Apple Developing AI Server With Nvidia Tech for 2029 Launch

Apple is developing a rackmounted AI server for external sale, a potential return to the enterprise hardware market it exited in 2011. The project, which has been in development for about a year, is backed by CEO John Ternus and is targeted for a 2029 launch, though it remains unconfirmed and could be canceled. According to reports, the server would be powered by Apple's future M8 Ultra chips and is being designed for AI developers, businesses, and governments. The hardware is expected to come in two configurations: a smaller model with two M8 Ultra processors and a more powerful version with four. A key element of the development is Apple's evaluation of Nvidia's NVLink Fusion technology. This high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnect would be used to link the M8 Ultra chips together, allowing them to function as a coherent system. Nvidia recently opened this technology for licensing to other companies. The potential use of Nvidia's interconnect marks a significant shift in the long-strained relationship between the two technology giants. Apple ended support for Nvidia GPUs in Macs in 2019 following years of technical disputes.