05-07-2013, 05:20 PM
I think the base model will basically be a Pro Mac Mini...relying on thunderbolt for expansion, rather than lots of internal expansion options. So, I think the base model will still use Xeon chips and start in the $2299 range, maybe have room for 2 internal 2.5" drives (no optical), maybe 1 PCI slot, non-standard GPU form factor (i.e. soldered on the logic board, or otherwise basically non-upgradeable), hopefully at least 4 RAM slots. It'll be about twice the height of the mac mini, and possibly use the same form factor. Hopefully at least 2 thunderbolt ports (4 would be great), 4 USB 3 ports, 2 ethernet ports, 2 FW 800 ports.
Then, the kicker is that they'll start selling thunderbolt expansion add-ons. Those will start at $1k, so the real price for these machines is really whatever the base price is + one of these expansion bays.
Then, the kicker is that they'll start selling thunderbolt expansion add-ons. Those will start at $1k, so the real price for these machines is really whatever the base price is + one of these expansion bays.