Apple once again eyes the server space, this time with NVIDIA
It was just a matter of time.
It seems as though Apple just can't get enough of the AI boom, as reports are coming in that the company is researching a reentrance into the server space. Instead of the legacy XServe lineup of servers, these new Apple servers would be centered around AI infrastructure. These would be enterprise-focused servers to build out data centers further.
As with all of Apple's recent computers, these servers would be powered by Apple silicon, specifically around the M8 Ultra generation family of chips. According to The Information, Apple is weighing options of using two to four M8 Ultra chips to power the servers.
This demand for AI infrastructure from Apple is not a new one. Ever since the rise in AI, the Mac mini and Mac Studio have been exceptionally popular for running local AI agents, containing vast amounts of power in a small, and relatively affordable package.
According to The Information, OpenAI and other AI companies have bought tens of thousands of Mac Studios and Mac minis for testing, proving that they are capable of AI. When scaled up, they would definitely have the power that these AI companies are looking for.
The most interesting part of these new reports is that Apple is also in talks with NVIDIA to utilize their NVLink Fusion technology to build these servers. This proven technology in the server space is vitally important to Apple's servers' success, as Apple's chip-scaling has not proven to work beyond 2 Max chips.
Because the companies are still early in talks, there is not much about what specifically Apple will leverage NVIDIA's technology for. Still, we can infer that it may be about the scaling up of the chips, because of Apple's previous failed attempts at it with the Apple silicon Mac Pro. The Apple silicon Mac Pro was planned to have 2 M2 Ultra chips (4 M2 Max chips), but Apple was not able to get the performance or latency they needed, so this design was scrapped.
The worry that may arise from this is the image of AI datacenters currently. Apple adding to the confusing mess that is AI with something so deep as the actual infrastructure that powers it is still a risky move.
Hopefully these servers will also not just be locked down to AI and enterprise use, so they can have the sprawling community that the XServe line of Apple servers had. It is less likely that this will happen, but because it is so early, it is not definitive yet.
It is also worth mentioning that the Apple server project may never see the light of day, and Apple may scrap the NVIDIA partnership. However, it is clear that Apple is charting a new course with John Ternus in charge. The company is trying things in a different way than before, and it will be interesting to see how things play out.
