Report says Apple is considering a return to AI servers with Nvidia

In short: Apple is reportedly looking at making servers again for AI work, and it may use Nvidia technology to link chips together.

What's going on

Apple may be planning a return to the server market, according to a report summarized by The Verge and originally reported by The Information. Servers are powerful computers that sit in data centers and run online services, like big shared workhorses instead of personal laptops.

Apple used to sell a server called Xserve, but it stopped that product line in 2011. Since then, it has mostly left business-focused machines to other companies.

The report says Apple sees an opening because AI tools need a lot of computing power. Apple’s own chips, the M series, are known for strong performance while using less electricity than many alternatives. The Verge notes that the Mac mini and Mac Studio have been popular with AI developers, and demand has been high enough to cause shortages.

A new Apple server product is not expected soon. The Verge says it likely would not debut until 2029, and could use two or four “M8 Ultra” chips, depending on the model.

The report also says Apple might incorporate Nvidia’s NVLink Fusion. This is a way to connect multiple chips so they can work together like one bigger brain (like tying several engines to one drivetrain so they can pull the same load).

What to watch

Apple and Nvidia have not always worked closely together, but The Verge notes Apple recently used Nvidia chips for some Siri server work. If Apple moves forward, watch for signs of deeper Apple and Nvidia cooperation, and for any confirmation of a server timeline closer to 2029.

Source: The Verge AI