Apple is reportedly preparing to re-enter the server business, potentially teaming up with Nvidia to capitalise on rising demand for artificial intelligence computing power. The company retired its Xserve line in 2011 and has since left enterprise machines largely to other manufacturers.
The surge in compute requirements across the expanding AI industry appears to have convinced Apple that there is an opening for its powerful yet efficient ARM-based M processors. Its Mac Mini and Mac Studio have already proven popular with AI developers, driving up demand to the point of shortages.
What the new Apple server could offer
The forthcoming product, whether it revives the Xserve name or arrives under a different label, is unlikely to launch before 2029. It is expected to run on two or four M8 Ultra chips, depending on the model. That timeline places it well into the future, given that Apple only announced the M6 in August. The M8 line therefore remains some way off.
A possible Nvidia collaboration
Reports suggest Apple’s servers could incorporate Nvidia’s NVLink Fusion technology, which links multiple chips so they can function as a single unit. The two companies have historically maintained a cool relationship behind the scenes, yet Apple recently turned to Nvidia chips to power its overhauled Siri servers.
Adopting NVLink could pave the way for deeper cooperation between the two firms, although the plans remain subject to change. Apple’s earlier Xserve range was discontinued in 2011, marking more than a decade away from dedicated enterprise server hardware.
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Image: theverge.com
