Hardware Possible 4K Switch dock addon. Your thoughts about this?

[Shadd]

THIS IS NO LONGER BEING MAINTAINED NOR UPDATED. COMMENTS OR ANYTHING ADDING ON TO THIS POST WILL BE DISMISSED!

I want to clear this out, THIS IS NOT CONFIRMED NOR MEANS THAT THE NINTENDO SWITCH WILL GET THIS POSSIBILITY!

I ALSO WANT TO STATE THAT IN THE POLL, WHEN IT ASKS IF THE SWITCH WILL BENEFIT FROM IT, IT MEANS THAT IF THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE IT TO BE BROUGHT IN AND YOUR THOUGHTS IF IT SHOULD BE RELEASED.

Over the internet, I kept on hearing some news about a possible 4K addon for the Nintendo Switch's dock. This was started because of how the HDMI port in the dock was the "newer" type of HDMI in that supports 4K. Also, the rumors made it seem really believable because the wide gap in between where the wires go started making more sense.

Here's an example of how this would work (took it from some video's thumbnail, not mine):

It's a little hard to see but that is where the so-called "addon" would fit in. Rumors speculated from a well-known person that has accurately stated rumors about the Switch (before it was out). He stated that the "addon" would be a GTX 1060 (not sure if it was a Ti) with 8GB of RAM built into it. Also, Nintendo did at a point updated the Switch with major clock boosts going towards the GPU.

This diagram also shows that this was at some point going to be a thing. Currently unknown in its current state.

Spoiler: Diagram

Overall this would help Nintendo's next-gen hybrid console, the "Nintendo Switch", will pump out 4K action and possibly bring support for many new future titles. Also, there's a small poll up top in case you missed it.

 

[Kioku_Dreams]

I don't see this being a thing. Nintendo likes to keep it simple.. A new 4k dock, especially with something akin to a GTX 1060, would cost at least as much as a brand new system..

Is it possible? Yeah. My opinion is that it won't.

 

[Shadd]

I don't see this being a thing. Nintendo likes to keep it simple.. A new 4k dock, especially with something akin to a GTX 1060, would cost as much as a brand new system..

Is it possible? Yeah. My opinion is that it won't.

Well, Nintendo did make "add-ons" to basically every single console they made back then and I can't see why they wouldn't do something crazy like this especially when consoles about $600 for 4K is very cheap compared to PCs right now. I mean have you seen the boom in XBONEX's lately? They literally sold out on pre-orders. I really want to see how the community reacts as of this right now.

 

[Kioku_Dreams]

Well, Nintendo did make "add-ons" to basically every single console they made back then and won't see why they won't do something crazy like this especially when consoles about $600 for 4K is very cheap compared to PCs right now. I mean have you seen the boom in XBONEX's lately? They literally sold out on pre-orders. I really want to see how the community reacts as of this right now.

The Xbox One X is a pure console. No add on, no gimmick. You get what you see.

For the 4K add on, it'll be treated like an external GPU. There's a lot that can go wrong there... And knowing Nintendo they'd sell it at such a loss that it wouldn't work.

 

[TheCyberQuake]

That addon would literally cover the main vent that is used for the switch to take in fresh air. Putting an addon in that area would start causing people to have their switch get to hot. That entire area is used as ventilation.

 

[Kioku_Dreams]

That addon would literally cover the main vent that is used for the switch to take in fresh air. Putting an addon in that area would start causing people to have their switch get to hot. That entire area is used as ventilation.

That could be fixed with a secondary fan and vent option. So there's that.

 

[Shadd]

The Xbox One X is a pure console. No add on, no gimmick. You get what you see.

For the 4K add on, it'll be treated like an external GPU. There's a lot that can go wrong there... And knowing Nintendo they'd sell it at such a loss that it wouldn't work.

It's worth a try since it is Nintendo we're talking about. There's nothing wrong with an opinion, but we'll see what will happen.

 

[KingVamp]

Thing is, if they make a 4K console, why make it a dock? Just make it the home only edition. They made the 2ds. They could make a Switch Home.

 

[Kioku_Dreams]

Thing is, if they make a 4K console, why make it a dock? Just make it the home only edition. They made the 2ds. They could make a Switch Home.

