Lack of GPU wasn't OP's gripe.

How else would you interpret the comment? The only thing they mention is the lack of GPU, so I'm curious why you would say that.

In any case the price is due to the SSD and RAM upgrades. You can get the i7 with 8gb RAM and 256gb SSD for $1300, which is still pricey but what do you expect from Apple...

An eGPU is going to add $300 for an enclosure and $500 or whatever for the GPU itself, so even with that it gives you a pro desktop option priced cheaper than a Mac Pro.

Base price on the Mac Pro has been $3000 even before the trashcan version. With the pattern in all of Apple's recent products, the next one might be more.

You would interpret it as saying that it is overpriced. A high-end GPU at the same price might make sense, but paying that much for RAM and an SSD is nonsense.

I've interpreted it as being overpriced, with provision that it might not be if there was a (higher end) GPU inside.

With the availability of eGPUs, and Apple even officially supporting and selling them, it's like complaining about a barebone being a barebone.