The original Mac Pro turns 20 today, and though Apple discontinued the line in March 2026, fans still celebrate this workhorse that once topped Apple’s lineup.

The 2006 model, nicknamed the “cheese grater,” was the last Mac to switch from Intel Xeon processors, arriving just before the company’s full move to Apple Silicon. Its distinctive aluminum case, easy side‑opening design, and up to four internal drives made it a favorite among pro users who needed extreme performance and expandability.

Priced at $2,499 in 2006 (about $4,140 today), it offered 1 GB of RAM, a 3.0 GHz Xeon, and could be configured to 32 GB RAM and 8 TB storage. The 2019 refresh, teased in 2017‑2018, promised a new design but never materialized after the shift to Apple Silicon, leaving the Mac Pro’s niche shrinking as the lower‑cost Mac Studio filled the pro market. Still, the original’s blend of raw power, custom enclosure, and professional‑grade expansion set a benchmark that many consider the best Mac ever made.