Apple Has Likely Scrapped 'M2 Extreme' Mac Pro [Gurman]

Apple has likely scrapped its highly anticipated 'M2 Extreme' Mac Pro, according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Pro users have been waiting for a redesigned M-series desktop computer for well over two years now, with Apple missing a self-imposed deadline to transition its lineup to Apple Silicon. A new M-series Mac Pro was rumored to come in two configurations, an M2 Ultra and a new 'M2 Extreme', that would double the power of the M2 Ultra.

The M2 Ultra is said to feature up to 24 CPU cores, 76 graphics cores, and up to 192GB of RAM. The 'M2 Extreme' would have 48 CPU cores and 152 graphics cores but Apple has allegedly abandoned plans to deliver the more powerful processor.


The company has likely scrapped that higher-end configuration, which may disappoint Apple's most demanding users — the photographers, editors and programmers who prize that kind of computing power. The company made the decision because of both the complexity and cost of producing a processor that is essentially four M2 Max chips fused together. It also will help Apple and partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. save chip-production resources for higher-volume machines.

Gurman also suggests that there were concerns about how much the 'M2 Extreme' Mac Pro would cost. He estimates that without any upgrades the configuration would cost $10,000.

The new Mac Pro is now expected to rely on the M2 Ultra chip, distinguishing itself from the Mac Studio with easy expandability for additional memory, storage and other components. Apple is also allegedly working on new external monitors, including an update to the Pro Display XDR. However, the new Pro Display XDR may arrive after the new Mac Pro as it's further behind in development.

Finally, Gurman believes that Apple will move assembly of the Mac Pro to Vietnam from Texas. Apple had agreed to assemble the current Mac Pro in Texas due to pressure from the Trump Administration. Now that Trump is out of office, Apple may move assembly back to Asia.


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