14 DAY TRIAL // Customers looking to identify the graphics card on their newly-acquired Mac Pro might run into some trouble using Apple Hardware Test, but not if they use System Information, in what seems to be an admission on behalf of Apple that OS X has a diagnostics issue.
A Support document titled “Apple Hardware Test misidentifies some graphics cards on a Mac Pro (Mid 2012)” reveals that new Mac Pro workstations are suffering from a problem listing the proper video card model when customers try to access this information using the aforementioned tool.
The “symptom” is described as follows:
“Apple Hardware Test version 3A222 misidentifies the following graphics cards on a Mac Pro (Mid 2012):
· The ATI Radeon HD 5770 is identified as an ATI HD Radeon 5870 · The ATI Radeon HD 5870 is identified as an ATI HD Radeon 5770”
As usual, Apple offers a “resolution,” which has users launching the System Information utility. This way, customers can properly identify which graphics cards are installed on a Mac Pro (Mid 2012), Apple says.
Users must select the Apple () menu, choose About this Mac, click More Info, then click System Report and, in the Hardware section, click Graphics/Displays.
Here, owners will be able to see details on the graphics cards that are installed on their computer, according to the knowledge base article.
This year, Apple gave the Mac Pro a minor speed bump, amid much higher expectations from the fan base.
Recently, a designer relying on his Mac Pro to make a living decided to start a petition urging Apple to disclose the state of the Mac Pro, and whether the company had any plans to upgrade it in the future.
The Cupertino tech giant was mum even after the WWDC 2012 opening keynote, leaving customers to discover a “new” sign next to the Mac Pro in the company’s online store.
Apple quickly removed the sign after disgruntled customers discovered that the enhancement was a mere processor speed bump that made little to no difference for most professionals.
The company is said to have prepared bigger upgrades in the desktop department for 2013.