Desktops should be flexible. I should be able to get a new monitor without buying a new computer. I should be able to get a new CD drive without buying a new computer. I should be able to get a new graphics card without buying a new computer. The list goes on.
Right now the only Mac that can offers that is the Powermac, which has a $2499 starting price. Apple needs to make these capabilities more accessible, and stop treating its customers like dupes.
I don't necessarily disagree with some of the things you're saying here, but you also have to be very careful what you wish for.
Changing graphics cards, optical drives, and other components at will now means more configurations that OS/X has to run, and run well. Who is supposed to support that, Apple? Third party vendors? Do we then get into the finger-pointing BS between companies when something doesn't go quite right.
That's one of the biggest reasons why I switched AWAY from Wintel and to a Mac.
And when Apple introduces a new OS, will it have to run on everybody's configuration out there? There's a perfectly good reason why Microsoft takes eons to release a new OS when Apple comes out with one every couple of years or so.
And let's be quite honest here - Apple WANTS you to buy a new system from them every few years. They want to entice you with new hardware and software features put together in a beautiful package that will make you forget about your old system. That's their business model. It does them no good for you to hold onto 3 year old hardware, making component manufacturers rich by upgrading video cards, hard drives, optical drives, etc., then fielding questions why problems arise with all those configurations.
Apple is about "just working." Don't spend money on Tech Support fixing issues, but rather R&D developing new solutions. This - IMO - is the essence of "think different."
An open mini-tower that will ultimately be compared to sub $700 Windows towers having little to no margins, with the potential to create more tech support issues just won't happen. I just don't see Apple opening themselves up to this.
The compromise, IMO, is easy accessibility to the stuff that users would and could upgrade themselves over time - RAM and hard drives (which also don't require drivers) - and everything else built to high quality standards that lasts the life of the machine (say 3-5 years.)
Open MacPro configurations are different because 1) they are going into higher-end professional markets where they keep their systems longer and require flexible configurations and 2) they have budgets and willing to spend money with maintenance contracts and upgrade strategies.
Give me a Mac Mini with fairly easy access to memory and hard drive (like my Macbook), HDMI output, external expandability, and enough balls to run whatever software Apple will come up with over the next three years and I'll be happy.
Keep those Windows issues on their side.
