Apple Is Getting Back Into Servers to Power the AI Boom

Apple is planning to get back into the server game, according to The Information — and it 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 expands has apparently led the company to believe there's 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, and word is it will run on two or four M8 Ultra chips depending on the model — a line that's a ways out, since Apple only just announced the M6 in August. 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, Apple recently 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.