Imac 27": possible upgradable gpu in the future?

[jclee]

Does it seem like apple may allow for a gpu upgrade for the Imac 27" in the future? lets say if the new revision comes out with a ATI 5xxx with the same slot design, I would think you could upgrade it? Ifixit has photos of the removal of the gpu card.

http://s2.guide-images.ifixit.com/igi/6cGAVgAwJpKFM5Ew.large

http://s2.guide-images.ifixit.com/igi/DuvQipquFYmSvGs3.large

http://s2.guide-images.ifixit.com/igi/aVSHuUxm3d5ZLJPN.large

It's definitely not soldered to the motherboard like all other imacs.

I was also wondering if the i7 cpu is socketed. Some people said they were, but i've never seen photos of it.

 

[old-wiz]

Even if you could change the GPU, where would you get the firmware/drivers for it? Apple has never offered that kind of upgrade.

 

[Hellhammer]

It's possible but your iMac doesn't have the right drivers so you end up with a black screen

 

[jclee]

Even if you could change the GPU, where would you get the firmware/drivers for it? Apple has never offered that kind of upgrade.

I know. I was thinking theoretically. In other words... Apple will allow it and have available drivers and gpu cards. This will attract a number of pc users to apple.

 

[Hellhammer]

I know. I was thinking theoretically. In other words... Apple will allow it and have available drivers and gpu cards. This will attract a number of pc users to apple.

I doubt there would be many people willing to take a 2000$ iMac apart and install 500$ GPU in it...

 

[jclee]

I doubt there would be many people willing to take a 2000$ iMac apart and install 500$ GPU in it...

I would. But i guess you make a point. If apple was planning to have upgrades for the imac then they would make it easier for the consumer to access the parts.

 

[Hellhammer]

I would. But i guess you make a point. If apple was planning to have upgrades for the imac then they would make it easier for the consumer to access the parts.

As long as Steve is alive, it won't happen. He don't want consumers to deal with hardware, just plug&play.

I wonder why Apple didn't make hard drive access easier on new iMacs as it should be user replaceable.

 

[old-wiz]

I would. But i guess you make a point. If apple was planning to have upgrades for the imac then they would make it easier for the consumer to access the parts.

Allowing consumers to do the upgrade opens up the window to a system getting fried due to the upgrader breaking something and then trying to say it's Apple's fault. Even Apple folks will tell you you break your warranty by just upgrading the HD, although the booklet that comes with it shows you how.

Apple's almost certainly not going to allow consumers to upgrade anything beyond HD and RAM. They would much rather you buy a new machine.