iMac 24" video card question!

[iancapable]

Has anyone confirmed yet that that 24" iMac has removable video cards?

 

[robbieduncan]

Has anyone confirmed yet that that 24" iMac has removable video cards?

The video circuits are on a card, but it's not user accessable and it's not a standard one you can buy in the shops. It's on a MXM card, a special purpose spec designed for laptops. I have never seen one of these cards for sale retail.

 

[iancapable]

The video circuits are on a card, but it's not user accessable and it's not a standard one you can buy in the shops. It's on a MXM card, a special purpose spec designed for laptops. I have never seen one of these cards for sale retail.

They become buyable at some point due to needs of gamers and custom laptops etc.

 

[robbieduncan]

They become buyable at some point due to needs of gamers and custom laptops etc.

Maybe, that's pretty much just speculation. Gamers, outside of Mac Gamers, are unlikely to ask for this as they use full size, full speed graphics cards in their PCs. It's not realisticly possible to self-build a laptop at the moment either.

In addition, as I mentioned above, the card is not really user accessable. You need to take the machine to bits to get to it.

 

[Allotriophagy]

In addition, as I mentioned above, the card is not really user accessable. You need to take the machine to bits to get to it.

That is a non-issue for people who want to upgrade the card.

The actual issue is that the cards available will not be EFI or Mac compatible. There may also be issues of additional heat generation.

 

[robbieduncan]

The actual issue is that the cards available will not be EFI or Mac compatible. There may also be issues of additional heat generation.

That's all true as well, although if Apple continue to use this design you might be able to get a newer card as a service part if you are friendly with an Apple tech (these parts tend not to be available to the public) solving the EFI issue. Heat could still be the killer.

 

[iancapable]

That's all true as well, although if Apple continue to use this design you might be able to get a newer card as a service part if you are friendly with an Apple tech (these parts tend not to be available to the public) solving the EFI issue. Heat could still be the killer.

Yeah I guess... I can deal with only a 7600 for now! I'll buy a new mac again when I get fed up of the 24" (and by the time I buy one it might be upgraded -> jan/feb)

 

[dmw007]

Yeah I guess... I can deal with only a 7600 for now! I'll buy a new mac again when I get fed up of the 24" (and by the time I buy one it might be upgraded -> jan/feb)

I would hope that you could deal with only a 7600, it is a pretty nice video card. 🙂

 

[iancapable]

I would hope that you could deal with only a 7600, it is a pretty nice video card. 🙂

Yeah I just keep thinking I'll end up keeping the machine for more than a year.