Apple reportedly planning server return with NVIDIA partnership for AI-focused hardware

According to The Information, Apple is planning to get back into the server game and might just pair up with NVIDIA to make it happen. Apple retired its Xserve line in 2011 and has largely left enterprise machines to other manufacturers since. But the growing demand for compute power as the AI industry continues to expand has apparently led the company to believe there is an opening for its powerful but efficient ARM-based M processors. Its Mac Mini and Mac Studio have proven popular with AI developers, which has led to shortages.

The server product, whether it’s called Xserve or something else, likely won’t debut until 2029. Word is that it will run on two or four (depending on the model) M8 Ultra chips. Apple only just announced the M6 in August, so the M8 line is a ways out.

It’s also rumored that Apple’s servers could incorporate Nvidia’s NVLink Fusion tech, which connects multiple chips together so they can operate as one. While the two companies have historically had a frosty relationship behind the scenes, recently Apple turned to Nvidia chips to power its revamped Siri servers. Incorporating NVLink could lead to further collaboration between the two, but plans could still change.