Apple weighs its first server since the Xserve, and as always, Nvidia may hold the key
The chip might matter less than the wiring between chips, and that is where Nvidia comes into play.
Apple is reportedly considering launching its first enterprise AI server since the Xserve in 2029, with Nvidia's NVLink Fusion technology potentially playing a key role. The Information claims Apple is looking at two configurations - one with two M8 Ultra chips and another with four, aimed at businesses that want to run AI inference on their own hardware instead of in a public cloud.
The timeline for the server's launch remains uncertain, with a potential release date of 2029, though the project could be canceled before then. If Apple decides to move forward with the server, it would be its first purpose-built server since discontinuing the Xserve in 2011. The company previously turned away enterprise buyers, favoring server configurations of its Mac mini and Mac Pro instead.
Apple's decision to explore an AI server comes as demand for its Macs continues to drive growth, with firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic purchasing large quantities of Mac minis and Mac Studios for AI training purposes. Apple's current flagship M5 Ultra chip, found in the Mac Studio, features four dies connected by its UltraFusion bridge, offering up to 512GB of unified memory and 1.2TB/s of bandwidth.
However, for a server-grade offering, Apple would need significantly more power and faster interconnects between chips, potentially leveraging Nvidia's NVLink Fusion technology.
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