. Image (http://ezsmiley.com/gallery/misc/icon_lol.gif)

Wow, Apple giving certain consumers what they actually need instead of chasing specs that are irrelevant to them and sacrificing size, weight and battery life to do it (the specs that ARE important to them...)

The argument that "pros need powerful PCs" is becoming less of an issue these days as the technology gets more and more powerful. I remember setting up a video-editing PC 12 years ago and spec'ing powerful hardware with equipment that nobody else needed: huge hard drives, FireWire, etc. Today even your $199 Best Buy special has more than enough power to do the same tasks.

Huh. I spend hours/days waiting for my Cinema 4D, Twixtor, and Final Cut X projects to export/render out. That's on an i7 iMac from last year. My 2009 tower at home is actually faster on a lot of these tasks (no surprise) but darn it all, I'd really like something FASTER.

Besides, if consumers can clamor for a more powerful machine year after year, why can't the pro?

Mac biz is 22 billion annually according to Tim Cook. Shareholder revolt would ensue if Apple tried to walk away from that much money. Besides the Mac is growing and anyone telling you that you can be as productive on an iPad as a Mac is lying. Perhaps in certain edge cases like writing but for the most part a computer with a filesystem, automation and collaboration tools is still superior to a tablet.

I agree, I simply cannot use an iPad for writing up long documents. The whole keyboard idea does not work either. It is not an elegant solution. The mac isn't going anywhere.

I don't think Apple will get rid of the mac lineup anytime soon. After all at the moment we need a mac to make apps for our iOS devices! I can't see apps being made on an iPad! Even typing this message is annoying with the onscreen keyboard!
I could potentially see them licensing OSX on non apple computers if the mac business was not profitable anymore. Doubtful though!
Also, if I think of all the people I know/ work with/ meet everyday they all still love the mac. If there is a consumer want for the mac then there will always be a professional need for a mac pro.

Mac biz is 22 billion annually according to Tim Cook. Shareholder revolt would ensue if Apple tried to walk away from that much money. Besides the Mac is growing and anyone telling you that you can be as productive on an iPad as a Mac is lying. Perhaps in certain edge cases like writing but for the most part a computer with a filesystem, automation and collaboration tools is still superior to a tablet.