If it's true, my thoughts are that they're accepting it's a niche system in an area in which they have no real ability to set the agenda or direction for the industry. They can't expect people to buy the whole widget, GPUs and all, every time they need an upgrade for a particular part - that strategy failed with the 2013.
Perhaps splitting the system, and putting it on a common non-constrained connection bus (ie not thunderbolt) means that, for example, a person upgrading the processor module can leave everything else in place, then repurpose the old processor with new accessory modules. Or, tradein / sell the old processor, which someone else can use as a more affordable entry to Apple's ecosystem (folks who can't afford a new core, and won't buy an iMac - one group of people Apple is losing to Windows & Hackintoshes), buy new accessory modules, then eventually upgrade their processor, perhaps with a new one.
It could reduce sticker shock and the need of the customer to carry risk by over-committing to the super-expensive part straight off the bat.
Remember the rumour a while back that Apple was consulting with RED cameras on modularity, but rather than RED, have a look at how Phase One does their camera systems - $20k 150MP sensor backs that you can use on their own modular DSLR body (which accepts any number of generations of Phase One backs), OR use on a third party technical / medium format camera body. Importantly, when you want to trade up, Phase One will handle the tradeup and have their own secondhand sales channel - you can buy used older generation backs direct from Phase One if you can't afford their latest & greatest.
The 2013 basically had sod-all resale value, because it was only ever an entirely outdated device secondhand. The cMP's upgradability not only meant people could hold onto them longer, but it made them more saleable for folks who needed that sale to allow them to buy their newer generation machine.
Perhaps that's a niche Apple is seeing? Just like car dealerships depend on tradeins and used sales to keep new sales rolling over, perhaps they're starting to realise they need to be more accommodating to the reality that buying, owning and replacing a workstation just isn't the same as a phone or laptop.
Potentially smaller, so reduced shipping and warehousing costs, potentially cheaper floor price so wider customer case scenario etc.
![mirror-on-the-wall[1].jpg](https://forums.macrumors.com/data/attachments/737/737956-61d36222e28d1fbb5456d4f339cd7975.jpg "mirror-on-the-wall[1].jpg")