A Switch without the portability? Makes sense actually. Mine is docked 90% of the time... Only because my social life is nonexistent with such a shoddy work schedule.

 

[Shadd]

Thing is, if they make a 4K console, why make it a dock? Just make it the home only edition. They made the 2ds. They could make a Switch Home.

Rather than having to buy a completely different console as a so-called "upgraded" N3DS, people would be encouraged to look forward to buying both the console and the "addon."

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

Well if they did make a dock with potential 4K it be better than having a brand new system. It can stay the same portable console hybrid and have the benefits of improved performance. Maybe have 3DS game compatibility with a separate accessory like Gameboy player on gamecube. Seriously they should have made that with wii u but miss opportunity

 

[Xzi]

A Switch without the portability? Makes sense actually. Mine is docked 90% of the time... Only because my social life is nonexistent with such a shoddy work schedule.

Only problem is that WiiU was almost exactly that, and we all know how well that sold.

 

[Kioku_Dreams]

Only problem is that WiiU was almost exactly that, and we all know how well that sold.

A 4k machine that didn't have a niche design? Oh.. No wait... ;p

I get what you mean, but the Wii U was just one failed gimmick. Let's be real here.

 

[Shadd]

Well if they did make a dock with potential 4K it be better than having a brand new system. It can stay the same portable console hybrid and have the benefits of improved performance. Maybe have 3DS game compatibility with a separate accessory like Gameboy player on gamecube. Seriously they should have made that with wii u but miss opportunity

The thing about having a different system is that people would either buy the old system rather than the new system because it's cheaper and either the new or old system wouldn't have as many sales. This would make their marketing strategies easier and better.

 

[KingVamp]

Rather than having to buy a completely different console as a so-called "upgraded" N3DS, people would be encouraged to look forward to buying both the console and the "addon."

Oppose to looking forward to buying both consoles or just the home console for some people?

Only problem is that WiiU was almost exactly that, and we all know how well that sold.

To be fair, it will be at least 6 more months before they come out with a revision, when the Switch is even more popular.

 

[Shadd]

A 4k machine that didn't have a niche design? Oh.. No wait... ;p

I get what you mean, but the Wii U was just one failed gimmick. Let's be real here.

That was because the Wii U had some marketing as it was meant for kids and didn't really seem as great for older players to buy it. The Switch whatsoever chose to market with older looking people making younger children think it is "cool" and the older audience perceive it as something great to look forward to.

 

[anhminh]

Ok, it may run in 4K with that but at what frame rate? And adding a GPU may heat up the dock more than you could think, a simple fan may not be enough for both of them.

And if it does work, it will just be HD upscale to 4K, it won't be that impressive and some may not even notice the different. I don't think 4K market is big enough for Nintendo to risk making this.

 

[Shadd]

Oppose to looking forward to buying both consoles or just the home console for some people?



To be fair, it will be at least 6 more months before they come out with a revision, when the Switch is even more popular.

This would encourage people to buy both products.

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Ok, it may run in 4K with that but at what frame rate? And adding a GPU may heat up the dock more than you could think, a simple fan may not be enough for both of them.

And if it does work, it will just be HD upscale to 4K, it won't that impressive and some may not even notice the different. I don't think 4K market is big enough for Nintendo to risk making this.

Games would update to add in 4K textures and bump up things such as physics or AI mechanics.

 

[Kioku_Dreams]

This would encourage people to buy both products.

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Games would update to add in 4K textures and bump up things such as physics or AI mechanics.

Honestly? At this point, I'll take 60FPS and a smoother experience overall. To each their own.

Ok, it may run in 4K with that but at what frame rate? And adding a GPU may heat up the dock more than you could think, a simple fan may not be enough for both of them.

And if it does work, it will just be HD upscale to 4K, it won't be that impressive and some may not even notice the different. I don't think 4K market is big enough for Nintendo to risk making this.

They got some small PCs with onboard desktop level GPUs. It's not impossible.

 

[anhminh]

Games would update to add in 4K textures and bump up things such as physics or AI mechanics.

And you think Switch can handle all of that and matain playable frame rate with just some extra ram and a GPU? You give it too much credit.