Apple, please introduce GPU mac mini line

[koyoot]

Mac Mini in current form is, and in future will be NUC type offering from Apple, so better get used to its current form. What I believe Apple might do is cut the trash can in half, redesign the thermal core a bit, bring quad core 35W CPUs(Skylake, for example), with single GPU that can fit in the case(Fury Nano for example) and SO-DIMM memory like are in iMac. Offer it for prices starting at 999$ for simplest config like with 2.2 GHz CPU only, 256 GB SSD, 8 GB of RAM, etc, and give ability to build it over it.

 

[jpietrzak8]

What I believe Apple might do is cut the trash can in half, redesign the thermal core a bit, bring quad core 35W CPUs(Skylake, for example), with single GPU that can fit in the case(Fury Nano for example) and SO-DIMM memory like are in iMac. Offer it for prices starting at 999$ for simplest config like with 2.2 GHz CPU only, 256 GB SSD, 8 GB of RAM, etc, and give ability to build it over it.

Honestly, I can't see that happening. The problem is, for folks who don't want to tinker with a desktop PC, who want everything as simple as possible, the iMac is already perfect for their needs. Folks who need more, who need the flexibility of a headless device, generally also want the flexibility to customize the rest of the device to their needs as well.

I'm pretty sure this is why Apple has abandoned the classic mid-range desktop PC world, and stuck to niche devices instead (micro-pc, all-in-one pc, ultra-high-end pc). Apple retains total control over the hardware this way...

 

[koyoot]

People constantly complain how Macs are not user upgradeable. I am wondering how long PC world will be upgradeable. OEMs are going in direction of BGA sockets, and producers(Intel, AMD, Nvidia) are seeing it. What is more, they see that much more money lies in that segment. In quite close future 90% of market out there will be BGA, regardless of whether you want it or not. NUC's, All-In-Ones, Laptops - that is where the mainstream will be.

This is the Post-PC era what Tim is referring constantly. Not that Tablets will replace computers, they may for some tasks. But real post-PC era is in non-replaceable parts. If you will want custom build PC - you will have workstation and server parts. With gigantic premium to pay.

 

[poematik13]

The "dual workstation GPUs," even the D700's, are only mid-range GPUs and are rather weak for gaming.

I never said they were intended for gaming. They aren't. They are designed for professional use.

 

[jpietrzak8]

This is the Post-PC era what Tim is referring constantly. Not that Tablets will replace computers, they may for some tasks. But real post-PC era is in non-replaceable parts. If you will want custom build PC - you will have workstation and server parts. With gigantic premium to pay.

Which begs the question -- if manufacturers can create custom parts cheaply (and obviously they can), and users want custom parts (and obviously many do, since that is still the biggest part of the desktop PC market today), just how are Apple and Microsoft going to push through this "non-replaceable" revolution? Apple has already pretty much maxed out the segment of the market that likes non-customizable machines. If Microsoft abandons it as well, I suspect that just means someone else (a Linux group maybe?) will sweep in and collect all the users that have been abandoned...

 

[koyoot]

Nobody will be abandoned. If you will want custom build PC, you will pay more for Workstation parts.

 

[jpietrzak8]

If you will want custom build PC, you will pay more for Workstation parts.

No, I won't. Because the guy selling these supposed Workstation parts will be undercut by the same folks who today are selling conventional PC parts. Not everybody needs Workstation-level PCs (in fact, almost nobody really does). Today's inexpensive conventional PC is ideal for most non-portable computing needs, and I don't see that changing any time soon.