Reminds me of https://boingboing.net/2012/01/10/lockdown.html
It's a 8core 2.6GHz 45W CPU, not last generation, with lots of ports.
If you don't want a small cool powerful machine, it's not for you
Still, it seems even the barebones being $1500 is a lot. Not sure where the majority of the cost is coming from otherwise without the Optane and GPU. Still seems like a decent premium, but not as exorbitant as I originally thought. Especially since there are some trade-offs (like the x8 PCI-e, etc).
If you don't feel like building one and money is not a concern- then this machine is likely perfect for you. No problem with that at all. In fact, if this machine was more affordable barebones, I'd be interested myself.