Apple Mac Pro goes on sale Thursday

Apple's long-awaited Mac Pro is now just a day away from hitting store shelves.

Starting Thursday, customers can order the completely redesigned Mac Pro on Apple's Web site, its retail stores, and through select authorized resellers, Apple announced Wednesday. The computer starts at $2,999, but customization options can push that price higher.

Apple unveiled the new Mac Pro in June at its Worldwide Developer Conference, showcasing a startlingly redesign. Unlike the massive, heavy tower that was the previous Mac Pro, the new computer features a sleek, cylindrical design and is just 9.9 inches tall. The device's diameter comes in at 6.6 inches, and it weighs 11 pounds.

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At the WWDC unveiling, Apple exec Phil Schiller called the new Mac Pro "the future of the pro desktop" and used the opportunity to razz critics who questioned whether Apple had lost the ability to create distinctive devices: "Can't innovate anymore, my ass."

The updated Mac Pro line also has the distinction of carrying the banner for Apple's "Made in USA" manufacturing efforts.

Mac Pro buyers will find a wide array of options, including four different Intel Xeon processor-core options and varying storage, depending on the user's needs. For $2,999, a buyer gets a 3.7GHz quad-core Intel Xeon E5 processor, dual AMD FirePro D300 GPUs with 2GB of VRAM each, 12GB of memory, and 256GB of PCIe-based flash storage starting. For $3,999, the Mac Pro comes with a 3.5GHz 6-core Intel Xeon E5 processor, dual AMD FirePro D500 GPUs with 3GB of VRAM each, 16GB of memory, and 256GB of PCIe-based flash storage. Customization could cost customers thousands more.

The Thursday date for the start of Mac Pro sales, less than two weeks before New Year's Eve, has Apple just squeaking by on its promise to make the high-end computer available before the end of the year.

This story has been updated throughout the morning.