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It would be nice to have a modular desktop with the power of M1 Pro/Max. Not everyone who wants upgradeability and modularity wants to pay $12K+ for a desktop setup. You certainly don't need to pay that much in the PC world. I know Apple has lessened their modularity/expandability over the years, but the desktop is the one area where it could still work and still be justified.

It would be nice to see a non-iMac desktop in between the power of the M1 and whatever the new Mac Pro is going to be. This could be it (or Mac Mini Pro, I suppose).
 
Sounds good to me. There is currently a huge gap in their desktop lineup between the $1k Intel Mac Mini and the $6k Mac Pro.

I also kind of wonder if the M1 Max could even fit into a slimmed down Mac Mini without significant thermal throttling.
There are a few iMacs in that lineup. They are desktop machines. If anything, I’d figure this would slot in around or above the upcoming high end iMacs, especially at that performance level.
 
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The device is "in addition" to the rumored Mac mini and Mac Pro, but primarily based on the Mac mini. It will feature "much more powerful hardware" and there are two versions in development. One machine will use the same M1 Max chip introduced in the 2021 MacBook Pro models, while the other will use an Apple silicon chip that's more powerful than the M1 Max.
I was discussing this rumor just yesterday in the what’s not coming to Peek Performance event. Apple needs a product that is more capable then a Mac Mini, but yet not so high end like the Mac Pro. This has been this requested for a long time, as a alternative to the all-in-one large IMac.
 
It would be nice to have a modular desktop with the power of M1 Pro/Max. Not everyone who wants upgradeability and modularity wants to pay $12K+ for a desktop setup. You certainly don't need to pay that much in the PC world. I know Apple has lessened their modularity/expandability over the years, but the desktop is the one area where it could still work and still be justified.

It would be nice to see a non-iMac desktop in between the power of the M1 and whatever the new Mac Pro is going to be. This could be it (or Mac Mini Pro, I suppose).
Realistically, though, there’s very little upgrade capability and modularity even available with Apple Silicon. No RAM upgrade, no storage upgrade, no GPU upgrade. What else is there?
 
Apple needs a product that is more capable then a Mac Mini, but yet not so high end like the Mac Pro. This has been this requested for a long time, as a alternative to the all-in-one large IMac.
The vast majority of Apple’s customers aren’t interested in a desktop of ANY kind, though… 80%+ of Mac buyers are buying mobile systems. And, of those that want desktop systems, the vast majority actually prefer the iMac line. There’s probably a single digit percentage of anything that’s not mobile and not an iMac being sold.
 
Realistically, though, there’s very little upgrade capability and modularity even available with Apple Silicon. No RAM upgrade, no storage upgrade, no GPU upgrade. What else is there?

That's true. I guess what I'm thinking is, if this is the Mac line-up:

Low: M1 - iMac 24”, Mac Mini, MacBook Air, iPad Pro
Mid: M1 Pro/Max - MacBook Pro, iMac 27”?
High: M1 Duo/Ultra? - Mac Pro?

It would be nice to see a non-iMac at the "Mid" level, modular or not. You're right there aren't many modular options with AS and this would be a more niche product.
 
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So “peek” might mean we get a preview of something that will release “later this year” which will absolutely turn into “a year from now” in reality.
I swear it better not be a peek at future products.

Don’t tell me, SHOW me.

-whine over. Now SHOW ME THEM CASE COLORS! Woo HOOOOOOO!
 
Realistically, though, there’s very little upgrade capability and modularity even available with Apple Silicon. No RAM upgrade, no storage upgrade, no GPU upgrade. What else is there?
Avid cards, esata, pci storage, more USB ports (you can never have enough!) optical network cards, optical audio, And potentially others that I’m forgetting.

Also, depending on how the machine is built, upgradeable storage is totally possible, and probably compatible with the existing Mac Pro drives. Only the SSD controller is on die for the M1.
 
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Doomed to repeat the same mistakes twice.

iTunes Ping -> Apple Music Connect
iPod HiFi -> HomePod
G4 Cube -> Mac Studio

What's next? The Apple Console (aka Apple Pippin 1995)?

Pippin-Atmark-Console-Set.jpg
 
Dear Lawd Jeezus. I ain't asked for much...well...I've asked for lots of stuff, but y'all ain't never delievered?. Anyhow, use yer godly powers to force Apple to make the innards easily accessible. Make 'em use the PM G5 chassis, but scaled down 1:3. Amen.?

If this rumor is true, this is the Mac I've been waiting for for a long, long time.???
 
The vast majority of Apple’s customers aren’t interested in a desktop of ANY kind, though… 80%+ of Mac buyers are buying mobile systems. And, of those that want desktop systems, the vast majority actually prefer the iMac line. There’s probably a single digit percentage of anything that’s not mobile and not an iMac being sold.
Probably because the item that’s not mobile and not an iMac starts at 6 grand.
 
This is interesting. So there may not be an Apple Silicon Mac Pro then. Mac Pro will remain Intel and Mac Studio will be Apple Silicon. I think this is a smart move to name them differently.
This seems like an interesting case, continue selling the Intel to those willing to buy it (R&D costs have already been covered, ONLY make them BTO and they’re still making a profit on each one sold) and shift to Studio branding for the future systems they intend to support for the long run.
 
Avid cards, esata, pci storage, more USB ports (you can never have enough!) optical network cards, optical audio, And potentially others that I’m forgetting.

Also, depending on how the machine is built, upgradeable storage is totally possible, and probably compatible with the existing Mac Pro drives. Only the SSD controller is on die for the M1.
I did notice that there’s an I/O Port on the Mac Pro that’s just to break out those connectors, so I could see that. But, I could see most of the rest not being a thing for a potential Mac Studio. For the upcoming Mac Pro, maybe, but the Studio’s job could be to be the solution for the 80 to 90% that will no longer need Afterburner or GPU slots. There will be some that will find their use case fits a computer more expensive than the one they currently own.
 
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