I hope next gen consumer Macs have MXM

[capran]

I was originally replying to a Mac Pro forum question about gaming, but I thought this might be relevant to consumer Macs as well.

I'm still holding out a sliver of hope (in vain, I'm sure, knowing Teh Steve) that Apple will come out with a mid-range Conroe Core 2 Duo based Mac that uses regular DDR2 RAM and at least 1 PCI-E 16X slot.

The other day, I also had an interesting thought regarding the possible next generation of consumer computers. The 24" iMac was the first ever to use the MXM module, but it's not user-accessible and not advertised as upgradeable. What if Apple, with the next revisions, put MXM modules (and access doors!) across the Mac Mini, iMac, Mac Book, and Mac Book Pro lines? And offered a number of build-to-order options, as well as aftermarket upgrades?

Gamers would be happy, and the current stagnant 3rd party Mac upgrade market would be revived! The original iMac could be upgraded with a 3dfx Voodoo card, and there's still processor upgrades for the old G3/4 Macs that have socketed CPUs, so why not?

http://consumer.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTI2NiwxLCxoY29uc3VtZXI=

MXM was intended originally to provide system integrators and end-users the ability to customize their laptops, but due to infighting and other concerns, the case today is that MXM is great for the Dells of the world, not so great for the Joe Sixpacks.

Maybe if Apple revised their consumer Macs with across the board user-upgradeable MXM modules and offered a number of options at the time of purchase, as well as after purchase, then they'd spark the mxm upgrade industry, the way they did USB?

 

[Eidorian]

I can see it continuing in the 24" iMac. I doubt it for the other models though. The mini will more then likely just continue with the GMA 3000/X3000.

 

[Jman888]

I can see it continuing in the 24" iMac. I doubt it for the other models though. The mini will more then likely just continue with the GMA 3000/X3000.

Why dont Mini owners deserve decent graphics.

 

[Eidorian]

Why dont Mini owners deserve decent graphics.

I doubt that Apple is going to deviate from Intel's integrated solutions now.

 

[Jman888]

I doubt that Apple is going to deviate from Intel's integrated solutions now.

Why? I mean most people would like it way more..

 

[robbieduncan]

It's not about whether people want it. It's about whether people will refuse to buy the product without it. And it's proven by current Mini sales that a large enough number of people will happily buy with integrated graphics. So Apple will continue to save the costs of the chips and the extra routing on the motherboard to enable them to sell the Mini at current price.

The Mini is not aimed a power users. The Mini is not aimed at gamers. It's aimed at you web-surfing, Word using mum&dad users. They want iApps and that's about it.

 

[Jman888]

It's not about whether people want it. It's about whether people will refuse to buy the product without it. And it's proven by current Mini sales that a large enough number of people will happily buy with integrated graphics. So Apple will continue to save the costs of the chips and the extra routing on the motherboard to enable them to sell the Mini at current price.

The Mini is not aimed a power users. The Mini is not aimed at gamers. It's aimed at you web-surfing, Word using mum&dad users. They want iApps and that's about it.

But its also the only Desktop consumer Mac without a integrated LCD. So if i dont have Pro $$$ and dont like the Imac Form. And hate GMA_950 then.
what is i 2 do?

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Apple uses its lame graphics to get people to buy another Mac sooner plus they are cheap, Its hard to say what they do but their history with video card upgrade paths or PCI slots is shoddy at very best. My guess is the only reason the new 24"iMac has mxm is because Apple had to have something better then stinko integrated yet didnt want a real video card in there. I still dont think you can find any upgrades for this format. Dont count on Apple using cards in its consumer products. Its why I now am using a PC for the most part. Sound card,Video card,TV Tuner card and my slots are full and Iam happy. Apple looses another sale. I doubt they even care.