Apple's 24-inch iMac features "upgradeable" graphics

One of the biggest bugbears that power users have had with the iMac range is the fact that the graphics card has always been impossible to upgrade, making each and every iMac tied to the graphics card that it comes with. Yeah, yeah, so what, it's an all-in-one computer for general consumers, right? Maybe so, but until Apple releases a fully upgradable mid-range Mac, there will always be a community of not quite pro, not quite consumer Mac users that dream of buying an affordable and tweakable machine from their computer manufacturer of choice. That's why the news that the 24-inch iMac's graphics card is potentially upgradable is causing such a stir. Apparently Apple decided to opt for a Mobile PCI Express Module (MXM for short) as the connection method for the 24-inch iMac's graphics card. This standard was originally designed by NVIDIA for use in high-end gaming laptops -- indeed, the MXM's official page exclusively mentions "upgradeable notebook graphics". Unfortunately for the aforementioned mid-range Mac dreamers, this is far from a viable upgradeable graphics card solution. For a start, Apple has said that users won't have access to the graphics card and even if hackers succeed in gaining access to the slot, there are currently no stand-alone MXM compatible graphics cards on the market: that makes this the modern day equivalent of the infamous mezzanine slot from the original, supposedly expansion slot-free CRT iMacs. So, if you're a budget-minded Mac user comfortable with tinkering around in your machine, you better get back to praying for that Cube resurrection.

[Via TUAW]

[mac-lender @ Sep 8th 2006 11:25PM]

I think the possibilities are great! If apple sell enough of the machines someone will make a after-market card...

[herman @ Sep 8th 2006 11:28PM]

There are some places to get cards like http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/store.html if anyone is interested.

[Michael @ Sep 9th 2006 12:01AM]

I think it's silly that Apple refuses to allow people this option. What does it really hurt? They allow ram upgrades and hard drive upgrades. That never stopped people from buying new machines when they want one.
But it's at least nice that it's there for the die hard among us.

I wonder what the chances are someone could hack this thing to have a DVI input? All of course depending on if someone released a MXM card with a DVI input.

[mastershake916 @ Sep 9th 2006 12:30AM]

Only if someone trust an imac upon me, and made me not sell it, would I remotely care about this crap.

[Kurian @ Oct 14th 2007 10:33AM]

agreed.

[Jeff Foster @ Sep 9th 2006 12:50AM]

I'm one of those prosumer wannabe's you're talking about... an iMac sounds great, but i want expandability!!! i want to be able to buy and install a BluRay burner in a year and i dont want to have a shitload of stupid external crap everywhere just to keep my computer's edge.

The MacPro is siiick, but just outisde of my budget right now. What i really want is the MacAmateur that is less powerful, smaller, but expandable. essentially i want an iMac without a screen, in a MacProMini case. :) i want a resurrection of the G4 Tower... no Cube.

Please, apple, give me an expandable desktop that isn't a top-of-the-line workhorse! (or premium price)! aaaaggkkk i want it so bad!

anyway, the 24" iMac is pretty dang sick, considering a good 24" LCD is 10 to 15 hundred by itself (and probably less pretty) this thing seems like a freakin' deal. I'd take one, if it could also act as a stand-alone LCD once it's internals are outdated. (seriously, that's a major concern.)

er, i'll stop rambling.

[Matt @ Sep 9th 2006 1:15AM]

Maybe I'm wrong but I always assumed the reason apple didn't let you expand was because by limiting the possible hardware possibilities to a small number of configurations they can make sure everything "just works". If they let people upgrade one of their big advantages over windows goes out the window.

[kungfumaniac @ Sep 9th 2006 1:33AM]

It's probably some sort of deal with nvidia to push their proprietary standard. And yes I'd buy another cube. I had one in college and loved it No one had laptops then, and moving every year, all these idiots would lug their dell towers around. the middle of the road, average user is an underserved niche in virtually any market.

[zombie flanders @ Sep 9th 2006 1:49AM]

It's because the iMac is notebok guts in a monitor on a stand. But at least they're finally putting high-end gaming notebook guts in a monitor on a stand.

[Padriac @ Sep 9th 2006 2:38AM]

"Apple has said that users won't have access to the graphics card"

Soruce? I'm pretty sure that Apple, in typical Apple fashion, has said nothing.

iMacs are fairly non-upgradable by design (hence the all-in-one enclosure), so the fact that there is potential loophole allowing one to upgrade the graphics card should the tinker itch hit, is good news for these machines down the line when MXM card's are more prevelant. I love it when a gadget blog gets down on something for being something being TOO cutting edge. I thought the whole point of Engadget was to worship the cutting edge?

[Sasha S. @ Sep 9th 2006 5:01AM]

While iMac is positioned by Apple as a consumer machine - they obviously have seen that many professionals (like myself) are using iMac for their work.
Hence, this model comes equipped with FireWire 800 (strictly a pro feature in Apple universum), VESA compatible mounting and better sound. I am not exactly sure why they have implemented MXM - could be as simple as giving them ability to implement higher spec videocard in BTO without stocking two different motherboards and dealing with logistical complexities of that.

But, if it is there - that opens possibilities, often those manufacturer has not even thought about.

For instance how about implementing Physics or Artificial Intelligence unit on a video card and stucking it in there, or perhaps adding videocard with UWB on it - no need to implement additional cables sneaking in and out of the Mac and still have the full complement of say HDMI input - output.

To conclude: every slot - no matter how specialistic opens possibilities and more options is always good - even if at the end of the day they are not used.

Oh, yes - a message to Windows funboys bashing Mac - get a iLife!!!

[Cutter @ Sep 9th 2006 6:29AM]

No video inputs for that beautiful display?
No deal!

[dave95 @ Sep 9th 2006 10:07AM]

I love Apple products, but here is my problem with their products. They have no middle product line. They have a pro line and a consumer line, but what I am looking for is somthing in the middle where I can upgrade the graphics, more memory expandability etc. without paying for the pro line laptop/desktop.

[AEMV @ Sep 9th 2006 10:28AM]

Did anyone thought about Drivers?? even if you can buy the card and switch it, you still need drivers for it... so this is really Good Bad news for 24" iMac owners

[Alex @ Sep 9th 2006 10:59AM]

This might be a good time to start looking at that external graphics card ATI was working on.

[Booda @ Sep 9th 2006 11:14AM]

I don't see the attraction here. I have a Dell 2405 and a Mac mini. Works great, plus I get all of the extra inputs on the 2405 for things like a Sony PS2, another computer, whatever, not to mention the card reader and extra USB ports.

The mini runs the 2405 just fine. mini + 2405 costs a heckuva lot less than a 24 in. iMac and gives you a lot more options. Add a miniStack and you're pretty much good to go.

Now, if they offered a mini that could drive dual or even triple 2405s, that would be something to get excited about.

Or, if the iMacs were black and not white, that would be something to get excited about. I still don't understand why Apple doesn't offer iMacs in black.

[KenC @ Sep 9th 2006 11:15AM]

video inputs? Get an EyeTV device, and you got your video inputs.

[peter @ Sep 9th 2006 11:22AM]

Apple needs a midrange headless mac. Something between the mini and the pro. Maybe another cube. That is what I am holding out for.

[javaflash @ Sep 9th 2006 11:28AM]

I don't know how this info slipped by me... iMac 24" is now good for VESA mount.

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/iMac_24inch_VesaMountAdapter_InstallGuide.pdf

Imagine this beauty grows to 40" 50" with a integrated TV Turner. I will buy one of those so fast I won't even remember buying it until my bank statement comes.

[Padriac @ Sep 9th 2006 3:47PM]

Mini is a nice little machine, but a Core 2 Duo vs. Core Duo, infininely better video card, and the ability to have more RAM in the iMac make it quite a different beast. Configuring a Mini to have comparable (but still inferior) specs makes it cost nearly as much as the 24 in iMac when you include the price of the monitor. Also, the iMac will drive your 2405 just fine, giving you a nice dual-screen set-up.

Only thing the iMac doesn't allow is native video inputs. The iMac is not a monitior, despite looking like one. If you need your computer monitor to function as the monitor for every other device in your home, then the iMac is not the computer for you. If this is the case (which means price is obviously an issue for you) a tricked out Mini with a Dell monitor is your best bet. A Mac Pro would be better, but is obviously way more expensive

[Rob @ Sep 10th 2006 5:24AM]

Colour graphics, stereo sound, CD, DVD, USB, Firewire... you name it and Apple has always been the first off the starting blocks in installing new technology - usually way ahead of the PC manufacturers.
However, still no Blu-Ray in these new iMacs. Is the price still too prohibitive or is the technology just not ready for an internal (ideally burner) Blu-Ray drive that will fit?

[RIP Steve I @ Sep 10th 2006 3:38PM]

You can, of course, upgrade the graphics card in Power Macs and Mac Pros. Only problem is, there are ZERO worthwhile aftermarket cards for those machines. And Apple doesn't see fit to sell them separate from the initial purchase. So you have a card that can only be upgraded in theory. This has to be one of my biggest pet peeves with Apple.